Ty Anderson: 5 thoughts on what B's did in free agency

I'd swap Coyle and Poitras. Lysell is Kase 2.0...plenty of talent but can't stay on the ice. Whether it's Lindholm or Zadarov on the 3rd pairing...that's a lot of cap space wasted.

I kind of thought getting a first line center would have pushed Zacha and Coyle down to 2C and 3C.

I'd swap Coyle and Poitras. Lysell is Kase 2.0...plenty of talent but can't stay on the ice. Whether it's Lindholm or Zadarov on the 3rd pairing...that's a lot of cap space wasted.
- bluemoon737

Bruins overpaid a player to get meaner on the back end. To hold the Bennetts and Tkachuk's accountable. Which they needed.

As soon as he was signed i knew Zadorov would be an expensive bottom pairing player because i think Lohrei will surpass him and Lindholm is a better hockey player. I think he also prefers the right side but I'm not positive. Either way, they can mix and match and see where the chemistry is. At the end of the day, he fills a role they desperately needed so it doesn't matter if he is on the 1st or 3rd pairing.

They have a lot of money invested in the defense for sure.

I kind of thought getting a first line center would have pushed Zacha and Coyle down to 2C and 3C.


- ThatDarnCat

Well Coyle probably will move down to 2C - where he belongs.
And Zacha plays well with Pasta, so he would be on the wing.

Well Coyle probably will move down to 2C - where he belongs.
And Zacha plays well with Pasta, so he would be on the wing.
- Nasty_Duck

Agreed. Load up the first line. Zacha plays well with Pasta and Coyle played well with Marchand.

Why wouldn't Merkulov get a chance to audition for the spot penciled in for Lysell? Anytime he's been brought up, they put him on the bottom 6. He's not a bottom 6 forward and so far has been a poor showcase. Meanwhile how many times did we have to watch Oskar Steen do complete (frank) all?

Why wouldn't Merkulov get a chance to audition for the spot penciled in for Lysell? Anytime he's been brought up, they put him on the bottom 6. He's not a bottom 6 forward and so far has been a poor showcase. Meanwhile how many times did we have to watch Oskar Steen do complete (frank) all?
- glove_was_stuck

Hopefully one of the two or both can make the leap. The team needs offensively creative players.

Think we’re being a little too quick to write off Lysell already. Still very young.

Pavel Zacha - Elias Lindholm - David Pastrnak

Brad Marchand - Charlie Coyle - Fabian Lysell

Trent Frederic - Matt Poitras - Morgan Geekie

Max Jones - Johnny Beecher - Mark Kastelic

I'd be worried about Zacha on the top line. He's really a 2C/3C as witnessed in his days in NJ.

Pavel Zacha - Elias Lindholm - David Pastrnak

Brad Marchand - Charlie Coyle - Fabian Lysell

Trent Frederic - Matt Poitras - Morgan Geekie

Max Jones - Johnny Beecher - Mark Kastelic

I'd be worried about Zacha on the top line. He's really a 2C/3C as witnessed in his days in NJ.
- Crushers68

Zachas game has elevated since he left New Jersey. He was nothing but solid last year.

Hopefully one of the two or both can make the leap. The team needs offensively creative players.

Think we’re being a little too quick to write off Lysell already. Still very young.
- Mahewman

Including another guy who seems to be deserving of legitimate audition is not writing him off. It's healthy competition and not putting all your eggs into one basket. Especially when the egg seems to be made of glass.

Including another guy who seems to be deserving of legitimate audition is not writing him off. It's healthy competition and not putting all your eggs into one basket. Especially when the egg seems to be made of glass.
- glove_was_stuck

The more the merrier. I hear you. It was really just a blanket statement in general. A lot of fans seem to be ready to move on from Lysell already.

The more the merrier. I hear you. It was really just a blanket statement in general. A lot of fans seem to be ready to move on from Lysell already.
- Mahewman

Agreed, but that is the current rhetoric on him. Unfortunately he's earned it. His development has been a little slow given the pedigree and where he was picked. There have also been articles written about his attitude casting him in a negative light. Lastly, his attempts at playing in the show have not gone well.

I hope he breaks through. The team needs him.

Also I saw an article on social media(use entire salt shaker) from a less reputable source than Hockeybuzz that the Bruins are eyeing Nikita Gusev as his KHL contract is up. Looking at HockeyDB his last season was his best yet. Could be a low risk high reward signing. Even better if it was only a PTO to start.

It'll be downright dangerous trying to carry the puck into our zone with Charlie and Zadorov throwing their bodies at guys with malicious intentions.
Heads up!

I actually don't see a down side to anything so far! I like the mix of veterans and rookies. I am looking forward to seeing how it works this fall. I'm tired of the shoulda coulda comments 😒 Right now it looks like a competitive team, I'm willing to give them a chance like I did in 2011.

Agreed, but that is the current rhetoric on him. Unfortunately he's earned it. His development has been a little slow given the pedigree and where he was picked. There have also been articles written about his attitude casting him in a negative light. Lastly, his attempts at playing in the show have not gone well.

I hope he breaks through. The team needs him.

Also I saw an article on social media(use entire salt shaker) from a less reputable source than Hockeybuzz that the Bruins are eyeing Nikita Gusev as his KHL contract is up. Looking at HockeyDB his last season was his best yet. Could be a low risk high reward signing. Even better if it was only a PTO to start.
- glove_was_stuck

Woah dude, check your computer for virus'. Thats downright dangerous going to places less reputable than this place.

The more the merrier. I hear you. It was really just a blanket statement in general. A lot of fans seem to be ready to move on from Lysell already.
- Mahewman

I want to see what Lysell and Merkulov can do given a real opportunity. And not just a two shift look in the top six one game. Let them have a real 10 game look and see what shakes out. I think we can pass a safe judgement after that.

For Lysell specifically, the talent is there. He needs to put his game together and stay healthy. If he accomplishes that, I could see him as a middle six scoring forward.