While there’s nonetheless no announcement, the vibes for a Patrice Bergeron return stay optimistic. Could David Krejci be again as effectively?
GM Don Sweeney could also be hamstrung by cap points – the B’s are roughly simply $2.3 million underneath it – however he continues to speak with each Bergeron and Krejci about returning.
Sweeney mentioned that Bergeron “will make his declaration” quickly and that he’s had quite a few conversations Krejci, who spent the 2021-22 season along with his hometown group Olomouc HC in his native Czechia, apparently fulfilling a longtime to need to play in entrance fo his household and pals again dwelling.
Sweeney remained hopeful that he’ll return to the Bruins, one thing that Krejci hinted could possibly be a chance when he introduced his choice to play again dwelling final yr.
“His decision will be forthcoming and we’re hopeful that it’s with us,” mentioned Sweeney. “We would welcome him back.”
The GM acknowledged the cap points however that he would “all that I can” to make it work. There are instruments at his disposal. He might signal each Bergeron and Krejci to incentive-laden offers and in addition make the most of long-term damage reserve with each Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy, which might basically purchase him a while earlier than he needed to transfer some wage off his roster to make room for the injured gamers’ return. We’ll see if that may get it executed.
Meanwhile, new coach Jim Montgomery mentioned he’s already spoken to about half the gamers on the roster. Was Bergeron a type of gamers?
“That was my first phone call,” mentioned Montgomery. “It was really good. It was enlightening. I felt like I was talking to a coach, not a player. Just how he thinks about the team first, he thinks about ways to get better. So very impressed. It was a very open and honest conversation about how he’s excited about what the Bruins family can do and how I’m excited to be a part of it.”
Montgomery already is aware of that if Bergeron comes again, he’ll take some weight off the coach’s shoulders.
“I don’t have to go into the locker room very much if he comes back. That’s the main takeaway. He’s got good control of what’s going on and how to lead,” mentioned Montgomery…
B’s CEO Charlie Jacobs each defended the information of group president Cam Neely and GM Don Sweeney and the choice to fireside coach Bruce Cassidy.
“The Boston Bruins have been to the Stanley Cup Finals three time sin the last 11 years under Cam and his tenure and we have around a .600-plus winning percentage under our general manager’s tenure,” mentioned Jacobs. “The head coach is frankly the responsibility of the general manager. And he has to be accountable…And if they come to us and say ‘Listen, this is in our best interest,’ of course we’re going to follow their lead. They’re empowered to make those decisions.”
While Jacobs acknowledged there shall be a day that Bergeron gained’t be again, it doesn’t sound like there’s a lot of an urge for food to explode the operation with a purpose to rebuild, which is what the Chicago Blackhawks have executed.
“There’s been a lot of theater around the National Hockey League, particularly at the draft. We saw some teams who were what I’d call sellers. And I think that would be awfully difficult to sell in this market to our fanbase,” mentioned Jacobs.
He added that the B’s are a group that spends to the cap and that that gained’t change. They are dedicated to successful a Stanley Cup, he mentioned.
“We will do whatever it takes to get us to that threshold again,” mentioned Jacobs….
Montgomery acknowledged he’ll face early challenges with out McAvoy and Marchand.
“We probably have four aces on our team and two of them are out. So we’re trying to play poker without two aces, so not a great place to start,” mentioned Montgomery. “But with that early in the season, there are a lot of players who want more opportunity, forwards who want more opportunity on the half wall on the power-play, other people want to get on first power-play. And if we have success early in their growth, when we get those two aces back, maybe now we’ve got six aces. That’s the way I’m looking at it and that’s the way we’re going to have to attack it.”…
The Bruins have prolonged qualifying provides to their restricted free brokers Jack Studnicka, Jack Ahcan and Matt Felipe, thus retaining their rights.
There have been some fascinating names throughout the league that weren’t certified, together with former Bruin Danton Heinen, let go regardless of scoring a career-high 18 targets for the Penguins and making simply $1.1 million. Heinen performed for Montgomery at Denver and had a wonderful collegiate profession. The B’s are tight in opposition to the cap, however he could possibly be value one other look when free company opens on Wednesday.
Source: www.bostonherald.com