2008-09 Boston Bruins Thread

[TheKilo]

s***** game. Turn it around please.

[Dojji]

We all knew we'd run inti one of these eventually. We're still not getting blown out. Give it time. Once we get Ryder back and some of our lost souls find their game again we'll be fine.

[msubulldogs21]

Just got in from Nashville. I hate that we lost tonight when I was there in person, but we got some EPIC seats for a crazy good price. It was an exciting game too. We were 7 rows up from behind Manny Fernandez. Normally these seats are about $110... I got them for $25. I'm pretty sure we were sitting around a bunch of millionaires, lolz. For my 1st NHL game that really was a lot of fun though. At least we got 1 point from forcing OT with the goal with about 1:30 left. Better than an outright loss.

[rician blast]

You'd enjoy it' date=' best atmosphere in the NHL[/quote']

 

The Boston Garden was unreal...I mean crazy, sometimes a little scary when I was younger...once I got into my late teens, early 20's I'd try to get up there a few times every year and damn that was a good time. Opposing fans laid pretty low back in those days.

[TheKilo]

So when does Tuukka come up to replace Fernandez?

[YanksHater213]

So when does Tuukka come up to replace Fernandez?

 

I've been calling for this since Tuukka shut out the Rags

[Dojji]

So when does Tuukka come up to replace Fernandez?

 

When Fernandez actually plays poorly enough to deserve replacing (he certainly wasn't the problem the other night!!!!)

 

Or the 2009-2010 season, whichever comes first.

 

This team turns it around when Kessel, Wheeler, Savard and Krejci get back on the horse. Not before.

[rician blast]

It seems to me that teams are now doing to the Bruins what the Bruins were doing to the entire league up until a few weeks ago. The B's are being outworked a bit, and when their opponent gets a lead they're now able to suffocate the offense. I think it is really a product of teams learning how to play the Bruins...in fact the Flyers and Devils and Sharks recently looked MORE like the Bruins of a month ago than the Bruins have.

 

Approx. 3 weeks ago, the B's announcers claimed the Krejci line was the best in the league...I haven't heard that muttered in some time now. That line has to be effective as it creates a dilemma for opposing teams as to which line they key on...without them being productive, it is easier for opponents to sit on the Savard line.

 

I've been wondering if Lucic is still hurting. He looks like a shell of the Lucic from the first half...not as agressive, not hitting with the same authority. Bergeron has been playing ok, but he is not the same...one of the things that made him the player he was was his toughness and willingness to absorb, or throw, a hit...he shies away from contact now, and I can't say I blame him. The loss of Ryder is huge right now too...he is sorely missed at both ends of the ice.

 

IMO, this is nore than a "rough spot"...some flaws in the Bruins are being exposed and it'll take a lot of hard work and grit to get back on track...Julien may need to find a mix that works and may also need to look at tweaking the B's system a touch as I think opponents are savvy to their system.

[Mr Crunchy]

its the teams like jersey and philly that scare me most about playoff advancement

these big teams, deep with defensemen and forewards who think defensively rather than offensively will be the teams that give boston the most trouble.

theyve won the points title a few times only to get beaten early in the playoffs, theyre depth will help them down the stretch but im not in love with their goalie in a big game just yet.

lots of ifs but at least they matter again

[Cityofchampions33]

So when does Tuukka come up to replace Fernandez?

 

Next season is the plan, kids still working on consistency in the A. Plus give Fernandez a break it's his 2nd game in a month, and he looked good despite leaving upstairs open in the shootout.

[TheKilo]

I was being sarcastic.

 

This team has been outworked on a consistent basis since the ASB, this needs to change.

[rician blast]

Philly is for real. They have big imposing yet mobile d-men and a lot of depth upfront.

 

If I were a Philly fan I'd have the same concern as I do for the B's. Can their goalies win the big one? Neither one, Biron or Nittymaki, strikes fear in the heart of an opponent.

 

There are a number of good goalies currently on the rise in the league. Detroit has Conklin, Anaheim has Jonas Hiller, Backstrom in Minny, Steve Mason in COlumbus has been real hot, Pekka Rinne in Nashville is another good one.

 

One major dissapointment is Lundquist. He has had too many really awful performances this year. If he weren't one of my fantasy team's goalies I'd be thrilled cuz I hate the Rangers almost as much as the Habs.

[msubulldogs21]

Pekka Rinne in Nashville is another good one.

 

That dude is legit. Saw him live Saturday and man, he really is poised for a rookie.

 

Steve Mason is also a beast. He had a streak of 2-3 shutouts in a row going about a month ago. He is single handedly trying to get the Jackets to the playoffs.

[rician blast]

Nice effort from the B's. Some soft goaltending by Ward didn't hurt.

 

I remember back in the day when Glen Wesley, who couldn't hold Bourque's jock, wanted out because he wanted to be more of a leader on another team...so he played in the mall in HArtford. I actually felt very badly for him, cuz Hartford was a fkn pitiful excuse for an NHL franchise. However, things turned out pretty damn well for Wesley, got himself a cup, got his number retired, not too shabby.

 

By the way, I was at the UCONN - PITT game the other night and I'm looking at the retired Whalers jerseys:

 

Ron Francis - great, great player, classy guy

Gordie Howe- no brainer

Pie Mackenzie - not there long, but when he made the jump he was a fan favorite

Ulf Sammuelson - Are you f***ing kidding me? Cheap shotting, hit and hide Ulfie?

Kevin Dineen - The Whalers version of Adam Graves I suppose. But retired number? Please.

 

Under the Whaler's criteria, I suppose the B's would have had to retire the #s of Brad McCrimmon, Don Sweeney, Mike Millbury, Steve Kasper, Rick Middleton, etc. I mean, Kevin Dineen and Ulf Sammuelson?

 

By the way, anyone realize Middleton is the 4th leading B's scorer of all time?

[See Red]

Not Bruins related, but this is the only hockey thread, and this goal is just flat out amazing...

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhHynGESrOQ

 

... not better than the one he notched against Phoenix, but amazing regardless.

[rician blast]

sick goal, the bets part was the spin move near the blue line and the acceleration to blow by the D-man.

 

I enjoy watching him, this kid just loves to play the game.

[BoSox21]

He's by far the most exciting player in the NHL, he plays every game like he has a stick of dynamite up his ass

[rician blast]

Anyone see any clips of Sean Avery with the Hartford Wolfpack?

 

The guy is up to his old tricks...skates through the crease, pokes the goalie, stands in front as a shot comes in and "bumps" the goalie, taking off the goalies mask and when challenged he pushes, but won't fight.

 

What a fkn douchebag...I'd NEVER be able to live with myself if I were him...there's this thing called pride that burns in most of us but Avery so easily stuffs down his pride to play this "role"...I just don't get it. Now I know someone will say "he's very effective at that role, and he gets paid well to do it, and blah fkn blah"' but I'm sorry I'd have to forego the money if it meant playing cheap-ass hockey. Too bad, cuz he actually has some skill.

 

All this said...wonder if the Rangers will call him up????

[BoSox21]

Sean Avery wouldn't have a pro hockey career anywhere near the NHL if he didn't walk a fine line on the ice.

 

It's making fun of Jason Blake's cancer, calling Georges Laraque a monkey, categorizing French Canadian players as chickenshits, calling Dion Phaneuf's girlfriend sloppy seconds and jawing with a fan from the penalty box that cross the line.

 

Say what you want about Avery but last season, the Rangers' record was significantly better when Avery was in the lineup than when he wasn't

[TheKilo]

Bosox - I'm late to the party - but Mathieu Schneider?

[rician blast]

Sean Avery wouldn't have a pro hockey career anywhere near the NHL if he didn't walk a fine line on the ice.

 

I don't buy that...he's actually a reasonably talented hockey player. Without acting like a douchebag he'd still be effective, he can skate, he can score an occasional goal, but most of all, if he plays the system that his team utilizes, he's a solid, if unspectacular, forward.

 

Some opponents and teammates have said as much...that he's a good player who chooses to spend his time on the ice antagonizing...it's effective, but he'd be equally effective, in other ways, just playing hockey.

 

On the other hand, despite the Rangers record with him last year, his teammates wanted him gone, as did his Dallas teammates, and I suspect other teammates wherever he's played. He's a fkn embarrassment and when you're own teammates have no respect for you, that, IMO, offsets any short term gains.

[BoSox21]

Bosox - I'm late to the party - but Mathieu Schneider?

 

Yea, I wasn't sure what to think about it at first cause two fairly high draft picks seemed to be a lot to pay for a 39-year old making almost $6 mil but he gives us exactly what we need.

 

On our west coast road trip, every team was beating us by using an aggressive forecheck which caused just about all our defencemen to panic and turn the puck over into the defensive or neutral zone.

 

Schneider gives the team a veteran, puck-moving defenceman who can play 20-25 minutes a game and who won't panic in his own zone. He always makes a smart first pass. Plus, his shot and puck-moving skills help our powerplay immensely.

 

Our disgusting powerplay was 24th in the league before Schneider got here and since he's been here, the powerplay has gone 7 for 12 and he's got two goals in his three games. Now the powerplay is 17th in the league.

[BoSox21]

I don't buy that...he's actually a reasonably talented hockey player. Without acting like a douchebag he'd still be effective, he can skate, he can score an occasional goal, but most of all, if he plays the system that his team utilizes, he's a solid, if unspectacular, forward.

 

Some opponents and teammates have said as much...that he's a good player who chooses to spend his time on the ice antagonizing...it's effective, but he'd be equally effective, in other ways, just playing hockey.

 

On the other hand, despite the Rangers record with him last year, his teammates wanted him gone, as did his Dallas teammates, and I suspect other teammates wherever he's played. He's a fkn embarrassment and when you're own teammates have no respect for you, that, IMO, offsets any short term gains.

 

If Avery didn't act like a douchebag, he'd have a career where he'd bounce between the AHL and the NHL. And there's no evidence his Rangers teammates wanted him gone, the Rangers made an honest effort to keep him but they weren't willing to pay the $4 million a year the Stars paid him. Plus, the Rangers wouldn't be welcoming him back if the locker room didn't want him.

[rician blast]

If Avery didn't act like a douchebag' date=' he'd have a career where he'd bounce between the AHL and the NHL. And there's no evidence his Rangers teammates wanted him gone, the Rangers made an honest effort to keep him but they weren't willing to pay the $4 million a year the Stars paid him. Plus, the Rangers wouldn't be welcoming him back if the locker room didn't want him.[/quote']

 

Based on what I've seen I respectfully disagree and believe he could be an effective 3rd liner without the behavior.

 

Said Peter Sykora: "I think he is a very good hockey player," Sykora said. "I think he could have an even bigger name with his offense, he has a lot of skills. But he has made his name doing what he does. He's a good player."

 

Said Tom Renney: "Sean is a good hockey player," Renney said. "He can help anybody he plays for, there's no question about that. ... This is a guy who can play.

 

Don Cherry said that Avery can stick handle, he can skate, he can hit and he has a good shot, but has decided that his role as antogonizer is more important.

 

When Dallas signed him to a lucrative deal, they weren't signing him to chirp, trip, high stick, punch and run..they signed him because Brett Hull thought he was a good player.

 

Avery could easily be a huge asset to an NHL team without the classless behavior.

[YanksHater213]

God the B's need to get their s*** together

[BoSox21]

Said Peter Sykora: "I think he is a very good hockey player," Sykora said. "I think he could have an even bigger name with his offense, he has a lot of skills. But he has made his name doing what he does. He's a good player."

 

Everyone in the NHL is a "very good hockey player", thats why they're in the NHL but the ones who stick and the ones who make money are the ones who have something that sets them apart from all the 3rd and 4th line shmucks and for Avery, it's his antagonizing

[rician blast]

Everyone in the NHL is a "very good hockey player"' date=' thats why they're in the NHL but the ones who stick and the ones who make money are the ones who have something that sets them apart from all the 3rd and 4th line shmucks and for Avery, it's his antagonizing[/quote']

 

 

So you're saying that Dallas paid $4+ million per year for a borderline NHL player? One who deserves to spend significant time in the minors? And Dallas' attraction to him was only because he's a good antagonizer? So I guess it would apply that the Rangers wanted him back because of his antagonizing skills, despite him not being worthy of a fulltime NHL job without the antagonizing?

 

Just look at that rationale...does that make any sense? Please. If he were that bad that the only way he sticks is through antagonizing he'd be making a hell of a lot less than he does.

 

The reason he had a place in the NHL and likely will again is not BECAUSE he antagonizes..it's because at the core of his overall value is a damn good player..the antagonizing is a bonus (to the extent he does it smartly which isn't always).

[BoSox21]

Do you think he's worth $4 million without the antagonizing skills? The guy has never scored more than 15 goals or reached 40 points in his career.

 

I don't think he's a bad player but I wouldn't say the antagonizing is a bonus, I'd say it's a big part of the type of hockey player he is. It's the same reason guys like Steve Ott, Maxim Lapierre and Alex Burrows have jobs.

 

I absolutely think Dallas' attraction to him was largely based on his antagonizing and the Rangers as well, they see how well he can get under the skin of the opposing team's stars. The Rangers remember quite well how he got Brodeur off his game last season in the playoffs.

[rician blast]

Do you think he's worth $4 million without the antagonizing skills?

 

Nope. But I certainly don't agree that without them he's not in the league.

 

BTW, his pt. totals and goals are not that dissimilar to a lot of very valuable players.

[TheKilo]

The Bs are killing me right now they need to swing a deal for a defenseman and soon.

 

Bergeron is also flat out giving me an aneurysm.