Getting to Know Ryan Mast

Ryan Mast of the Sarnia Sting. Photo by Luke Durda/OHL Images

With the 181st overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, the Bruins select defenseman Ryan Mast.

I am thinking it is reasonable to assume that when Boston Bruins fans saw those words across their television screens, computers, iPads, or whatever method they were watching the 2021 National Hockey League Draft, thousands scrambled onto Google and did a search to learn as much as they possibly could about Mast.

The NHL Draft isn’t about finding top flight players in every round that are expected to play in your top-6 forwards or top-4 defensemen. When you are picking 181st you hope you can find, in this case a defenseman, that will be capable of playing on your bottom pair. Sure, there are exceptions – very few of them. Let’s turn back the clock to 2018 and with the same 181st pick, the Bruins selected Dustyn McFaul – a player I had high hopes the Bruins would draft, and they did, knowing he was a long-term project, likely 5 or 6 years from his draft date to reaching the NHL – if he does.  

Mast is a right shot defender and McFaul a left shot – and if their development curves go as expected, the Bruins may have solidified their bottom pair for years – although both players are a few years away from the reaching the NHL.

So, who is Ryan Mast?

Mast is a 6’4”, 215-pound defenseman who was born in Bloomfield, Michigan. He played for Compuware Under-16 (AAA) during the 2018-2019 season where he scored twice and assisted on two others in 18 games and helping Compuware to a championship.

In 2019, Mast was drafted in the 9th round, 169th overall by the Sarnia Sting at the Ontario Hockey League’s Priority Selection. He was also selected in the 5th round, 64th overall by the Green Bay Gamblers in the United States Hockey League’s Futures Draft. This year, the Tri-City Storm selected him in the 18th round, 267th overall in the USHL Entry Draft.

Obviously, Mast had some options and he chose the Sarnia Sting and, in the fall of 2019, he made the Stings roster out of camp. Mast appeared in 58 games and scored once while assisting on 10.

As everyone knows by now, the COVID-19 Pandemic wiped out the entire 2020-2021 Ontario Hockey League Season and you can judge for yourself whether that had any impact on public rankings and the actual draft. Well, here’s where some outlets had him ranked prior to the draft:

NHL Central Scouting – 89th (North American Skaters)

Elite Prospects – 89th

FC Hockey – 277th

Red Line Report – Not Ranked

Hockey Prospect – Not Ranked

Brock Otten – 12th (among OHL players)

If you are a fan of the OHL or just want to know more about OHL players drafted, Brock is a great follow on his blog which you can find here and on Twitter. He also does great work for McKeen’s.

Yours truly, who usually attends 100-plus OHL games a season and watches countless others on film and has ranked OHL players for over 15 years, chose not to do a ranking because of the lost season and I felt I just couldn’t do it justice this time around.

You’ll read in some circles that those people believe there is some untapped offensive potential in Mast’s game. I will be honest: I question that based on what I saw in 2019-2020. I saw a defenseman that “played it safe” 100 percent of the time at the offensive blueline. I understand that as a blueliner, the best play to make on a 50-50 buck is to retreat, but 70-30 pucks?

He was also a rookie at the time, and maybe he lacked the confidence. What I do know is that Mast has well above average hockey sense so it’s not like he doesn’t have the IQ to play in the attacking zone. In fairness, Mast did play in the Erie Showcase (for OHL players eligible for the draft) and took it upon himself to try and have an impact on the o-zone, however, he got burned a few times.

Maybe those who think there is untapped offensive potential liked the fact that he was cognizant of it and that when he uses those hockey senses and becomes more confident, it will all work out for him.

Where Mast will make his bread and butter is defending. Few defenders were as adept as Mast in breaking up zone entries. His stick is as active as anyone’s you’ve seen and with such a huge reach, he is able to lure opponents in and then break up the play. But it’s just not his stick. Mast doesn’t shy away from using his size. He skates well backing up and laterally that he can ride opponents into the wall and take the puck himself.

His north-south and east-west skating is smooth and effective and he shows some excellent agility for a defender his size. However, he lacks that push or speed and it’s something he will need to work on.

Mast’s puck retrieval and transitioning game is excellent. He gets back to retrieve the puck and few are going to challenge him physically – only because few can. He is not going to dazzle anyone and bring them to the edge of their seats with end-to-end rushes. What you can expect is, that once he’s turned to face up ice, he will deliver a quick, hard, tape-to-tape pass the will send his teammates on the attack. He does it confidently and watching him you would think he already knows what he’s going to do before he retrieves the puck.

I’ll see plenty of Mast this upcoming season and will report back at a future date.

If you’re a fan of the Boston Bruins and the OHL, you should have some fun this season watching Mast and Brett Harrison of the Oshawa Generals. Not to mention Marc Savard, who today was named Head Coach of the Windsor Spitfires.

Opening Night Roster Decisions Important for the Bruins

When it comes to the online community, Travis is someone I consider a friend and has been a long-time supporter, so when he asks, I try to deliver.

With 45 players currently under NHL contracts, another still to drop, and handful on AHL deals, General Manager Don Sweeney is going to have some roster decisions to make as we head towards the 2021-2022 National Hockey League season. Not to mention that the Prospect Challenge in Buffalo is less then a month away and there surely will be some invites to that tournament, and if someone impresses enough to warrant a deal – Sweeney will do just that. But that is still to be determined.

We’re going to leave that story for the coming weeks. What Travis wants to know is the intricacies of the cap and how even a small move can set them up for later in the season – such as trade deadline.

Let’s look at the cap situation as it stands today:

The first thing, as everyone knows, is that the Bruins are limited to a 23-man roster. Above, you will see 24 players on the roster. With John Moore currently on injured reserve you can exceed the limit to a 24-player roster. As a player who finished last season in injured reserve that is his offseason status.

Both Sweeney and Coach Bruce Cassidy have stated that Moore will be ready to go by training camp. If that is the case, then by opening night one player needs to be sent down to Providence. This is assuming there are no other deals or signings between now and then.

Most lineup projections have the Bruins lining up as shown. Trent Frederic is no longer waiver exempt for the first time in his career and is virtually guaranteed a spot on the fourth line or as the thirteenth forward. The Bruins will not risk exposing him to waivers.

If you believe that the above is the projected lineup, then it comes down to Karson Kuhlman or Chris Wagner as the sacrificial lamb. That’s because Sweeney prefers to have eight defensemen on his NHL roster, and if last season was any indication, he will need them and more. Many have asked what difference it makes and this is what Travis has asked me to explain.

First thing to look at is “Deadline Space”. Every move made effects that amount. Since the cap is calculated daily, every day you are below the cap that cap space is being ‘banked’. The Deadline Space is a player(s) total AAV that can be added and remain under the cap at season’s end. That is calculated by dividing the Projected Cap Space by 39 (days remaining in the season after trade deadline) and multiplying by 186 (total days in an NHL season).

Let’s begin with Wagner. Most people reply back with “just buy him out.” Well, that’s poor cap management. You can bury a cap hit in the AHL up to $1,175,000 so sending Wagner to the AHL would have the balance of $175,000 count towards the cap. A buyout on the other hand would carry a cap hit of $245,833 in the first year and $770,833 in the second year. Not to mention $420,833 for a third and fourth year. The first image shows Wagner with a buyout followed by a second image showing him in Providence.

As you can see, the difference is rather miniscule, but burying his contract is more beneficial than a buyout, especially when it comes to years two through four of a buyout.

When you compare that to sending Kuhlman to the AHL, well the difference is huge.

The Bruins would gain about $2.1 million more in deadline cap space by sending Wagner to the AHL over Kuhlman meaning they could add a $2.1 million player or combined players with AAV’s adding up to $9.9 million versus $7.8 million. And since there is no roster limit after trade deadline, as long as the team remains cap compliant, they wouldn’t have to move any bodies out.

This is by no means suggesting that this is what the Bruins will do. But questions need to be asked. What is in the team’s best interest? What if there is an injury to in the top nine? Who is better suited to fill in on the third line and adjust the top two accordingly? What if Frederic doesn’t take the next step, then who fills in? As a local guy, would Sweeney even consider sending Wagner down (I believe Sweeney would if it was necessary).

What if Jack Studnicka makes a case for being on the roster? Well, if that is the case then the Bruins would be looking at demoting two players.

Because Studnicka’s cap hit is slightly larger than Kuhlman’s, the deadline cap space is slightly less then if they were to send Wagner down and keep Kuhlman with the big club.

Decisions to be made.

Are the Oilers Interested in Jake DeBrusk?

Photo by nhl.com

Boston Bruins winger Jake DeBrusk has seemingly had his name attached to Edmonton Oilers rumor mill for what seems like an eternity. Perhaps, since he’s a hometown boy it’s only natural his name keeps  getting mentioned? Or maybe it’s because his father Louie does Oilers broadcasts? Or maybe there truly is some interest? But how serious is that interest?

Those rumors were reincarnated yesterday when Bruins reporter Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic Boston answered a question submitted by a fan on the player referred to as JDB.

Q: What are the odds Jake DeBrusk gets traded? If he does, do you think this will include draft picks to land a No. 2 center? — Migalito L.

A: I have heard Edmonton remains interested in DeBrusk. Calgary to a lesser degree. Combine that with the cluster of left-shot forwards and the shortness of cap space, and trading DeBrusk remains a possibility. A No. 2 center would be the ideal return. But they are not in a great spot to trade picks. It would have to be someone of DeBrusk’s profile: an underperforming player with potential to play better elsewhere.

Fluto is a well-connected Bruins reporter and when he speaks, one should pay attention. Not everyone is perfect, and sometimes what an insider hears and report does not always come to fruition, but that doesn’t mean discussions were not taking place. If Fluto says the Oilers are interested, then I will believe him, as should you.  

Fluto makes two particularly great observations that I can agree with: “The cluster of left-shot forwards” and “the shortness of cap space”, The majority of fans demand any cap relief should be allocated towards what they believe is the top priority – a second line center. There is a smaller group that believe it should go towards acquiring a top-pair left shot defender.

Truth be told, DeBrusk’s cap respite is not going to get you either for one reason: The free agent market is dried up and honestly, you’re not getting either with DeBrusk’s salary combined with the cap space the Bruins currently have. The best option one could hope for is trading DeBrusk in a package deal. And if it is a second-line center you’re attempting to get from Edmonton, that is none other then Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. But the ink is barely dry on the Nuge’s new 8-year, $41 million contract and I don’t believe Ken Holland has any interest in trading him.

As Fluto states, the Bruins are not in a great spot if they are looking to just acquire picks. But I am going to look at it from the other side – the Oilers side.

If you venture over to CapFriendly the first thing you will notice is that they are over the cap by some $3.6 million. And at this point in the offseason the Oilers still need to sign restricted free agent Kailer Yamamoto.

However, the Oilers will get the benefit of placing Oscar Klefbom and his $4,167,000 cap hit on Long Term Injury Reserve. We suspect, like all teams do, Holland will do some maneuvering to get as close as possible to the upper limit of $81.5 million before activating LTIR on Klefbom.

That in itself tells me that the Oilers cannot fit DeBrusk’s $3.675 million cap hit as it will leave the team just shy of $500,000 for Yamamoto. But wait, the Oilers would have to send someone down to the AHL. That will open up some room for Holland, but until we know what Yamamoto’s AAV comes in at, we’re just guessing here.

But it does appear that not only is it not the best situation for the Bruins to trade DeBrusk for draft pick(s), but it appears that it would be something that the Oilers would find difficult to make happen given their cap situation.

In the end, if a deal were to happen it would most likely involve a player coming back to Boston, one that, as Fluto says, is a right-hand shot. If you glance at the Oiler’s roster, who makes sense – Yamamoto himself? Jesse Puljujarvi who is just began to find his NHL game one season ago?

And that leads to my final question: Why would the Oilers do that?

Fluto also mentions the Flames having interest to a lesser degree. Calgary may actually be the better partner here as they have cap space and they also have a player or two they can afford to part with.

Did Don Sweeney Get Caught Off Guard with The Tuukka Rask and David Krejci Situation?

David Krejci, photo by TheScore.

In fifty-plus years of following hockey and the Boston Bruins, I can’t recall a fanbase so divided when it comes to Boston General Manager. With Don Sweeney, there are two extremes: one that believes the 2019 General Manager of the Year can do no wrong and a second group that feels he should be replaced immediately.

Fans I’ve communicated with want to know the answer to a simple question: When did Sweeney know David Krejci was going home to play in his native Czech Republic and why didn’t he do enough to fill his spot on the Bruins second line?

As for Tuukka Rask, everyone knew there was something physically wrong with him going back to even before the playoffs, so it was no secret to Sweeney. But did he know it would require surgery?

Let me tackle the Rask situation first.

Sweeney had ample time to address the goaltending issue and signed Linus Ullmark to a deal on the first day of free agency. Now, we can debate all night long whether it was the right move or not, but the fact of the matter is no one will know until the players hit the ice and start playing in some meaningful games.

What I can tell you is that a very trusted source confirmed that there was a deal on the table and Rask was ready to accept that deal until it was determined that he required surgery. At that point the Bruins GM had no choice but to find an alternative and revisit the Rask situation when he was deemed healthy to return.

The fact that the Bruins signed Ullmark to a four-year deal worth $20 million raised some questions about revisiting the Rask situation at a later date. Add to that, Ullmark was given a full no movement clause in the first two years of the deal followed by a 16 team no trade clause in year three and a 15 team no trade clause in the final year, it should make one wonder, barring a full collapse, how are you going to bring Rask back? Especially if Jeremy Swayman continues on his other worldly development curve!

Another trusted source confirmed there was a contract awaiting Krejci as well. All DK46 had to do was make his decision on whether he wanted to return to the Bruins or play in the Czech Republic. We all know his eventual decision but everyone wants to know when Sweeney knew. Chances are, we’ll never know. It’s safe to say that one of the first calls Krejci made was to long time teammate and Captain Patrice Bergeron. Bergy is all class and he’s not going to discuss Krejci’s personal life publicly. Unless one of his other teammates let the cat out of the bag, we are not going to find out.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last dozen years, you should have known this day was going to be upon us as Krejci has long discussed playing in front of family and friends back home. And yes, Sweeney should have known as well. Now, we are left with “center by committee” as Sweeney so eloquently put it.

Or are we?

The Bruins have been linked to Arizona Coyotes pivot Christian Dvorak for weeks now, including by yours truly. But the cost to acquire Dvorak is astronomical. Yotes GM Bill Armstrong is rumored to be asking for a first round pick plus a prospect in return for Dvorak, who has four years remaining on his deal with a cap hit of $4,450,000.

The Yotes have interest in ‘one of the Bruins NCAA prospects.’ Who that prospect is, well that is yet unknown. If it’s one of the B’s higher end prospects like Mason Lohrei, then I too balk at that trade.

The NHL offseason is in a lull at the moment. And sometimes these things are revisited at a later date. Maybe then the asking price might come down.

How Could the Bruins Possibly Fit Tuukka Rask and David Krejci Back on Their Roster?

Tuukka Rask. Photo Courtesy of nhl.com

Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve heard both Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney and Coach Bruce Cassidy say that the door remains open for both Goaltender Tuukka Rask and Second Line Center David Krejci to return to the Bruins.

When it comes to Rask, it was pretty much a given that if his rehab following hip surgery went well, that we could be looking at a February return. As for Krejci, well the comments caught everyone off guard and of course, everyone is assuming it’s for the 2021-2022 season.

Naturally, the immediate question that most ask is “how can they possibly make the cap work?” But first, let me correct some misinformation out there regarding waivers.

It’s been reported the Rask and Krejci would both require waivers to return to action. While that could be the case with Krejci, not so with Rask.

Section 13.23 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) states:

In the event a professional or former professional Player plays in a league outside North America after the start of the NHL Regular Season, other than on Loan from his Club, he may thereafter play in the NHL during that Playing Season (including Playoffs) only if he has first either cleared or been obtained via Waivers. For the balance of the Playing Season, any such Player who has been obtained via Waivers may be Traded or Loaned only after again clearing Waivers or through Waiver claim. This section shall not apply to a Player on the Reserve List or Restricted Free Agent List of an NHL Club with whom the Player is signing an NHL SPC or is party to an existing SPC with such NHL Club.

In layman’s terms: If an unrestricted free agent plays in even one game in Europe once the National Hockey League season begins, Krejci would be required to clear waivers before he could suit up for the Bruins.

There was an amendment to that in the Memorandum of Understanding agreed to by the NHL and NHLPA:

CBA 13.23 amended such that it shall continue to apply to another Club’s RFA but it shall not apply to UFAs who play for a club outside North America after the start of the NHL Regular Season through and including December 15.

In other words, ‘start of NHL season’ is changed to ‘December 16’. If Krejci were to play a game in Europe on December 16, 2021 or later, then yes, he would require waivers to return to the Bruins. But this does not apply to Rask as he sits at home recovering.

Now, onto the complicated matter. The cap! Everyone’s first option is to go to CapFriendly and check out the situation, and there is nothing wrong with that because it’s an excellent recourse. When you know how to read it. Buy visiting their site, you’ll see that they show the Bruins with $1,089,326 in cap space and there is no way you can fit both Rask and Krejci in under the cap.

But we need some context with that.

Firstly, CapFriendly is operating as though they are working with a 23-man roster and they are correct because that is the roster limit. They have John Moore on injured reserve which clears a spot but not the cap hit.

Secondly, they have only Linus Ullmark listed as a goaltender with Jeremy Swayman in Providence because he is on a two-way deal and does not require waivers. We already know Swayman will be in Boston so you have to deduct his $925,000 cap hit leaving you with just $164,326 in cap space.

Thirdly, on opening night they must be down to the 23-man roster. We know that Sweeney likes to carry 8 defensemen on the roster and that Cassidy and Sweeney both have said Moore will be ready for opening night. With Moore healthy and Swayman on the roster that will put the Bruins at a 25-man roster. That means two of either Anton Blidh, Karson Kuhlman or Chris Wagner would have to be sent to Providence. In Wagner’s case, they would get a cap relief of $1,175,000 on his $1,350,000 cap hit.

For the purpose of this exercise, let’s assume Blidh and Kuhlman are sent to the minors. That leaves them with $1,639,326 in cap space on opening night with emphasis on opening night.

The cap space on opening night is not the same as it would be on say, trade deadline. There is no need to sign Rask today. Once he is healthy, he could get on skates and get into shape – say keep him out until trade deadline and sign then.

By that time, the Bruins will have banked enough cap space to the tune of $7,818,324. That is calculated by taking the projected cap space of $1,639,326 and dividing by 39 (days remaining in the NHL season after trade deadline) and multiplying by 186 (days in an NHL season).

That means you can add contracts with an AAV totaling roughly $7.8 million. The Bruins could sign Rask to a 2-year, $10 million contract and his $5 million cap hit would fit because it would be prorated.

For Krejci, under that scenario, that would mean that he could sign a one-year deal to a maximum of $2.8 million. But Krejci is a little different. As a 35+ contract, he would be eligible for bonuses and the Bruins could make them easily attainable bonuses and they could exceed the cap and have those bonuses carry over to 2022-2023 where they will have a little more leeway with the cap.

As long as the Bruins don’t go through the type of injuries they did last season, the cap isn’t a problem. It is very doable.

The problem with Krejci is at that point he would require waivers to return. There just may be a GM out there that would put in a claim just to keep him off the Bruins roster. Can the contract be structured in such a way that other GMs can’t afford to do just that? Evan Gold is a master at balancing the cap and the CBA for the Bruins.

I trust he can figure that out.