Official NHL Thread

[BoSox21]

I dont know if it wouldve been wise for the Bruins to make a splash in the free agent defenceman market this past off-season considering the stupid spending that took place but signing Ryder limits their cap flexibility this season in potentially trading for Jay Bouwmeester for example, who makes a very reasonable $4.8 million.

 

I'm not sure what it's their farm system but the good news for you guys is that they could still potentially trade for Bouwmeester and then sign him to a long-term deal cause you guys have a lot of cap space next year.

 

After Chara, there's a severe drop-off in quality defenseman and when you look at a cup contender, there's at least three, if not four, very good defencemen

[rician blast]

The trouble I have with that sort of analysis is that there are too many what ifs...if they kept that guy, then they'd do this or that...so where do you draw the line, how far back do you go?

 

The analysis has to be kept more straightforward, i.e. had they not signed Ryder, the $4m could have been spent as follows...

 

Kristian Huselius would have been an option at forward, he signed with Columbus for just under $5m per yr for 4 yrs. Another option might have been Marcus Naslund, 2 yrs, $4 per yr from the Rangers. Either might have brought more flash, more offense, BUT are they two way players? Would they have fit the B's system?

 

I keep coming back to the fact that while I'm not thrilled with Ryder so far, I think he was signed at fair market, and if the B's FO felt he was a fit...rather than feeling he'd put up a stat line that would make fans happy...then I can't argue his signing.

[rician blast]

I dont know if it wouldve been wise for the Bruins to make a splash in the free agent defenceman market this past off-season considering the stupid spending that took place but signing Ryder limits their cap flexibility this season in potentially trading for Jay Bouwmeester for example, who makes a very reasonable $4.8 million.

 

I'm not sure what it's their farm system but the good news for you guys is that they could still potentially trade for Bouwmeester and then sign him to a long-term deal cause you guys have a lot of cap space next year.

 

After Chara, there's a severe drop-off in quality defenseman and when you look at a cup contender, there's at least three, if not four, very good defencemen

 

 

I think the cap gets bumped up again next year, and Ryder is only signed for 3 yrs, that's pretty short in relation to a lot of the other off-season signings.

 

As for D-men, the good ones commanded some serious coin this off-season...Hainsey for Atlanta signed a $22.5m 5 yr deal, Blake cost the Sharks $5m for one year, Pitkanen's deal was $6m per for 2 yrs, Wade Redden couldn't fit under the cap...Mike Green would have been a nice pick up though, 4 yrs, $5m per, if they could have swung it.

[TheKilo]

I dont know if it wouldve been wise for the Bruins to make a splash in the free agent defenceman market this past off-season considering the stupid spending that took place but signing Ryder limits their cap flexibility this season in potentially trading for Jay Bouwmeester for example, who makes a very reasonable $4.8 million.

 

I'm not sure what it's their farm system but the good news for you guys is that they could still potentially trade for Bouwmeester and then sign him to a long-term deal cause you guys have a lot of cap space next year.

 

After Chara, there's a severe drop-off in quality defenseman and when you look at a cup contender, there's at least three, if not four, very good defencemen

 

I'm still wondering what you meant by "drop off"...do you really dispute that this Bruins team isn't the 4th or 5th best in the conference right now?

[BoSox21]

Mike Green was a restricted free agent I believe though, the Bruins couldnt have signed him unless they paid him stupid money

[BoSox21]

I'm still wondering what you meant by "drop off"...do you really dispute that this Bruins team isn't the 4th or 5th best in the conference right now?

 

"right now" means f*** all, its 12 games into the season. overall, I think the habs, rangers, capitals, flyers and penguins are all clearly better and then the hurricanes, senators, sabres and devils are all marginally better

[rician blast]

I think you are right, 21, Green was re-signed by Washington, not an UFA.

[rician blast]

Kilo, 21..tough call on the B's right now.

 

Only 3 teams have better records (W% wise). However I do believe the Rangers, Pens, Sabres, Canadiens and Devils are all better teams. I'd call the Sens and Canes even with the B's at this point. My feeling is they could end up anywhere from 6th to 9th in the conference, as if Thomas cools off, which I fear could happen, they could slip.

 

The Flyers, to me, are an enigma. They could end up anywhere from 4th to 10th, IMO as their goaltending can be very good or very bad. They need to keep the puck out of the net as only 2 teams in the conference have allowed more goals.

 

I see the B's coming in 7th or 8th in the regular season, losing another 1st round series. Now, if they'd somehow come in 4th or 5th? I could see them winning a series.

[TheKilo]

I find it real difficult to believe the Bruins aren't better, top to bottom, than the Devils, Hurricanes, and Senators right now. Especially the Devils with Brodeur on the shelf for 4 months.

 

Thomas is maddeningly inconsistent, so the key to solving the goaltending problem is to have a capable #2 when Thomas goes on one of his cold streaks (which could be due to fatigue, among other things). Problem is I don't feel Fernandez is that guy....I wonder if Rask is though.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Damn, the Sharks are quite good right now.

 

Oh, and go Detroit!

[Dojji]

Your first place Boston Bruins?

 

Nice game by Manny in goal.

[TheKilo]

Fantastic game last night, I wonder how much the OT game the night before slowed Buffalo down.

[TheKilo]

Sturmage

[rician blast]

Big game tonight vs. the Habs.

 

I believe we'll have Manny F in the nets. I expect an extremely intense game.

[msubulldogs21]

I believe we'll have Manny F in the nets.

 

What makes you say that? Just a hunch?

 

Thomas was a beast last night. Another great game by him.

[rician blast]

What makes you say that? Just a hunch?

 

Thomas was a beast last night. Another great game by him.

 

Read it in a preview...globe or herald, not sure which.

 

Yes, Thomas was good last night...and I had him riding the pine on my fantasy team, just never got around to making the roster change.

[Dojji]

I thought they'd play Fernandez against the Blackhawks in order to put Thomas in net against the Canadiens. Line up your best for the more critical game and all that

 

Definitely agree with Manny between the pipes tonight.

[rician blast]

Same here, although Chicago had been 6-0-2 at home coming into last night's game and they were scoring goals in bunches.

 

I'm psyched for the game tonight. Would love to see them win one by a few.

[Dojji]

Meanwhile, the Bruins just made one heck of a statement against the Canadiens. 6-1 win.

[msubulldogs21]

Would love to see them win one by a few.

 

You got your wish. We destroyed Montreal. Huge win.

[redsoxrules]

If the all-star game would be today , the eastern conference starting lineup would be all from the Montreal Canadians . what a joke

 

And not one of them is deserving

 

 

http://fanballoting.nhl.com/results

[Johnny_RedSox]

You got your wish. We destroyed Montreal. Huge win.

 

I live in Montreal, and for the first time in a LONG time, i sense the habs fans do not necessarily want to face the Bruins in the playoffs this year...

[larcha]

Last place islanders... lol

[redsoxrules]

M. Kiprusoff is eating alot of pucks tonight

[redsoxrules]

way to lay down in the 3rd period , f***ing piece of s***

f***, detroit has serious issues between the pipes

[rician blast]

Don't look now B's, Devils only 4 pts back for Conference lead.

 

As bad as the Bruins have been, look at their record, it's damn good.

 

But playoff hockey is ultimately about hot teams and hot goalies...unless somethign radcially changes, the B's are in for a short playoff stint.

[TheKilo]

Devils also have 2 games in hand on the Bs.

[rician blast]

Devils also have 2 games in hand on the Bs.

 

I just looked on NHL.com, looks like 1 game in hand, but that makes it potentially only a 2 pt lead.

 

If the playoffs started today, they'd draw Carolina. Not a great matchup, but what matchup would be good now? None I say.

 

If the B's win 7 of their remaining 11, only NJ would have a legit chance to capture 1ts overall in the conference, and they'd have to win 9 of 12 to tie the B's. Here's my wild ass guess what they do the rest of the way:

 

Kings W

Devils L

LEafs W

FLyers L

TB W

Sens W

Rangers L

Sens L

HAbs L

Sabres W

Islanders W

 

6-5 rest of the way. One extra win gets them that 7th W and makes it tough on Jersey.

 

The other side is, depending on who finishes 6,7,8, we might not want them to win the conference...although to not win it means they're probably playing like s***.

[BoSox21]

The way the Habs are playing right now, no way they beat Boston

[rician blast]

The way the Habs are playing right now' date=' no way they beat Boston[/quote']

 

Hmmm...you see tonight's debacle?

 

The two teams would deserve each other at this point. First LA goal I'll give a pass on. Second one? LEss than 2 mintues left and three guys go deep in the LA zone (for ONE shot in goal) and get trapped? Inexcusable.

 

OT goal..what the f*** is Bergeron doing on that forecheck in the LA end?

 

This team, as they're playing now, is a first round loser. I'm disgusted.

 

Still, 10 games to go, plenty of time to get hot again, starts with a big one vs. NJ.