When Kevin Bieksa took himself off the market Monday by re-upping with the Canucks for five years and $23 million, two things happened: First, anyone who had expected him to take some big hometown discount was surprisingly proven wrong. Second, any team with a big-name defenseman set to become unrestricted on Friday felt a little more pressure.
That, of course, is where the Bruins find themselves. While Peter Chiarelli keeps in contact with Rick Curran, the agent for Tomas Kaberle, the biggest question debated around these parts won’t be whether the B’s keep the puck-moving D man – it’s whether they should, and just what changes, if any, their Stanley Cup-winning blue line will undergo.
Right now, all but one of the six spots are sewn up. Zdeno Chara is about to begin a seven-year deal with a no-movement clause, while his partner for most of the postseason Dennis Seidenberg is signed for the next three years with a limited no-trade clause. Andrew Ference has two years left with a $2.25 million cap hit, while both Johnny Boychuk and Adam McQuaid will enter the final year of their current deals. Boychuk, who had an up-and-down year, will be an unrestricted free agent after next season, while McQuaid will be restricted after being the lowest-paid player on next year’s squad at a $575,00 cap hit. Long story short, unless trade winds blow, Kaberle is the only blueliner from the Cup finals that might not be there as the banner is raised.
Despite a sub-par, and at times treacherous, showing for the majority of his time in Boston after being acquired in mid-February, somebody is going to pay Kaberle. After all, his 11 points in the postseason tied him with Seidenberg for tops amongst B’s blueliners. Maybe it won’t be the $4 million annual cap hit he figured to command if he had even been decent the whole way, but he could be looking at anywhere from the top of the $2 million range to the mid-$3 million area. The Bruins know how terrific a passer he is, and he seemed to look more as-advertised when the Cup finals rolled around. He can still play, but there are question marks as to whether he can sustain that level of activity.
It didn’t take long after the trade to realize that Kaberle struggled out of the gate with the Bruins. It seemed to be a combination of things — for starters, he was in a new city for the first time in his career, and by the end of the finals, he appeared to be getting the hang of it. Then, there’s conditioning — Kaberle isn’t a particularly strong skater (some might describe his skating as worse), and nobody could ever mistake Kaberle for one of his workout-warrior teammates. Given that he’s getting older and that this next deal could be his last if he wanted it to be, that could be a bit of a red flag.
Worse than anything else, though — and this may be correctable — was his predictability. When Kaberle has the puck, he can work wonders. The issue is that players figure out pretty quickly how to get the puck from him. Yep, the “just go and take it” method worked fine, as Kaberle was outmuscled on multiple occasions on turnovers that proved costly.
The Bruins have plenty of space — something in the ballpark of $12 million before signing Brad Marchand — to keep Kaberle without coming close to the ceiling, but given that bigger contracts will have to be dished to other players in future years (David Krejci will need re-upping after the coming season, while Tyler Seguin will be in for a big raise if he is among the NHL’s best by the time his rookie deal expires in 2013), they certainly can’t get carried away with spending just because they have cap room. Then, there’s always the pipedream of trying to sign Shea Weber in the future if the current restricted free agent doesn't get a long-term deal in Nashville.
So if the Bruins do spend money on defense, they shouldn’t go crazy. Trying to get Kaberle for $3 million or less wouldn’t hurt, nor would inquiring about the services of James Wisniewski, who had a career year last season between Long Island and Montreal. Christian Ehroff is two years older, but has been consistent the last three seasons. There’s no harm in ringing the agents of both Ehroff and Wisniewski, but the Bruins have to know they have the luxury of walking away without worry should someone’s price tag be unwarranted.
Then there is what might be a less flashy, (but more economical) option: sticking with Steven Kampfer as the sixth defenseman and having Matt Bartkowski as the extra guy. That way, they’ll have put themselves in better financial shape for the future while getting a good shot to see whether Kampfer will be the 20-minute-a-night player he was after his callup or the one who lost them a game in Nashville.
All the fuss over one spot, and a bottom-pairing defenseman at that. With free agency beginning Friday, we could have the answer soon.
DJ BEAN
BIO | ARCHIVE | BIG BAD BLOG
In the latest edition of the "It Is What It Is" podcast, Chris Price and CSNNE's Mike Giardi take a look at the Patriots offseason on both sides of the ball, try and get a handle on which new guys will make an impact first, and whether or not the Patriots have altered their style when it comes to drafting and developing wide receivers.
Mike Florio joined the program to discuss the Jets decision to release Tim Tebow, he said the situation is as disaster all around for the Jets and that the problems begins with owner Woody Johnson. Mike also said that he was disappointed with the Pats moving back in the first round.
One of the hardest working men in the biz, Mike Petraglia aka "Trags", sits down with Butch Stearns live in Foxborough to help break down all the latest Pats moves. He discusses his reaction to the trade in Round 1 and the guys those picks produced. Also, the boys talk about the decent trade the Pats made in acquiring LeGarrette Blount from Tampa Bay for Jeff Demps and a 7th rounder.
We check in with Danny Ainge for our first talk to him since the Celtics season ended last weekend. We talk about the future of the team, KG, Pierce, Doc Rivers and more, as Danny directly answers the rumors being floated by ESPN's Stephen A. Smith.
Jackie Mac joins the show to discuss the trade rumors swirling around Paul Pierce, KG, Doc Rivers and the Celtics. She also discusses the future of the Celtics head coach.
Stephen A. joined the program to discuss the trade rumors he has reported regarding a possible trade including Doc Rivers and the Clippers. Stephen A. also told the guys that he has heard that Danny and Doc may be tiring of working together.
Joe Castiglione talked with John Lackey after he picked up the W against the Twins. Lackey threw seven innings, and retired the 1st twelve batters of the game.
Dave O'Brien talked to John Farrell before the end of the Twins series. The Sox skipper said that Big Papi's success is no surprise given his work ethic.
John Farrell postgame press conference
Shawn joined the show to discuss the teams great performance in game two against the Rangers. Shawn said that he wouldn't mind playing for John Tortorella because he seems like a funny guy.
Dale and DJ roll on with their puck talk and chat some more about the goalie matchup in this series, as well as the lack of a quality power play for both of these teams. In fact, DJ says the Rangers are even worse on the PP than the B’s! The guys also get into the resurgence of Milan Lucic and his deceptive speed and grit. Dale and DJ talk about the similar styles of play for these teams and look forward to Game 2.
Dale and DJ get into the two coaches and their polar opposite styles and demeanor. Both teams play a similar style, but the coaches certainly convey their messages in a different way. Dale isn't buying the Tortorella hype and thinks he's a little overrated. DJ thinks he's a good coach, but isn't a fan of anti-media stance. The guys also talk about Jagr and how he has not lived up to the hype. They weren't expecting him to light it up or be the savior, but DJ says he wasn't prepared for just how slow the aging veteran is. Another big topic for B's fans this season is the play of Tyler Seguin and why he has yet to become the superstar everyone anticipates he will be. This leads to Claude Julien's style and if he does actually have something against the younger players. That Iginla trade shows its ugly head again as well.
Shawn joined the show to discuss the teams great performance in game two against the Rangers. Shawn said that he wouldn't mind playing for John Tortorella because he seems like a funny guy.
John, Gerry and Kirk give their things that they would never do, listeners joined on the WEEI yakoff app with their thoughts.
After hearing the horrible performance by Alexis Normand at the Memorial Cup in Canada, Minihane saved us all by delivering a heartfelt rendition of our national anthem.
Bruins rookie defenseman Matt Bartkowski has emerged as one of the young stars of the team and he joins Mut and Tom Caron to discuss his role on the team, why he's confident, and the trade that almost sent him to Calgary.
Millar joins the show to discuss the recent Sox slide, Jacoby Ellsbury's lack of power, and hitting in the big leagues.
Andy Brickley joins the show to discuss the Bruins Game 1 win over the Rangers, the play of the three young Bruins defensemen, and the fatigue Jagr has shown on the ice.
We talk all things game one with Jack Edwards of NESN, and get to hear a little from Jack's Finnish protege as well.
We tackle four topics we haven't yet touched upon today.. Joe Thornton and disappointing former Boston athletes, parking in Boston, buying jersey numbers and more...
We talk about the report that Rob Gronkowski may now be a candidate for back surgery with a disc problem. Is Gronk just an injury prone guy? Or is he not rehabbing proberly? Can the Pats build an offense around a guy who is so inconsistently on the field? We discuss.
The Bruins have almost finished raking the Leafs, the Red Sox struggle from the mound, Miami Heat fans show their level of class.
Daily Planet Wednesday May 8th
Today on the Daily Planet the Bruins take a 2-1 series lead, the Red Sox get a run-off win, and we hear about cannibals and bible thieves.
Sounds like a prostate exam to me!
Damn New Yorkers!
Sauce Man stylings!
Linda explains how the shootout transpired in Watertown during the early morning hours. She saw the first suspect mortally wounded and police beginning the manhunt for the second suspect.
More from this showWe check in with Danny Ainge for our first talk to him since the Celtics season ended last weekend. We talk about the future of the team, KG, Pierce, Doc Rivers and more, as Danny directly answers the rumors being floated by ESPN's Stephen A. Smith.
More from this showBuster Olney joins the show to discuss the muddled AL East, the average play of Ellsbury and how that will affect him in free agency, and Tropicana Field.
More from this showDale Arnold joined the program to preview the Bruins Rangers series with John, Gerry and Kirk. Dale thinks the Bruins have the advantage in the series over New York.
More from this showJohn, Gerry and Kirk give their things that they would never do, listeners joined on the WEEI yakoff app with their thoughts.
More from this show