Bruins: 2010-2011

[chippa13 1844]

I don't think we can put too much stock in last night. I'm pretty sure that I could've scored on Tampa's goalies the way they were playing. Nice to see Savard back and Thomas definitely seems to have recaptured his, I use the term loosely, form. Seguin looked a little lost out there at times, hopefully some of that was due to trying to figure out Savard.

[Steve_v3 289]

Assuming they continue to play well & Julien doesn't want to mess with the top two lines, I think a Savard, Ryder, & Seguin line could be good.

I think they have to make some other roster moves. I can't imagine they are going to have Caron be a healthy scratch most games. You would think if Caron isn't going to be getting a lot of playing time they would consider sending him to Providence.

I hope they come out ready to play Saturday. Toronto has looked dreadful lately & you would think they will get up for this game.

[trevor13478 1]

I think they have to make some other roster moves. I can't imagine they are going to have Caron be a healthy scratch most games. You would think if Caron isn't going to be getting a lot of playing time they would consider sending him to Providence.

I don't think Caron can be sent to Providence since he still has junior eligibility. Correct me if i'm wrong but I think he would have to be returned to his junior team. And since he has already played 10 games that would just burn a year off his entry level contract.

[chippa13 1844]

I think Caron would have to be sent back to junior and I agree that it would be a waste of a contract year at this point but who knows. The Kings just shipped Schenn back to junior and I think he had already seen 10 games. That said, I think the B's have some other roster decisions to make before Caron, starting with what to do with Paille. Caron and Marchand have made him expendable. I look for Paille to be shipped somewhere for a late draft pick, something like a 6th rounder, or possibly placed on waivers.

I also think that the B's need to put Caron back into the lineup and find a taker for Wheeler. I much prefer Caron on Bergeron's wing as he reminds me a little of Bergeron when he first came on the scene. He is a guy who plays well in all zones and, unlike Wheeler, can hold his feet a little better. Wheeler to me is just Steve Heinze redux. Everyone keeps telling you the guy has some talent but he spends more time cleaning the ice than skating on it. A guy with Wheeler's size should not be losing so many battles for the puck.

[Steve_v3 289]

I think Caron would have to be sent back to junior and I agree that it would be a waste of a contract year at this point but who knows. The Kings just shipped Schenn back to junior and I think he had already seen 10 games. That said, I think the B's have some other roster decisions to make before Caron, starting with what to do with Paille. Caron and Marchand have made him expendable. I look for Paille to be shipped somewhere for a late draft pick, something like a 6th rounder, or possibly placed on waivers.

I also think that the B's need to put Caron back into the lineup and find a taker for Wheeler. I much prefer Caron on Bergeron's wing as he reminds me a little of Bergeron when he first came on the scene. He is a guy who plays well in all zones and, unlike Wheeler, can hold his feet a little better. Wheeler to me is just Steve Heinze redux. Everyone keeps telling you the guy has some talent but he spends more time cleaning the ice than skating on it. A guy with Wheeler's size should not be losing so many battles for the puck.

I totally agree on Paille. You would think he could help someone who is struggling on there PK.

I had always thought Wheeler was going to develop into a top six forward. Someone who could put up 25-35 goals & dominate with his size & speed. But I have been starting to agree with you. He seems very good at poking the puck by a d-man & then some how skate right into him & take himself right out the play. He has played better this year & you would think he should have some value in a trade.

[Steve_v3 289]

Great game tonight. Too bad Bergeron took that dumb penalty.

Thomas was incredible. The leafs would have won easy if it wasn't for him.

[trevor13478 1]

Great game tonight. Too bad Bergeron took that dumb penalty.

Thomas was incredible. The leafs would have won easy if it wasn't for him.

I've just been waiting for the day Kessel runs train on the Bruins, he still really is one of my favorite players and I hated seeing him go. Definitely didn't happen tonight but he got some solid chances. A fluky goal in the shootout is still a GWG and I hope for his sake it gets the monkey off his back. It's always tough for me to watch him play against the B's. I find myself waiting for him to score and then realize he's on the wrong team but I can't help myself. I hate how he gets booed in Boston, it's not like the guy asked for a trade or walked for more money, management paid Krejci and Ference and waited to try to negotiate with him till there was no cap space left. I think PC got very lucky that Toronto did as poorly as they did last year turning that pick into Seguin or else that trade would be Joe Thornton part deux.

sorry for the blatant Kessel mancrush rant/ carry on

[Steve_v3 289]

I've just been waiting for the day Kessel runs train on the Bruins, he still really is one of my favorite players and I hated seeing him go. Definitely didn't happen tonight but he got some solid chances. A fluky goal in the shootout is still a GWG and I hope for his sake it gets the monkey off his back. It's always tough for me to watch him play against the B's. I find myself waiting for him to score and then realize he's on the wrong team but I can't help myself. I hate how he gets booed in Boston, it's not like the guy asked for a trade or walked for more money, management paid Krejci and Ference and waited to try to negotiate with him till there was no cap space left. I think PC got very lucky that Toronto did as poorly as they did last year turning that pick into Seguin or else that trade would be Joe Thornton part deux.

sorry for the blatant Kessel mancrush rant/ carry on

I so agree about the booing. I understand the fans not liking him anymore but the constant booing is getting old.

Let's face it though the Bruins wanted to move him & he wanted to leave equally as much. Kessel wanted to be paid like an elite goal scorer & the Bruins didn't think he was worth it. So far the Bruins have won the deal by a long shot. But, If Kessel develops into a leader & 40-50+ goal scorer & can lead the leafs to a cup then you could argue the Leafs got the better of the deal. I really liked Kessel when he was here. I don't hate him now but when you want to be paid like he did you need to show up for the big games. Up until now Kessel hasn't been that guy.

As for lucky your right. Sometimes being lucky is all you need. Imagine if the Pens didn't get awarded the first overall pick that landed them Crosby. Talk about luck. Just think if the Leafs finish in the bottom three this year & the Bruins can get another good player.

[trevor13478 1]

I agree, looking at the top of this years draft class and the way the leafs have been trending downwards after their hot start, its looking pretty tantalizing if we get another top 5 pick, even top 10 with guys like Nugent-Hopkins, Couturier, Dougie Hamilton, Ryan Strome and Adam Larson as well as some good guys from the US league like Seth Ambroz and Rocco Grimaldi on the board...

[BuckleyHockey15 0]

So now that the Sturm deal didn't actually happen, what do you guys think the Roons will be doing to clear up space?

So now that the Sturm deal didn't actually happen, what do you guys think the Roons will be doing to clear up space?

[trevor13478 1]

So now that the Sturm deal didn't actually happen, what do you guys think the Roons will be doing to clear up space?

I still believe the Sturm deal will go through, just LA wants to make sure he is actually set to come back before they acquire him. I think the reports said it was only Sturm's health that was holding the deal up so it seems logical that the kings just wanted to put the deal on hold until he was closer to a return.

[Jason Harris 31]

Caron assigned to Providence

I think this might turn into a positive for the kid. It's certainly better to get consistent playing time, and I believe he played juniors last year, so it will give him an opportunity to play in more situations than he would with the varsity.

[chippa13 1844]

He's had a few games up in the pressbox to watch with the coaches and this gives him a chance to put what he's learned to use. I guess we all were wrong in thinking he couldn't be assigned to Providence.

[Steve_v3 289]

I agree he should benefit from playing down there. I'm sure that was the Bruins only option because everyone else would have had to clear Waivers with the exception of Marchand. You would think Chiarelli is still trying to make some moves. Caron has proved he is ready to be here. I think he wants to make room for him & besides Sturm, I could see them move one or two more players.

I believe Caron could be assigned to the baby B's because he was drafted the previous year.

[start_today 770]

...or else that trade would be Joe Thornton part deux.

It really stung at first, but 5 years later, I don't think that Thornton deal was that bad of a trade. Sturm produced for a while before being racked with injuries and Ference (by way of Brad Stuart) has been a consistently reliable guy. Plus, as they find that guys aren't fitting in with system, the Bs keep trading players related to that deal. I think they still have some mid-round picks coming that are associated with trades resulting from the Thornton deal. Yeah, SJ got the best player in the deal, but things weren't working in Boston. Since then, I don't think the Sharks have been any closer to winning a cup than the Bruins, which means the trade didn't hurt Boston all that much, or help SJ.

I still think they could have gotten a little more in the trade, but it didn't have disastrous results like Coburn for Zhitnik.

[chippa13 1844]

When did KPD join MSH? Thornton wasn't working out in Boston? He was really coming into his own as a point producer and had started the season with 33 points in 23 games at the time of the trade. Were the B's experiencing playoff success? No, but that was nothing new for the last 12 years leading up to it, either.

Since the trade the Sharks have been consistently around the top of the Western Conference and a couple of ho-hum playoffs by Nabokov didn't help their chances. The B's absolutely could have received more for Joe but O'Connell just had to ditch him for losing that faceoff.

[Steve_v3 289]

When did KPD join MSH?

Speaking of Mr. Dupont. Supposedly he tweeted something about a "big trade" could be in the works. Someone on the Boston Globe forums put this on

"Kevin Dupont has Tweeted to keep an eye on a potential big trade with either the Blues or Coyotes. Soon after an Edmonton based radio outlet says Yotes main target is David Krejci."

I can't imagine they would part with Krejci. Should be interesting to see if they do pull something off. Maybe that would be enough to shake them up and get some more consistent play out of them.

[chippa13 1844]

Could Wojtek Wolski be on the move again?

[Jason Harris 31]

I can't imagine they would part with Krejci. Should be interesting to see if they do pull something off. Maybe that would be enough to shake them up and get some more consistent play out of them.

They're tied for the sixth most points, while having played three less games than a few of the teams in front of them. Sure, that's a byproduct of Thomas' excellent season, but outside of 4-5 game stretch two weeks ago, I doubt they're too concerned about inconsistent play.

[trevor13478 1]

sturm deal is official now

[chippa13 1844]

They're tied for the sixth most points, while having played three less games than a few of the teams in front of them. Sure, that's a byproduct of Thomas' excellent season, but outside of 4-5 game stretch two weeks ago, I doubt they're too concerned about inconsistent play.

I think it might be safe to get a little concerned about the slow starts now.

[Steve_v3 289]

I think it might be safe to get a little concerned about the slow starts now.

Something has to change. If Julien can't get them playing better it may be time for a change. I have defended him in the past thinking they were going to figure things out. But if this crap goes on for another month Chiarelli has to do something. Since they lost to the Canes in the playoffs this team has had trouble finding any rhythm. They seem to constantly play down to there competition. When they make the same mistakes game after game you can't help but look to the coach to fix that. Hopefully Chiarelli & company gets things right so this season isn't a waste.

[Jason Harris 31]

I agree, they're starting to be inconsistent. Three good games, followed by two bad.

I hate the over-reliance on the D-to-D pass. Based on other teams' trying to crash behind the net to intercept those passes, it just seems like the B's are too predictable.

[Steve_v3 289]

I agree, they're starting to be inconsistent. Three good games, followed by two bad.

I hate the over-reliance on the D-to-D pass. Based on other teams' trying to crash behind the net to intercept those passes, it just seems like the B's are too predictable.

+1

[bostonjuniorblackhawks 1]

http://www.csnne.com/12/16/10/Morning-Skate-1216-Neely-has-had-enough/landing_bruins.html?blockID=374643&feedID=3944

http://media.waaf.com/a/35954163/cam-12-16-10.htm

neely hinting he's upset with Claude a bit?