Burga's Mock Offseason

 
Okay let's get right into it.

With just about 9.8 million in cap space, there's not a whole lot of room to maneuver. So my first move would be to ship Rich Peverley. He's a speedy, versatile player but has offered little other than depth and PK ability while boasting a $3.5 mill cap hit. That type of production can easily be replaced by someone with a lower cap hit.

Transaction 1: Trade Peverley to Columbus for a Conditional 3rd round pick (becomes a 2nd if they make the playoffs). They could use depth from a guy who can help on the penalty kill and has some offensive upside.

So now there's about 13.3 mill in cap space. That's more like it. The first priority is obviously to sign Rask to a long term deal. He could make some serious cash in the open market, but he wants to play in Boston. He loves the team and understands the nature of the cap so I think he will sign a team-friendly deal. I would sign him for a 6 year deal at $5.8 mill a year.

With $7.5 left, Horton becomes the next priority. His size, skill, and competitiveness make him a great Bruin and his chemistry with Lucic is a plus. He's another guy who could command more on the open market, but if I'm Chiarelli I lock up number 18. Resign him for 3 years at $5.2 mill a year.

That leaves just 2.3 million left- (see why shedding Peverly's contract is so important?). I let Ference, Jagr, Pandolfo, Daugavins, Johnson, and Redden walk. Thanks for your services, see ya later.

Jordan Caron has been an enigma. Like Zach Hamill, the first rounder has shown flashes of decency but hasn't been able to force his way into the roster. He's got size and offensive skill, but doesn't seem good enough at anything to be in Boston permanently. I would sign him to a 2-way deal (which doesn't count against the cap unless he makes the squad) at around $1.3 million.

The team now has seven defenseman, which I keep the way it is. Chara, Seidenberg, Boychuk, and McQuaid are your guarantees, and Hamilton, Krug, and Bartkowski will compete for the final two spots. This defense is young, quick, and bodes will for the future. The Bruins haven't boasted an ability to move the puck like that in years.

There are 11 forwards signed to the roster. I'd like to leave an open spot on the third line for one of the young guys to win over in training camp. Guys like Caron, Knight, Spooner, Khokhlachev, and maybe even surprises like Griffith or Camara. However, knowing the way Chiarelli operates, there is always a backup plan. So I'd sign Eric Nystrom, a UFA out of Dallas. He's an experienced player, has grit and will go into the dirty areas, and can play in different situations. One year, $ 900k.

There's still the problem of backup goalie. Khudobin is great and I love him as a backup, but he will command too much and he deserves it. He'll walk, looking for other options. So I sign Mathieu Garon, a career backup who will give you a solid performance every night. He won't need much, so think 1 year 1.1 million.

That puts us right up against the cap, and here's your roster for next season:

Lucic Krejci Horton
Marchand Bergeron Seguin
Soderberg Kelly Nystrom
Paille Campbell Thornton

Chara Boychuk
Seidenberg Hamilton
Krug McQuaid

Rask
Garon


That third line is the only questionable one. I have faith in Soderberg to take the next step after seeing almost a year and long playoff run of NHL hockey. A young guy could step up like Marchand and Lucic did in the past and force himself onto the roster, which would make Nystrom the odd man out. I like this team a lot.

And last but not least, lock up Bergy to an 8 year, $56 million year contract. He deserves it, Boston deserves it, and I think it's a win-win for everyone.