2013-14 Boston Bruins Thread (the offseason)

[BDL]

Hi everyone. Sorry I've been away for a while. I wanted to get a perspective on what the non-Russian athletes had for beds in the Olympic village, so I crawled into the magazine compartment of my parents' coffee table. I was stuck in there for days. I sustained myself by eating copies of Redbook and McCall's. But I survived.

In the time of my absence, The B's had gone 3-0-1 for 7 out of 8 points. And, like I said before, the Bruins need to pad their lead while Stamkos is still healing up. I don't think anyone thought the Bolts would have been this good without him. But the leadership and scoring of St. Louis and goaltending of Bishop. Add that to the fact that 13/14 of their 17 games in March are against playoff (or just outside the playoffs) contenders.

As for the February games, so far; It was kind of a bitter sweet feeling watching the Bruins blank the Oilers. Yes, the 2 points were nice. But you hate seeing anything negative happen to Ference.

Then I felt all warm and fuzzy about embarrassing the Canucks 3-1. No, the score wasn't that lop-sided but the way that Bobby gave up the goals was fun.

Then the B's hit a speed bump, in the form of the now 1st place St. Louis Blues. But to their credit, the B's clawed back in the 3rd to send it into OT. Unfortunately, an errant pass by Soderberg led to the clock striking midnight.

Finally, was the game over the weekend vs. the Senators. Though I missed most of the 2nd period (I was in mass), Goucher and Beers did not seem happy with the effort of the Sens. They are not that far out of the 2 wild card spots, but it looks like they may settle with being sellers at the trade deadline.

For the next couple of weeks, we can look forward to Eriksson vs. Tuuk. And Bergie vs. Z...

I'm sorry. I'm going to go off on a tangent here. Anyone, I mean ANYONE, who thinks that Z should not have left to lead his nation in the opening ceremonies, DID NOT see his face during the procession. I think he was happier there than he was hoisting The Cup. Granted, he was way more excited with The Cup, but on Friday that was a look of just pride and hapiness.

Also for the next 2 and half weeks, we will hear endless trade RUMORS because of the trade freeze that is on. And feel free to throw your ideas up here.

In closing, congrats to the USA Women's hockey team that blanked the Swiss 9-0 this morning.

U - S - A! U - S - A! U - S - A! U - S - A!

 

[stevea20]

I'm sorry. I'm going to go off on a tangent here. Anyone, I mean ANYONE, who thinks that Z should not have left to lead his nation in the opening ceremonies, DID NOT see his face during the procession. I think he was happier there than he was hoisting The Cup. Granted, he was way more excited with The Cup, but on Friday that was a look of just pride and hapiness.

You're right but Z could have been a little more animated. When I watched the OC and he came out I said out loud, "C'mon Z at least wave the flag!".

I love the Olympics and watch as much as I can (which right now isn't a lot and usually the next day after DVRing it), Womens luge and ski jumping today.
the USA/Canada game is Weds @ 7:30 AM.

 

[BDL]

Congrats to team USA for their 7-1 win over Big Z and Slovakia. And even though team USA scored 7 goals and Chara was on the ice for over 18 min, he still left the game +/- 0.

In other Olympic/Bruins news:

Bergeron had 2 assists and was 3 of 4 in face-offs in Canada's 3-1 win over Norway

Tuukka got the win but gave up 4 goals on 20 shots in Finland's 8-4 win over Austria

And yesterday, Krejci took the ice, with old friend THE Jagr in a 4-2 loss to Sweden. Krejci was blanked in the score sheet, but was 9 of 12 on face-offs. And THE Jagr drove the ladies crazy in Sochi with his goal in the 3rd.

Also, if you didn't get the chance to see the USA/Canada women's game yesterday, try to find the last 10 min of the game online. It was a hard fought 10 min on both side.

Make sure all of you drive safe tonight. Mother Nature is in 1 of her moods.

 

[BDL]

Bruins/Olympics update:

First, in the good news, bad news dept, Big Z is heading home, more or less, unscathed after Slovakia got bounced.

Early (REAL EARLY) this morning, Loui Eriksson had a goal and an assist as Sweden blanked Slovenia

Next, Tuukka officially slammed the door on the host Russian team by turning away 37 of 38 shots. As the Fins won 3-1. The Finnish embassy, in Russia, is on stand-by for emergency evacuation. Also, the American referee that disallowed the goal in the USA/Russia game is missing and presumed standing in a puddle of his own "fear".

And just under way, Bergeron and Canada takes on Dr. Doom and Latvia. And Krejci is taking on Team USA.

 

[BDL]

Congratulations to Tuuk for on his shutout and securing Finland's bronze medal. Though the it stinks that it came at the hands of Team USA.

And congrats to Teemu Selanne on what might be his last international game.

 

[BDL]

The Olympics are over. There was a Bruin on each of the teams that medal-ed (Bergy and Price (just for you Declansdad) /Gold-CAN, Eriksson/Silver-SWE, Tuuk/Bronze-FIN). Congrats to all of the Olympians.

But now that the Olympics are over, it will be a sprint-athon to the end of the season. The B's will have to squeeze 25 games between Wednesday and April 13th. This includes 8 back to backs and 7 of the last 9 games on the road.

Let's get to the hyptheticals:

And, as of today, Quaider is skating with the team but is still not ready to take the ice in a game. Even if he were, I'd still want the Bruins go out and get another experienced D-man. Not that I have anything against the corps that they have now. But you never know when someone will get injured or if a different set of skills may be more beneficial in match-up. As for the corps themselves:

Z, dispite losing Seidenberg for the season, is still 1 of the best defensive D-men in the league.

Boychuk has been making a thundering name for himself. And though I don't want to think about it, he (plus a prospect and/or pick) would probably garner the best return in a trade, if the B's gear more towards long-term vs. this season.

Krug has not let up since last season's playoffs. He's even added some checking power as the season has gone on. But his scoring can be a bit streaky.

Bartkowsky and Dougie continue to develop and get stronger. Beaker is throwing his body around more and his timing on his shots is getting better.

Miller is still the feel good story of the year. Though he was a college player, I liken him to a Bruins version of Crash Davis. Always impressing at the camps an in the minors, but just couldn't bust through. But 5 days after his 26th birthday, he got his first crack at "the show." Though he's not known for lighting the lamp, he can run though people.

Speaking of the minors, there is help down there in the forms of Warsofsky, Trotman and Morrow. With all that, I still think the B's need to pick up a Giardi, Giordano or bring back Stuart.

The forwards are a tricky story. You are not going to touch the top 2 lines (Iggy/Krejci/Looch Smith/Bergy/Marchmont). Also, I would leave the 4th line alone. They are a cohesive unit. That leaves the 3rd line. From here on out, if you need more offense, you put out some incarnation of Eriksson/Soderberg/Spooner. If you need more defense or to shore up the PK, then it will be Eriksson/Soderberg/Kelly. I would not be averse, if the Bruins picked up a flashy scorer that can bite their tongue for 3 mos. As we just saw in the Olympics. If everyone buys into Claude's scheme (make NO mistake, the last 2 CAN games were Claude's) you can win. If it's not in the cards, it will be interesting to see what Johnson, Fraser or Koko can do at this level.

Out of the remaining 25 games, I do not want to see Tuuk in more than 10. I want to see Tres Cero take at least 10, Svedberg take a couple and maybe even let Subban take on a tomato can or 2.

Trade deadline is coming up. Are there any deals that you'd like to see? Any games or potential match-ups you are looking forward to?

 

[skier_pete]

Hey, I finally get to see the Bruins on Wednesday here in Buffalo, but not Buffalo's first game out of the break. We play Carolina tomorrow night in a game postponed from January 7th. Looks like Jonas Enroth might start the game as they are slotting Miller tomorrow. Our team sucks, and coming out of being off for three weeks off a back-to-back, I sort of expect the Bruins to (literally and figuratively) run over the Sabres.

I wonder whether the Sabres acknoledge the Bruins medalists at the start of the game. They did this in the first game back out of the last Olympics - and acknowledged both away and home players, but this will be the second home game as I said, so I think unlikely. (Sabres have two silver medalists on the squad, and 5 total Olympians, who I expect will all be highlighted on Tuesday.)

 

[stevea20]

Our team sucks, and coming out of being off for three weeks off a back-to-back, I sort of expect the Bruins to (literally and figuratively) run over the Sabres.

The Bruins should "run over the Sabres", but history shows it doesn't always work the way it should when a strong team plays a weaker one.

That Canada won the gold doesn't surprise me. That the US couldn't even score 1 goal in the two most important games does. I was more upset the the US women were within a minute and a goalpost from the gold and couldn't hold it.

Does anyone think there should be a WNHL? Bettman says they are not ready, but I think that's just fear of taking focus off the men's game. I think starting with an "original 6" league would attract attention in the right cities particularly if say NBCSP got involved with a game of the week package. Start small and let it grow.

Go B's!

 

[skier_pete]

The Bruins should "run over the Sabres", but history shows it doesn't always work the way it should when a strong team plays a weaker one.

That Canada won the gold doesn't surprise me. That the US couldn't even score 1 goal in the two most important games does. I was more upset the the US women were within a minute and a goalpost from the gold and couldn't hold it.

Does anyone think there should be a WNHL? Bettman says they are not ready, but I think that's just fear of taking focus off the men's game. I think starting with an "original 6" league would attract attention in the right cities particularly if say NBCSP got involved with a game of the week package. Start small and let it grow.

Go B's!

Good question about the WNHL. I suspect that it is extremely hard to get a new sports league running in this day and age.Actually as I think about it, it should be doable. If the WNBA can stay in existence, why not a WNHL. Yes, hockey is a more marginal sport in the USA than basketball, but I think that if you look at North America overall it is probalby on a similar level.

It would be very niche - there is very little interest in hockey outside of the northeast, midwest, and Canada. Even the southern markets with successful franchise hockey is only popular very locally. As you say, you might be able to swing it in an Original 6 type format (Toronto, Montreal, NYC, Boston, Chicago, Philly perhaps?). The tickets would have to be very inexpensive so it would be quite difficult to make money.

When would they play? The WNBA plays in the summer. Would WNHL be the same? Not sure hockey in the summer works well.

 

[BDL]

Tonight's the night. The Bruins are back. The biggest question will be, can they get their legs back under them after the Olympics/break. I don't know how many players only practices they may have had during the lay off. But the tough part is that 1 player from each of the top 3 lines was over in Socci. Which leaves the Merlot Line the most cohesive unit coming into the last 1/3 of the season. But, the 1 thing to look for will be to watch how the Olympic snubs play. Players like Looch, Marshmont, Soderberg (snubbed for different reasons) and Krug. See if they play with a chip on their shoulder. Also, 1 week til the trade deadline. Gotta watch the guys whose names always surface in talks. Like Bartkowski, Spooner and others. Hope that the rumors don't get in their heads.

Gonna go a bit off topic here, but during the Olympics I actually found myself watching Sportscenter again. What I discovered was further proof that:

NHL > NBA

Does anyone think there should be a WNHL? Bettman says they are not ready, but I think that's just fear of taking focus off the men's game. I think starting with an "original 6" league would attract attention in the right cities particularly if say NBCSP got involved with a game of the week package. Start small and let it grow.

Go B's!

I think there could be a market for a WNHL, but it would have to be vetted very carefully, by people much smarter than me, or it would die on the vine. What has saved the WNBA is sponsorship and affiliations (much like Arena Football League). Like the Suns in the WNBA are sponsored and play home games at Mohegan Sun. But what I think it could do, is pair with minor leagues and maybe offer double-headers, in the smaller venues. Or maybe a 20 game season in the Summer months after the Stanley Cup Finals.

 

[declansdad]

Thanks for the Price shout-out BDL.


Question for you - hearing rumours that Subban could be part of trade deal for the Bruins, what do you think?


As to the WNHL, not a good idea. There isn't a large enough fan base. Does anyone pay attention to the WNBA?

 

[skier_pete]

So, the Sabres played 50 minutes of awful hockey last night yet somehow won the game 3-2. (And I mean awful - they had 9 shots in the first 2 periods.) Luckily Carolina didn't look very good either.

I don't expect the same tonight. If they play that flat again, the B's will be all over them and we're looking at a 5-1 win for Boston. Even playing better, I say no way the Sabres pull this one out.

No Ryan Miller in net, Jonas Enroth and his Silver Medal (for benchwarming) starting tonight. All the talk around here right now is the near-certainty of Ryan Miller being traded by the 5th. Sabres won't be better for that deal, but I don't think Miller is worth the money he's going to get.

 

[mickeyboat]

As to the WNHL, not a good idea. There isn't a large enough fan base. Does anyone pay attention to the WNBA?

I have to agree with you there. The WNHL would never work. Compared to men's hockey, women's hockey is too slow and not physical enough to grasp the attention of the casual or non-hockey fan, and I can not believe there would be enough die-hard women's hockey fans to sustain a league.

It may not be true everywhere, but where I live, girls' hockey is dying out. Hockey is a huge commitment both in terms of time and in terms of money, and many parents are not willing to invest enough of both to raise good players. And for new hockey families, the entire hockey process can be intimidating. It is not like you just show up at the rec department, pay $15 for a t-shirt, buy a pair of shoes and jump into hockey.

Now if this league was formed in and played mostly in Canada, it might have a chance.

That being said, neither DH nor I ever played hockey, but our teenage daughters do. I don't know what it is about hockey, but it really brings out the best in our girls. They absolutely love it. They are so happy when they come off the ice, and they want to do it all the time. Of all the decisions we have made for our children, having them play hockey was one of the best.

 

[BDL]

Thanks for the Price shout-out BDL.


Question for you - hearing rumours that Subban could be part of trade deal for the Bruins, what do you think?


As to the WNHL, not a good idea. There isn't a large enough fan base. Does anyone pay attention to the WNBA?

No problem, about the shout-out. I always give credit where credit is due.

As for a Subban deal... Not a chance. The B's got Tuuk for a few yrs (barring injury) and Johnson is just a stop gap to let Svedberg develop 1 more year. I'd even wager that it will be a coin toss about whether it's Johnson or Svedberg as the #1 back-up in the playoffs. So, when Svedberg comes up next year (ala Khudobin), that will allow Subban more time to grow and Providence. It's around this time, or the next year, (and you an correct me if I'm wrong) that PK's contract will be up, if he doesn't get his extension. Makes for some good bait to try to bring together a Norris D-man and a whole organization that cherishes D-men.

I think the chips that are most like to to be out there are Koko, Fraser, Warsofsky, Bartkowski, or a young team looking for leadership, Kelly.

So, the Sabres played 50 minutes of awful hockey last night yet somehow won the game 3-2. (And I mean awful - they had 9 shots in the first 2 periods.) Luckily Carolina didn't look very good either.

I don't expect the same tonight. If they play that flat again, the B's will be all over them and we're looking at a 5-1 win for Boston. Even playing better, I say no way the Sabres pull this one out.

No Ryan Miller in net, Jonas Enroth and his Silver Medal (for benchwarming) starting tonight. All the talk around here right now is the near-certainty of Ryan Miller being traded by the 5th. Sabres won't be better for that deal, but I don't think Miller is worth the money he's going to get.

Sorry that the Sabes cost you a ping pong ball or 2 last night. And like I wrote in an earlier post, my biggest fear is that Miller will be traded to the Pens. I haven't heard any of the rumors yet. What are some of the teams that are being thrown out there.

Speaking of trades, has anyone heard that St. Louis in Tampa asked to be traded last month? That's an interesting tid bit from a capt. of a 2nd place team.

 

[skier_pete]

Sorry that the Sabes cost you a ping pong ball or 2 last night. And like I wrote in an earlier post, my biggest fear is that Miller will be traded to the Pens. I haven't heard any of the rumors yet. What are some of the teams that are being thrown out there.

Speaking of trades, has anyone heard that St. Louis in Tampa asked to be traded last month? That's an interesting tid bit from a capt. of a 2nd place team.

Man, what a fun game - OK maybe not for Bruins fans - I love me some high scoring back and forth, and especially late comebacks. Now the Sabres better start losing again! We need that #1/#2 pick!

As far as the where for Miller - the rumors have been mostly St. Louis, Washington and Minnesota. All seem somewhat sensible, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's somewhere else. It is unlikely to be Pittsburgh I think, even if MAF has not been a stud of late.

 

[mommasita]

Thanks for the Price shout-out BDL.


Question for you - hearing rumours that Subban could be part of trade deal for the Bruins, what do you think?


As to the WNHL, not a good idea. There isn't a large enough fan base. Does anyone pay attention to the WNBA?

NOOOOOOOOO.. Please say no... I love PK.

 

[declansdad]

NOOOOOOOOO.. Please say no... I love PK.

Not PK, Malcolm.

 

[mommasita]

Not PK, Malcolm.

Oh, ok then

 

[BDL]

It was an ugly, ugly, ugly, UGLY weekend for the B's.

First on Thursday, they literally hand the Sabers 2 points (sorry SkierPete), by sloppy passing for 3+ periods. There were points in the game where it looked like the Bruins were playing pond hockey at high noon on a sunny day. No one could see anything because of the reflection. They were lucky to escape with the 1 point.

Then on Saturday, there was a complete defensive breakdown from stem to stern. Granted, a couple of the penalties called on the Bruins were more reputation calls than actual infractions. But still, that is no excuse to leave Ovie alone in the left cricle TWICE! And also, there were so many "off to the races" I thought I was at Wonderland.

On a personal note... Way to go Revere. Now if we can only get legal sports book there.

Finally, yesterday. The 1st 10 minutes of that game was atriocious. The Bruins were trying to win an Oscar for acting like an NHL team. Watching them skate was like playing the first version of Tecmo Bowl and selecting button hooks every play (but not being able to hit Todd Christensen for a TD every time). They had give up 20 shots in the 1st period, while only taking 9. But they finally got their heads screwed on straight. Iggy got the tip in just before the end of the 1st, to tie the game at 1-1. Then in the 2nd, Beaker and the Yeti scored 5 minutes aprt from each other to give the B's a 3-1 lead. Richards got the Rangers back in the game and made it 3-2. In the 3rd, Soupy got the next 2 in the game giving the Bruins the cushion of a 5-2 lead. Which turne out to be the game winners with the Bruins getting the 2pts in a 6-3 win.

Make no mistake. Yesterday was more of a non-loss than a win. The only solace I get is when I look at the scores at the other games in the league. Since the Olympics ended, just about every game's final score looks like a baseball score and in some cases a football score. I think this is going to lead to a lot of motion at the trade deadline. To the point where 6th-10th seeds could be buyers or sellers and be happy with either. This all began with the biggest trade of the season, to date, by StL. acquiring Miller and Ott. They got themselves a wall and and intimidator.

As for moves for the Bruins, the coals have cooled on Phillips in Ott. But rumors are starting to pick up about the whole Vancouver blue line corps. And, let's not for get the BUFFALO SABRES FIRE SALE . I'd be amazed if Wed. passes and they haven't moved 2 more players. And the Isles could be looking to the future and start selling off it's chips as well. It's tough to guess who'd be selling in the west, because they are all in the mix. But I could see the Jets parting with Kane or Wheeler if the price were right. And Phx always has somebody that some team will want.

Less than 48hrs til rosters are finalized. Buckle your seat belts.

 

[BDL]

25 hrs to go until the trade deadline. There has already been some moves, and not all of themtrades. The biggest news today is the suspected trade of Brodeur to the Wild. He has not accepted the trade yet and will be starting tonight. But if the rumor is true, I believe that to be mostly symbolic. There will be a face-off then a stoppage in play. They will give him the puck and the fans will give him a standing ovation.

But there have been some other moves. Price was put on the IR (only for a short term and it's retro-active). Conacher and Corvo were put on waivers (prob more to guage trade interest than to outright release them). And I'm sure more will follow. So keep looking at Twitter, Yahoo sports and TSN to stay up to date.

*****UPDATE*****


Disregard the Brodeur story. The Wild just aquired Bryz