Post by Beans (BOS) on Feb 5, 2016 5:40:38 GMT -5
Boston Bruins Confidential 2015-2016 Year-End Report
HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL
For iBruin eyes only.
Following the conclusion of the 2015-2016 iBruin season, exit interviews with all staff and player personnel were conducted. This report summarizes the status of the organization following those interviews and shall service as a tool in guiding the team’s offseason plans.
2015-2016 Summary
Synopsis: A terrible season, one of the worst in club history. Relied on past-their-prime veterans and inexperienced prospects to the team’s detriment. Pre-season injury to starter Malcolm Subban meant significant playing time for Ray Emery and Zane McIntyre.
Positives: Removed most burdensome contracts, accumulated significant elite talent to prospect pool. 2 top-8 draft picks and another 1st rounder likely between 15-20. Kevin Fiala, Emerson Etem, and Boone Jenner emerged as legitimate talents. Dmitry Kulikov
maintained Norris-trophy level pace since joining team in trade with Florida Panthers.
Negatives: Veterans were consistently unable to produce and were often outplayed by our younger players, not to mention the other team. Inexperience was evident on most nights resulting in terrible possession numbers. Vincent Lecavalier situation became a distraction in the locker room as did the Julien-Draisaitl situation.
Coach Job Security: Very strong. Highly unlikely Claude Julien will be fired during my tenure. Julien should become the winningest coach in Bruins history next iNHL season.
Offseason Priorities
1) iNHL Entry Draft. Given our stockpile of first round picks, and 7 picks in the first 3 rounds, the team hopes to add 1 franchise player and 3 top-line talents to the organization. Players of interest for our top-10 selections include Jakob Chychrun (D), Matthew Tkachuk (LW), Auston Matthews (C), Patrik Laine (RW), Jesse Puljujarvi (RW), Logan Brown (C), Tyler Benson (LW), Max Jones (LW), Mikhail Sergachev (D), and Olli Juolevi (D).
2) Free Agency. Unlikely to be many free agents of interest. The team will need to acquire a goaltender to backup and/or mentor Malcolm Subban. Eric Staal is the only top-line talent available. His age and likely contract requirements make him an unlikely candidate for an iBruin contract.
3) Improve D. Likely through trade, the iBruins will need to acquire 2-4 defenceman for next season. It may be worth exploring offers received before the trade deadline for Michael Grabner and Sam Gagner that would return defensive help. Regardless, the team’s priority will be to obtain an elite defenseman via trade.
4) Captaincy Decision. The team will need to make a decision on Captaincy positions for next season. Brooks Laich is a great leader who represents the identity the team wants to develop and maintain, so he is likely to remain captain on an interim basis. Boone Jenner, Alexander Wennberg, and Dmitry Kulikov are quality individuals who merit consideration for the Captaincy in the future.
5) Vincent Lecavalier Buyout. The team will use it’s free compliance buyout on Vincent Lecavalier. While the cap space is largely insignificant, we will be able to free up a roster space for a young player or depth.
2016-2017 Preview
Potential Roster Additions: Pavel Zacha, Ivan Provorov, Jake Debrusk, Jakub Zboril, Jeremy Lauzon, Gabriel Gagne, Danton Heinen.
Potential Roster Subtractions: Vincent Lecavalier, Matt Moulson, Dan Boyle, Nikita Nikitin, Evgeni Medvedev, Chris Kelly.
Team Strengths: Speed and leadership. Having replaced our veterans with elite, young talent, we will have high-end speed on each line and at every position. The acquisitions of Brooks Laich, Dmitry Kulikov, Boone Jenner, and Alexander Wennberg have given the team a core of strong leaders.
Team Weaknesses: Inexperience. Next season’s roster is likely to have an average age under 26 years old and will likely be exposed in much the same way this season’s was exposed. However, by the end of the season, it is possible the player development will mean the team has elite scoring talent that will carry the team in future seasons.
Team Goals: The team would like to qualify for the playoffs but will need to make big changes to make that happen. A modest goal is for the team to have at least 2 50-point scorers and another 40-point scorer and to reduce our goal differential deficit by 75%.
Likely Standing: As currently constructed, the team is likely to miss the playoffs and will be a bottom 5 team once again. However, if certain plans can be executed and if key players develop ahead of schedule, it is possible the team will contend for the playoffs.
