Ty Anderson joined Felger and Jim Murray on Wednesday to discuss the latest on the Boston Bruins, including some trade rumors that involve Vancouver Canucks center, Bo Horvat.
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Elliotte Friedman Ties Horvat to Bruins
A couple of tidbits from the intermission of @sportsnet #Leafs broadcast...Elliotte believes Bo Horvat could go to #NHLBruins "long term"...Also, he believes Pasta's contract will have an AAV of $10.75 million, while Stewart said it would be $11 million.
— Zig Fracassi (@ZigSportsVoice) January 18, 2023Horvat Talk
Felger: If they’re going to add Horvat, and you did the cap math for me, I won’t share it with the audience, but to sign Pastrnak to around 11 million-12 million, and bring back Bergeron next year, and bring back Frederic, Krejci if you want him back, or to make a trade, something has to give.
Ty Anderson: Yeah.
Felger: And it’s not just Mike Reilly out of Providence. It’s not just Craig Smith. No, no, no, no, no, no. I think to make a real trade work for a guy like Horvat, or to fit everything in under the cap that they need to next year, someone or something has to give.
Ty Anderson: I think you’re 100% right.
Felger: So let’s start with that. Who would be on your list?
Ty Anderson: Who would? This is why it’s so hard, because the team is so close.
Felger: Let me give you mine…Taylor Hall.
Ty Anderson: Oh, I hate this already.
Felger: Would be one. Why? Get out while he gets good. He’s playing a team game. He’s accepting of the third line. Feels like he’s got his crap together.
Jim Murray: How long is that?
Felger: Let’s sell high on that.
Ty Anderson: It’s lasted for two years now though like at a certain point like…
Jim Murray: I’m saying like to make his point, and actually I’m stunned how well it’s worked here with him.
Felger: Yeah, me too. I think it’s amazing how he’s accepting his role. I mean, look, something has to give.
Ty Anderson: Oh, of course. Yeah.
Jim Murray: Ideal world, all the room in the world, all the cap room, caps are not a factor, I keep him. But now I need to peel $5-6 million off my roster. So it’s Taylor Hall or Charlie Coyle. And I really like Coyle’s game, especially when he’s on the third line. If he’s your third line center, I think you’re in good shape. Like, that’s a good third line center. I’ve always liked his game, but I also thought he had more upside that he just the puck just doesn’t go in the net. It’s just the points aren’t there with him. So I don’t know. Like, that’s where I start. Who else should be on that list? Oh, I’m sorry, Brandon Carlo, which I think should go without saying. In fact. Hold on, let me do list one: Carlo. Two: Hall. Three: Coyle. Your thoughts?
Ty Anderson: Yeah, I don’t want to remove. The only guy on that on that list that I’d be like, “okay maybe” would be Brandon Carlo just because of the injury.
Felger: Don’t fall in love with your players, Ty. Don’t be like a Celtics fan. We’re not you’re talking about we can’t get rid of Sam Hauser. Like, don’t don’t do that. Something has to give.
Ty Anderson: Yeah, but. Okay. But if you’re if you’re saying to me that I can have Taylor Hall and Charlie Coyle for a combined $11.25 million, which is what they cost, or Bo Horvat on extension for $8 million, I’m probably going Hall and Coyle. I think it makes you a better, deeper team.
Dec 8, 2021; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Bo Horvat (53) reacts after scoring the game winning goal on Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman (not pictured) during the overtime shootout at Rogers Arena. Vancouver won 2-1 in Overtime. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
Felger: Okay. But what if they have no centers?
Ty Anderson: They had Erik Haula as a center last year, and you’ll always find a guy who will want to play with David Pastrnak. I firmly believe that.
Felger: And who plays with the others? They need two centers for the long term. And not like a third and fourth center, because they have that now, they need a one and two center going forward. Where does that come from? Unless you peel something off the team.
Ty Anderson: Do I have to give up all this for Bo Horvat?
Felger: You have to make some some choices, Ty.
Ty Anderson: But he’s going to be a free agent. Why would I give all this up if I can just sign him for money in July?
Felger: So Horvat is a unrestricted free agent in July? Well, something still has to give off your roster. So I’m saying whether you’re trading now or signing in the off-season, the money doesn’t work. Something has to come off. Look, Carlo and Grzelcyk, I would put it on top of anyone. What’s cause likes contract situation?
Ty Anderson: $3.678 and I think he’s one more year after this.
Felger: So like, that’s good value, but I don’t think he’s…
Ty Anderson: They don’t have bad contracts. That’s what’s killing them right now. They don’t have a contract you look at and go “that’s a bad contract, got to get rid of that!”
Felger: Mike Reilly’s a bad contract.
Ty Anderson: But even at $3 million, like moving that doesn’t make you, you know, have all this cap space all of a sudden. Like, that’s where it’s hard for me to look at and say, “okay, where do you add like? How how do you add a guy like Horvat?” And the other thing too with Horvat, he’s on the greatest shooting bender of his entire life, and Vancouver is going to want a haul for that. They’re going to want everything for that. And for me, A) I get nervous about those guys to begin with. B) If he’s a free agent, I don’t want to give up all that those assets right now if I can just get him for money in the summer. Would it be nice to have a Bo Horvat on this team? Yes.
Felger: Well, I’m with you on that. For this year it sounds stupid, but they don’t need him this year.
Ty Anderson: They don’t need him.
Listen to Felger and Mazz from 2-6 every Monday-Friday on 98.5 The Sports Hub, with hosts Mike Felger, Tony “Mazz” Massarotti, and Jim Murray “Big Jim”. You can listen live in the Sports Hub App and subscribe to their podcasts here. Follow @FelgerAndMazz on Twitter to keep up with the show!
