Boston had a strong first half despite significant losses and now Sweeney must decide how aggressive to be at the trade deadline.
The Bruins didn’t need to thump the Flyers on Saturday at the Wells Fargo Center to punctuate a wildly successful first half of the 2023-24 season.
At the All-Star break, they would have the best record in the Eastern Conference even if they didn’t win the game. Yet, they succeeded and ended their vacation on a positive note.
For everyone, the first half of the season would have been enjoyable, but the 2023–24 Bruins can feel even more satisfied.
Following the team’s disappointing playoff run the previous season, general manager Don Sweeney faced significant personnel losses and limited salary cap room. Remaining in postseason contention looked like a very good aim to chase without Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, Taylor Hall, Tyler Bertuzzi, Nick Foligno, Dmitry Orlov, Connor Clifton, Garnet Hathaway, and Tomas Nosek.
It appeared to be a stopgap measure until 2024–2025, when Sweeney would have the opportunity to completely reload due to Boston’s own contracts expiring and the salary cap being expanded.
However, Sweeney’s work in the discount bin was excellent. After the Kraken strangely let go of Morgan Geekie, he signed him, providing Montgomery with an adaptable player for all positions in the lineup. James van Riemsdyk arrived with plenty of drive and still-useful legs. He’s a steal at just $1 million a season with nine goals and 23 assists, outscoring Bruins captious Tyler Bertuzzi (six goals, 14 assists through Friday). They didn’t go overboard to re-sign the struggling Dmitry Orlov, and they didn’t split up their excellent goaltender tandem once more.
The defense for the Bruins has been solid enough, so it’s practically a given that it might improve with some sustained health.
The team’s chances of making the playoffs are still in doubt, but some people had good reason to predict the Bruins wouldn’t make it.
Which means that Sweeney must make a choice. What level of aggression is he looking for come trade deadline day?
Due to their limited financial freedom, the Bruins find it challenging to add a significant talent. They would probably have to do both: either cut their income or find a trading partner who would allow them to keep it. Does Sweeney have enough faith in this squad to risk any of their few prospects or upcoming draft picks in the hopes of winning big?
Being aggressive buyers at the deadline would be the logical course of action for nearly any other team in first position, but someone is probably a little reluctant after last year’s letdown. Is Sweeney one of those people? He may not even have the answer yet.
Prior to Saturday’s game, Bruins Coach Jim Montgomery was a little vague regarding the injuries to Matt Poitras and Derek Forbort. Anything the Bruins get from Poitras now ought to be considered a bonus. In essence, the 19-year-old rookie is Boston’s on-ice intern. He might be ready for a major role in the future thanks to this training. However, he isn’t prepared to be relied upon on a regular basis just yet.
Forbort has additional complexity. Due to undisclosed medical issues, he has missed half the season. He is useful in the defensive zone and on the penalty kill if he is well. He is the kind of player who could be very important in the postseason.
However, Sweeney needs to consider a few things if he’s going to miss time. In contrast to Poitras, the Bruins receive salary cap relief if $3 million player Forbort is placed on long-term injured reserve, which might be helpful if they decide to make a trade. However, if they don’t think Ian Mitchell, Parker Wotherspoon, Mason Lohrei, Kevin Shattenkirk, or Parker Wotherspoon can be relied upon for postseason minutes, they will have more motivation to add a defenseman at the deadline.
This club lacks the talent of the record-breaking group from the previous season. However, it might be better in the postseason. In the game against the Panthers, injuries sidelined Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, Hampus Lindholm, and most likely Linus Ullmark. In addition, the Bruins saw very little hardship in the regular season. From Montgomery on down, they didn’t handle it well when it came during the postseason.
This year has seen some difficult times for them, but they have come out stronger. They must have taken a lesson from last year’s disaster as well. Montgomery should have some leeway to rest important players at the end of the regular season in order to be healthier, fresher, or just to prevent injuries, something he didn’t do enough of the previous year, if the Bruins continue to win at their present rate.
It’s hard to say whether it will be sufficient. However, the Bruins will be distinct, and hopefully so will the outcomes.