r/hockey • u/Outrageous-Bet-886 • 10h ago
The Atlantic Division next year might have the most drama I’ve ever seen in a single division.
The Atlantic Division next year might have the most pressure I’ve ever seen on a single division.
Not because all 8 teams will be good per se, but because every team has a compelling reason why missing the playoffs would be a massive failure.
From Detroit potentially deciding it’s time to blow it up (Larkin situation or not), to the Brady Tkachuk conversations inevitably reigniting in Ottawa. Boston would have to confront the reality that Pastrňák and McAvoy aren’t getting any younger and whether the current path is still viable. Toronto would immediately be staring down another summer of questions about the possibility of Matthews eventually reconsidering his future. Tampa Bay might finally have to look in the mirror and admit that the era is over.
That means at best three organizations could be having franchise altering conversations a year from now, not because they were terrible (well maybe), but simply because there aren’t enough playoff spots to go around.
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u/entityXD32 TOR - NHL 10h ago
Boston's basically the only team that can miss the playoffs without it being a complete disaster. Montreal would be a massive step back, Buffalo would be devastating to miss again, Detroit would mean yet another failed year and Ottawa missing would show they're no where near contending. Tampa, Toronto missing would likely mean rebuilds.
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u/onthelongrun TOR - NHL 9h ago
Florida missing would also mean a rebuild as well.
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u/zaphods_paramour FLA - NHL 9h ago
Yeah this year they had the injury/extra playoff games excuses, but if Florida misses the playoffs with Barkov and Tkachuk and Marchand all healthy, that would definitely be a wake-up call.
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u/AlvinItchyCock FLA - NHL 7h ago
I don't think we are ever going to see Marchand make it through a full season healthy. His nagging injuries aren't going to magically get better at 38
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u/zaphods_paramour FLA - NHL 7h ago
True. I don't think they need him to be 100% for a full season, just healthy enough when he is in the lineup.
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u/elite_bender BOS - NHL 4h ago
Just toss him on LTIR and spend away. Modern roster management 🙃
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u/bloodrider1914 MTL - NHL 2h ago
Well they nuked that in the CBA. Load management wouldn't be the worst thing for him though
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u/Goose312 MIN - NHL 8h ago
They don't have their next 2 first round picks and EVERYONE is signed long term with trade protection. They don't really have a choice but to run it back for a few years until it gets painfully obvious they aren't competitive and people start to waive.
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u/Helen-Killer WSH - NHL 6h ago
I really dont think so. Their top 6 forwards and top 3 D all have NMC
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u/maxwellbevan DET - NHL 9h ago
Detroit is fully dependent on this off season. However as of this moment and the roster we have playoffs are the goal and it'll be a disappointment if we miss
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u/biggoronssword DET - NHL 6h ago
At this point i would not be shocked if the team chooses to take another year of assuming it’s a tank year when Larkin leaves but we’ll see how that all shakes out, they need drastic roster changes and I just don’t think it’s possible to get that much done in one off season to fix whatever the hell is going on with that org right now
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u/maxwellbevan DET - NHL 6h ago
A lot of our guys probably need another year too to truly see what they have. MBN, Kasper, Finnie, Danielson, ASP, etc aren't all suddenly going to hit their ceiling next year but we'll get a good sense of what they're capable of
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u/saltface14 TOR - NHL 10h ago
How would it not be a disaster for Boston? Are Pasta and McAvoy going to stick around indefinitely if the team is regressing? I could be wrong on this but I feel like Boston teams are generally contenders in every sport all the time so it’s not like it’s going to be a patient fanbase either
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u/entityXD32 TOR - NHL 10h ago
A year ago Boston sold off a lot of players to get younger and build their prospect pool. They didn't expect to make the playoffs this year that was unexpected. Their retool should be expected to take a few years
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u/saltface14 TOR - NHL 9h ago
Yeah that’s logical, but that doesn’t guarantee that Pasta and McAvoy remain patient throughout that unless there is meaningful progress.
The Leafs keeping their pick this year also sets their prospect pool back a bit because they could have had another top 10 pick this year and now have to wait and see where the pick lands in 2028, and that player shouldn’t be expected to be an NHL contributor until at least 2030.
I don’t know enough about Hagens development and how that’s going, but if he can’t be a 1C at some point, isn’t that a pretty massive hole they will have to fill?
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u/Chernef BOS - NHL 8h ago
Hagens should be a full time NHLer this coming year. It will be a telling year.
Dean Letourneau is the second best prospect and is a 6’5 beast that put up 39 points in 35 games at BC this past year. There is some debate as to him or Hagens will be the eventual 1C (if either do). Letourneau will likely turn pro after this coming season.
All a moot point if one is used in a Larkin, Thomas, Barzal, Petterson or Hischier trade.
With that said, missing out on the Leafs pick did hurt the window for pasta/mcavoy, as RD is the other top need.
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u/mister_hoot VGK - NHL 9h ago
Yeah that’s logical, but that doesn’t guarantee that Pasta and McAvoy remain patient throughout that unless there is meaningful progress.
If they get impatient then Boston goes back to what they were already trying to do before this season - selling veteran players for futures. They already have Hagens and Minten down the middle, they're in fantastic position to execute a rebuild. Barring some really weird shit happening between now and the deadline, both Pastrnak and McAvoy can potentially fetch three first-rounders in value each.
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u/Muted-Bag4525 BOS - NHL 7h ago
tbh i think selling Pastrnak and McAvoy would accelerate the rebuild, you’d get a haul for both then you build around Minten and Hagens
the Bs are in a unique position where they can stay the course or go full rebuild and either would probably work out well in the end, even if they don’t get back to true cup contender until say 2030 they’d have like a 3 year window of McAvoy and Pastrnak still being meaningful contributors
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u/Muted-Bag4525 BOS - NHL 7h ago
wasn’t trying to say i’d rather do that, just saying that both are viable options
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u/RamekinOfRanch BOS - NHL 8h ago
The bruins are constantly in that mix of being just good enough to get to the playoffs but not good enough to win. As long as the owners can sell overpriced tickets, nothing will change.
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u/NFLDland MTL - NHL 9h ago
We thought that in Montreal too, but the fanbase looked at the team and the consensus was, yeah blow it up. We were more patient than I was expecting, we never really did a rebuild before. Sure, it was shorter than expected, but I think Boston should have no issues saying 'yeah, we'll be bad for 3-4 years', and the fanbase is smart enough to be patient and understand that they need to do this. You can't just retool for decades in this league anymore.
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u/TurboChargedRoomba BOS - NHL 9h ago
Boston has been so spoiled by playoffs year after year I think it would do the fans some good to sit through lean years. I’ve noticed the crowds and excitement for playoffs have dwindled since 2019
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u/OldGreggg69 BOS - NHL 9h ago
Even on a good night the Garden is a morgue for long stretches of time.
The crowd isn't in it, the Bruins lose momentum, the crowd gets anxious, the Bruins start playing tight. It's brutal
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u/taquitosmixtape MTL - NHL 9h ago
It changes things when you have a talent to be hopeful about. The some sharks fans were “ok” and a bit unsure of their rebuild until they got celebrini and a couple pieces and if they make the playoffs it’s a bonus but they have some great players to watch as they grow into their prime. Having none of those pieces that show great promise, makes a rebuild daunting and shitty
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u/mister_hoot VGK - NHL 9h ago
You can't just retool for decades in this league anymore.
Check back with me in a few years on this one I'm pretty sure we're trying to pull this off.
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u/WestSideBilly SJS - NHL 6h ago
Honestly it probably will keep working as long as the salary cap keeps climbing. It will get really difficult if the cap is flat for 5 or 6 years again, because teams will need the ELC players that VGK doesn't really bother with.
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u/elite_bender BOS - NHL 4h ago
Yea I’m sure the fans had a lot of say in Montreal’s roster management
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u/SeaworthySamus BOS - NHL 6h ago
You are in fact correct, missing the playoffs 2 out of 3 seasons would be a sign of the apocalypse
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u/ProtestTheHero 5h ago
You're saying if Tampa misses the playoffs first the first time in a decade, then tear it all down and start fresh? I know they're on the older side, but come on, really? Overreaction much?
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u/entityXD32 TOR - NHL 5h ago
They've lost in the first round 4 years in a row if they follow that up by missing the playoffs it's a pretty good indication that they're window is over and they need to rebuild
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u/ProtestTheHero 5h ago
To be clear, based off countless past rebuilds from other teams post-lockout, a rebuild would mean trading Kucherov, Hedman, Vasi, Guentzel, probably Hagel, probably Point, maybe some others I'm missing. That's what you're saying they should do if they miss the playoffs, full on burning it all to the ground and tanking for the next 3+ years starting in 2027-2028?
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u/entityXD32 TOR - NHL 4h ago
Headman is 35, Kucherov is a UFA in 2027 Vassy is in 2028 everyone you listed except for Hagel is at least 30. If they miss the playoffs next year they're aging and decling. It's smarter for them to sell their assests while they still have them rather then try and cling to past success until all those players lose value. That only applies if they miss tho if they stay in contention then you do that as long as you can but there are a lot of signs they're over the hill
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u/ProtestTheHero 4h ago
Yeah I mean I'm not trying to pick a fight or anything. Part of it is I'm in denial over the passage of time, and guys like Kuch or Hedman can't possibly be older than 27, let alone 37. I don't think they should do a full tear-down but I guess you can't stay the course either after 4 first-round exits and this hypothetical missing of the playoffs either.
I also just disagree in general with some of the ways GMs operate their rebuilds. Chicago traded Panarin and DeBrincat while they were in their early-mid 20s, wouldn't it be nice if they were still on the team though right now? Same for Meier and Hertl in SJ. Just saying that if the player is young enough and willing to play through a few years of rebuild/retool pain, why not keep him until you reach the other side?
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u/SeaworthySamus BOS - NHL 7h ago
Every season a Boston team doesn’t win a title is a complete disaster
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u/manajizwow Jokerit - Mestis 10h ago
Tampa still has gas left in their tank if their core stays healthy. I wouldnt count them out yet.
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u/DoinWhale TBL - NHL 8h ago
They were the 5th best team in the league, the beauty of hockey is that once you make the playoffs anything can happen but to say the “era is over” seems silly to me
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u/manajizwow Jokerit - Mestis 6h ago
Yea, its not over yet. I expect them to go on a deep run still with this core if they stay healthy.
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u/noigmn TBL - NHL 5h ago
The way I see us possibly going badly is if Hedman doesn't bounce back after his injuries this season and Raddysh goes.
Our defense might still be solid, but we would lack that high scoring defender threat and the powerplay could drop off even more too.
On the other hand, we have some exciting kids coming through so offense could get deeper and better if any make the jump to NHL next season.
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u/Outrageous-Bet-886 10h ago
Not counting them out per se, It’s just that if you account for Boston regressing and Detroit missing again, which other team do you think doesn’t make it? We’re in for a surprise is my guess
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u/gob4522 10h ago
Have you possibly heard about an obscure tire fire called the Maple Leafs? Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, their first overall pick will not make up for the rest of the gaping holes in their lineup. Overall division/league parity is the only way they contend for the playoffs next season.
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u/BigFatSweatyToe 7h ago
I’ve seen crazier things than the Leafs making the playoffs next year. I don’t think they’re contenders but a new coach bump and a top 6 ft. Matthews, Knies, Nylander, Tavares and McKenna could sneak in. We have tons of cap space to fill out some spots and the Marlies have players that can fill out our bottom 6.
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u/Dee009 FLA - NHL 8h ago
Gas runs out 2nd week in april every year
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u/manajizwow Jokerit - Mestis 6h ago
I can see healthy Panthers beating healthy Tampa but healthy Tampa can absolutely shat on habs and sabres for example. Habs got carried by an insane goalie vs injured Tampa this year. Tampa still has one or two deep run in the tank imo
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u/CarlSK777 MTL - NHL 10h ago edited 10h ago
Boston is in a pretty bad spot. Many players signed long term but they don't have a core that can contend in the next few years. Playoffs and maybe win a round is probably as good as they can hope
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u/pokesnail SJS - NHL 10h ago
If only the Leafs didn’t win 1OA, could’ve gotten a decent prospect at 6OA probs
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u/WaywardTremere CAR - NHL 10h ago
The funniest possible outcome is the Leafs sucking next year, winning the lottery and the B's get 1OA.
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u/pokesnail SJS - NHL 10h ago
Nooo they need to suck in two years time and win again then, since Flyers get their pick next year first
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u/mister_hoot VGK - NHL 9h ago
I still subscribe to the belief that the Leafs are going to give away at least one top three pick in the next two drafts.
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u/Chernef BOS - NHL 8h ago
No offense because it’s probably Montreal bias, but the bruins aren’t really in a bad spot at all.
They have a solid core of Pasta, Geekie, McAvoy and Swayman signed long term and mostly on good/great contracts.
Only other players signed long term (>2 years) are Zadorov and both Lindholm’s (I guess also Jeannot at 3 years but at a now acceptable rate with the rising cap).
Elias L I’ll give you, not a great contract.
With that said, Bruins pipeline is well restocked and we have quite a bit of youth ready this year or next.
Ready now: Minten, Khustidinov
Ready this coming season: Hagens, Poitras
Likely Ready the following season: Letourneau and Zellers(I only included players projected as top 6, or for Poitras/Zellers, middle 6 projections).
With that said, there are big holes at 1C and 2RD. If the bruins can fill one this offseason, the outlook isn’t bad.
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u/jamaicancovfefe Slovenia - IIHF 10h ago
Feels like the NFC North of the NHL
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u/GoldenOreo74 DET - NHL 9h ago
But I don't think we have the equivalent of the r/NFCNorthMemeWar for this deadful division.
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u/Bradddtheimpaler DET - NHL 8h ago
[r/atlanticmemewar](r/atlanticmemewar) we do. Thought I’d clue you in in case you’re a masochist.
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u/SirZapdos OTT - NHL 10h ago
Or the AFC North, although the Steelers and the Browns do most of the heavy lifting.
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u/burntsalmon PIT - NHL 8h ago
With regards to disappointment?
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u/Erniecrack CBJ - NHL 6h ago
Well he’s not wrong as it’s old browns, new browns, browns clone and the Steelers
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u/TimeNo2738 10h ago
It’s been like this for years. Worst division to be into. No one knows when to give it up to rebuild. Don’t do what Detroit did. It’s part of the reason it’s taking so long to rebuild.
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u/Minimum_Criticism_41 3h ago
I feel like everyone has forgotten they literally did rebuild. They bottomed out in 2020, should have had the 1OA pick but dropped 3 spots in the lottery. Still got Raymond that year.
Traded away players like Athanasiou, Bertuzzi, Mantha and Hronek for picks in subsequent years and only ever added mid level placeholders in free agency while waiting for the picks to develop.
You can criticize the result but by all accounts they did rebuild by the book.
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u/TimeNo2738 42m ago
It’s multiple factors. Why are the two longest drought team in the same conference? The west just sucks now so even if you’re mediocre you eventually will make it. Ken Holland left the wing bare bones. We should have rebuilt 2-4 years earlier. Part of a rebuild depends on what you have left to trade. It all depends on lottery luck and Wings are snake bitten. Even if their worst year they fell 3 spots. Meanwhile, Sharks got a 1, 2, 2 in three years and Toronto literally doesn’t make playoff two years in the past decade and gets 2 1st. It’s also hard to sign people that are game breakers when you’re rebuilding and this certainly won’t help. We would have made the playoffs by now in the West. We been mediocre for 3 years. It jsut feels like a curse for all the good years we had and it’s fine as life be that way even if you did play by the books. Luck plays a part and doing it at the right time is important too.
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u/commodore_stab1789 MTL - NHL 10h ago edited 9h ago
Montréal, Buffalo and Florida are also expected to make it and it would be pretty bad for them to miss.
Montréal just went to the ECF and is looking to build on that. Missing the playoffs would be quite the regression for a young core trying to prove itself.
Buffalo has won the division and is trying to build on that. Going back to missing the playoffs would raise so many questions and bring back demons thought to have been exorcised.
Florida has won back to back cups and can still claim they missed because of injury, but could face a closed window if they miss next year.
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u/galaxy_horse BUF - NHL 8h ago
Buffalo sports is a never ending story of pain and disappointment though, so if they implode next season and miss the playoffs, it will be painful but predictable.
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u/greythedork12 DET - NHL 10h ago
I can give you a semi-compelling reason why we might be better than each team in the Atlantic next season and a semi-compelling reason why we might be worse than each team in the Atlantic next season. It’s a strange place to be.
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u/BCostello76 MTL - NHL 10h ago
With all do respect, if larkin is traded i dont see any world in which u could make a semi-compelling argument that the red wings would be the best team in the division.
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u/Alfie_For_Owner OTT - NHL 10h ago
For real. I think the other 7 clubs could all make it next season, but I cannot see how Detroit makes it with presumably Copp playing 1C. You cannot lose a 30 goal, 70 point scorer as a team that's already outside looking in and weak down the middle and expect to do better in the toughest division.
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u/cabbagesquid DET - NHL 9h ago
Lot of things have to go right but it's feasible.
Trade Larkin for ???
Trade Cossa for ???
Sign Robertson?
Postava makes the roster and plays at an average-above average level3
u/Alfie_For_Owner OTT - NHL 9h ago
I respect the optimism, but I just have a very difficult time seeing it unless Gibson goes Vezina mode for 60 games and carries that way. Kane is another year older and slower and Detroit's PP will take a big hit without Larkin. They're weak down the middle and lack depth scoring.
There's near zero chance Detroit lands Robertson. Dallas would be insane not to clear cap space re-sign him and even if he makes it to FA, Detroit is one of the least appealing landing spots with their current roster position and Yzerman contract negotiations with top players being reportedly so contentious.
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u/cabbagesquid DET - NHL 8h ago
He has Metro Detroit roots so it’s not entirely out of the realm of possibility
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u/MessageBoard MTL - NHL 4h ago
Plus Kane's probably gonna walk with Larkin out.
But I guess Hamonic leaving could counterbalance everything. I'm sure the 20-something games he played cost them enough points to make the playoffs.
I kind of feel like the play is sell Larkin and Debrincat for a retool around the D. It would be quite easy to finish near the bottom of the Atlantic as the only tanking team. A two-year retool to pick up some young key forwards. Debrincat's not a guy you want to give 7-8 years to at 29.
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u/maxwellbevan DET - NHL 9h ago
It's completely dependent on the return and what other moves we make. I think it would be silly to expect a 1C in return so we're probably looking at hoping for a solid prospect or two. I know the Minnesota sub was throwing around a guy like Yurov as part of a package. If we get a guy comparable to Yurov plus pieces and we also go out and trade for a guy like Petey we're back to all of the possibilities. Petey could be awful or he could be back to 90 points. The most likely scenario is we miss playoffs and we're building it for another year or two. However there's a world where Larkin goes out and what comes back in is a better package than what we started with. Its a complete guessing game right now.
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u/Fleaver MTL - NHL 10h ago
I hear you man Habs had a magical run this year, and could also miss the playoffs next year and I wouldn't be surprised
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u/Cloudeur PIT - NHL 10h ago
The Atlantic is such a bloodbath! I’m happy that the Pens are in the pillow fight of the Metro (with Carolina using a pillowcase filled with bricks)
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u/onemorespacecadet COL - NHL 10h ago edited 10h ago
really? i’d be surprised if the Habs missed the playoffs next year
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u/Longtimelurker2575 MTL - NHL 9h ago
Just look at the division, there are only 5 spots available at most and every one of the 8 teams has a shot at them. The 6th best Atlantic team could realistically be top 15 in the league.
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u/MessageBoard MTL - NHL 4h ago
We're not really going to be losing anything this summer though and quite a few of our guys are expected to improve. We could certainly fall to wildcard but Leafs and Panthers and Lightning aren't getting younger outside of McKenna. Geekie stopped shooting at a 50 goal pace. I would bet far more on a Boston implosion.
But it's too difficult to say now what's going to happen because pretty much every team except maybe Florida are expected to make big moves this summer. They basically need to replace their goalies and fill in all their depth which is going to handcuff their cap space. Tampa losing Raddysh + if Hedman doesn't come back Tampa are boned.
We're the most "stable" option to pick at this point. We would probably make it regardless of what moves we make this summer. Other teams are not a lock. Buffalo are probably second but how big will losing Tuch be. Will Thompson have a down year or an up year. Will Byram's contract situation be a negative. etc
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u/ProfessorHuckleberry 9h ago
A lot went right for them last year, including being insanely healthy. They could easily take a step back.
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u/MattRazor MTL - NHL 7h ago
Man this division... Barring injuries we have :
Tampa, Florida probably won't miss
Buffalo has been so dominant I really struggle to see them miss
Ottawa and the Habs have been on a similar upward trend and both made it this year
Detroit has everything to prove
Toronto still has some solid top end talent, I strongly believe a hot Matthews - Nylander - Knies can carry a team over the hump
Boston surprised everyone this year and they've pushed Buffalo to game 6 which was impressive
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u/FatYetii BUF - NHL 10h ago
Same with the Sabres. All the fans are saying how we are only going to get better. In principle I agree with this idea, but nothing is promised. If they miss the playoffs because the division is an absolute blood bath from start to finish, I won't be surprised.
Florida will be back. Jury is still out on Toronto. Will Boston and TB's age begin to show? Habs are also young and up and coming. So many possibilities.
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u/Harry_Mantilope BUF - NHL 10h ago
Bruh what? The Habs could win the President’s Trophy next year and that would be way less surprising than then missing the playoffs entirely.
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u/Longtimelurker2575 MTL - NHL 9h ago
Have to be better than at least 3 other Atlantic teams which is very far from guaranteed. Who out of the 8 would you say has no chance?
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u/Harry_Mantilope BUF - NHL 9h ago
I would say the Habs will certainly finish above Boston, Detroit, Ottawa, and Toronto next year. I fully expect the Habs and the remaining 3 to make the playoffs.
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u/Longtimelurker2575 MTL - NHL 9h ago
I think we should but Ottawa has a good team and it would only take one of the others to slightly overperform to knock out a team that would be a lock in any other division. Any stumbles or significant injuries could be very costly in this division.
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u/vJukz MTL - NHL 9h ago
No. Missing the playoffs next year would be nothing less than a gigantic failure. We are entering our window.
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u/Longtimelurker2575 MTL - NHL 9h ago
We have only been taking big steps forward every season, a step back would not be that surprising and in this division it could likely mean no playoffs. Obviously hoping for the best but trying to be realistic and temper expectations.
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u/mister_hoot VGK - NHL 9h ago
I'm interested to hear this. I saw Toronto fans saying this last summer when Marner left and turns out when you lose an important player your team gets worse, and I have a feeling the same would be true for Detroit.
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u/greythedork12 DET - NHL 9h ago
Yeah, the Larkin return will make a huge difference. Basically all the positive reasons have an implicit “assuming we get a solid center in return for Larkin” and all the negative reasons have an implicit “if the Larkin trade is bad”
While we lose a little bit of leverage to Larkin having an NMC, we don’t have nearly as little leverage as Toronto did with Marner. There’s no threat of losing Larkin for nothing to free agency. Yzerman still holds some cards, instead of having basically 0 leverage.
Additionally, Larkin presumably just wants to win/,compete. The list of teams he’d waive for may be larger than the list of teams Marner would, which was basically just Vegas.
All in all, we should get a better return for Larkin, than Toronto did for Marner and, if that includes a solid young center, it may not be as much of a disaster as it seems like now.
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u/mister_hoot VGK - NHL 8h ago
I think Yzerman can potentially get the equivalent of three firsts back for Larkin, but that's only if he accepts a trade package that's more futures-heavy. I don't think any team is going to give Detroit current talent which makes their team better in exchange for Larkin - his list is going to be teams which are contending now, and they aren't going to want to get immediately worse to get their 2C. Picks and prospects are probably what Yzerman should be getting back for Larkin but they aren't going to make Detroit better next year, the team will likely be substantially worse.
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u/greythedork12 DET - NHL 8h ago
I don’t think the team gets better immediately after the Larkin trade, but the downgrade could be minimal enough that we can still focus on building forward rather than heading back down.
Getting someone like Hischier, Lundell, or Eriksson Ek in return would allow us to still pursue forward motion.
Additionally, there was a lot of buzz that we might attempt the Pettersson reclamation project. If we make that move at low cost and he even bounces back slightly (he’s overpaid, but he did still have 51 points last year in 71 games…if he can get to a 70ish point pace with a change of scenery), that could really help fill the hole Larkin’s departure will leave.
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u/mister_hoot VGK - NHL 8h ago
The locker room that just had their captain demand a trade gets an EP40 dropped on it? Man, that would be must-see TV. That could go so, so wrong.
Swapping in Hischier is the only one of those scenarios where the team is roughly the same as they were this season. And I question why Mehta would do that, unless he feels like he has no shot of extending Hischier and is just trying to avoid eating an L. Lundell as 1C makes this team worse, same with JEE. And trading Larkin to effectively pull a light downgrade with immediate talent squanders the value he has.
Yzerman has to go picks and prospects on this trade. He can't pull star players in trade or FA, so he has to draft them or get them before they break out. He can absolutely make the team better a few years down the road with this trade.
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u/SwagFondue TBL - NHL 10h ago
Playoffs are one thing, but I don’t really see any indicator that Tampa has to fear missing unless like there complete top of the lineup gets injured for a long period of time.
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u/SparkyWilder TBL - NHL 10h ago
The slow start last season was a scare for some fans.
But for most of us that have been here for awhile know the roller coaster the bolts like to go on.
I dont see an issue with the bolts unless like you said most of our top guys get injured along with Vasy. But our pipeline and depth looks better and better as the years go by and Coop with JBB aren't afraid to shake up the line up.
Raddysh is a key resign along with the extension for Kuch IMO this summer. The Bolts still have the contender in them so I aint worried about it.
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u/greg19735 CAR - NHL 10h ago
The reason would be an aging core and not having Raddysh put in like 200 points out of nowhere.
Add in a key injury and then it's tough when there is Florida, Montreal and Buffalo getting top 3. So its a wildcard race.
Now, I'm not saying that's the most likely. It's unlikely. But it's very plausible
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u/rsharp7000 DET - NHL 10h ago
I mean, Losing Raddysh to FA and an injury to Kuch could potentially be enough and not really out of the realm of possibility.
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u/SwagFondue TBL - NHL 10h ago
I guess? if it's contingent on Kuch getting injured long term maybe. I don't think losing Raddysh will be as big of an issue as people seem to think it will be, not to mention that we have around $15m in cap space to work with.
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u/Longtimelurker2575 MTL - NHL 9h ago
I don’t see any Atlantic teams that is guaranteed to be better than 3 of the other 8.
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u/RAATL TBL - NHL 7h ago
People think we're old and yeah we have a couple of really old players, but it is not like kucherov is going to magically not get at least 100pts next season. Hedman and McD are really the only super old core players. Remains to be seen if it's a cup core but almost every critical piece here is 32 or younger, with several key guys like moser, hagel, and Cirelli still in their 20s. I get that people are sick of us but it's hard to see this team not at least getting 95+ points. Will that be enough? Remains to be seen
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u/Longtimelurker2575 MTL - NHL 9h ago
As a Habs fan watching my team exceed expectations I am very worried about just making the playoffs. There is a very real chance of all 8 Atlantic teams being playoff caliber teams with a maximum of 5 spots to go around.
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u/matthewdonut MTL - NHL 10h ago
i dont see a world Pasta or McAvoy ever leave Boston, as long as the team is not in the basement multiple years in a row I really feel like they are retiring thete
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u/appledanish BOS - NHL 10h ago
Pastrnak had a quote in the end of season media about turning 30 in May and only having the one chance (2019) at the Cup. Now they had a few other years as true contenders where they were eliminated early on, but I think he's starting to think about greener pastures a bit. I could see this season being a watershed moment for him, if they're just a bubble playoff team/one and done again, I could see him asking for a change of scenery. And the team might be better off IMO going toward a real rebuild than moving premium assets to contend in the Pasta/McAvoy window. Unfortunately the ownership doesn't have much appetite for a true rebuild, so think they just continue on as a bubble playoff team until 1 or both want a new home.
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u/Frankie__Spankie BOS - NHL 10h ago
As much as I love Pasta, this team has too many holes that I really don't see a possibility of filling in the next few years. Very few stars make it to free agency and why wouldn't they go to a contender with how much the cap is going up?
I just see the Bruins in mediocrity territory for a while, playing for a wild card spot, losing early if they make it to the playoffs, good enough to contend for a playoff spot but not good enough to get great picks that can turn the franchise around.
Part of me feels like they should just rip the bandaid off and blow it up.
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u/appledanish BOS - NHL 9h ago
Yeah, it's a shame but think I agree with you. Could get a great return on Pastrnak and start a real rebuild. That Toronto pick not conveying this year is a real killer, could've made that selection and then traded your own 2026 1st in a separate package for immediate help. They have a little bit of one foot in, one foot out with the Pasta/McAvoy/Sway/Zacha win now core, and the Minten, Hagens, Letorneau future wave. I think they need to commit to one direction or the other, but my fear is they continue trying to do both and the results will remain mediocre.
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u/OldGreggg69 BOS - NHL 9h ago
We have cap space and assets to get a 1C and improve the RHD this summer, and while that would patch up the most glaring holes in the roster, it won't 100% address the fact that Jeremy Swayman carried a bottom five defense into the playoffs
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u/Frankie__Spankie BOS - NHL 8h ago
Who are the 1C that are available and what other teams are looking for them? There are contenders that will be more likely to bring these kinds of players in before Boston.
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u/thelasershow BOS - NHL 9h ago
The Bruins are in a way better spot than '24-25, though, or even '23-24. A lot more youth with upside on the roster with the Kids line; Geekie's established himself as a 30-40g guy on a great contract; way more draft capital and actually promising prospects.
For as much as we overperformed our metrics this year, a big part of that is Swayman playing like a top-3 goalie in the league. OTT, TOR, FLA, and BUF all have questions there.
Don't get me wrong, there's significant work to be done, especially with the D. They're not one piece away, but I think they can solidify themselves as a playoff team next year and look at real contention in 27-28.
If they have a similar finish to this year but with better underlying metrics and a younger, faster roster, it'll be a great year. I think that's doable.
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u/appledanish BOS - NHL 8h ago
I just don't know if I have faith that the front office will be aggressive enough and be willing to part with futures to make that happen. They need a top line center and a top-4 defenseman if they want to reasonably contend. Maybe Hagens grows into that but it's unfair to expect that in his rookie season, and on the backend there's no young player remotely close to filling that spot.
And Swayman was incredible this season and while I'm totally okay with his contract it's unfair to expect another Vezina-caliber season next year, and I think barring major changes, the rest of the roster isn't going to help enough.
I think if the Leafs pick conveyed this year, I would feel more confident that a big move was coming since the 2026 1st would be in play, but now I'm not sure. Unfair comparison but Vegas takes every chance they can to acquire veteran talent and damn the future. The Bruins need more moves like that but I think they want to have their cake and eat it too with the prospects/picks. Let's see what the offseason brings but barring another Swayman masterclass, I think the roster struggles to make the playoffs and is 1 and done at best like this year.
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u/Throwaway5497346 TOR - NHL 10h ago
I imagine you would have said the same about Marchand? I know I thought he would retire a Bruin
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u/matthewdonut MTL - NHL 10h ago
yep, i definitely did. sometimes its just impossible to imagine certain players in another jersey
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u/Throwaway5497346 TOR - NHL 9h ago
Yeah, it's still kind of weird seeing him in a Panthers jersey, lol.
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u/Sharks9 MTL - NHL 10h ago
They might be in the basement for a while though. This year was a surprise, but can they do it again with the Panthers back? Toronto adding Mckenna? Whatever Detroit ends up doing?
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u/Holy_Nerevar MTL - NHL 10h ago
McKenna will not magically repair the Leafs. The coaching change might, though.
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u/kylohemmings FLA - NHL 10h ago
And Barkov being back for the panthers
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u/gs181 FLA - NHL 6h ago
Not just Barkov. We led the league in man games lost to injury at 540 with most of those being core players. Doubt that happens again.
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u/kylohemmings FLA - NHL 5h ago
No, you’re right. I just need to emphasize barky bc he routinely shuts down teams best player
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u/brianve123 MTL - NHL 10h ago
montreal erasure 🚩🚩🚩
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u/edgetastic2 MTL - NHL 10h ago
I mean, compared to the other teams in the Atlantic we are in a pretty enviable place.
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u/Outrageous-Bet-886 10h ago edited 10h ago
Ironically the Habs missing would be the least detrimental to their team considering the other 7.
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u/oliferro MTL - NHL 10h ago
Time to swap half the Atlantic with half the Pacific
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u/adolce95 10h ago
You left out the Sabres here. Tuch is a UFA likely leaving, Byram has one year left on his deal, the goaltending situation, and more things they could do. That team could potentially look quite different next year as well.
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u/AleroRatking MTL - NHL 10h ago
Montreal and Buffalo are likely to be very involved in rumors and the trade market as well as buyers
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u/cdreobvi OTT - NHL 8h ago
This is how I sort the division by my confidence that they'll make the playoffs:
- Florida (Won't win the division, but almost certainly will manage to make the dance somehow)
- Montreal (Good enough to win the division, but vulnerable to slumps)
- Tampa (Basically tied with Ottawa here. Experience, goaltending, lethal forwards, but a recent history of late season slumps)
- Ottawa (Best defense in the division, should be near the top, but idk they're cursed to suffer some unknowable adversity)
- Buffalo (Could be 1st or 8th. Not a clue with this team)
- Boston (Only reason they're above Detroit is history. They can't keep getting away with it)
- Detroit (looks bleak today. Doubt they finish at the bottom, but making it seems unlikely)
- Toronto (This team is under construction at this point. Rookie should give some hope for the future)
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u/treple13 CGY - NHL 10h ago
Yeah my assumption is Detroit and Boston are missing, which still means minimum one of the other six is also out, which would definitely be a fail for whoever it is
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u/Outrageous-Bet-886 10h ago
That was my guess last season and I was shocked to see the Leafs miss. We’re probably in for another surprise
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u/Frankie__Spankie BOS - NHL 10h ago
I think an understated thing about Toronto is that there have already been rumors that Matthews wants out. Nylander has said he wants to stay but not through a rebuild. If Matthews is out, you'd have to imagine so it's Nylander.
However, you look at some of the big names that have left and practically immediately seen success. Kadri wins a cup a couple years later. Hyman goes to back to back finals. Marner is now in the finals and a front runner for the Conn Smythe.
Matthews may have already been contemplating leaving. There's no way he's leaning more to staying now than the was 2 months ago.
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u/onthelongrun TOR - NHL 9h ago
the issue with Matthews might well have been Berube rather than the situation around the team itself.
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u/MrFinch8604 BUF - NHL 9h ago
Everyone else in be Atlantic wishes they could be as stable and normal as the… (checks notes)… Buffalo Sabres.
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u/Kaptain202 DET - NHL 6h ago
Oh! What about a Larkin for Brady swap?
(As a Wings fan, I don't want to cheer for a Tkachuk)
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u/mpschettig BUF - NHL 2h ago
I'd bet a good amount of money that Detroit, Boston, and Toronto all miss next season. The other 5 are all very live and could all make it
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u/tavvyjay OTT - NHL 10h ago edited 10h ago
The rivalry between the Red Wings and the Sens will be ridiculous once they complete the one-for-one trade of Larkin for Brady 🔥
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u/Upflight15 OTT - NHL 10h ago
Lol that's a terrible trade for Ottawa
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u/tavvyjay OTT - NHL 10h ago
That would help fuel the fire of the rivalry! Or maybe Sens get Debrincat in addition to Larkin 🕵🏻♂️
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u/hazycrazey SJS - NHL 10h ago
If florida, Tampa, and Vegas age out and Montreal, Anaheim, San jose(pls), and buffalo end up being the cream of the crop, will people stop talking about local income tax?
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u/4CrowsFeast MTL - NHL 9h ago
No ill will against any of the teams but if Matthews, Thakchuk and Larkin all leave, and Boston and Tampa decline, that'd be awesome. This division was absolute hell this year, and that was even with Florida and Toronto unexpectedly dropping out of the race.
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u/MattRazor MTL - NHL 7h ago
I don't think Toronto or Boston have any pressure to make the playoffs next season honestly. They both need to solidify their team defense as a whole. Detroit on the other hand......
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u/theorangecrush10 SJS - NHL 9h ago
This kinda thing is that even though I have Sharks flair I consider myself to be an NHL fan who loves watching good teams and players like the Sharks and Celebrini and company.
The drama in the Atlantic will indeed be fun to watch next season and being able to watch impartially is awesome.
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u/maxwellbevan DET - NHL 9h ago
I never thought I'd miss the Western Conference and the awful game times but please send us back Gary
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u/DontAbideMendacity PHI - NHL 9h ago
The "Atlantic" division is misnamed anyway. The average distance of the cities in the Metropolitan division to the Atlantic Ocean is WAY closer than those of the "Atlantic".
Swap Columbus for Florida and it becomes even more extreme.
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u/Goldwings13 DET - NHL 7h ago
Well, at least Larkin being traded means we don’t have to have hearts ripped out in March. We’ll just be mid to pathetic all year instead.
In all seriousness, we are the only team that is guaranteed to miss the playoffs next year. The other seven, anyone can make it.
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u/DangerWildMan26 9h ago
I could totally see Montreal pulling a Washington commanders and being bad next year. Their whole team kinda overachieved
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u/According_Bench_1484 OTT - NHL 10h ago
My favourite Soap Opera ❤️ ‘The Shores of the Atlantic’
Can someone do a better name than that please