Boston Bruins: 2014-2015

[chippa13 1844]

This move has me wondering how long Campbell is going to be out. I think it fills the slot on the Soderberg/Eriksson line with Connolly and leaves Kelly centering Paille and Ferlin/Caron/whomever.

[stick9 891]

A big swing an a miss for Chiarelli today. The Connoly deal still has some upside but he's not really what they needed. Why the hell they weren't in on Petry is beyond me.

Biggest issue was there seemed to be a lack of direction.

[Jason Harris 31]

Why? I'm no fan of Bartkowski -- although he's been playing better - but they didn't really need defense.

[start_today 770]

This move has me wondering how long Campbell is going to be out. I think it fills the slot on the Soderberg/Eriksson line with Connolly and leaves Kelly centering Paille and Ferlin/Caron/whomever.

Reading this now, I thought you were talking about the Talbot trade for the 1st half of your post.

I'm always kind of bummed when the Bruins don't make some huge sexy deal at the deadline, but the lack of those moves is probably what makes them able to be a respectable team for a number of years now. Connolly gives them some options at a couple different spots, especially this summer and next season.

[stick9 891]

Why? I'm no fan of Bartkowski -- although he's been playing better - but they didn't really need defense.

Depends, if they just want to roll the dice and see what happens with what they got then no, they don't need any help back there. If they want to finish strong and make some noise in the PO, they absolutely need some help back there. McQuaid/Krug/Bartkowski arent suited for that second paring, (neither is Miller for that matter). If one of them misses some games we'd be looking at Morrow and Bartkowski in the lineup.

They didn't need to spend for a big name, just someone who can give them some steady minutes.

[Steve_v3 289]

I would have liked to try to sell a couple pieces off. The prices teams paid were sky high.

Chiarelli must really think they can do something this year.

After trading Boychuk he said it wasn't the end of moves to improve this team. They are better than they were but still hasn't addressed the real needs of this team.

[chippa13 1844]

Chiarelli has never been one to really mortgage the future or completely overpay to fill a need. I think the prices were just too high and there wasn't that stud out there to be had, anyway. The flop game against St. Louis notwithstanding, I think a lot of teams were probably asking for Subban and the Bruins just don't want to just give him away.

I think they are going with the idea that guys like Pastrnak and (finally) Spooner can be consistent contributors. Maybe Spooner is finally ready to make the jump. If so, I expect he and Connolly are protection for whatever may happen with Soderberg this summer and to also open up some options to possibly ship Kelly and/or Eriksson for some value around the draft and the opening of free agency.

[Steve_v3 289]

Chiarelli has never been one to really mortgage the future or completely overpay to fill a need. I think the prices were just too high and there wasn't that stud out there to be had, anyway. The flop game against St. Louis notwithstanding, I think a lot of teams were probably asking for Subban and the Bruins just don't want to just give him away.

I agree. I'm very happy he didn't move Subban or any other young players, and thank god he finally got rid of Caron.

I wish he didn't lose Cunningham. Not that he was great, but he was a less expensive forth liner.

He should have added a defenseman to fill Boychuk's spot. He should have done it long before the trade deadline.

[chippa13 1844]

I was thrilled to see Caron go away. I'll never understand Chiarelli's love affair with him.

[Jason Harris 31]

Depends, if they just want to roll the dice and see what happens with what they got then no, they don't need any help back there. If they want to finish strong and make some noise in the PO, they absolutely need some help back there. McQuaid/Krug/Bartkowski arent suited for that second paring, (neither is Miller for that matter). If one of them misses some games we'd be looking at Morrow and Bartkowski in the lineup.

They didn't need to spend for a big name, just someone who can give them some steady minutes.

I guess the difference between our viewpoints is I think their defense is much deeper than you're implying. Petry scores more than McQuaid and less than Krug, but we have no idea whether his meager plus-minus is based on being on a lousy team or poor skills on his part.

[iceman8310 105]

oh this is good
http://bruins.nhl.com/club/auth_news.htm?id=756547
Forward Brett Connolly To Miss Six Weeks With Displaced Fracture in Right Index Finger

[Steve_v3 289]

What has Smith done to deserve that much of an extension? I think he disappears for long stretches and he's more suited for 3rd line duty. I think Connelly will or should end up with Bergeron and Marchand.

I had thought maybe Smith would be shopped during the summer.

[Stewie 721]

you may have more to worry about at goaltender. I am pretty sure based on the way he skated off after the shootout yesterday, Rask has quit hockey for good, lol.

[Steve_v3 289]

I heard someone on the radio today saying it was Rask's fault last night.

Rask must be losing his mind. It seems the only way they win if he has a great game and they somehow score more than 3 goals.

[Stewie 721]

It's always jimmy Howard's fault in Detroit. Everyone needs a scapegoat, and if there's only one person at a position it's easy to point the blame

[IPv6Freely 2092]

you may have more to worry about at goaltender. I am pretty sure based on the way he skated off after the shootout yesterday, Rask has quit hockey for good, lol.

I don't know about that. You could spend easily 15 minutes on YouTube watching videos of Rask behaving like a millennial who was told to move out before he turned 30. It's never stopped him from being an elite level goalie. He's amusing, at least!

[chippa13 1844]

I like having a goalie who seems to actually care.

[Stewie 721]

I don't know about that. You could spend easily 15 minutes on YouTube watching videos of Rask behaving like a millennial who was told to move out before he turned 30. It's never stopped him from being an elite level goalie. He's amusing, at least!

I know, I was being sarcastic. I just thought it was funny that he made it to almost the bench before the puck even crossed the line.

I like having a goalie who seems to actually care.

no doubt.

[Steve_v3 289]

This was the funniest one. This when he was in the AHL. He completely loses his mind.

[chippa13 1844]

It would be nice if someone would remind Ottawa that they aren't supposed to be in the hunt. They might ride that flash in the pan goalie all the way into the 8th spot if he doesn't fizzle soon.

[Steve_v3 289]

Good win last night. It's great to see Spooner play so well. I had read something that he changed his attitude this year. He concentrated on his game and not worried about whether or not he was getting called up or not.

I would guess his play may earn him a spot next year and make Soderberg expendable.

[Jason Harris 31]

The last 5-10 games have backed up my thought that they can hang with just about any team defensively, but they lack the snipers.

[Steve_v3 289]

I agree. They very rarely get blown out. They clearly lack that finish that good teams have.

They still have a major problem with not showing up at times, like last night. I know it won't happen, but I think a coaching change is probably needed.

[chippa13 1844]

I'm not so sure they need a new coach. Julien has them playing a style that seems to match their roster abilities.

[Jason Harris 31]

I think they didn't match up to Washington's intensity at the beginning of Sunday's game, but they outshot Buffalo 12-3, 12-7, 12-11 and 7-3. I don't think they didn't show up as much as the Sabres' goalie did.