Do Struggling Bruins Want To Make A Main Roster Transfer?

The Boston Bruins have gotten out to a horrendous begin to the 2024-25 common season, going 4-6-1 heading into Saturday’s sport towards Philadelphia. And though the Bruins obtained again heading in the right direction by beating the Flyers 3-0, securing win No. 5, there’s nonetheless an air of desperation surrounding this Boston staff – actually not the precise vibe you need to see so early within the season.

And that brings to thoughts the query – is it time for Bs GM Don Sweeney to contemplate making a commerce, or is it too quickly for any drastic measures?

From our perspective, it’s nearer to the latter than the previous. The Bruins might have barely moved up within the Atlantic Division with Saturday’s win, however Boston remains to be nearer to the eighth-place Montreal Canadiens than the first-place Florida Panthers or second-place Tampa Bay Lightning. That’s a notable downside, and if it continues, one thing has to vary in Beantown.

Might those changes include a change behind the bench? We don’t assume so. Coach Jim Montgomery is simply two years faraway from profitable the Jack Adams Award because the NHL’s finest bench boss throughout the 2022-23 season, and he hasn’t forgotten tips on how to coach in that interval. We suspect his job is protected for the foreseeable future, which suggests any main change should occur through the commerce market.

That mentioned, if there’s going to be a commerce, it is likely to be centered round making Boston’s second ahead line extra harmful. The Bruins’ current line of center Charlie Coyle and wingers Pavel Zacha and Justin Brazeau has mixed for less than 5 objectives and eight factors in 12 video games – not significantly intimidating by any metrics.

To that finish, would Boston welcome a veteran like present Flames middle Nazem Kadri? As per Puck Pedia, the Bruins at present have simply $1.27 million in cap area, so any commerce must ship some huge cash Calgary’s technique to make the Bruins cap compliant within the wake of such a deal. But when Boston can tread water till the commerce deadline, they’re projected to have $5.06 million in area – which might make Kadri’s $7-million annual wage way more palatable. And Kadri’s bodily, fearless sport could be a strong slot in Boston.

Earlier than that occurs, although, there’s nonetheless a great deal of time for the Bruins to proper their course and get again up into the highest 4 within the Atlantic. Sweeney ought to proceed to point out some endurance along with his group. But when the Jekyll-and-Hyde play continues, Sweeney’s hand goes to be pressured into a significant transfer, because the Bruins are constructed for the right here and now, and meaning doing no matter they’ll to have a right away impression on the win/loss columns.

The Bruins aren’t accustomed to terrible begins – or terrible stretches at any level, for that matter – in order that they’re going to want a way of urgency to their sport to get again the place they’re used to being. The win over the hapless Flyers positively helps in that regard, but when they wind up struggling once more, there can be each purpose for Sweeney to step in and alter up the lineup and its chemistry.

Earlier than they realize it, the Bruins can be in must-win territory, very early within the season. And their veterans and children alike have to reward Sweeney’s religion in them, or endure the implications and be confronted with important roster tumult. Boston nonetheless has management over its destiny this season, however extra disappointment will imply they will need assistance – and a notable change of personnel.

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