OK -- so that's not the start we were all hoping for from the Boston Bruins last night. A little more scoring, a little more physicality, and a little more parity from the refs would've gone a long way in the B's first meeting with the Buffalo Sabres in the post-season.
Luckily, it's only the first game in what will hopefully be a long series. It's far from over. But the B's need to improve a lot of little aspects of their game if they want to move onto Round 2 or further.
First problem: Passing. This has been an issue for most of the season, but Boston needs to at least try and remedy it now. Too many blind passes, too many passes behind the stick, and too many passes ahead of the stick. The B's just need to do basic tape-to-tape passes, especially when they're trying to break out of their own zone. Seems like they're fumbling too much with the puck, which leads to sloppy entries and breakouts into the offensive zone.
Second: Forwards need to play better. I'm looking at Michael Ryder and Blake Wheeler in particular. I barely noticed Ryder at all, and I only noticed Wheeler when he was taking soft shots from the top of the right circle (hey, like Kessel used to!). Marco Sturm needs to try bringing the puck deeper into the offensive zone instead of slapping shots the minute he enters the offensive zone. Milan Lucic needs to keep the puck on his stick. David Krejci played OK but needs to do a better job fighting along the boards.
Third: Defense. Way too timid coming out of their own zone last night. You could definitely sense some hesitation at times, and this led to extended pressure by the Sabres. The Sabres didn't pull out all the stops with their forechecking either -- the B's defensemen were just relying too much on their partners to clear the zone rather than trying to do it themselves. Additionally, big defensemen can't be screening their goaltender while letting Sabres players rip shots from the slot. I'm looking at you, Johnny Boychuk.
On a positive note, the power play finally clicked last night. Lucic and Chara did a good job of getting the team into the game physically, though more hitting in general would've been beneficial. And Tuukka Rask played decent in his first career playoff appearance.
Regardless, Boston only ended up losing the game by a goal. Best possible scenario: the B's steal a game in Buffalo on Saturday afternoon and send this thing back to Boston tied. Can't think about much more than that at this point in the series.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
2/11 Quick Hit Rumors
With the Olympic trade freeze kicking into effect tomorrow, here's a look at some of the latest B's trade rumors floating around the 'net.
This one comes courtesy of thefourthperiod.com...
"Despite a report suggesting the Bruins are listening to offers for goalie Tim Thomas, the Boston Herald reports the team hasn't asked him to waive his no-trade clause."
Whew. Well, I'm glad that's settled. Ever since Tuukka Rask has started four games in a row, Timmy rumors have attacked half of the Internet and most of HFBoards.
But that's just what they are: rumors. C'mon folks, who is going to trade for a 35-year-old goaltender with a four-year, $20 million contract? And don't forget that the contract has a no-trade clause for the first three years.
Don't get me wrong -- I'm not discounting what Thomas has brought and continues to bring to the B's. Hell, the guy won the Vezina Trophy last year and put up pretty good numbers this season as well. But I'm willing to bet most GMs aren't going to take on a contract like that for a player that isn't getting any younger and may have very well passed his prime already.
And if that's not enough evidence to convince you, check out this article by CSNNE reporter Joe Haggerty:
"Thomas moved his parents from the Flint, Mich., area to Boston prior to the 2009-10 season and bought a house in the North Shore with his wife and children, planting roots in the city where he made his bones as an NHL goaltender. He has no reason, or desire, to waive his no-trade and uproot his family."
And that's that. Move along, move along.
Take the next rumor with a grain of salt, as it's reported by Eklund from the infamous www.hockeybuzz.com...
"The Bruins and Sabres are in on [Ray] Whitney. The Sabres may be the best fit as both Whitney and the Sabres want to extend him a few years immediately."
Whitney to Boston rumors aren't anything new -- there have been rumblings of this since Thanksgiving or so.
Would it be a good fit? The 37-year-old wouldn't be a bad veteran pick-up if the B's are looking for a playoff rental. He has more goals than just about every guy currently playing for the B's.
It's his cost that concerns me. Seeing as he's one of only a few "goal-scoring" UFAs available this deadline, look for the 'Canes to be asking for a high pick and a prospect. Not worth the cost seeing as the B's probably won't go too far into the playoffs in the first place.
And since the B's look like they're stuck with Ryder's inflated contract, signing Whitney to a cap-friendly deal this summer isn't plausible. If he's looking for a extension as Eklund suggests, Buffalo may be a better fit. The Sabres need a veteran scoring presence to complement the rest of their offense.
The last rumor comes from NESN reporter James Murphy. Though it's a few days old, this rumor seems to be revisted every couple of months...
"With the Bruins dead-last in scoring and Chiarelli looking for some kind of offensive spark, NESN.com has learned that Chiarelli may be revisiting the idea of trading for Blues winger and Melrose, Mass. native Keith Tkachuk."
Acquiring Tkachuk was a decent idea last year, but the deal fell through and the B's picked up Recchi. At the very least, Tkachuk could always replace Miroslav Satan in the line-up this season. Though he only has 12 goals this year, he's been playing on a struggling St. Louis Blues squad.
But once again, the question of cost comes into consideration. Would Tkachuk come cheaper than Whitney? Is the cost worth what he would bring to the team? And will adding aging wingers really help put the B's over-the-top in the playoffs?
My prediction: I don't see the B's adding or selling a player before the Olympic freeze. Around the deadline? Definitely possible. But with an important game against Tampa Bay tonight, Peter Chiarelli probably won't be looking to tweak the team until the end of February and beginning of March.
This one comes courtesy of thefourthperiod.com...
"Despite a report suggesting the Bruins are listening to offers for goalie Tim Thomas, the Boston Herald reports the team hasn't asked him to waive his no-trade clause."
Whew. Well, I'm glad that's settled. Ever since Tuukka Rask has started four games in a row, Timmy rumors have attacked half of the Internet and most of HFBoards.
But that's just what they are: rumors. C'mon folks, who is going to trade for a 35-year-old goaltender with a four-year, $20 million contract? And don't forget that the contract has a no-trade clause for the first three years.
Don't get me wrong -- I'm not discounting what Thomas has brought and continues to bring to the B's. Hell, the guy won the Vezina Trophy last year and put up pretty good numbers this season as well. But I'm willing to bet most GMs aren't going to take on a contract like that for a player that isn't getting any younger and may have very well passed his prime already.
And if that's not enough evidence to convince you, check out this article by CSNNE reporter Joe Haggerty:
"Thomas moved his parents from the Flint, Mich., area to Boston prior to the 2009-10 season and bought a house in the North Shore with his wife and children, planting roots in the city where he made his bones as an NHL goaltender. He has no reason, or desire, to waive his no-trade and uproot his family."
And that's that. Move along, move along.
Take the next rumor with a grain of salt, as it's reported by Eklund from the infamous www.hockeybuzz.com...
"The Bruins and Sabres are in on [Ray] Whitney. The Sabres may be the best fit as both Whitney and the Sabres want to extend him a few years immediately."
Whitney to Boston rumors aren't anything new -- there have been rumblings of this since Thanksgiving or so.
Would it be a good fit? The 37-year-old wouldn't be a bad veteran pick-up if the B's are looking for a playoff rental. He has more goals than just about every guy currently playing for the B's.
It's his cost that concerns me. Seeing as he's one of only a few "goal-scoring" UFAs available this deadline, look for the 'Canes to be asking for a high pick and a prospect. Not worth the cost seeing as the B's probably won't go too far into the playoffs in the first place.
And since the B's look like they're stuck with Ryder's inflated contract, signing Whitney to a cap-friendly deal this summer isn't plausible. If he's looking for a extension as Eklund suggests, Buffalo may be a better fit. The Sabres need a veteran scoring presence to complement the rest of their offense.
The last rumor comes from NESN reporter James Murphy. Though it's a few days old, this rumor seems to be revisted every couple of months...
"With the Bruins dead-last in scoring and Chiarelli looking for some kind of offensive spark, NESN.com has learned that Chiarelli may be revisiting the idea of trading for Blues winger and Melrose, Mass. native Keith Tkachuk."
Acquiring Tkachuk was a decent idea last year, but the deal fell through and the B's picked up Recchi. At the very least, Tkachuk could always replace Miroslav Satan in the line-up this season. Though he only has 12 goals this year, he's been playing on a struggling St. Louis Blues squad.
But once again, the question of cost comes into consideration. Would Tkachuk come cheaper than Whitney? Is the cost worth what he would bring to the team? And will adding aging wingers really help put the B's over-the-top in the playoffs?
My prediction: I don't see the B's adding or selling a player before the Olympic freeze. Around the deadline? Definitely possible. But with an important game against Tampa Bay tonight, Peter Chiarelli probably won't be looking to tweak the team until the end of February and beginning of March.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Bruins in Prague Against the...Coyotes?
The Boston Bruins will open their 2010-2011 season overseas with two games against the Phoenix Coyotes in Prague, Czech Republic. The two teams will square off on Saturday, Oct. 9 and Sunday, Oct. 10 at the O2 Arena.
It's all an effort to bring the NHL's premiere talent to European fans. Four other teams -- the Hurricanes, Wild, Blue Jackets, and Sharks -- will start their seasons in European cities as well.
But out of everybody the Bruins could play, out of all the NHL teams European fans could want to see and will likely only see once in their lifetime... why choose the Phoenix Coyotes?
A team that filed for bankruptcy not even a year ago. A team that's desperately looking for a new owner to keep it in the Phoenix area. A team that has qualified for the playoffs only once in the last decade. A team that currently ranks at the bottom of the league for attendance and hasn't ever crawled out of the basement.
Why?
I'll give them credit this year -- they're ranked 4th in the Western Conference and have exceeded all expectations to this point. But aside from Ed Jovanovski and Captain Shane Doan, they aren't exactly the hot-bed of all hockey talent. Plus they rarely play the Bruins as it already is.
Don't want to knock on 'Yotes fans. But the NHL should've selected a much more recognized, popular and stable team to showcase overseas.
It's all an effort to bring the NHL's premiere talent to European fans. Four other teams -- the Hurricanes, Wild, Blue Jackets, and Sharks -- will start their seasons in European cities as well.
But out of everybody the Bruins could play, out of all the NHL teams European fans could want to see and will likely only see once in their lifetime... why choose the Phoenix Coyotes?
A team that filed for bankruptcy not even a year ago. A team that's desperately looking for a new owner to keep it in the Phoenix area. A team that has qualified for the playoffs only once in the last decade. A team that currently ranks at the bottom of the league for attendance and hasn't ever crawled out of the basement.
Why?
I'll give them credit this year -- they're ranked 4th in the Western Conference and have exceeded all expectations to this point. But aside from Ed Jovanovski and Captain Shane Doan, they aren't exactly the hot-bed of all hockey talent. Plus they rarely play the Bruins as it already is.
Don't want to knock on 'Yotes fans. But the NHL should've selected a much more recognized, popular and stable team to showcase overseas.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Sell, Sell, Sell? Part I
Note: This entry covers one of three possible scenarios Boston Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli could pursue come the trade deadline. This entry and the ones following it will explore options the B's have available. It's up to the reader, not this blogger, to decide what's the best path.
It hasn't been an easy New Year for the Boston Bruins. A hard-hitting injury bug, snake-bitten players, and a ten-game losing streak helped the B's secure a spot in the bottom half of the Eastern Conference. Going into tonight's game against the Buffalo Sabres, the B's are ranked ninth in the conference with 59 points.
It's a tight race in the east -- one that could potentially leave six teams battling for the final two playoff spots. Only four points separate seventh and twelfth. Boston happens to be right in the middle of the battle.
Could the B's still make the playoffs? Absolutely. Can't discount this team when its healthy and rolling on all cylinders.
But even if they do make the playoffs, what sign has been shown that they'll be able to compete? Lacking a sniper, without a solid puck-moving defenseman, and harvesting a number of bad contracts?
A "win now" attitude could hurt the B's in the long-run, especially if they get bounced out of the playoffs in the first round. And in a draft that's supposed to be one the deepest in a nearly a decade, Peter Chiarelli may be better off trying to pawn off Unrestricted Free Agents, picking up picks, dumping bad contracts, and retooling over the summer.
Yes, the B's could very well sell the farm and try again next year. But let's be realistic -- the NHL salary cap hovers over every team in the league. And it won't be easy putting Boston in a manageable and cap-friendly place.
For the 2009-2010 season, each team is allotted a cap of $56.8 million. By the team the season finishes, the B's will be closer to that ceiling than they ever have been before. In fact, if the B's don't shed some salary by the end of the season, it looks like they might be right at it.
Before they can worry about the cap in the off-season, the B's might have an opportunity to grab something of value from guys who might end up walking anyway. In this entry, we'll highlight Boston's UFAs and their possible values. We'll break down the "bad" contracts and cap implications of being a seller tomorrow.
Credit to http://www.capgeek.com/ for its extensive and accurate database of all cap totals. Note that the salaries below take potential bonuses into account.
Boston Bruins 2009-2010 UFAs
Mark Recchi - $1.7 million
The B's brought in Recchi at the trade deadline last year to provide the team with a veteran presence. He played surprisingly well for a 42-year-old, putting up 10 goals in the regular season and 6 points in the playoffs.
Thanks to the B's slew of injuries, Recchi has received more ice time in the '09-'10 season and plays a less traditional role for an aging vet. He posts an average ice time of nearly 17 minutes a game, the fourth highest among Bruins forward.
As a result, some of his weaknesses were exposed, his lack of a shot and slow speed in particular. Ultimately, Mark Recchi is what he is: a banger who will go to the dirty areas of the ice and score with tip-in's and garbage goals.
If the B's are looking to sell, they might want to deal Recchi before his contract expires. He's not the most talented guy on the ice anymore, but his veteran leadership and two cup rings may make him appealing to a young team looking for a proven winner.
At Worst: 3rd Round Pick in '10
At Best: 2nd Round Pick in '10
Steve Begin - $850,000
The B's had big expectations out of Begin coming into the season. The 4th-line energy forward brought an edge to the '08-'09 Montreal Canadiens and became known for his pesky presence on the ice. Boston hoped to see that same sort of game out of him this year.
Unfortunately, he's been anything but edgy. Though he impressed the B's faithful in his first ten games, Begin has slowly dipped until becoming a complete non-factor on the ice. The guy doesn't hit, he barely fights, and brings little energy to the line-up. He doesn't score and doesn't assist, either.
He's OK on the penalty kill. I'll give him that. But not good enough to warrant a regular spot on the roster.
Teams aren't typically looking for a 4th-line forward at this point of the season. And if they were, it's doubtful they would take a chance on Steve Begin with a cap hit of nearly a million bucks. Teams looking for forward depth will look elsewhere.
At Worst: He walks at the end of the season
At Best: ...He walks at the end of the season
Miroslav Satan - $700,000
Peter Chiarelli acquired forward Miroslav Satan in January as a band-aid fix to ease the B's scoring struggles. He hasn't been that band-aid fix.
In fact, he hasn't really been a fix at all. In 16 games with Boston, Satan has only scored two goals. He played a handful of those games on the top line with passing extraordinaire Marc Savard. Instead of burying the puck, he's slugging behind the defense trying to keep up with Savard in the first place.
Even if he's a member of Slovakia's Olympic Squad, Satan offers nothing to Boston or to any other team for that matter. In fact, the B's should put him on waivers while they can. You never know -- some desperate team may pick him up. Just like Boston did.
At Worst: He walks at the end of the season
At Best: Put him on waivers. He can rot in Providence or maybe someone will pick him up
Shawn Thornton -- $516,666
See the Steve Begin entry above? In the second and third paragraphs, replace "Begin" with "Thornton." Same problem.
Granted, Thornton can throw 'em down and keep up with some of the best fighters in the league. He doesn't embrace fisticuffs as much as he used to, but that may be the coach's decision and not his.
The B's are better off keeping Thornton until the end of the year. Enforcers don't fetch much on the trade market, and he's still got a few fights left in him before the season's over. Other tough guys may be worth a look during the summer. If not, bring back Thorts and dress him on nights where other teams have a fighter in the line-up.
At Worst: He walks at the end of the season
At Best: Deal him to a team that severely lacks toughness
Derek Morris - $3.3 million
A bright spot in an otherwise dismal defensive season for the B's, Derek Morris was brought in during the off-season to fulfill a role as the team's #2 defenseman. Though not the most mobile defenseman, Morris brings a big-bodied presence to the line-up as well as a slapshot to boot.
He's played well for the most part. But he may be able to play even better on a contender looking for a #3/#4 rental defenseman. There's no telling whether he'll be back or not next year and, given his play this year, he may be looking for more money and a longer contract. It wouldn't hurt to see what the B's could fetch for him.
At Worst: 3rd Round Pick in '10 and a Prospect
At Best: 2nd Round Pick in '10 and a Mid-Level Prospect
Andrew Ference - $1.4 million
Ah, yes. Andrew Ference. Emperor of the Island of Injured Bruins. The guy hasn't played a full season in his three-and-a-half year stint with the Bruins. In fact, he hasn't played more than 60 games in one season since '06-'07.
Still, the guy isn't an awful defenseman if used correctly. Note: if used correctly. As a #5/#6 defenseman, he'll hit and bring somewhat of a mobile taste to the team. But earlier in the season, he was getting top-four minutes and playing poorly.
Given his history of injuries and falling out as the Bruins' NHLPA representative, I don't see Ference returning to the B's in '10-'11. Deal him to a team looking for a bottom-pairing defenseman with some leadership qualities.
At Worst: 4th Round Pick in '10 or '11
At Best: 3rd Round Pick in '10 or '11
Coming tomorrow: RFAs and "bad" contracts. Stay tuned.
It hasn't been an easy New Year for the Boston Bruins. A hard-hitting injury bug, snake-bitten players, and a ten-game losing streak helped the B's secure a spot in the bottom half of the Eastern Conference. Going into tonight's game against the Buffalo Sabres, the B's are ranked ninth in the conference with 59 points.
It's a tight race in the east -- one that could potentially leave six teams battling for the final two playoff spots. Only four points separate seventh and twelfth. Boston happens to be right in the middle of the battle.
Could the B's still make the playoffs? Absolutely. Can't discount this team when its healthy and rolling on all cylinders.
But even if they do make the playoffs, what sign has been shown that they'll be able to compete? Lacking a sniper, without a solid puck-moving defenseman, and harvesting a number of bad contracts?
A "win now" attitude could hurt the B's in the long-run, especially if they get bounced out of the playoffs in the first round. And in a draft that's supposed to be one the deepest in a nearly a decade, Peter Chiarelli may be better off trying to pawn off Unrestricted Free Agents, picking up picks, dumping bad contracts, and retooling over the summer.
Yes, the B's could very well sell the farm and try again next year. But let's be realistic -- the NHL salary cap hovers over every team in the league. And it won't be easy putting Boston in a manageable and cap-friendly place.
For the 2009-2010 season, each team is allotted a cap of $56.8 million. By the team the season finishes, the B's will be closer to that ceiling than they ever have been before. In fact, if the B's don't shed some salary by the end of the season, it looks like they might be right at it.
Before they can worry about the cap in the off-season, the B's might have an opportunity to grab something of value from guys who might end up walking anyway. In this entry, we'll highlight Boston's UFAs and their possible values. We'll break down the "bad" contracts and cap implications of being a seller tomorrow.
Credit to http://www.capgeek.com/ for its extensive and accurate database of all cap totals. Note that the salaries below take potential bonuses into account.
Boston Bruins 2009-2010 UFAs
Mark Recchi - $1.7 million
The B's brought in Recchi at the trade deadline last year to provide the team with a veteran presence. He played surprisingly well for a 42-year-old, putting up 10 goals in the regular season and 6 points in the playoffs.
Thanks to the B's slew of injuries, Recchi has received more ice time in the '09-'10 season and plays a less traditional role for an aging vet. He posts an average ice time of nearly 17 minutes a game, the fourth highest among Bruins forward.
As a result, some of his weaknesses were exposed, his lack of a shot and slow speed in particular. Ultimately, Mark Recchi is what he is: a banger who will go to the dirty areas of the ice and score with tip-in's and garbage goals.
If the B's are looking to sell, they might want to deal Recchi before his contract expires. He's not the most talented guy on the ice anymore, but his veteran leadership and two cup rings may make him appealing to a young team looking for a proven winner.
At Worst: 3rd Round Pick in '10
At Best: 2nd Round Pick in '10
Steve Begin - $850,000
The B's had big expectations out of Begin coming into the season. The 4th-line energy forward brought an edge to the '08-'09 Montreal Canadiens and became known for his pesky presence on the ice. Boston hoped to see that same sort of game out of him this year.
Unfortunately, he's been anything but edgy. Though he impressed the B's faithful in his first ten games, Begin has slowly dipped until becoming a complete non-factor on the ice. The guy doesn't hit, he barely fights, and brings little energy to the line-up. He doesn't score and doesn't assist, either.
He's OK on the penalty kill. I'll give him that. But not good enough to warrant a regular spot on the roster.
Teams aren't typically looking for a 4th-line forward at this point of the season. And if they were, it's doubtful they would take a chance on Steve Begin with a cap hit of nearly a million bucks. Teams looking for forward depth will look elsewhere.
At Worst: He walks at the end of the season
At Best: ...He walks at the end of the season
Miroslav Satan - $700,000
Peter Chiarelli acquired forward Miroslav Satan in January as a band-aid fix to ease the B's scoring struggles. He hasn't been that band-aid fix.
In fact, he hasn't really been a fix at all. In 16 games with Boston, Satan has only scored two goals. He played a handful of those games on the top line with passing extraordinaire Marc Savard. Instead of burying the puck, he's slugging behind the defense trying to keep up with Savard in the first place.
Even if he's a member of Slovakia's Olympic Squad, Satan offers nothing to Boston or to any other team for that matter. In fact, the B's should put him on waivers while they can. You never know -- some desperate team may pick him up. Just like Boston did.
At Worst: He walks at the end of the season
At Best: Put him on waivers. He can rot in Providence or maybe someone will pick him up
Shawn Thornton -- $516,666
See the Steve Begin entry above? In the second and third paragraphs, replace "Begin" with "Thornton." Same problem.
Granted, Thornton can throw 'em down and keep up with some of the best fighters in the league. He doesn't embrace fisticuffs as much as he used to, but that may be the coach's decision and not his.
The B's are better off keeping Thornton until the end of the year. Enforcers don't fetch much on the trade market, and he's still got a few fights left in him before the season's over. Other tough guys may be worth a look during the summer. If not, bring back Thorts and dress him on nights where other teams have a fighter in the line-up.
At Worst: He walks at the end of the season
At Best: Deal him to a team that severely lacks toughness
Derek Morris - $3.3 million
A bright spot in an otherwise dismal defensive season for the B's, Derek Morris was brought in during the off-season to fulfill a role as the team's #2 defenseman. Though not the most mobile defenseman, Morris brings a big-bodied presence to the line-up as well as a slapshot to boot.
He's played well for the most part. But he may be able to play even better on a contender looking for a #3/#4 rental defenseman. There's no telling whether he'll be back or not next year and, given his play this year, he may be looking for more money and a longer contract. It wouldn't hurt to see what the B's could fetch for him.
At Worst: 3rd Round Pick in '10 and a Prospect
At Best: 2nd Round Pick in '10 and a Mid-Level Prospect
Andrew Ference - $1.4 million
Ah, yes. Andrew Ference. Emperor of the Island of Injured Bruins. The guy hasn't played a full season in his three-and-a-half year stint with the Bruins. In fact, he hasn't played more than 60 games in one season since '06-'07.
Still, the guy isn't an awful defenseman if used correctly. Note: if used correctly. As a #5/#6 defenseman, he'll hit and bring somewhat of a mobile taste to the team. But earlier in the season, he was getting top-four minutes and playing poorly.
Given his history of injuries and falling out as the Bruins' NHLPA representative, I don't see Ference returning to the B's in '10-'11. Deal him to a team looking for a bottom-pairing defenseman with some leadership qualities.
At Worst: 4th Round Pick in '10 or '11
At Best: 3rd Round Pick in '10 or '11
Coming tomorrow: RFAs and "bad" contracts. Stay tuned.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Peter Chiarelli -- Deal or No Deal?
First off, let me apologize for neglecting this blog. There have been quite a few new developments in my life during the past year. From graduating college to being unemployed to becoming employed to becoming employed in a job I actually like.
Pulling my life together took quite a bit of work. I stopped writing about the one thing I loved the most. Hey, you have to take life as it comes at you. What can I say?
But from this point forward, I'll try my best to pump out a few new entries each week. I won't let this be just another empty web page on the Internet. And what better time to play catch up than over the Olympic Break?
So enough is enough. Let's talk Boston. Let's talk Bruins.
The B's find themselves in an interesting predicament as of Feb 8. They're ranked ninth in the Eastern Conference -- three points out of sixth place but two points out of thirteenth. Furthermore, Boston is tied with three other teams with 59 points. They could sneak into the playoffs. And they could also barely miss it.
What fueled such a fall from grace? Lack of scoring, for one. Lack of a puck-moving defenseman as well. And a ten-game losing streak well into the New Year certainly didn't help out their situation, either.
With the trade deadline less than a month away, Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli needs to make a decision. A decision that very well may define his career in Boston more-so than any other to this point.
Does he sell the farm come deadline/summer, try to unload some bad contracts, and pick up some picks in a draft that looks to be one of the deepest in recent years?
Or does he take the "win now" approach, trade away some assets, and acquire a rental or two for a playoff push?
Over the coming days, I'll analyze both situations and speculate as to what moves Boston Pete could make. Not to mention glaze over a few rumours floating around the hockey sphere. And by the end of it all, you can decide what path suits the B's best.
Thanks for your renewed readership, and here's to a revived Backcheck with the Bruins Buff!
Pulling my life together took quite a bit of work. I stopped writing about the one thing I loved the most. Hey, you have to take life as it comes at you. What can I say?
But from this point forward, I'll try my best to pump out a few new entries each week. I won't let this be just another empty web page on the Internet. And what better time to play catch up than over the Olympic Break?
So enough is enough. Let's talk Boston. Let's talk Bruins.
The B's find themselves in an interesting predicament as of Feb 8. They're ranked ninth in the Eastern Conference -- three points out of sixth place but two points out of thirteenth. Furthermore, Boston is tied with three other teams with 59 points. They could sneak into the playoffs. And they could also barely miss it.
What fueled such a fall from grace? Lack of scoring, for one. Lack of a puck-moving defenseman as well. And a ten-game losing streak well into the New Year certainly didn't help out their situation, either.
With the trade deadline less than a month away, Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli needs to make a decision. A decision that very well may define his career in Boston more-so than any other to this point.
Does he sell the farm come deadline/summer, try to unload some bad contracts, and pick up some picks in a draft that looks to be one of the deepest in recent years?
Or does he take the "win now" approach, trade away some assets, and acquire a rental or two for a playoff push?
Over the coming days, I'll analyze both situations and speculate as to what moves Boston Pete could make. Not to mention glaze over a few rumours floating around the hockey sphere. And by the end of it all, you can decide what path suits the B's best.
Thanks for your renewed readership, and here's to a revived Backcheck with the Bruins Buff!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Swap: Nokelainen for Montador
The Boston Bruins have traded F Petteri Nokelainen to the Anaheim Ducks for D Steve Montador.
Not a bad depth move, if nothing else. Montador is an upgrade over Hindy, and he's put up decent numbers this year with the Ducks.
This probably means another defenseman is on the way out. Stay tuned.
Not a bad depth move, if nothing else. Montador is an upgrade over Hindy, and he's put up decent numbers this year with the Ducks.
This probably means another defenseman is on the way out. Stay tuned.
Trade Deadline Coverage
Bruins Buffs --
TSN and Sportsnet are both streaming their trade deadline coverage over the Internet. Check out their respective web sites for a feed.
As far as rumor sites go... check out the trade forum at HFBoards.com for some interesting propositions. The Fourth Period also has plenty of potential deals up, and they'll be updating throughout the day.
As for my trade predictions -- I think the B's will grab Derek Morris and Erik Cole before the day comes to an end. If not, it's probable they'll still snatch up at least another defenseman.
I also predict the B's will deal Manny Fernandez. No basis for this one, just call it a hunch.
Updates coming as the action unfolds.
TSN and Sportsnet are both streaming their trade deadline coverage over the Internet. Check out their respective web sites for a feed.
As far as rumor sites go... check out the trade forum at HFBoards.com for some interesting propositions. The Fourth Period also has plenty of potential deals up, and they'll be updating throughout the day.
As for my trade predictions -- I think the B's will grab Derek Morris and Erik Cole before the day comes to an end. If not, it's probable they'll still snatch up at least another defenseman.
I also predict the B's will deal Manny Fernandez. No basis for this one, just call it a hunch.
Updates coming as the action unfolds.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Poll Results, New Poll Up
Bruins Buffs --
Apologies for my three-day hiatus from the blogging world. Had some issues on the personal agenda that I needed to take care of.
The much anticipated NHL Trade Deadline is right around the corner. Make sure to set your Internet browser to Backcheck with the Bruins Buff all day Wednesday for updates and insight on the latest Bruins deals.
Also -- The results from last week's poll are in...
Who Is Likely to Be Dealt at the Trade Deadline?
1.) Matt Lashoff -- 53%
2.) Vladimir Sobotka -- 33%
3.) Petteri Nokelainen -- 13%
4.) Manny Fernandez -- 0%
Interesting that nobody thinks Fernandez will be dealt, especially with the rumors floating around about the B's in talks with Colorado. Also, I doubt Nokie will be traded since he's been placed on the B's IR.
Just added a new poll to the site today. Make sure to voice your opinion! And also make sure to tune into this afternoon's game against the Washington Capitals. Should be a great test for the B's.
Apologies for my three-day hiatus from the blogging world. Had some issues on the personal agenda that I needed to take care of.
The much anticipated NHL Trade Deadline is right around the corner. Make sure to set your Internet browser to Backcheck with the Bruins Buff all day Wednesday for updates and insight on the latest Bruins deals.
Also -- The results from last week's poll are in...
Who Is Likely to Be Dealt at the Trade Deadline?
1.) Matt Lashoff -- 53%
2.) Vladimir Sobotka -- 33%
3.) Petteri Nokelainen -- 13%
4.) Manny Fernandez -- 0%
Interesting that nobody thinks Fernandez will be dealt, especially with the rumors floating around about the B's in talks with Colorado. Also, I doubt Nokie will be traded since he's been placed on the B's IR.
Just added a new poll to the site today. Make sure to voice your opinion! And also make sure to tune into this afternoon's game against the Washington Capitals. Should be a great test for the B's.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Where Are They Now? 2006-2007 Bruins Part I
Boston Bruins fans cringe at the mere thought of the 2006-2007 season. Gutless play. Soft players. Horrid goaltending. Band-aid fixtures. All topped off with wretched coaching.
In the midst of the Bruins' recent slump, it’s time to remind readers that they’re much better off than they were three years ago. A 12-7-4 "slump" in the New Year still beats the 35-41-6 record the squad posted back then.
Then it hit me -- What ever happened to some of the players on that team? The AHLers? The borderline NHLers? The ones that should've retired long, long ago?
Curiosity got the better of me, Bruins Buffs. After a bit of research, here's what I came up with. The following are five players you may or may not remember.
Part II to come soon as well. Enjoy.
1.) Andrew Alberts, Defense
Boston drafted Andrew Alberts in the sixth round, 179th overall, of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. After honing his skills with four years of college hockey, the Boston College prospect made his debut with the big club in 2005.
Alberts went on to play 184 games with Boston, posting one goal and 18 assists with the club. During the Dave Lewis era, the defenseman racked up an abysmal 124 penalty minutes thanks to an undisciplined system.
Alberts wouldn't last long after Lewis' departure. A lower-body injury limited his playing time in his last season with the Bruins, seeing only 35 games with the club. He also played in two playoff games, raking up two assists.
Boston chose to end Alberts' tenure with the squad and shipped him off to Philadelphia in Oct. 2008. The Bruins received forward Ned Lukacevic and a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2009.
Alberts remains with the Flyers today, enjoying a decent season with the organization. He's played in every game for Philly since the trade, potting one goal and 10 assists.
2.) Wade Brookbank, Defense/Forward
A borderline floater, Wade Brookbank made his NHL debut with the Nashville Predators in 2003-2004. In nine games with the club, the Saskatchewan native didn't tally one point.
The Preds dealt Brookbank to the Vancouver Canucks later that season for "future considerations." What exactly those considerations ended up being is a mystery. But while in 'Couver, Brookbank potted two goals in 20 games.
After an extended stint in the AHL with the Binghamton Senators and Manitoba Moose, Brookbank returned to the big league after the lockout. He played 32 more games with the Vancouver Canucks, once again posting tame numbers.
Peter Chiarelli and crew picked up Brookbank as a free agent in July 2006 in attempt to fill one of the many gaps the squad held. He played four games with the Providence Bruins before making a cameo appearance with Boston.
In just seven games with the big club, Brookbank surprisingly potted one goal. But it wasn't enough to keep him on the team -- the brass quickly grew tired of his predictable play. He never quite seemed to know what to do with the puck and suffered from horrid transitional play.
In Dec. 2006, the B's dumped the unimpressive Brookbank to the Pittsburgh Penguins for "future considerations." And we all know what that means. The Penguins plunged Brookbank down to the minors, where he played with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
After seeing some time with the Carolina Hurricanes and their AHL affiliate the following season, Brookbank found himself in Tampa Bay in 2008. He currently plays with the club's minor-league affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals.
In seven games with the Admirals, Brookbank has put up predictable statistics -- zero goals, one assist, and 14 penalty minutes. Long live the Legend of Brookbank.
3.) Stanislav Chistov, Forward
Considered one of the biggest draft busts in recent NHL history, Stanislav Chistov began his hockey career with Omsk Avangard of the Russian Super League. In three seasons with the club, Chistov scored five goals and eight assists before craving a greater level of competition.
It didn't take long for the Russian Winger to taste NHL action. The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim drafted him in the first round, 5th overall, of the 2001 entry draft. Anaheim praised Chistov's speed and hockey sense, feeling he could fill a gap long missing on the club's front line.
Military obligations technically held Chistov to his country. But for the love of the sport, he defected from Russia and joined the Ducks in 2002-2003.
Chistov's rookie season was nothing short of impressive, scoring 12 goals and 18 assists in 79 games with Anaheim. He even stepped up his game to the next level in the post-season, potting four goals during the Ducks' 24 playoff games.
Despite his rookie success, Chistov struggled to maintain consistency in the big league. After playing 52 uninspiring games with the Ducks in 2003-2004, he was assigned to the club's minor-league affiliate in Cincinnati.
He stayed in the minors through the lockout until finally deciding to bolt back to Russia. The Magnitogorsk Metallurg, then part of the Russian Super League, picked up Chistov for 47 games in 2005-2006. Playing wing with Evgeni Malkin, Chistov tallied 11 goals and 22 assists with the club.
It didn't take long for him to return to North America. In the summer of 2006, the Ducks signed Chistov to a two-way contract.
He didn't stay in Anaheim, though. The Boston Bruins traded a third-round pick in the 2008 entry draft in exchange for the speedy winger. A replacement for the disowned Sergei Samsonov, if you will.
Aside from a handful of goals, including a beaut against the hated Habs, Chistov didn't play up to snuff in Boston. His unwillingness to fight for the puck and dig along the boards rendered him useless in many offensive situations. He quickly gained a reputation as a soft player, easily being knocked off the puck.
The B's and Chistov parted ways after the 2006-2007 season. The winger returned to Russia once again, playing with Salavat Yulaev Ufa in the Kontinental Hockey League. In his 15 games with the club, Chistov put up five goals and six assists.
That's not to say he entirely cut off ties with the Bruins. In 2008, Chistov expressed interest in coming back to the states to play for Boston once again. Peter Chiarelli said he'd love to have Chistov playing with the Providence B's, but showed no real interest in him playing with the big club.
The Russian winger became a free agent last summer. No team was willing to pick him up. So what did he do?
That's right -- he hopped back to the KHL. Chistov currently plays with the Magnitogorsk Metallurg club, where he holds 11 goals and 19 assists in 54 games.
As of now, he holds no plans to return to the NHL.
4.) Nathan Dempsey, Defense
Nathan Dempsey spent most of his professional career with the Toronto Maple Leafs and its AHL affiliate in St. John's. He was drafted by Toronto in the 12th round, 245th overall, of the 1992 entry draft.
From 1992-2002, Dempsey only saw 48 games in the NHL, tallying two goals and two assists with Toronto. The Alberta native did finish with an even plus/minus rating, though.
After his stint with the Maple Leafs, Dempsey signed with the Chicago Blackhawks as a free agent in 2002. He played two seasons with the 'Hawks before being dealt with the Los Angeles Kings in 2004 for a fourth-round draft pick and future considerations.
Dempsey managed to establish himself as a borderline NHLer, scoring more than a dozen goals with the ‘Hawks and Kings. He returned to Los Angeles after the 2004-2005 lockout, playing 53 more games with the club.
But his NHL career would end in Boston. Dempsey signed with the Bruins as a free agent in 2006. Though he spent the majority of the year with Providence, the defenseman squeezed in 17 games with the big club. He scored one assist with Boston and tallied 17 penalty minutes.
Dempsey wouldn't return to the NHL after 2006-2007. He shipped off Switzerland in the off-season, earning a spot with SC Bern in the National League A.
The defenseman tallied three goals and 10 assists with SC Bern last season. Unfortunately, the historic club failed to qualify for the playoffs.
No word on where Dempsey is today. He isn't listed on SC Bern's current roster and can't be found in the NLA's player database. Don't know if he retired or chose not to play this season.
5.) Jeff Hoggan, Forward
An undrafted forward, Jeff Hoggan began his professional hockey career in 2002. Minnesota signed the college grinder as a free agent that summer but immediately sent him to its AHL affiliate in Houston.
Hoggan tallied six goals and five assists in his first professional season, slowly gaining a reputation as a big bodied forward not hesitant to work the boards. He continued playing for the Aeros, added one goal and two assists to their Calder Cup championship run in 2003-2004.
The forward parted ways with the Aeros in 2004, opting to play a season with the minor-league Worcester Sharks. After putting up an impressive 16 goals in 47 games, Hoggan finally earned a shot in the NHL.
The St. Louis Blues signed Hoggan as a free agent in the summer of 2005, hoping to add grit and solid forechecking to the lineup. But the grinder couldn't raise his game to the next level. In 52 games, Hoggan posted a terrible plus/minus rating of -16 and only scored two goals on the year.
Regardless of his poor NHL debut, the Boston Bruins dove deep into the UFA pool and snatched up Hoggan in 2006. He played 46 games with the big club -- 46 games many B's try to forget.
"Hoggan the Masked Enforcer," as B's fans nicknamed him, failed to contribute anything of sustentative value to the squad. Slow, clumsy, reckless, and a horrible fighter, Hoggan didn't give the team any sort of spark. He failed to fill the "energy role" the brass asked of him.
The B's sent Hoggan down to the minors, where he played a full season in 2007-2008. Despite his poor NHL performance, the grinder thrived with Providence. In 71 games, Hoggan potted 29 goals and 31 assists.
From that point on, Hoggan proved he was nothing more than AHL talent. He played one game with the big club that year, tallying zero points or penalty minutes. Chiarelli and friends never bothered to call him up again.
The Bruins and Hoggan parted ways at the conclusion of last season. The Phoenix Coyotes signed him as a free agent to a one-year, two-way deal in 2008. Though he's played in four games with the 'Yotes this season, he's spent most of his time playing for their AHL affiliate in San Antonio.
In 53 games with the San Antonio Rampage, Hoggan has once again put up stellar minor-league numbers -- 21 goals and 11 assists. Chances are he'll remain an AHL floater in the coming years.
-- More "Where Are They Now?" players coming up later in the week. Stay tuned.
In the midst of the Bruins' recent slump, it’s time to remind readers that they’re much better off than they were three years ago. A 12-7-4 "slump" in the New Year still beats the 35-41-6 record the squad posted back then.
Then it hit me -- What ever happened to some of the players on that team? The AHLers? The borderline NHLers? The ones that should've retired long, long ago?
Curiosity got the better of me, Bruins Buffs. After a bit of research, here's what I came up with. The following are five players you may or may not remember.
Part II to come soon as well. Enjoy.
1.) Andrew Alberts, Defense
Boston drafted Andrew Alberts in the sixth round, 179th overall, of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. After honing his skills with four years of college hockey, the Boston College prospect made his debut with the big club in 2005.
Alberts went on to play 184 games with Boston, posting one goal and 18 assists with the club. During the Dave Lewis era, the defenseman racked up an abysmal 124 penalty minutes thanks to an undisciplined system.
Alberts wouldn't last long after Lewis' departure. A lower-body injury limited his playing time in his last season with the Bruins, seeing only 35 games with the club. He also played in two playoff games, raking up two assists.
Boston chose to end Alberts' tenure with the squad and shipped him off to Philadelphia in Oct. 2008. The Bruins received forward Ned Lukacevic and a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2009.
Alberts remains with the Flyers today, enjoying a decent season with the organization. He's played in every game for Philly since the trade, potting one goal and 10 assists.
2.) Wade Brookbank, Defense/Forward
A borderline floater, Wade Brookbank made his NHL debut with the Nashville Predators in 2003-2004. In nine games with the club, the Saskatchewan native didn't tally one point.
The Preds dealt Brookbank to the Vancouver Canucks later that season for "future considerations." What exactly those considerations ended up being is a mystery. But while in 'Couver, Brookbank potted two goals in 20 games.
After an extended stint in the AHL with the Binghamton Senators and Manitoba Moose, Brookbank returned to the big league after the lockout. He played 32 more games with the Vancouver Canucks, once again posting tame numbers.
Peter Chiarelli and crew picked up Brookbank as a free agent in July 2006 in attempt to fill one of the many gaps the squad held. He played four games with the Providence Bruins before making a cameo appearance with Boston.
In just seven games with the big club, Brookbank surprisingly potted one goal. But it wasn't enough to keep him on the team -- the brass quickly grew tired of his predictable play. He never quite seemed to know what to do with the puck and suffered from horrid transitional play.
In Dec. 2006, the B's dumped the unimpressive Brookbank to the Pittsburgh Penguins for "future considerations." And we all know what that means. The Penguins plunged Brookbank down to the minors, where he played with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
After seeing some time with the Carolina Hurricanes and their AHL affiliate the following season, Brookbank found himself in Tampa Bay in 2008. He currently plays with the club's minor-league affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals.
In seven games with the Admirals, Brookbank has put up predictable statistics -- zero goals, one assist, and 14 penalty minutes. Long live the Legend of Brookbank.
3.) Stanislav Chistov, Forward
Considered one of the biggest draft busts in recent NHL history, Stanislav Chistov began his hockey career with Omsk Avangard of the Russian Super League. In three seasons with the club, Chistov scored five goals and eight assists before craving a greater level of competition.
It didn't take long for the Russian Winger to taste NHL action. The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim drafted him in the first round, 5th overall, of the 2001 entry draft. Anaheim praised Chistov's speed and hockey sense, feeling he could fill a gap long missing on the club's front line.
Military obligations technically held Chistov to his country. But for the love of the sport, he defected from Russia and joined the Ducks in 2002-2003.
Chistov's rookie season was nothing short of impressive, scoring 12 goals and 18 assists in 79 games with Anaheim. He even stepped up his game to the next level in the post-season, potting four goals during the Ducks' 24 playoff games.
Despite his rookie success, Chistov struggled to maintain consistency in the big league. After playing 52 uninspiring games with the Ducks in 2003-2004, he was assigned to the club's minor-league affiliate in Cincinnati.
He stayed in the minors through the lockout until finally deciding to bolt back to Russia. The Magnitogorsk Metallurg, then part of the Russian Super League, picked up Chistov for 47 games in 2005-2006. Playing wing with Evgeni Malkin, Chistov tallied 11 goals and 22 assists with the club.
It didn't take long for him to return to North America. In the summer of 2006, the Ducks signed Chistov to a two-way contract.
He didn't stay in Anaheim, though. The Boston Bruins traded a third-round pick in the 2008 entry draft in exchange for the speedy winger. A replacement for the disowned Sergei Samsonov, if you will.
Aside from a handful of goals, including a beaut against the hated Habs, Chistov didn't play up to snuff in Boston. His unwillingness to fight for the puck and dig along the boards rendered him useless in many offensive situations. He quickly gained a reputation as a soft player, easily being knocked off the puck.
The B's and Chistov parted ways after the 2006-2007 season. The winger returned to Russia once again, playing with Salavat Yulaev Ufa in the Kontinental Hockey League. In his 15 games with the club, Chistov put up five goals and six assists.
That's not to say he entirely cut off ties with the Bruins. In 2008, Chistov expressed interest in coming back to the states to play for Boston once again. Peter Chiarelli said he'd love to have Chistov playing with the Providence B's, but showed no real interest in him playing with the big club.
The Russian winger became a free agent last summer. No team was willing to pick him up. So what did he do?
That's right -- he hopped back to the KHL. Chistov currently plays with the Magnitogorsk Metallurg club, where he holds 11 goals and 19 assists in 54 games.
As of now, he holds no plans to return to the NHL.
4.) Nathan Dempsey, Defense
Nathan Dempsey spent most of his professional career with the Toronto Maple Leafs and its AHL affiliate in St. John's. He was drafted by Toronto in the 12th round, 245th overall, of the 1992 entry draft.
From 1992-2002, Dempsey only saw 48 games in the NHL, tallying two goals and two assists with Toronto. The Alberta native did finish with an even plus/minus rating, though.
After his stint with the Maple Leafs, Dempsey signed with the Chicago Blackhawks as a free agent in 2002. He played two seasons with the 'Hawks before being dealt with the Los Angeles Kings in 2004 for a fourth-round draft pick and future considerations.
Dempsey managed to establish himself as a borderline NHLer, scoring more than a dozen goals with the ‘Hawks and Kings. He returned to Los Angeles after the 2004-2005 lockout, playing 53 more games with the club.
But his NHL career would end in Boston. Dempsey signed with the Bruins as a free agent in 2006. Though he spent the majority of the year with Providence, the defenseman squeezed in 17 games with the big club. He scored one assist with Boston and tallied 17 penalty minutes.
Dempsey wouldn't return to the NHL after 2006-2007. He shipped off Switzerland in the off-season, earning a spot with SC Bern in the National League A.
The defenseman tallied three goals and 10 assists with SC Bern last season. Unfortunately, the historic club failed to qualify for the playoffs.
No word on where Dempsey is today. He isn't listed on SC Bern's current roster and can't be found in the NLA's player database. Don't know if he retired or chose not to play this season.
5.) Jeff Hoggan, Forward
An undrafted forward, Jeff Hoggan began his professional hockey career in 2002. Minnesota signed the college grinder as a free agent that summer but immediately sent him to its AHL affiliate in Houston.
Hoggan tallied six goals and five assists in his first professional season, slowly gaining a reputation as a big bodied forward not hesitant to work the boards. He continued playing for the Aeros, added one goal and two assists to their Calder Cup championship run in 2003-2004.
The forward parted ways with the Aeros in 2004, opting to play a season with the minor-league Worcester Sharks. After putting up an impressive 16 goals in 47 games, Hoggan finally earned a shot in the NHL.
The St. Louis Blues signed Hoggan as a free agent in the summer of 2005, hoping to add grit and solid forechecking to the lineup. But the grinder couldn't raise his game to the next level. In 52 games, Hoggan posted a terrible plus/minus rating of -16 and only scored two goals on the year.
Regardless of his poor NHL debut, the Boston Bruins dove deep into the UFA pool and snatched up Hoggan in 2006. He played 46 games with the big club -- 46 games many B's try to forget.
"Hoggan the Masked Enforcer," as B's fans nicknamed him, failed to contribute anything of sustentative value to the squad. Slow, clumsy, reckless, and a horrible fighter, Hoggan didn't give the team any sort of spark. He failed to fill the "energy role" the brass asked of him.
The B's sent Hoggan down to the minors, where he played a full season in 2007-2008. Despite his poor NHL performance, the grinder thrived with Providence. In 71 games, Hoggan potted 29 goals and 31 assists.
From that point on, Hoggan proved he was nothing more than AHL talent. He played one game with the big club that year, tallying zero points or penalty minutes. Chiarelli and friends never bothered to call him up again.
The Bruins and Hoggan parted ways at the conclusion of last season. The Phoenix Coyotes signed him as a free agent to a one-year, two-way deal in 2008. Though he's played in four games with the 'Yotes this season, he's spent most of his time playing for their AHL affiliate in San Antonio.
In 53 games with the San Antonio Rampage, Hoggan has once again put up stellar minor-league numbers -- 21 goals and 11 assists. Chances are he'll remain an AHL floater in the coming years.
-- More "Where Are They Now?" players coming up later in the week. Stay tuned.
B's Drop Two in Florida
The Sunshine State wasn't kind to Boston over the weekend. The Bruins dropped two consecutive games during their roadtrip, bringing their Feburary record to a disappointing 2-2-4.
The Black and Gold started the trip against the Florida Panthers, a team fighting for its playoff life and not afraid to do some dirty work.
Florida goaltender Thomas Vokoun stood strong against the B's, shutting out the squad with more than 40 saves. Tim Thomas and his team couldn't withstand the Panthers grit and speed, losing 2-0 in regulation.
Boston went 0-6 on the power play, an area of its game that continues to suffer from the lack of a left-handed shot. It even enjoyed the luxury of two separate four-minute man advantages but still couldn't seal the deal.
Things didn't improve as the Bruins worked their way upstate to Tampa Bay. Manny Fernandez made an abysmal 14 saves as the B's fell to the Lightning 4-3 last night.
As Coach Claude Julien said in his post-game interview, the B's didn't lack effort. They fired more than 40 shots against rookie goaltender Karri Ramo, who put on a spectacular show for the Bolts.
Winger Phil Kessel finally broke out of his 12-game scoreless slump, potting a beaut in the first minutes of the game. Kessel currently has 25 goals on the season. Defensemen Zdeno Chara and Andrew Ference tallied Boston's other two goals.
But careless penalties and sluggish defense put the W further and further out of reach. A few softies from Fernandez didn't help the cause, either. All things considered, Boston shouldn't be losing to an injury-ridden team in the bottom of the standings.
The Bruins don't have long to change their gameplan against the two Florida squads. They face the Panthers tomorrow at home and the Lightning again at the end of March.
The Black and Gold started the trip against the Florida Panthers, a team fighting for its playoff life and not afraid to do some dirty work.
Florida goaltender Thomas Vokoun stood strong against the B's, shutting out the squad with more than 40 saves. Tim Thomas and his team couldn't withstand the Panthers grit and speed, losing 2-0 in regulation.
Boston went 0-6 on the power play, an area of its game that continues to suffer from the lack of a left-handed shot. It even enjoyed the luxury of two separate four-minute man advantages but still couldn't seal the deal.
Things didn't improve as the Bruins worked their way upstate to Tampa Bay. Manny Fernandez made an abysmal 14 saves as the B's fell to the Lightning 4-3 last night.
As Coach Claude Julien said in his post-game interview, the B's didn't lack effort. They fired more than 40 shots against rookie goaltender Karri Ramo, who put on a spectacular show for the Bolts.
Winger Phil Kessel finally broke out of his 12-game scoreless slump, potting a beaut in the first minutes of the game. Kessel currently has 25 goals on the season. Defensemen Zdeno Chara and Andrew Ference tallied Boston's other two goals.
But careless penalties and sluggish defense put the W further and further out of reach. A few softies from Fernandez didn't help the cause, either. All things considered, Boston shouldn't be losing to an injury-ridden team in the bottom of the standings.
The Bruins don't have long to change their gameplan against the two Florida squads. They face the Panthers tomorrow at home and the Lightning again at the end of March.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Trade Deadline: Beware Rumor Sites
Bruins Buffs --
With the trade deadline coming up, just wanted to take some time to warn you about visiting hockey rumor sites.
Sites like the HockeyBuzz and The Fourth Period are great to kill some time with. All sorts of rumors over there, some even borderline ridiculous. They've been spewing handfuls of Bruins rumors lately as well.
But remember to take the rumors you hear with a grain of salt. The anonymous hockey blogger Eklund, though knowledgeable of the game, has been wrong more times than I can count. And the man never lists his sources, making many of his proposals questionable at best.
Stick to reliable sources, such as the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, and TSN. Just this morning, Kevin Paul Dupont reported in the Globe that Tomas Kaberle is on the Bruins' go-to list come deadline day. Though I may not agree with everything Dupont has to say, he's a hall-of-fame journalist with credentials.
And, a plug for one of my favorite forums -- Hockey's Future. It's a great place to discuss the trade deadline and rumors. Plenty of insiders there. Check it out sometime.
With the trade deadline coming up, just wanted to take some time to warn you about visiting hockey rumor sites.
Sites like the HockeyBuzz and The Fourth Period are great to kill some time with. All sorts of rumors over there, some even borderline ridiculous. They've been spewing handfuls of Bruins rumors lately as well.
But remember to take the rumors you hear with a grain of salt. The anonymous hockey blogger Eklund, though knowledgeable of the game, has been wrong more times than I can count. And the man never lists his sources, making many of his proposals questionable at best.
Stick to reliable sources, such as the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, and TSN. Just this morning, Kevin Paul Dupont reported in the Globe that Tomas Kaberle is on the Bruins' go-to list come deadline day. Though I may not agree with everything Dupont has to say, he's a hall-of-fame journalist with credentials.
And, a plug for one of my favorite forums -- Hockey's Future. It's a great place to discuss the trade deadline and rumors. Plenty of insiders there. Check it out sometime.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Albany River Rats Bus Rolls Over
Don't have much Bruins news to report this morning. But there's something else worth addressing in the hockey world --
The Albany River Rats' bus flipped over on the Massachusetts Turnpike early this morning. 32 players, staff, and coaches from the AHL squad were taken to the Berkshire Medical Center as a precaution.
No word yet on what exactly caused the accident, but poor weather conditions may have played a role. The club was making its way back from Lowell after playing the Devils last night.
NECN reports that there were three serious injuries in the accident. Thankfully, none of them appeared life threatening.
The River Rats play the Providence Bruins a handful of times every couple of years. They also play the Syracuse Crunch, my local AHL affiliate.
Thoughts and prayers to the players and their families. Let's hope everything turns out OK.
The Albany River Rats' bus flipped over on the Massachusetts Turnpike early this morning. 32 players, staff, and coaches from the AHL squad were taken to the Berkshire Medical Center as a precaution.
No word yet on what exactly caused the accident, but poor weather conditions may have played a role. The club was making its way back from Lowell after playing the Devils last night.
NECN reports that there were three serious injuries in the accident. Thankfully, none of them appeared life threatening.
The River Rats play the Providence Bruins a handful of times every couple of years. They also play the Syracuse Crunch, my local AHL affiliate.
Thoughts and prayers to the players and their families. Let's hope everything turns out OK.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Trade Deadline: Chiarelli's List?
During an interview with the New England Hockey Journal last week, hall-of-fame hockey writer Kevin Paul Dupont said Peter Chiarelli is targeting eight players at the trade deadline.
Chiarelli wouldn't elaborate on who the players were. Rumors swilling around the Hub of Hockey say he's looking to add a veteran forward and a puck-moving defenseman.
Chiarelli hasn't confirmed this himself. He won't say exactly what the B's are looking for in a player aside from "size," an obsession that has benefited the team so far.
And Boston could definitely use some more of that, taking into consideration some of the teams it may encounter in the playoffs.
They'll likely have to battle the Washington Capitals on the road to the cup, a team with a handful of big boys willing to throw blistering hits. That's part of the reason the B's trail the season series with the Caps.
If the Black and Gold make it to the Cup Finals, the San Jose Sharks might be waiting for them. The Sharks took the body and bruised the Bruins in their first and only regular season meeting earlier this month.
Based on rumors and Chiarelli's statement, here's The Bruins Buff's guess at the eight trade deadline targets:
1.) Keith Tkachuk -- St. Louis Blues
2.) Erik Cole -- Edmonton Oilers
3.) Jordan Leopold -- Colorado Avalanche
4.) Tomas Kaberle - Toronto Maple Leafs
5.) Nik Antropov -- Toronto Maple Leafs
6.) Chris Pronger -- Anaheim Ducks
7.) Derek Morris - Phoenix Coyotes
8.) J.M. Liles -- Colorado Avalanche
Chiarelli wouldn't elaborate on who the players were. Rumors swilling around the Hub of Hockey say he's looking to add a veteran forward and a puck-moving defenseman.
Chiarelli hasn't confirmed this himself. He won't say exactly what the B's are looking for in a player aside from "size," an obsession that has benefited the team so far.
And Boston could definitely use some more of that, taking into consideration some of the teams it may encounter in the playoffs.
They'll likely have to battle the Washington Capitals on the road to the cup, a team with a handful of big boys willing to throw blistering hits. That's part of the reason the B's trail the season series with the Caps.
If the Black and Gold make it to the Cup Finals, the San Jose Sharks might be waiting for them. The Sharks took the body and bruised the Bruins in their first and only regular season meeting earlier this month.
Based on rumors and Chiarelli's statement, here's The Bruins Buff's guess at the eight trade deadline targets:
1.) Keith Tkachuk -- St. Louis Blues
2.) Erik Cole -- Edmonton Oilers
3.) Jordan Leopold -- Colorado Avalanche
4.) Tomas Kaberle - Toronto Maple Leafs
5.) Nik Antropov -- Toronto Maple Leafs
6.) Chris Pronger -- Anaheim Ducks
7.) Derek Morris - Phoenix Coyotes
8.) J.M. Liles -- Colorado Avalanche
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Erik Cole Coming to Boston? And More.
G'morning, Bruins Buffs. Plenty of information coming in from around the rink this morning.
The Boston Globe reports that winger Michael Ryder is back on the ice and skating around with a full face mask. He expects to be back in action and ready to score sometime in the next two weeks.
Also on the injury front -- Chuck Kobasew is expected to suit up for tonight's game against the Carolina Hurricanes. The gritty winger managed to find his scoring touch before sustaining a leg injury at the beginning of the month. He'll grind next to Patrice Bergeron and PJ Axelsson.
Boston's mantra so far this week? Tweaks, tweaks, and more tweaks.
With the B's on a four-game skid, Coach Claude Julien decided to shake up his lines. The B's anemic offense hasn't been getting the job done, scoring only four goals in the last three games.
Phil Kessel has been bumped down to the second line, playing wing with David Krejci and Vladimir Sobotka. The speedy scorer hasn't tallied a goal since returning from a bout with mononucleosis a few weeks ago.
Interesting to see Sobotka on the second line. The guy couldn't crack the lineup out of camp, and now he's enjoying top minutes on the top team in the east. To be fair, he played a decent game against the New Jersey Devils last weekend.
As a result of Kessel's demotion, rookie Blake Wheeler has been bumped to the first line. Time to see if the big-bodied forward can pot a few with Marc Savard and Milan Lucic.
But perhaps the most enticing bit of information this morning comes from The Boston Herald.
The paper reports that Erik Cole expects to ship out to Boston in the coming weeks. The Oilers forward is supposedly telling friends that he expects to wear the black and gold soon.
The price for Cole? Nothing but speculation so far, but most sources report that the B's are dangling forward Vladimir Sobotka and defenseman Matt Lashoff as trade bait.
If I'm Chiarelli, I'd offer either Sobotka or Lashoff to the Oilers for Cole. Throw in a mid- to low-round draft pick to even out the deal if the Oil wants more.
But I wouldn't trade both unless someone else was shipping off with Cole. The two youngsters are promising prospects with the ability to step in and contribute at the NHL level.
Acquiring Erik Cole boosts Boston's power play immediately, giving it a much-needed left-handed shot. That's been missing since Marco Sturm went down and out earlier in the year.
Unfortunately, Cole hasn't been a dominant force for Edmonton this season. The winger only carries 12 goals and and 10 assists in 56 games.
Not stunning figures from a guy boasting three 20+ goal seasons before landing in Alberta. And, as many NHL fans recall, Cole won a cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2005-2006.
Still, Cole's figures this year aren't an accurate representation of his abilities. Nobody on Edmonton's roster has particularly stood out this season, considering its the most bipolar team in the league.
Other news on the trade front -- sources indicated that defenseman Jordan Leopold could be headed to the B's soon.
The Denver Post reports that the Colorado Avalanche are likely to trade him at the deadline. The Herald goes on to say that Boston could be Leopold's destination.
Acquiring Leopold gives the B's a boost on the blue line, especially in the realm of transitional play. He also has a bomb of a shot, making him a possible addition to Boston's struggling power play.
Expect more trade news in the coming weeks. Keep reading Backcheck with the Bruins Buff for the latest!
The Boston Globe reports that winger Michael Ryder is back on the ice and skating around with a full face mask. He expects to be back in action and ready to score sometime in the next two weeks.
Also on the injury front -- Chuck Kobasew is expected to suit up for tonight's game against the Carolina Hurricanes. The gritty winger managed to find his scoring touch before sustaining a leg injury at the beginning of the month. He'll grind next to Patrice Bergeron and PJ Axelsson.
Boston's mantra so far this week? Tweaks, tweaks, and more tweaks.
With the B's on a four-game skid, Coach Claude Julien decided to shake up his lines. The B's anemic offense hasn't been getting the job done, scoring only four goals in the last three games.
Phil Kessel has been bumped down to the second line, playing wing with David Krejci and Vladimir Sobotka. The speedy scorer hasn't tallied a goal since returning from a bout with mononucleosis a few weeks ago.
Interesting to see Sobotka on the second line. The guy couldn't crack the lineup out of camp, and now he's enjoying top minutes on the top team in the east. To be fair, he played a decent game against the New Jersey Devils last weekend.
As a result of Kessel's demotion, rookie Blake Wheeler has been bumped to the first line. Time to see if the big-bodied forward can pot a few with Marc Savard and Milan Lucic.
But perhaps the most enticing bit of information this morning comes from The Boston Herald.
The paper reports that Erik Cole expects to ship out to Boston in the coming weeks. The Oilers forward is supposedly telling friends that he expects to wear the black and gold soon.
The price for Cole? Nothing but speculation so far, but most sources report that the B's are dangling forward Vladimir Sobotka and defenseman Matt Lashoff as trade bait.
If I'm Chiarelli, I'd offer either Sobotka or Lashoff to the Oilers for Cole. Throw in a mid- to low-round draft pick to even out the deal if the Oil wants more.
But I wouldn't trade both unless someone else was shipping off with Cole. The two youngsters are promising prospects with the ability to step in and contribute at the NHL level.
Acquiring Erik Cole boosts Boston's power play immediately, giving it a much-needed left-handed shot. That's been missing since Marco Sturm went down and out earlier in the year.
Unfortunately, Cole hasn't been a dominant force for Edmonton this season. The winger only carries 12 goals and and 10 assists in 56 games.
Not stunning figures from a guy boasting three 20+ goal seasons before landing in Alberta. And, as many NHL fans recall, Cole won a cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2005-2006.
Still, Cole's figures this year aren't an accurate representation of his abilities. Nobody on Edmonton's roster has particularly stood out this season, considering its the most bipolar team in the league.
Other news on the trade front -- sources indicated that defenseman Jordan Leopold could be headed to the B's soon.
The Denver Post reports that the Colorado Avalanche are likely to trade him at the deadline. The Herald goes on to say that Boston could be Leopold's destination.
Acquiring Leopold gives the B's a boost on the blue line, especially in the realm of transitional play. He also has a bomb of a shot, making him a possible addition to Boston's struggling power play.
Expect more trade news in the coming weeks. Keep reading Backcheck with the Bruins Buff for the latest!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Trade Deadline: So It Begins...
The trade deadline may only be three weeks away, but one team in the east has already launched itself into the frenzy.
The Montreal Canadiens have acquired defenseman Mathieu Schneider from the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for draft picks.
Details are limited up to this point. But rumor has it that the Habs gave up second- and third-round draft picks for Schneider.
The move boosts the Canadiens questionable defensive line by adding a veteran presence. However, Schneider has certainly seen better days and is nearing the end of his career.
The Montreal Canadiens have acquired defenseman Mathieu Schneider from the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for draft picks.
Details are limited up to this point. But rumor has it that the Habs gave up second- and third-round draft picks for Schneider.
The move boosts the Canadiens questionable defensive line by adding a veteran presence. However, Schneider has certainly seen better days and is nearing the end of his career.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Latest Loss Begins New Woes
Boston dropped its fourth consecutive game last night during a hard-fought battle with the Nashville Predators.
The B's managed to pot two goals, including a nifty garbage goal by Zdeno Chara with about a minute left in the game. But they ultimately fell short in the fourth round of the shootout.
The boys put forth some great effort last night, but they still need to tweak their finish.
For example, Phil Kessel had plenty of opportunities to bury one toward the end of the game but couldn't because of poor timing. One of the opportunities included a clean breakaway into the attacking zone that he unfortunately choked on.
David Krejci and Blake Wheeler looked the best they had all week, combing for a goal in the second period. Both showcased some moves, but they still need to simplify their game a bit.
Patrice Bergeron looked like his old self, notching an assist on Chara's late goal. He's improved his play along the boards in the past few games, something the B's desperately need.
Goaltending could've been better last night. Though Manny Fernandez displayed a few spectacular saves, he was beat too easily in the shootout. Nashville went top-shelf with a couple of backhanders to shut Manny down.
The loss marks the first time the B's have lost four games in a row all season. They have a chance to break the skid Tuesday against the slumping Carolina Hurricanes.
The B's managed to pot two goals, including a nifty garbage goal by Zdeno Chara with about a minute left in the game. But they ultimately fell short in the fourth round of the shootout.
The boys put forth some great effort last night, but they still need to tweak their finish.
For example, Phil Kessel had plenty of opportunities to bury one toward the end of the game but couldn't because of poor timing. One of the opportunities included a clean breakaway into the attacking zone that he unfortunately choked on.
David Krejci and Blake Wheeler looked the best they had all week, combing for a goal in the second period. Both showcased some moves, but they still need to simplify their game a bit.
Patrice Bergeron looked like his old self, notching an assist on Chara's late goal. He's improved his play along the boards in the past few games, something the B's desperately need.
Goaltending could've been better last night. Though Manny Fernandez displayed a few spectacular saves, he was beat too easily in the shootout. Nashville went top-shelf with a couple of backhanders to shut Manny down.
The loss marks the first time the B's have lost four games in a row all season. They have a chance to break the skid Tuesday against the slumping Carolina Hurricanes.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Loss to Devils = New Streak
The Boston Bruins fell to the New Jersey Devils 1-0 last night in regulation.
The loss marks only the second time this season that Boston has suffered a three-game losing streak. It hasn't since the end of October.
Tough to say what went wrong against New Jersey. The effort was certainly there, but the B's couldn't finish in the end. The Devils potted one soft goal, and that made all the difference.
The power play remains one of the B's biggest problems. They desperately need a left-handed shot on the first unit, seeing as Marco Sturm remains out for the season. The sooner they acquire someone to fulfill that role, the better.
I'll tell you one thing -- I wouldn't want Boston to meet up with the Devils in the post-season.
The loss marks only the second time this season that Boston has suffered a three-game losing streak. It hasn't since the end of October.
Tough to say what went wrong against New Jersey. The effort was certainly there, but the B's couldn't finish in the end. The Devils potted one soft goal, and that made all the difference.
The power play remains one of the B's biggest problems. They desperately need a left-handed shot on the first unit, seeing as Marco Sturm remains out for the season. The sooner they acquire someone to fulfill that role, the better.
I'll tell you one thing -- I wouldn't want Boston to meet up with the Devils in the post-season.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Kobasew, Nokie Out
The Boston Globe reports that Chuck Kobasew and Petteri Nokelainen will not play in tonight's game against the New Jersey Devils.
Both players are listed as day-to-day after sustaining injuries in Monday's game against San Jose. Nokie took a stick to the face, and Kobasew is nursing a leg injury.
Tough break for the B's, as Kobasew and Nokelainen both provide depth to the club. Kobasew just started to put some points on the board again, scoring two assists in his last three games.
Nokelainen boasts two assists in his last two games, putting up a +2 rating in both. He saw a different role in Monday's game, playing on the wing of David Krejci and Blake Wheeler.
Coach Julien said it's still possible that either player could suit up in tomorrow's Valentine's Day match-up against the Nashville Predators.
Both players are listed as day-to-day after sustaining injuries in Monday's game against San Jose. Nokie took a stick to the face, and Kobasew is nursing a leg injury.
Tough break for the B's, as Kobasew and Nokelainen both provide depth to the club. Kobasew just started to put some points on the board again, scoring two assists in his last three games.
Nokelainen boasts two assists in his last two games, putting up a +2 rating in both. He saw a different role in Monday's game, playing on the wing of David Krejci and Blake Wheeler.
Coach Julien said it's still possible that either player could suit up in tomorrow's Valentine's Day match-up against the Nashville Predators.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Karsums, Sobotka Get the Call
The Boston Bruins dipped into their minor-league pool this morning and called up Vladimir Sobotka and Martin Karsums from Providence.
The call is no doubt linked to the disappearances of Petteri Nokelainen and Chuck Kobasew in Monday's game. No word yet on how long either player will be out for.
Calling up some Baby B's serves as a decent stop-gap while Peter Chiarelli and friends continue to assess what trades could help the team out. I wouldn't look at Sobotka or Karsums as longterm fixes, but it should be enough to hold us over for maybe a week or so.
I also have a feeling this will be Sobotka's last chance to prove himself to the club this season. He's been called up a handful of times already and hasn't shown the brass anything substantial. Now is his chance.
The call-ups also bring new lines into question. Seeing as this team hasn't seen an offensive spark in weeks, I'd consider shuffling the lines to:
Lucic-Savard-Bergeron
Wheeler-Krejci-Kessel
Axelsson-Sobotka-Karsums
Thornton-Yelle-Bitz
Or something like that. Those lines give every slumping player a shot at rejuvenating a bit and finding their offensive game.
But alas, the Boston Globe reports that Julien executed different lines in this morning's practice. Sobotka fanatics will no doubt be pleased:
Lucic-Savard-Kessel
Sobotka-Krejci-Wheeler
Axelsson-Bergeron-Karsums
Thornton-Yelle-Bitz
The B's also switched up the power play in today's practice. Instead of manning the point, Bergeron has shifted to down low. Great move -- Bergy hasn't been effective from the point for most of the season.
In other B's news, Michael Ryder will be back earlier than expected. The winger will only need 2-3 weeks to recover from his orbital fracture suffered last week. Think of his return as just another trade deadline acquisition for Boston.
The call is no doubt linked to the disappearances of Petteri Nokelainen and Chuck Kobasew in Monday's game. No word yet on how long either player will be out for.
Calling up some Baby B's serves as a decent stop-gap while Peter Chiarelli and friends continue to assess what trades could help the team out. I wouldn't look at Sobotka or Karsums as longterm fixes, but it should be enough to hold us over for maybe a week or so.
I also have a feeling this will be Sobotka's last chance to prove himself to the club this season. He's been called up a handful of times already and hasn't shown the brass anything substantial. Now is his chance.
The call-ups also bring new lines into question. Seeing as this team hasn't seen an offensive spark in weeks, I'd consider shuffling the lines to:
Lucic-Savard-Bergeron
Wheeler-Krejci-Kessel
Axelsson-Sobotka-Karsums
Thornton-Yelle-Bitz
Or something like that. Those lines give every slumping player a shot at rejuvenating a bit and finding their offensive game.
But alas, the Boston Globe reports that Julien executed different lines in this morning's practice. Sobotka fanatics will no doubt be pleased:
Lucic-Savard-Kessel
Sobotka-Krejci-Wheeler
Axelsson-Bergeron-Karsums
Thornton-Yelle-Bitz
The B's also switched up the power play in today's practice. Instead of manning the point, Bergeron has shifted to down low. Great move -- Bergy hasn't been effective from the point for most of the season.
In other B's news, Michael Ryder will be back earlier than expected. The winger will only need 2-3 weeks to recover from his orbital fracture suffered last week. Think of his return as just another trade deadline acquisition for Boston.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Bruins Foes Gone Bowlin'
After Boston's 5-2 loss to San Jose last night, I figured the Bruins Nation could use a smile its face...
It's no secret that the Montreal Canadiens haven't been able to buy a goal or a win lately. Though they rank fifth in the Eastern Conference, the Habs are 2-8-0 in their last ten games.
To make matters worse, they're only five points ahead of ninth-place Carolina Hurricanes. If the Habs continue to drop games, they could see themselves out of a playoff spot as early as the trade deadline.
The Habs haven't just been losing games, either -- they've been getting blown out of the water in some instances. Their latest lost came against Calgary Flames by a score of 6-2. And last week, they lost to the lowly Maple Leafs 5-2.
How does a coach fix subpar goaltending, laughable offense, and invisible defense? Guy Carbonneau has the answer.
To hell with practice! If a team of "all stars" can't find its groove, take the players bowling.
Instead of skating hard, instead of practicing drill after drill, instead of having individual management-to-player conferences, Montreal players grasped some balls and struck pins yesterday.
Sources say the pins were the first things the Habs hit all season. Alex Kovalev's wrist started to lock up after a few rounds, but he returned later.
The fiasco reminds me of the time Coach Dave Lewis let the boys play basketball during practice after a horrible loss the previous night. I think it's safe to say that every Bruins Buff is glad those days are over.
Unless Claude Julien rewards the boys with a bowling-night-out for their third-period effort yesterday...
It's no secret that the Montreal Canadiens haven't been able to buy a goal or a win lately. Though they rank fifth in the Eastern Conference, the Habs are 2-8-0 in their last ten games.
To make matters worse, they're only five points ahead of ninth-place Carolina Hurricanes. If the Habs continue to drop games, they could see themselves out of a playoff spot as early as the trade deadline.
The Habs haven't just been losing games, either -- they've been getting blown out of the water in some instances. Their latest lost came against Calgary Flames by a score of 6-2. And last week, they lost to the lowly Maple Leafs 5-2.
How does a coach fix subpar goaltending, laughable offense, and invisible defense? Guy Carbonneau has the answer.
To hell with practice! If a team of "all stars" can't find its groove, take the players bowling.
Instead of skating hard, instead of practicing drill after drill, instead of having individual management-to-player conferences, Montreal players grasped some balls and struck pins yesterday.
Sources say the pins were the first things the Habs hit all season. Alex Kovalev's wrist started to lock up after a few rounds, but he returned later.
The fiasco reminds me of the time Coach Dave Lewis let the boys play basketball during practice after a horrible loss the previous night. I think it's safe to say that every Bruins Buff is glad those days are over.
Unless Claude Julien rewards the boys with a bowling-night-out for their third-period effort yesterday...
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