Kevan Miller is off into retirement and Brandon Carlo has been locked up for six more years, keeping him in Boston through his age 30 season.
The right side of the Bruins’ defense is taking shape.
But there’s still a big hole on the left side — one president Cam Neely described as a 20-minute-plus slot that has to be filled before Boston hits the ice this fall. If only the Bruins had retained the services of a large, defensively proficient, veteran left-shot defenseman, who could also bring impeccable leadership skills, before last season. Of course, that horse left the barn long ago. (Although regardless of what you thought of Zdeno Chara’s play in 2020-21, you can’t argue that he wouldn’t have helped the Bruins in their attempt to win one more Stanley Cup during their core’s closing window).
So what’s next on the left side? Clearly, we’re not looking at a Jeremy Lauzon, Jakub Zboril, or Urho Vaakanainen Era, where one of those three prospects emerges as a long-term partner for Charlie McAvoy on the top pair. All three might continue to develop into decent contributors, but top-pair (or maybe even top-four) defensemen they are not in their current states when the Bruins fashion themselves Cup contenders.
Here’s a look at what unrestricted free agency and the trade market could bring the Bruins in terms of a left defensemen:
Ryan Suter, 36
Annually players get bought out, and Bruins Twitter goes crazy figuring out if said player could fit Boston’s lineup. This year Suter entered the fray.
Suter’s buyout by Minnesota was a surprise, especially since he’s still a serviceable player.
Alas, the Wild were facing a roster crunch before the expansion draft, so now we’ll see if he wants to finish up his illustrious career somewhere he could win the Stanley Cup. There will be a lot of competition (Suter’s former Nashville coach Barry Trotz would probably love the defenseman on Long Island), but the Bruins claim to have the culture to attract this type of talent and they have the playing time to offer and the cap space. The Bruins shouldn’t be afraid to go up to three years at something comparable to Carlo’s $4.1 million AAV to add a top-four defenseman without relinquishing assets.
Related: Five Potential Suitors For Ryan Suter
Remember, the Bruins should be in win-now mode based on their aging core. Suter would be the type of addition that proves general manager Don Sweeney cares about the present more than 2025 or whatever.
Oliver-Ekman Larsson, 29
The Coyotes and their stalwart defenseman have reportedly agreed to a parting of ways. However, they want a big return and he just hasn’t been the same the past couple years, as James O’Brien of Pro Hockey Talk explained in this piece.
Let’s say Bruins scouts think OEL can be revitalized playing in their amazing culture in front of actual hockey fans with a Cup contender. That’s still too risky for them to do much more than give up a mid-level prospect and pick for OEL’s services, unless the Coyotes are willing to retain 50 percent of his $8.25
In fact, unless Arizona’s going to retain a significant portion of OEL’s deal, this should be a hard pass. Even then it would have to be a deal after the expansion draft and it couldn’t involve more than one top-level prospect (farewell Urho?).
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphins
by Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
Latest Bruins News
What The Left Defense Landscape Looks Like For Bruins
Five Potential Suitors For Ryan Suter
Bruins Sign Brandon Carlo To Six-Year Contract Extension
NHL Expansion Draft Projections For The Atlantic Division
Trent Frederic Is Ready To Take The Next Step With The Bruins
Alec Martinez, 33
This guy’s a winner and he checks off all the boxes for what the Bruins need. He’s also going to have a lot of suitors if he hits the UFA market. Are the Bruins determined to win while Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and, possibly, David Krejci and Tuukka Rask (if they re-sign), are upright? Then this is the move they have to make if they don’t get Suter.
They need to be the highest bidder and take a chance that the second half of this contract is going to be David Backes Part II. But unlike Backes’ deal, this one could legitimately bring the Cup back to Boston before Bergeron leaves as a UFA to join the Quebec City Coyotes (just kidding).
Best of the rest
Mark Giordano is 37 and on the verge of being exposed in the expansion draft. Would the Flames be willing to take a small asset for their captain, and would he be willing to play the last year of his contract in the East? The Bruins would be fools not to find out. … Ryan Graves, 26, could be moveable by Colorado as the Avalanche deal with their cap crunch, especially looking past this offseason. Bruins probably don’t have the assets to win an auction if the Avs put him on the market. … How is Keith Yandle still just 34? He’s signed for two more years at $6.35 million. This is the type of move Sweeney makes (if he can get Florida to eat some money) to make it look like he’s serious about contending, but then laments the lack of shutdown ability on the left side come another second-round ouster in the spring. … Marc Staal, Alex Goligoski, Ryan Murray — UFAs that don’t move the needle. … Shayne Gostisbehere? A reclamation project the Bruins should leave for someone else to attempt.
Bottom line
Suter or Martinez would push the Bruins close to the Cup conversation during the current core’s window. OEL makes sense if the Coyotes decide they can’t continue on with him in their sweater and lower their price, plus eat a lot of cash. Everyone else mentioned above or in recent rumors wouldn’t make that much of a difference for a Bruins team that’s got to win in 2022.
The post What The Left Defense Landscape Looks Like For Bruins appeared first on Full Press Hockey.
-
Ep 116: Former Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 3:03 am
Former Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians joins Clark and Ira to discuss […]
-
Ep 115: Gil Brandt Joins The Show To Remember Cowboys RB Don Perkinsby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 114: Former Bengals QB Ken Anderson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Former Bengals quarterback and NFL MVP, Ken Anderson, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 113: HOF Voter Barry Wilner Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 6:04 pm
For AP chief correspondent and current Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, […]
-
Ep 112: Colts Owner Jim Irsay Joins To Talk "The Jim Irsay Collection"by Full Press Coverage on May 31, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay returns to the show to talk with Calrk […]
-
Ep 111: Joe Horrigan Returns To Remember Vietnam Veteran And Former Bills OT Bob Kalsuby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2022 at 9:25 pm
As we approach Memorial Day, Joe Horrigan returns to the show to talk to […]
-
Ep 110: New Playoff Teams In 2022; Best Matchups On NFL Scehduleby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 3:42 am
Clark, Ira, and Ian give their four teams that didn't make the NFL […]
-
Ep 109: Hall of Fame Voter Ed Bouchette Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 6:28 pm
Long time Steelers writer and current Hall of Fame voter, Ed Bouchette […]
-
Ep 116: Former Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 3:03 am
Former Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians joins Clark and Ira to discuss […]
-
Ep 115: Gil Brandt Joins The Show To Remember Cowboys RB Don Perkinsby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 114: Former Bengals QB Ken Anderson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Former Bengals quarterback and NFL MVP, Ken Anderson, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 113: HOF Voter Barry Wilner Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 6:04 pm
For AP chief correspondent and current Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, […]
-
Ep 112: Colts Owner Jim Irsay Joins To Talk "The Jim Irsay Collection"by Full Press Coverage on May 31, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay returns to the show to talk with Calrk […]
-
Ep 111: Joe Horrigan Returns To Remember Vietnam Veteran And Former Bills OT Bob Kalsuby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2022 at 9:25 pm
As we approach Memorial Day, Joe Horrigan returns to the show to talk to […]
-
Ep 110: New Playoff Teams In 2022; Best Matchups On NFL Scehduleby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 3:42 am
Clark, Ira, and Ian give their four teams that didn't make the NFL […]
-
Ep 109: Hall of Fame Voter Ed Bouchette Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 6:28 pm
Long time Steelers writer and current Hall of Fame voter, Ed Bouchette […]
-
Ep 235: Most Rostered Dynasty Players in 2022by Full Press Coverage on June 30, 2022 at 2:03 pm
-
Ep 234: Madman Trade Showby Full Press Coverage on June 23, 2022 at 9:36 pm
-
Ep 233: Rookie Draft Roundupby Full Press Coverage on June 9, 2022 at 2:59 am
-
Ep 232: Philosophy of Fantasy Footballby Full Press Coverage on June 3, 2022 at 10:32 pm
-
Browns Quarterback Drama; Will Deshaun Watson Be Suspended? Will Baker Mayfield be with the Browns?by Full Press Coverage on July 6, 2022 at 1:22 pm
From FPC Radio LIVE, Ian and John discuss the Browns QB situation and give […]
-
Early NHL Offseason Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 8:00 pm
From Full Press Hockey Weekly, Jim Biringer and Chris Wassel give their […]
-
7/6 - Kevin Durant, NBA Offseason, Browns QB Dramaby Full Press Coverage on July 6, 2022 at 1:19 pm
Ian and John discuss the NBA offseason, Kevin Durant, and the Browns […]
-
7/1 - Kevin Durant Requests Trade; NBA Offseason Begins With a Bangby Full Press Coverage on July 1, 2022 at 6:42 pm
Ian and John react to the Kevin Durant trade request and the wild start to […]
-
6/29 - Avs Win Stanley Cup; NFL News and Notesby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 1:56 pm
Ian and John discuss the Avalanche winning the Stanley Cup and the […]
-
6/24 - WSOP; NBA Finals Talk; Stanley Cup Coming To An End; NBA Draftby Full Press Coverage on June 24, 2022 at 2:15 pm
Ian and John are back to discuss the World Series of Poker, the NBA Finals […]
-
6/15 - Celtics Falter In San Fran, Can They Force A Game 7?by Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 4:23 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics loss in Game 5 and what they have to do […]
-
6/13 - Goodfellas; Celtics/Warriors, Stanley Cup Finalby Full Press Coverage on June 13, 2022 at 4:46 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics loss in Game 4 and look ahead to Game 5 […]
-
Are The Celtics In The Heads Of The Warriors?by Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 5:50 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics Game Two win as well as if they are […]
-
6/10 - Jason Alexander; Tom Brady; Celtics/Warriorsby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 2:24 pm
Ian and John discuss the Tom Brady non answer, Jason Alexander's weekend, […]
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Tyreek Hill from the Chiefs to the […]
-
Ep 37: Matt Ryan Traded To The Colts; Jameis Returns To NOLA; Mariota to ATLby Full Press Coverage on March 23, 2022 at 6:00 pm
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts […]
-
Talkamania Episode 227by Talkamania on June 12, 2022 at 3:27 am
-
Talkamania Episode 228by Talkamania on June 12, 2022 at 3:04 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 188 "MITB Preview"by Boot 2 The Face on June 26, 2022 at 10:25 pm
Rucker and Marty are back talking the updated Forbidden Door ppv, injuries […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 186 "Cody Did What?"by Boot 2 The Face on June 13, 2022 at 12:21 am
Boys are back talking WWE HIAC, and the crazy effort put forth by Cody […]
-
Browns Quarterback Drama; Will Deshaun Watson Be Suspended? Will Baker Mayfield be with the Browns?by Full Press Coverage on July 6, 2022 at 1:22 pm
-
7/6 - Kevin Durant, NBA Offseason, Browns QB Dramaby Full Press Coverage on July 6, 2022 at 1:19 pm
-
Ep.43: The Bright Futureby Full Press Coverage on July 6, 2022 at 2:17 am
-
Ep. 192 - KD Trade Request Dominates NBA Free Agencyby Full Press Coverage on July 5, 2022 at 9:27 pm
-
Ep.5: The FCS Sceneby Full Press Coverage on July 3, 2022 at 5:00 am
-
Ep 120: Sting Part Two - Enter The Crowby Full Press Coverage on July 2, 2022 at 2:00 pm
-
7/1 - Kevin Durant Requests Trade; NBA Offseason Begins With a Bangby Full Press Coverage on July 1, 2022 at 6:42 pm
-
Ep 235: Most Rostered Dynasty Players in 2022by Full Press Coverage on June 30, 2022 at 2:03 pm
-
Early NHL Offseason Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 8:00 pm
-
Ep 74: Bruce Cassidy Fired; Bergeron Returning?; Bruins Front Office Blameby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 5:48 pm
-
7/6 - Kevin Durant, NBA Offseason, Browns QB Dramaby Full Press Coverage on July 6, 2022 at 1:19 pm
-
7/1 - Kevin Durant Requests Trade; NBA Offseason Begins With a Bangby Full Press Coverage on July 1, 2022 at 6:42 pm
-
6/29 - Avs Win Stanley Cup; NFL News and Notesby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 1:56 pm
-
6/24 - WSOP; NBA Finals Talk; Stanley Cup Coming To An End; NBA Draftby Full Press Coverage on June 24, 2022 at 2:15 pm
-
6/15 - Celtics Falter In San Fran, Can They Force A Game 7?by Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 4:23 pm
-
6/13 - Goodfellas; Celtics/Warriors, Stanley Cup Finalby Full Press Coverage on June 13, 2022 at 4:46 pm
-
Are The Celtics In The Heads Of The Warriors?by Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 5:50 pm
-
6/10 - Jason Alexander; Tom Brady; Celtics/Warriorsby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 2:24 pm
-
6/6 - Josh Allen Overhyped? Celtics/Warriors Game Twoby Full Press Coverage on June 6, 2022 at 2:46 pm
-
6/3 - Celtics Take Game One From Golden Stateby Full Press Coverage on June 3, 2022 at 10:46 pm