Boston Bruins: 2013

[Jason Harris 31]

After watching how his players wasted the last minute without a shot I have a hard time laying last night at Julien's feet.

I wasn't trying to lay it at Julien's feet -- their starts have been surprisingly slow against Montreal -- but I admit I wish he could break out of the shell occasionally. They're already 90+ seconds away from losing; what's the difference if 30 extra seconds of 6-on-5 leads to a two-goal loss? It could also lead to a tie game.

[Jason Harris 31]

Seventh Player Award?

Remember, this is not an award for who had the best year, but for who played above expectations. I see three obvious candidates, with one not so obvious.

My rankings:

1) Anton Khudobin: 8-3, .929 SV, 2.07 GAA

I actually thought he'd play well this year, since he was outstanding in his start last season, and his limited career stats suggested he plays better in the NHL than in the minors. Still, his numbers this season are much better than his career minor league stats.

2) Daniel Paille: 7G-5A-12P, 0 +/-

The numbers don't seem that great, but they're nearly double his previous production with the B's on a per game basis. And it seems his defense and penalty killing has been excellent this year.

3) Dougie Hamilton: 4G-10A-14P, +4 +/-

Many of us suspected he might become a solid pro, but there was no way of knowing whether he'd stick as a 19-year-old. I'm tempted to put him at Number 2, but his offensive production has tailed off. On the other hand, he's worked his way onto the positive side of the ledger in Plus-Minus.

The Darkhorse Candidate (Who will probably win because people misunderstand the point of the award) Brad Marchand: 14G-16A-30P, +21 +/-

His productivity is just a tick above last year's, but where I'll give the kid credit is he's nowhere near the punk he was his first three seasons; indeed, he's cut his penalty minutes nearly in half.

[chippa13 1844]

I think it will be Hamilton. Boston fans love a youngster who jumps right into the fray. While Khudobin has played well, goalies only seem to get it if they take over the number 1 spot and he hasn't done that. Marchand, in my opinion, was expected to put up points and to mature a little. Giving it to him would be a mistake but Boston fans have made mistakes before.

[chippa13 1844]

I'll take the 2 points but bad wins usually lead to really bad losses. Either Wednesday or Thursday, somebody is going to lay a shellacking on the Bruins.

[Zylos45 118]

Soderberg to the rescue!

[Jason Harris 31]

I think they've had enough games recently in which they've given up far too many shots, so I view last night's game as one of those lucky times where a team can get the win yet still know what it needs to fix. I think we'll see an attempt at tightening up the defense, but it might take getting Bergeron back before we see them be fully successful at doing so.

Assuming the deal is completed, it will be interesting to see how Soderberg's game translates to the NHL.

[Steve_v3 289]

I don't have any idea why they continue with these awful starts to games. If it wasn't for Rask last night they could have been down by 1 or 2 goals early again.

It's hard to understand what is wrong with this team. They have been doing this for over a month now. They don't have a lot more time to figure things out.

It will be interesting to see what Soderberg can bring to this team.

[chippa13 1844]

Supposedly, he has shown plenty of offense in his latest trip through the SEL. We could see him slotted in between Marchand and Jagr, leaving Seguin to figure out his game with Kelly and Peverley or he could be the big body that the Kelly/Peverley line is missing and Seguin slots between Marchand and Jagr. The question, if Bergeron has a quick recovery, who becomes the odd man out if Soderberg proves he belongs?

[bagsbie 8]

I read that Soderberg was not to be available until playoffs time. what do the B's do the rest of the regular season?

[chippa13 1844]

Latest news I heard was he could be with the team sometime this weekend and could see 5-6 regular season games.

[Jason Harris 31]

Up 4-1, five minute major, no urgency, I turned to The Big D and said to watch out for a shorthanded goal. Sure enough....

[chippa13 1844]

I didn't like the way Marchand slowly went down after that elbow. That was not a good sign and I'm guessing we'll find out he was concussed sometime soon.

As bad as the powerplay was before, I think Jagr has actually had the effect of making it worse. Not through any fault of his own but because everyone else on the ice seems to be just waiting for him to create something.

[bagsbie 8]

Very upset about Marchand injury. Volchenkov is a tool - primarily because of how he reacted after hitting Marchand - hits him with the elbow, then spreads his arms like, "I don't know what happened!?". Disgusting! So, two of the Bruins' best players are out now! Another thing, Lucic! What a stiff he's been! Why is he still on the top line!? Can anyone explain to me, please? I would shake things up and put Paille there. He has been a workhorse of late, take advantage of his energy. Sorry for mainly venting and ranting. I hope the young Swede joins the lineup soon.

Up 4-1, five minute major, no urgency, I turned to The Big D and said to watch out for a shorthanded goal. Sure enough....

It was disappointing especially after they scored two shorthanded goals of their own...

[chippa13 1844]

As nice as Paille's energy and speed is, he just doesn't have the hands or finishing ability to play on the top line. He has been playing well but let's not start thinking Paille is anything more than what he is, PJ Axelsson with less scoring ability.

[bagsbie 8]

I did not mean to suggest that Paille should be a permanent 1st line fixture. I meant this as a way to wake Lucic up! This is the highest paid forward (I have not checked, so maybe I am wrong) that Julien seems to be too afraid to shake up. Right now, Lucic does not look like he has the hands to play at all.

[Jason Harris 31]

Lucic's greatest value is as a thumper who has hands. He keeps trying to finesse little touch passes, which is particularly bothersome when he has open lanes and should shoot. I read that they have to remind him (and Horton) at times to skate and hit; if they do that, the scoring will follow.

Regarding the lines, if everyone was healthy and Soderberg joined the team, my guess is....

The Bergeron line would go back to what it was, with the other three lines changing slightly. While it's possible that Jagr could move to the third line, I think it's more likely he'd play with Krejci and Lucic, then Horton would fall to the third line. They could keep Peverley on that line and see whether they begin to click with Horton, but I have a feeling that's where they'd try Soderberg. Peverley's had a disappointing season, so I think he drops to the fourth line with Campbell and Paille, since they won't need Thornton as much in the playoffs.

I agree that players seem to be deferring too much to Jagr.

[Steve_v3 289]

Very upset about Marchand injury. Volchenkov is a tool - primarily because of how he reacted after hitting Marchand - hits him with the elbow, then spreads his arms like, "I don't know what happened!?". Disgusting! So, two of the Bruins' best players are out now! Another thing, Lucic! What a stiff he's been! Why is he still on the top line!? Can anyone explain to me, please? I would shake things up and put Paille there. He has been a workhorse of late, take advantage of his energy. Sorry for mainly venting and ranting. I hope the young Swede joins the lineup soon.

It was disappointing especially after they scored two shorthanded goals of their own...

He looked great coming out of the lockout at the start of the season. He has looked lousy the last 4 - 6 weeks. He isn't scoring and he's not physical at all. Julien hasn't reduced his ice time but Seguin has seen his ice time decrease.

I have no idea what Julien is doing. The team has had a horrible power play for 3 years now. The best is they keep trying to do the same thing which obvious doesn't work.

[Zylos45 118]

so Sweden blocked Soderberg. Read that there may be a ruling with the NHL tonight in reagrds to NHL possibly accepting the contract even though Sweden blocked the transfer.

Since the SIHF blocked him....Soderberg now stated to Sweden that he is not interested in playing for Sweden in the World Cup.

Got to love all this international intrigue......over "The Yeti"

[chippa13 1844]

This action by Sweden runs the risk of creating a fractured federation where guys won't want to represent them because of certain actions of the leadership.

[hamstercaster 2]

Can Soderberg play for the Bruins in the playoffs since he signed his contract after the trade deadline? There was a bunch of last summer's draftees being signed at the deadline so they could play in the playoffs in the event they'd be called up so does a similar rule apply to Soderberg?

[chippa13 1844]

I think that he can since the Bruins owned his rights.

[Zylos45 118]

I think that he can since the Bruins owned his rights.

correct, from what I have read he can play in the playoffs

[bagsbie 8]

I read that in order for a player to take part in the playoffs he needs to play in at least one regular season game.

[Steve_v3 289]

He's FREE!!

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=420683

I wonder how quick he will play in his first game?

[stick9 890]

I read that in order for a player to take part in the playoffs he needs to play in at least one regular season game.

Normally, yes but due to the lockout things are differnt this year.