What Will the Bruins 2012 Opening Night Roster Look Like?

by Ryan Durling on Jan 14, 2012 10:00 AM EST in Big Bad Bruins

It's no secret that the Bruins are going to struggle to bring back everyone on their roster for the 2012-13 season. But at this point, figuring out what the most important pieces to re-sign are is getting a bit tricky.

Still unsigned heading into 2012 are Forwards Chris Kelly, Benoit Pouliot, Zach Hamill, Gregory Campbell, Shawn Thornton and Daniel Paille. Defensemen Johnny Boychuk and Joe Corvo are also set to become free agents at the end of the year. And there's the little matter of one Tuukka Rask, who's also looking at RFA status once July 1st arrives, with his value only increasing with every minute he plays.

But that's not all. While there are key pieces of the Stanley Cup team in flux for 2012, the summer of 2013 will see Nathan Horton, Milan Lucic, Tyler Seguin, Andrew Ference and Tim Thomas enter into free agency, as well. Each of these players, if they continue their current play (with maybe Thomas being the exception due to age) will be due a serious extension/raise before they're back in Black and Gold.

Of course, losing some of these pieces won't be a huge, huge deal; the Bruins have lots of talent coming up in Jared Knight, Ryan Spooner, Craig Cunningham, Alexander Khokhlachev, Dougie Hamilton, Tommy Cross, Anton Khudobin, and on and on.

How much of that talent is still around come opening night in 2013 remains to be seen, but all of those names will be eligible to play in Providence by then, so their ability to get plugged into the Bruins lineup will make it easy on Chiarelli to put a good team on the ice.

Still, with so many question marks, we have to wonder how the GM's desire to keep top talent in the fold come 2013 will affect his willingness to sign the guys who helped get the team here in the next six or seven months.

Presumably, Thornton, Campbell and Paille could all command modest raises. Ditto for Kelly and Boychuk. Corvo could probably be kept around at the same price.

But Pouliot and Rask, both of whom should be extended and given healthy raises, will be the lynchpins.

There's no doubt that Chiarelli and Julien will want to keep the merlot line together, but it would be a bad move to do it at the cost of Pouliot - who's finally beginning to realize his potential - or Rask - who's the goaltender of the next ten years on this team.

Further complicating matters is the fact that when the new CBA is agreed to (hopefully before this season ends, the salary cap is likely to be lower than it is now, which means that exorbitant raise that Rich Peverley got may come back to bite Chiarelli and Co. in the ass.

Next year's lineup won't look much different from the one on the ice in Game 3 of the Finals last year. But the opening night lineup in October, 2013 will look much, much different - but that's another story for another post.

Here's the question: Assuming no outside moves (trades or FA signings, which is highly unlikely), what does the starting lineup look like in 9 months? And, perhaps more importantly, what's the order of priority for Chiarelli to re-sign the guys that aren't locked up for 2012 yet?

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For transparency’s sake, I go with this:

Order of importance: Rask, Pouliot, Campbell, Paille, Boychuk, Thornton, Kelly, Corvo, Hamill.

Lucic-Krejci-Horton
Marchand-Bergeron-Pouliot
Peverley-Seguin-Knight/Hamill
Thornton-Campbell-Paille

Chara-Boychuk
Seidenberg-Corvo
Ference-McQuaid

Rask
Thomas

by Ryan Durling on Jan 14, 2012 10:23 AM EST reply actions

Rask as the starter? It sucks that for Seguin to develop as a center he’d have to leave that Marchand/Bergeron line, but it’s probably best. I think Pouliot has shown he can handle playing on that line, at least so far. Boychuk might not be there, but hey it’s room for Kampfer\.

For Horton!

by Scott Frano on Jan 14, 2012 10:30 AM EST up reply actions

Rask as the starter. Doesn’t mean he’ll get the majority of the games – look at last year’s opening night. Just how I see it.

And if Boychuk’s gone, I don’t think it’ll be Kampfer in his place…look back at yesterday’s conversation about Gill for that…55 has really upped his game of late and I can’t see Chiarelli not bringing him back.

by Ryan Durling on Jan 14, 2012 10:39 AM EST up reply actions

I see, so something like 60/40 Rask? I’d love to see Boychuk back, but I guess it all depends on what he can get in the open market and if he’d take a discount to play in Boston, as well as the other raises in salary.

For Horton!

by Scott Frano on Jan 14, 2012 10:45 AM EST up reply actions

Still think that depends on the other GM’s. I’m sure of Boychuk’s contract demands stay reasonable then Chiarelli will do what it takes to bring him back. If a team looking for defense and some Cup winning experience, might fool itself into thinking he’s a true top pairing guy and go crazy, maybe a team from where he’s from maybe.

by Michael Taylor on Jan 14, 2012 10:47 AM EST up reply actions

I’d move Kelly up on the importance meter, personally. Also, I’d drop Corvo and replace him with Kampfer – he makes me nervous at times, but so does Corvo.

Kick his ass, Seabass!

by phonymahoney on Jan 14, 2012 10:55 AM EST reply actions

I’m still pushing Dougie

by TomServo42 on Jan 14, 2012 11:03 AM EST up reply actions

Oh yeah, Jesus! Dougie was out of sight, out of mind, I guess! That kid has got game. Such a fluid skater, great size, good shot… oh man

Kick his ass, Seabass!

by phonymahoney on Jan 14, 2012 1:14 PM EST up reply actions

me too

Assuming Hamilton is ready for the big show, I would let both Corvo and Boychuck walk.

I agree that Kelly is more important than Campbell, but I think he may be playing himself out of our price range.

by Black Bird on Jan 14, 2012 11:05 AM EST up reply actions

spot on.

by Federko on Jan 14, 2012 12:52 PM EST up reply actions

Yup, yup, and yup.

Kick his ass, Seabass!

by phonymahoney on Jan 14, 2012 1:14 PM EST up reply actions

Problem is, at some point you have to stop signing your third and fourth liners, even if they are fan and personal favorites. If you don’t then you will never have a spot for the kids and your organizational depth is wasted.

by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 14, 2012 11:28 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs

rec’d.

I see Dougie getting a few games at the beginning of the season, but I also see him getting returned. his skill set doesn’t replace Boychuk’s, although he could certainly be an upgrade over an older Corvo. Still, I’d like to see Corvo at something like 2 years, 3 mil per to mentor the kid, but that may be selling Corvo low.

by Ryan Durling on Jan 14, 2012 12:57 PM EST up reply actions

disagree that Corvo should mentor – for one, Hamilton already has the offensive skill set, he needs to learn the ropes of NHL D from another big body, our captain. Corvo, while effective at what he does, doesn’t strike me as a mentoring, leadership type

by TomServo42 on Jan 14, 2012 1:02 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah… and I really don’t like the idea of someone who can be scary out there mentoring our blueliner of the future.

Kick his ass, Seabass!

by phonymahoney on Jan 14, 2012 1:16 PM EST up reply actions

I’d keep Boychuk over Corvo. Boychuk is cheaper, he does fine out there with Chara, and Hamilton will be better than either one of them in a few seasons time. Might as well keep the blue line as cap friendly as possible. Honestly, even though he’s signed for a few more years, Seids has been pretty shit this season. I’d move him if the deal was right.

by MattS on Jan 14, 2012 1:29 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t know. Seids can put up crazy minutes in the playoffs and is an absolute BEAST when playing with Chara.

Kick his ass, Seabass!

by phonymahoney on Jan 14, 2012 1:44 PM EST up reply actions

I would be surprised if Corvo is back. Never mind whether he’s mentor material or not (he’s not); he’s going to be 35 years old. Speed doesn’t age all that well, though Corvo doesn’t kill penalties or face good opposition.

by Phunwin on Jan 14, 2012 2:22 PM EST up reply actions

Yep. It’s a tough decision to make, I can’t disagree with that at all.

Kick his ass, Seabass!

by phonymahoney on Jan 14, 2012 1:15 PM EST up reply actions

I think Kelly should be higher as well, but I also feel like he’s outperforming his age and skill set. Love the guy, love his locker room presence (despite his obvious lack of personality), but just not sure he can keep it up…which is probably why Chia’s waited to long to sign him.

by Ryan Durling on Jan 14, 2012 12:58 PM EST up reply actions

To me it’s not that I don’t think he can keep it up (obviously the Sens kept him there all those years for a reason), it’s that he’s going to play his way out of our price range if he keeps it up.

Kick his ass, Seabass!

by phonymahoney on Jan 14, 2012 1:17 PM EST up reply actions

For me, Thornton, Kelly and Rask are ones to be sure to bring back. Pouliot and Corvo would be great also, but only at a price that won’t handicap the 2013 season.

Johnny Boychuk - The infamous bottle of $100,000 champagne, I thought it was meh.

by PeterMacKellar on Jan 14, 2012 11:44 AM EST reply actions

Thornton is a huge part of the heart of this team, and I don’t see them NOT bringing him back.

Kick his ass, Seabass!

by phonymahoney on Jan 14, 2012 1:18 PM EST up reply actions

I think he’ll be back; they’ve been fair with him in the past and he knows better than to hold out for every last dime.

by Phunwin on Jan 14, 2012 2:14 PM EST up reply actions

Thornton's Contracts

Have stayed steady with his influence and production. The Stanley Cup raise already happened for him after Anaheim. I also think we’ve seen some evidence of his interest in broadcasting or other front office stuff for the Bruins so I bet (and hope!) that he will be in Black and Gold for a little shy of 1 million once again.

by lukemeleney on Jan 15, 2012 2:50 PM EST up reply actions

I'll join in the rosterbating

Here’s my pass:

Lucic-Krejci-Horton
Marchand-Bergeron-Seguin
Pouliot-Peverley-Knight (or Spooner or Khok)
Thornton-Campbell-Paille
Caron

Chara-Hamilton
Seidenberg-Boychuk
Ference-McQuaid
Kampfer

Rask
Thomas

My guesstimates for raises pushed this to the point where I had to LTIR Savvy for about a million extra space. Critical assumptions: Rask at 3.5 for shortish deal, 1m raises to Pouliot and Boychuk, modest ones to merlot

I think Kelly’s gonna cash in somewhere this offseason. Campbell would be great to retain and shouldn’t be too expensive a raise. Pouliot and Paille I’ve no issue with either walking and being replaced by kids, but would probably at least wanna keep Benny so there’s two experienced guys on line three.

Rosterbating got me all hot and bothered thinking about Khok’s sniping ability with Peverley on the third line… No idea which of the kids will be most likely to crack roster.

by TomServo42 on Jan 14, 2012 12:04 PM EST reply actions

Khoklachev, Spooner or Knight could be fits on the third line…B’s are gonna have a chance to bring in a few guys for nine games next season, me thinks.

I also see Caron or Hamill out of the organization by next month, which means Spoon or Knight are likely to be doing the I-95 dance next season.

by Ryan Durling on Jan 14, 2012 1:01 PM EST up reply actions

I’d love to see Khkohlachev on the B’s next year, but my guess is that we don’t see him in Boston til following season.

Kick his ass, Seabass!

by phonymahoney on Jan 14, 2012 1:19 PM EST up reply actions

I think that’s correct. The Bruins are finally in a position to take a more patient approach with their prospects; it’s more likely to be Knight or Spooner’s turn next year.

by Phunwin on Jan 14, 2012 2:02 PM EST up reply actions

Yep. Even if Khokh shows that he’s ready, there are people in line ahead of him who will likely be ready to go as well – Spooner especially.

Kick his ass, Seabass!

by phonymahoney on Jan 14, 2012 2:28 PM EST up reply actions

::readies the spoon gifs:::

by TomServo42 on Jan 14, 2012 2:47 PM EST up reply actions

Out of the organization by next month? Why?

I think the Bruins have, for the first time in recent memory, honest-to-goodness forward depth and they don’t have to rely on getting 10 or 15 games from stiffs who have no business getting an NHL job. I don’t know why they would jeopardize that unless it was part of a deal to upgrade somewhere.

by Phunwin on Jan 14, 2012 2:01 PM EST up reply actions

Maybe some sort of trade for a D? I don’t know where he’s going with this, but I’m interested to hear his opinion.

Kick his ass, Seabass!

by phonymahoney on Jan 14, 2012 2:29 PM EST up reply actions

sorry to be so late on this, guys…phony hit it on the head. Hard to believe Chia isn’t showcasing one of the two of them for a deal. Sure, I don’t really see there being a need for a move, but if there’s a particular concern about losing someone heading into next year, maybe it’s a chance to add depth that’s under contract a bit longer (than Boychuk or Kelly, i.e.)

by Ryan Durling on Jan 14, 2012 6:25 PM EST up reply actions

I think your estimate is pretty close to accurate. I think someone will overpay Kelly, and I hope it’s not Boston. I’m a little worried about the Merlot line; if that line commands a total salary much over $4 mil for 2012-3, I will be disappointed. I’d hate to end up giving Paille or Thornton a total of $3M and potentially lose Pouliot or Boychuk.

My guess is that Corvo and Kelly are gone; those are spots where Boston has enough depth to weather their departure and where they could inject some youth (and cost-certainty) in the lineup.

by Phunwin on Jan 14, 2012 1:43 PM EST up reply actions

Dougie

I’m new here, but a longtime Bruins fan currently living balls deep in Leafs/Habs territory in northern Ontario (these people apparently have no interest in the Sens, which is sad).

Anyway, I saw a Sudbury Wolves- Niagara Ice Dogs game last night, and I really struggle to see how Chiarelli and Julien couldn’t be planning on making Dougie a roster player next year- I knew he was good, but on a team with several other 2011 1st round picks (Strome, Oleksiak etc), he really stood out as having the best stick handling on the ice, a beautiful slapper and good defensive fundamentals. Plus, he might be a Wookie (head and shoulders above all the other players). He seems like he’ll make the jump next year.

by holyhandgrenaid on Jan 14, 2012 1:05 PM EST reply actions

welcome, and thanks for the first hand scouting report. Many of us – myself certainly included – are going strictly on 2nd hand info with the (huge) kid and haven’t had the pleasure of watching him

by TomServo42 on Jan 14, 2012 1:08 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks, I’m very glad to be able to do my best to help from way out here. Incidentally, it’s almost unbelievable how many friends I almost lost among Canucks bandwagon jumpers last June, almost all of the them using the excuse that they’re the Canadian team… I accepted this logic from the Habs fans, but the others? not so much…

by holyhandgrenaid on Jan 14, 2012 1:22 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

ditto and ditto to Tom’s comments. would love to hear more about his development…can I interest you in a Fan Post? :)

by Ryan Durling on Jan 14, 2012 1:21 PM EST up reply actions

I’d cheerfully take a run at it, but I can’t promise too much (kind of wasn’t thinking of the game in those terms, just really wanted to see the kid play)

by holyhandgrenaid on Jan 14, 2012 1:24 PM EST up reply actions

Hate to blogpimp, but I just finished writing a longer form Fan Post on what I saw last night out of Hamilton, I hope it does the job

by holyhandgrenaid on Jan 14, 2012 3:34 PM EST up reply actions

Hey! Welome to the Chowdah – thanks a ton for the scouting report, I wish I could see some OHL action, buit I’l have to settle for Hockey East. I think we’ll see Dougie on the big B’s next year for sure, it seems like his game is already at the level where he’s outgrown juniors.

Kick his ass, Seabass!

by phonymahoney on Jan 14, 2012 1:22 PM EST up reply actions

settle indeed. Hockey East is certainly in a down year if not a down 2-3 years.

by Pig Phister on Jan 14, 2012 2:02 PM EST up reply actions

Welcome!

I am inclined to agree that Hamilton is ticketed for Boston next year. Can’t imagine he has anything left to prove in juniors. I would guess he’s on the third pairing with Ference, and McQuaid pairs with Seidenberg. I don’t think they’ll give him top pair ice time right out of juniors.

by Phunwin on Jan 14, 2012 1:49 PM EST up reply actions

Makes total sense

Marchand-Bergeron-Seguin
Lucic-Krejci-Horton
Pouliot-Peverley-Caron
Paille-Campbell-Thornton

Chara-Boychuk
McQuaid-Seids
Ference-Hamilton

Rask
Thomas

by Michael Taylor on Jan 14, 2012 5:17 PM EST up reply actions

That will give Spooner and Knight some time to get used to professional hockey in Providence, although I could see one of them on that 3rd line if they explode in camp and Caron starts slowly.

On defense I’m assuming Boychuk’s contract stays reasonable, although I’m with you in not hesitating to move Kampfer to Chara’s pairing.

by Michael Taylor on Jan 14, 2012 5:23 PM EST up reply actions

Obejectivity

I don’t have it when it comes to player management. I keep saying “but I don’t want to see this guy go.” But I trust yall to do a good job in forming a decent team for me to enjoy.

by Pig Phister on Jan 14, 2012 2:08 PM EST reply actions

Well, don’t trust us. I’m reasonably sure there’s exactly 0 Stanley Cup rings among the SCoC editorial staff and readership.

Fortunately, Peter Chiarelli has one.

by Phunwin on Jan 14, 2012 2:11 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

alright, Phunwin, when I get a team, you won’t be offered a job. Here I am saying I lead with my heart, and you say I can’t trust you. Fine.

by Pig Phister on Jan 14, 2012 2:29 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I’m with ya, Piggy. I get too attached.

Kick his ass, Seabass!

by phonymahoney on Jan 14, 2012 2:30 PM EST up reply actions

x 2.

It wouldn’t surprise me if some players were willing to take a hometown discount. But then again, I get too attached.

Keep Calm and Tim Tom

by Big Bad Me on Jan 14, 2012 2:38 PM EST up reply actions

I'm so attached to our team

That I imagine the players being equally attached as well. I mean, why wouldn’t they be?

Follow @RoughneckNine0

by RoughneckNine0 on Jan 14, 2012 2:41 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions

this is what I hope for from every team I follow.

by Pig Phister on Jan 14, 2012 2:44 PM EST up reply actions

I think Kelly should be higher as well, and I think Kelly, Campbell and Paille could command higher salaries elsewhere than the Bruins are able to give so they may opt to see what thy can get on the market. Of course if the CBA goes down those really high free agency salaries from last summer may not be there.

I am pretty sure Thornton wants to retire here and he is likely going to take a bit of a hometown discount again and he plays his role on the team well and is a great locker room guy.

by TCL40 on Jan 14, 2012 4:18 PM EST reply actions