2008-09 Boston Bruins Thread

[Dojji]

Wideman's a constant, he'd be there whether Ward was hurt or not. But I'm definitely glad to see Hunwick stand up and be counted, and Hnidy had a good night.

[rician blast]

Patrice Bergeron concerns me. At times he looks a shell of his former self...I do see him make some nice plays and, more importantly, smart plays which help the team win...but he's not the same player. When he came up he was very physical, strong on the puck, willing to take a hit, and I don't see many signs of that now. I think the injury is still an issue for him, either physically or mentally.

[Dojji]

He had a major concussion. I would have been more surprised if he could have wiped that away from his game in 2 months than I am to learn that he can't.

 

I think that he'll gradually get his game back as his brain continues its repairs. He certainly has shown that he hasn't lost his finesse and touch, even if we only see it in flashes now. As it is he's making some nice paces and doing a lot of things to make his line better, so I'm not that worried.

[rician blast]

It's the way he's playing that concerns me and if it's reflective of the fact that he hasn't healed, then I fear another pop to the head could be devestating.

[TheKilo]

Uh ohhhhhh Ryder's heating up

[Cityofchampions33]

It's the way he's playing that concerns me and if it's reflective of the fact that he hasn't healed' date=' then I fear another pop to the head could be devestating.[/quote']

 

He's been playing great 2 way hockey, and is I believe our best center in terms of face-offs. As for his offensive play, he's still recooperating, and you have to take that into account. He is lucky he is on such an offensively balanced team though, or he might be under a bit more fire.

[Redsox20042007Celtics2008]

Home and home sweet.. nice.

[rician blast]

He's been playing great 2 way hockey' date=' and is I believe our best center in terms of face-offs. As for his offensive play, he's still recooperating, and you have to take that into account. He is lucky he is on such an offensively balanced team though, or he might be under a bit more fire.[/quote']

 

Again, I fully understand what he's coming back from. But at this point, he's playing like a 3rd liner, excluding the physicallity. He continues to worry me in terms of a year after his injury he looks to be impacted both physically and mentally. If what I am seeing is accurate, that does not bode well for his long-term effectiveness, and makes me wonder if he'll ever be the same player.

[Dojji]

The only reason Wheeler-Krejci-Ryder isn't officially our second line is clubhouse politics. Just switch the Bergeron and Krejci lines in your mind in terms of priority.

 

Playing with Axe on his line doesn't help Bergy's offensive #'s at all tho

[BoSox21]

I've gotta say, I was wrong about Michael Ryder. It looks like the fresh start has done him some good and he's found his scoring touch.

[rician blast]

The only reason Wheeler-Krejci-Ryder isn't officially our second line is clubhouse politics. Just switch the Bergeron and Krejci lines in your mind in terms of priority.

 

I'm glad you mentioned this because I thought the same thing.

 

Playing with Axe on his line doesn't help Bergy's offensive #'s at all tho

 

True...Axey showed some occasional O in the past but he's fallen off big time. Was always more of a defensive forward anyway, but now, in today's world of two way players, he's not really relevant.

 

I can see a day not far from now where he's expendable.

[TheKilo]

I'd rather see Sobotka get Axe's minutes, to be honest.

[Dojji]

I'd rather see Sobotka get Axe's minutes' date=' to be honest.[/quote']

 

Agreed

[Redsox20042007Celtics2008]

I'm glad you mentioned this because I thought the same thing.

 

 

 

True...Axey showed some occasional O in the past but he's fallen off big time. Was always more of a defensive forward anyway, but now, in today's world of two way players, he's not really relevant.

 

I can see a day not far from now where he's expendable.

 

He's about to get going. Don't give up on Axe yet.

[Dojji]

He's about to get going. Don't give up on Axe yet.

 

Given your usual batting average with such predictions I'm probably not alone in hoping Chia releases him tomorrow.

[rician blast]

Given the chance to play Axe's role I think both Sobotka and Nokie could handle it well.

[BoSox21]

ehhhh, you guys are gonna see Axe come playoff time, I wouldnt dismiss him yet

[YanksHater213]

I wouldn't be quick to dismiss Axelsson either. He's never been a goal scorer, and that isn't his role anyways.

 

He's a very good defensive forward, with good forechecking abilities, is a good asset on the PK, and has a great mind for the game.

[TheKilo]

I'd have no issue with Axe if he was on the 4th line. He's not, but I suppose that's more on Julien.

 

Sobotka needs a chance to prove himself.

[rician blast]

I wouldn't be quick to dismiss Axelsson either. He's never been a goal scorer, and that isn't his role anyways.

 

He's a very good defensive forward, with good forechecking abilities, is a good asset on the PK, and has a great mind for the game.

 

 

I understand what his role is and I think at least 2 other players can play it just as well...and offer a little offensive pop when the opportunity arose with some physical play to boot. IMO Axelsson is not the defender he was in the past either...but that's just my eyes speaking.

 

Axe scored 10 goals in 59 games in 2005-2006, 11 in 55 games in 2006-2007, and 13 in 75 games last year. He has 1 this year in 27 games and is a -5. Just have a hunch that his days are numbered, as someone younger, faster, stronger will likely emerge in his role.

[Dojji]

I wouldn't be quick to dismiss Axelsson either. He's never been a goal scorer, and that isn't his role anyways.

 

He's a very good defensive forward, with good forechecking abilities, is a good asset on the PK, and has a great mind for the game.

 

http://blog.masslive.com/redsoxmonster/2008/01/large_acora.jpg

[TheKilo]

lulz @ the mug shot

[Dojji]

We've got guys who do everything Axelsson is supposed to do and can actually score well.

 

Why is it that everything that is taken for granted as something every big league ballplayer is supposed to be capable of is suddenly used as an shining example of exactly why Cora, or Eckstein, or Axelsson, or a whole bunch of other guys should be paid big league money and stuck in jobs they aren't talented enough to earn?

[Cityofchampions33]

Axelsson is very unappreciated, and in a sport where we can't criticize him via statistics (like Cora) it is evry hard to judge how valuable he is in actuality. If you ever go to a game, just iso on him for his shift, the man is everywhere and seemingly does everything right, most of the time resulting in good plays for his teammates rather than himself.

As for giving Sobotka a chance to prove himself, we all know he can, but I think it is more wise to have veteran role-players such as Yelle and Gumby rather than have Sob learn the ropes, and perhaps be less effective than the two prior mentioned. He would be up if not for Nokie's being out of options.

[rician blast]

Axelsson is very unappreciated, and in a sport where we can't criticize him via statistics (like Cora) it is evry hard to judge how valuable he is in actuality. If you ever go to a game, just iso on him for his shift, the man is everywhere and seemingly does everything right, most of the time resulting in good plays for his teammates rather than himself.

As for giving Sobotka a chance to prove himself, we all know he can, but I think it is more wise to have veteran role-players such as Yelle and Gumby rather than have Sob learn the ropes, and perhaps be less effective than the two prior mentioned. He would be up if not for Nokie's being out of options.

 

 

Actually I think those of us who have followed the Bruins through all of the recent ups and downs DO appreciate what Axe has brought to the table. He's proven to be a defensive standout in the past. When I've seen him live recently, though, he looks to have lost a step...just doesn't look to be as tough to play against, thus my suggestion that Sobotka get a shot in that role. Downside is you are taking a chance...and if it ain't broke (i.e. the B's are winning) don't fix it may apply...so there'd be some risk in trying to upgrade that function with a new guy, as you've indicated.

 

As for Yelle? He plays that same basic role, only IMO he plays it better than Axe at this point. Glen Metropolit is another guy I'd have suggested for the Axe role had they retained him.

 

I'll cut Axe some slack for now and we'll see how he goes...my gut still says that he's approaching a point of diminishing returns.

[Dojji]

An Axe-Yelle-Metro line would have been a great defensive line indeed.

[rician blast]

I believe Axelsson's contract is up after this season. He could be walking, as I don't see the B's going longer than a year or two with him.

 

Unrelated comment:

 

Unless I've missed an extension to one of the following, both Manny Fernandez ($4.3m per year) and Tim Thomas ($3.3m per year) are in the last year of their respective contracts. With Thomas having a career year and Manny also playing well what do the B's do next year? Both are 34 years old. Is Rask ready to contend for the starting job? This is going to be a huge offseason issue for the Bruins.

 

If Thomas wants to stay in Boston, I'd like to see a two year deal, with Rask coming into the mix more and more and taking the reigns in 2010-11 at the latest.

[TheKilo]

I'd sign Thomas and slide Rask into Manny's role.

[BoSox21]

I'd sign Thomas and slide Rask into Manny's role.

 

Axelsson, Thomas and Fernandez are indeed all UFAs at the end of the year. Fernandez won't stay. They'll bring up Rask and keep Thomas.

 

Axelsson will probably still stay since the team doesn't have much of a veteran presence.

[rician blast]

Other contracts:

 

Chara - through 2010-2011

Bergeron - 2010-2011

Savard- 2009-2010

 

The one that catches my eye is Savard...he'll be 33 when the contract ends and likely on the downside of a stellar Boston career...33, 34 seems to be the point of diminishing returns in hockey, with some exceptions.

 

As a playmaker/less physical guy, he may hold up, but I believe the B's will need to find their next bigtime center. This is where scouting is so important...gotta find an Iginla/Getzlaf type of guy.