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Post by madmarx on Nov 13, 2018 16:31:07 GMT -5
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Post by kjc2 on Nov 13, 2018 20:18:22 GMT -5
Stephen Peat did all his fighting in the NHL for Washington, Ted Leonsis employed him and should have a responsibility in this case to give Peat all the care money can buy. Pretty sure he can afford it. Why do they turn their backs on these guys.
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Post by madmarx on Nov 13, 2018 21:05:46 GMT -5
Stephen Peat did all his fighting in the NHL for Washington, Ted Leonsis employed him and should have a responsibility in this case to give Peat all the care money can buy. Pretty sure he can afford it. Why do they turn their backs on these guys. I will never forget this fight youtu.be/yJJPivHWy2kJust hate the struggle these Guys are having after their careers..
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Post by kjc2 on Nov 14, 2018 6:32:19 GMT -5
Stephen Peat did all his fighting in the NHL for Washington, Ted Leonsis employed him and should have a responsibility in this case to give Peat all the care money can buy. Pretty sure he can afford it. Why do they turn their backs on these guys. I will never forget this fight youtu.be/yJJPivHWy2kJust hate the struggle these Guys are having after their careers.. It's strange how some come away seemingly unscathed, (I mean later in life) last I saw Stock he was doing Tv on SportsNet and CBC. He seemed sharp and very happy in life.
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Post by madmarx on Nov 14, 2018 6:46:53 GMT -5
I will never forget this fight youtu.be/yJJPivHWy2kJust hate the struggle these Guys are having after their careers.. It's strange how some come away seemingly unscathed, (I mean later in life) last I saw Stock he was doing Tv on SportsNet and CBC. He seemed sharp and very happy in life. I think some fall into addiction of meds or alcohol or both and spiral into a place they can’t get out of . Your right there are plenty of x Fighters that go on to live good lives ..
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Post by SeaBass on Nov 14, 2018 10:30:40 GMT -5
Stephen Peat did all his fighting in the NHL for Washington, Ted Leonsis employed him and should have a responsibility in this case to give Peat all the care money can buy. Pretty sure he can afford it. Why do they turn their backs on these guys. My guess is that they don't want to admit fault. If they pay Peat then they have to pay everyone else....and all of those who decide to come out of the woodwork to get theirs. Then where does it stop. That fight between Peat and Stock. Peat wasn't on the ice at the time all the pushing and shoving started. Does Wilson have any blame in this in sending him out there to fight because you know that is what he was sent out there for. Does Peat sue Wilson for making him do that? Just playing devil's advocate here. I think there should be a fund set up for all of these players to get the help that they need should they ask for it. Maybe the money that suspended players forfeit could be used for that.
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Post by SeaBass on Nov 14, 2018 11:59:18 GMT -5
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Post by SeaBass on Nov 14, 2018 12:08:20 GMT -5
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Post by KSJ08 on Nov 14, 2018 12:08:43 GMT -5
Agreed with article %100!!!!!
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Post by SeaBass on Nov 14, 2018 12:12:07 GMT -5
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Post by SeaBass on Nov 14, 2018 12:15:59 GMT -5
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Post by kjc2 on Nov 14, 2018 13:12:21 GMT -5
Agreed with article %100!!!!! Absolutely agree. The sad truth of life is that some clown is going to make it his mission to find out just to get the story out.
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Post by kjc2 on Nov 14, 2018 13:20:26 GMT -5
Do we know who Zbor's is going in for or is he a road trip spare??
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Post by SeaBass on Nov 14, 2018 13:30:43 GMT -5
Do we know who Zbor's is going in for or is he a road trip spare?? I think he is just a spare...unless they sit Kampfer tonight.
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Post by kjc2 on Nov 14, 2018 15:51:01 GMT -5
Do we know who Zbor's is going in for or is he a road trip spare?? I think he is just a spare...unless they sit Kampfer tonight. One can only hope
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Post by SeaBass on Nov 16, 2018 8:36:12 GMT -5
DENVER — In terms of acceleration, top-end speed, and agility, Anders Bjork is a Porsche 911 Turbo.
It only takes Bjork an instant to tune up to breakaway pace. Once he reaches top speed, he has no black-and-gold equals. Bjork can slalom with and without the puck like Mikaela Shiffrin. Sprinkle in a snappy release and soft hands, and Bjork owns all the ingredients of a top-two right wing. Think of how easily Bjork tracked down a Danton Heinen chip against Vegas, blew past Tomas Nosek, and sent an on-the-tape return backhander that his linemate tapped in for the Bruins’ first goal Sunday.
So it is no surprise to Bruce Cassidy that Bjork, 22, has displayed more of his offensive qualities alongside a center who belongs in a similar high-performance category.
“Absolutely,” Cassidy said when asked if Bjork’s strengths are clearer next to Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson, his center since Saturday. “That’s one of the reasons we did it. JFK plays with pace. He can make some plays in the middle. He’s good defensively. He just needs to up his contested puck battles — faceoffs is one of those areas. I think he’ll help both those guys, Danton too.”
It was one thing for Bjork, Heinen, and Forsbacka Karlsson to play with the puck at TD Garden, where Cassidy could control his matchups. It was another at Pepsi Center, where the Avalanche had the last change Wednesday to optimize their personnel.
It was probably not a coincidence, then, that the third line (zero shots for Bjork and Forsbacka Karlsson, one for Heinen) was nowhere to be seen in the Bruins’ 6-3 loss to the Avalanche.
SUPREME SKILL SET
There are few in the NHL who would classify David Backes as a playmaking pivot. As a Bruin, Backes has played more at right wing than in the middle.
But for six of Bjork’s first 13 games this season, he had Backes as his center. It was not a complementary pairing.
At his best, Backes is a Ford F-150, capable of digging in corners and mucking in front to loosen pucks for linemates. But Backes never scored as Bjork’s center. It wasn’t until Wednesday’s first period against Colorado that Backes got on the scoreboard for the first time this season with a power-play helper. Backes is not a suitable playmate for a potentially flammable wing like Bjork.
Backes wasn’t Bjork’s only ill-fitting center. Joakim Nordstrom, a natural left wing, also centered Bjork for six games. In Bjork’s season debut against Buffalo (he was a healthy scratch in the opener against Washington), he rode shotgun next to Sean Kuraly during the grinder’s short-lived audition as the No. 3 center.
A tangle of variables led to Bjork’s offensively limited rotation of centers:
Cassidy’s unwillingness to pry David Pastrnak away from Patrice Bergeron. A decision to make Jake DeBrusk the No. 2 right wing next to David Krejci. General early sluggishness among the young wings, Bjork among them. The riddle of where to play Backes at minimal risk. A wariness about accelerating Forsbacka Karlsson’s development. This created turbulence for all of October and part of November. Bjork was a healthy scratch for the season opener against Washington on Oct. 3. Bjork again visited the press box versus Edmonton on Oct. 18.
Bjork had company outside the lineup.
Heinen was scratched for back-to-back games against Detroit and Calgary. Donato was out of uniform against Edmonton on Oct. 11. After eight straight scoreless games, Donato was assigned to Providence.
Meanwhile, the Bruins were trying to figure out what to do with Backes after he recovered from his concussion. Following three more 0-0—0 performances as the No. 3 center, the organization decided it was Forsbacka Karlsson’s turn.
Forsbacka Karlsson took over the third line’s wheel. Backes went to the fourth line.
It remains to be seen whether Forsbacka Karlsson is a long-term solution. But even if the 22-year-old has defensive shortcomings, he is unquestionably the most talented offensive center Bjork has ridden with this season. Appropriately, Bjork (two shots against Vancouver, one assist against Toronto) is looking more like the player who scored 52 points in 39 games as a Notre Dame junior.
“Smart player. Easy to read off too,” Bjork said of Forsbacka Karlsson. “That’s been good. He’s good offensively. Makes good passes. The good thing about guys on this team is that the communication we stress as a team, it makes it easy to play with new players.”
HIGH OFFENSIVE CEILING
Bjork, Heinen, DeBrusk, Donato, and Peter Cehlarik comprise the cluster of young wings chasing NHL traction. Of the group, DeBrusk is the only one whose job is secure nightly. But of the five, Bjork may have the highest offensive ceiling because of his speed, quickness, and hands.
It’s why the Bruins are practicing caution when it comes to considering Bjork as trade bait.
As shiny a bauble as Bjork may be, he still has only one goal and two assists. Under-production usually makes employers impatient, especially when outside interest is high. Bjork’s gifts are just as evident to 30 inquisitive general managers as they are to Don Sweeney. They all know the Bruins have a surplus of fresh-faced wings — supply that could meet their demand for an experienced center behind Bergeron and Krejci.
But the danger of prematurely putting Bjork on the trade market is missing out on the damage he’s capable of wreaking, especially with an offensive-minded center feeding him the puck.
The steepest challenge for Bjork over his 46 NHL games has been translating his sparkling qualities into statistics. Over two seasons, the first of which was interrupted following shoulder surgery, Bjork has five goals and 10 assists — a so-so-sum that is partly on him, but also on his bosses.
Bjork is better equipped to play to his strengths now with Forsbacka Karlsson as his center. If Bjork continues to be an offensive threat, Cassidy will have more options. By keeping the current lineup intact, Cassidy could roll three offensive lines. He could move DeBrusk back to left wing and put Bjork on Krejci’s right flank. He could even introduce the biggest change by making Bjork the No. 1 right wing and dropping Pastrnak to the second line.
Bjork was partially limited in training camp because of his shoulder rehab. He might have been best served beginning the year in Providence. Instead, Bjork could not help but look over his shoulder as the zeroes piled up.
“It was good for me. It still is,” Bjork said of his early misfirings. “A lot of competition here, which is good. I felt that more so at the start. But I think that’s good for us. It keeps us honest. It keeps us focused.”
The Bruins play at Dallas, Arizona, and Detroit before returning home against Pittsburgh. It will be a good opportunity for the Bruins to gain more intelligence on what Bjork and his young linemates could ultimately offer.
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Post by kjc2 on Nov 16, 2018 9:42:32 GMT -5
DENVER — In terms of acceleration, top-end speed, and agility, Anders Bjork is a Porsche 911 Turbo. It only takes Bjork an instant to tune up to breakaway pace. Once he reaches top speed, he has no black-and-gold equals. Bjork can slalom with and without the puck like Mikaela Shiffrin. Sprinkle in a snappy release and soft hands, and Bjork owns all the ingredients of a top-two right wing. Think of how easily Bjork tracked down a Danton Heinen chip against Vegas, blew past Tomas Nosek, and sent an on-the-tape return backhander that his linemate tapped in for the Bruins’ first goal Sunday. So it is no surprise to Bruce Cassidy that Bjork, 22, has displayed more of his offensive qualities alongside a center who belongs in a similar high-performance category. “Absolutely,” Cassidy said when asked if Bjork’s strengths are clearer next to Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson, his center since Saturday. “That’s one of the reasons we did it. JFK plays with pace. He can make some plays in the middle. He’s good defensively. He just needs to up his contested puck battles — faceoffs is one of those areas. I think he’ll help both those guys, Danton too.” It was one thing for Bjork, Heinen, and Forsbacka Karlsson to play with the puck at TD Garden, where Cassidy could control his matchups. It was another at Pepsi Center, where the Avalanche had the last change Wednesday to optimize their personnel. It was probably not a coincidence, then, that the third line (zero shots for Bjork and Forsbacka Karlsson, one for Heinen) was nowhere to be seen in the Bruins’ 6-3 loss to the Avalanche. SUPREME SKILL SET There are few in the NHL who would classify David Backes as a playmaking pivot. As a Bruin, Backes has played more at right wing than in the middle. But for six of Bjork’s first 13 games this season, he had Backes as his center. It was not a complementary pairing. At his best, Backes is a Ford F-150, capable of digging in corners and mucking in front to loosen pucks for linemates. But Backes never scored as Bjork’s center. It wasn’t until Wednesday’s first period against Colorado that Backes got on the scoreboard for the first time this season with a power-play helper. Backes is not a suitable playmate for a potentially flammable wing like Bjork. Backes wasn’t Bjork’s only ill-fitting center. Joakim Nordstrom, a natural left wing, also centered Bjork for six games. In Bjork’s season debut against Buffalo (he was a healthy scratch in the opener against Washington), he rode shotgun next to Sean Kuraly during the grinder’s short-lived audition as the No. 3 center. A tangle of variables led to Bjork’s offensively limited rotation of centers: Cassidy’s unwillingness to pry David Pastrnak away from Patrice Bergeron. A decision to make Jake DeBrusk the No. 2 right wing next to David Krejci. General early sluggishness among the young wings, Bjork among them. The riddle of where to play Backes at minimal risk. A wariness about accelerating Forsbacka Karlsson’s development. This created turbulence for all of October and part of November. Bjork was a healthy scratch for the season opener against Washington on Oct. 3. Bjork again visited the press box versus Edmonton on Oct. 18. Bjork had company outside the lineup. Heinen was scratched for back-to-back games against Detroit and Calgary. Donato was out of uniform against Edmonton on Oct. 11. After eight straight scoreless games, Donato was assigned to Providence. Meanwhile, the Bruins were trying to figure out what to do with Backes after he recovered from his concussion. Following three more 0-0—0 performances as the No. 3 center, the organization decided it was Forsbacka Karlsson’s turn. Forsbacka Karlsson took over the third line’s wheel. Backes went to the fourth line. It remains to be seen whether Forsbacka Karlsson is a long-term solution. But even if the 22-year-old has defensive shortcomings, he is unquestionably the most talented offensive center Bjork has ridden with this season. Appropriately, Bjork (two shots against Vancouver, one assist against Toronto) is looking more like the player who scored 52 points in 39 games as a Notre Dame junior. “Smart player. Easy to read off too,” Bjork said of Forsbacka Karlsson. “That’s been good. He’s good offensively. Makes good passes. The good thing about guys on this team is that the communication we stress as a team, it makes it easy to play with new players.” HIGH OFFENSIVE CEILING Bjork, Heinen, DeBrusk, Donato, and Peter Cehlarik comprise the cluster of young wings chasing NHL traction. Of the group, DeBrusk is the only one whose job is secure nightly. But of the five, Bjork may have the highest offensive ceiling because of his speed, quickness, and hands. It’s why the Bruins are practicing caution when it comes to considering Bjork as trade bait. As shiny a bauble as Bjork may be, he still has only one goal and two assists. Under-production usually makes employers impatient, especially when outside interest is high. Bjork’s gifts are just as evident to 30 inquisitive general managers as they are to Don Sweeney. They all know the Bruins have a surplus of fresh-faced wings — supply that could meet their demand for an experienced center behind Bergeron and Krejci. But the danger of prematurely putting Bjork on the trade market is missing out on the damage he’s capable of wreaking, especially with an offensive-minded center feeding him the puck. The steepest challenge for Bjork over his 46 NHL games has been translating his sparkling qualities into statistics. Over two seasons, the first of which was interrupted following shoulder surgery, Bjork has five goals and 10 assists — a so-so-sum that is partly on him, but also on his bosses. Bjork is better equipped to play to his strengths now with Forsbacka Karlsson as his center. If Bjork continues to be an offensive threat, Cassidy will have more options. By keeping the current lineup intact, Cassidy could roll three offensive lines. He could move DeBrusk back to left wing and put Bjork on Krejci’s right flank. He could even introduce the biggest change by making Bjork the No. 1 right wing and dropping Pastrnak to the second line. Bjork was partially limited in training camp because of his shoulder rehab. He might have been best served beginning the year in Providence. Instead, Bjork could not help but look over his shoulder as the zeroes piled up. “It was good for me. It still is,” Bjork said of his early misfirings. “A lot of competition here, which is good. I felt that more so at the start. But I think that’s good for us. It keeps us honest. It keeps us focused.” The Bruins play at Dallas, Arizona, and Detroit before returning home against Pittsburgh. It will be a good opportunity for the Bruins to gain more intelligence on what Bjork and his young linemates could ultimately offer. I hope they don't get any premature ideas!
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Post by SeaBass on Nov 16, 2018 11:02:24 GMT -5
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Post by SeaBass on Nov 16, 2018 11:11:51 GMT -5
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Post by kjc2 on Nov 16, 2018 11:47:41 GMT -5
This one is very negative and short sighted in my opinion. Not re-upping Looch was the right move. I wasn't a Hamilton fan when he was here and if he's that good why is he on his third team? You couldn't keep Jones with Rask under contract as the number 1. All thirty teams lost a player at least as good as Colin Miller during the expansion draft. Zboril will be a good NHL D-man, I don't have a good feeling about Senyshyn but we have Carlo in our lineup, most recently JFK and Debrusk, all 2015 draft pics. We also have Lauzon in the lineup, Vladar looks like a great goalie prospect and even Hughes starting to show potential down in Providence. Anybody who doesn't see that as a successful draft year, regardless of what Zboril and Senyshyn do, are just not paying attention. Sometimes you miss on players in the draft but we've been killing it more than our fair share of times.
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Post by SeaBass on Nov 16, 2018 12:04:00 GMT -5
This one is very negative and short sighted in my opinion. Not re-upping Looch was the right move. I wasn't a Hamilton fan when he was here and if he's that good why is he on his third team? You couldn't keep Jones with Rask under contract as the number 1. All thirty teams lost a player at least as good as Colin Miller during the expansion draft. Zboril will be a good NHL D-man, I don't have a good feeling about Senyshyn but we have Carlo in our lineup, most recently JFK and Debrusk, all 2015 draft pics. We also have Lauzon in the lineup, Vladar looks like a great goalie prospect and even Hughes starting to show potential down in Providence. Anybody who doesn't see that as a successful draft year, regardless of what Zboril and Senyshyn do, are just not paying attention. Sometimes you miss on players in the draft but we've been killing it more than our fair share of times. Yeah, Mazz is an idiot. I actually prefer Haggs over him.
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Post by DonnyBrook on Nov 16, 2018 12:21:36 GMT -5
This one is very negative and short sighted in my opinion. Not re-upping Looch was the right move. I wasn't a Hamilton fan when he was here and if he's that good why is he on his third team? You couldn't keep Jones with Rask under contract as the number 1. All thirty teams lost a player at least as good as Colin Miller during the expansion draft. Zboril will be a good NHL D-man, I don't have a good feeling about Senyshyn but we have Carlo in our lineup, most recently JFK and Debrusk, all 2015 draft pics. We also have Lauzon in the lineup, Vladar looks like a great goalie prospect and even Hughes starting to show potential down in Providence. Anybody who doesn't see that as a successful draft year, regardless of what Zboril and Senyshyn do, are just not paying attention. Sometimes you miss on players in the draft but we've been killing it more than our fair share of times. Yeah, Mazz is an idiot. I actually prefer Haggs over him. mazz is a baseball guy...what is he writing about the b's for..i wont even read it...i stopped listening to sports radio all together.
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Post by crafar01 on Nov 19, 2018 7:24:03 GMT -5
Yeah, Mazz is an idiot. I actually prefer Haggs over him. mazz is a baseball guy...what is he writing about the b's for..i wont even read it...i stopped listening to sports radio all together. This guy is an idiot, only his buddy Felger is a bigger douche canoe when it comes to the Bruins.
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Post by SeaBass on Nov 19, 2018 7:41:47 GMT -5
The NHL season is around its quarter mark, and the Bruins have already dealt with their share of adversity. Still, despite injuries to key players, the Bruins own an 11-6-3 record for 25 points, tied for fourth in the Atlantic Division.
Bruce Cassidy is beginning to figure out what type of team he has, but it won’t become fully clear until everyone is healthy and back in the lineup. So far, all has been quiet on the trade front for the Bruins and should be until the end of December or the beginning of January.
Once everyone is back and healthy, then it becomes decision-making time. Barring disaster, the Bruins will be buyers, so it’s a matter of who on the NHL team could be sacrificed without unduly hurting the club, or which prospect at the AHL level might be valuable enough to another team to bring back a useful piece in return. For the moment, the Bruins need to keep battling through their injuries, allow the younger core time to develop and then evaluate what they need closer to midseason. But when they do dive into the trade market, here’s an accounting of who should stay and who might go.
Untouchables The top line: We have to package Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak as one group. Without a doubt, none of these three is going anywhere. The trio is arguably the top line in the NHL, and the numbers are off the charts. Sure, coach Bruce Cassidy will occasionally split them up during a game to stay away from certain matchups or to add scoring depth if the secondary production is lacking. Bergeron, who is sidelined now with an upper-body injury, and Marchand lead the way at both ends of the ice, while Pastrnak has become an elite goal scorer and currently leads the league with 17 goals. Marchand, Bergeron and Pastrnak are core players, the type that set the example and create the culture the organization wants.
Charlie McAvoy: Currently sidelined with a concussion, the 20-year-old defender is the future face of the organization. He has the ability to control the game at both ends of the ice. Of course, teams will inquire about his services, but that’s a non-starter. His entry-level contract expires at the end of this season, so he’ll be getting a massive pay raise soon.
Zdeno Chara: The 41-year-old captain, who is now out for four to six weeks with a knee injury, will eventually retire as a Bruin.
John Moore: The puck-moving defenseman with the left-handed shot is untouchable only because of his five-year, $13.75 million deal. He’s also sidelined now with a lower-body injury.
Goaltending: Despite Tuukka Rask’s recent leave of absence to handle family matters, the goaltenders have done their jobs. Jaroslav Halak has been more than solid. Since the organizational depth at this position remains a work in progress, Rask isn’t going anywhere. The 31-year-old netminder has a modified no-trade clause and earns $7 million per season through 2021. Just stay the course.
The almost untouchables David Krejci: The 32-year-old veteran forward is off to a solid start. It’s evident he’s engaged, and it also helps that Jake DeBrusk is playing well alongside Krejci for a second consecutive season. Stanley Cup-winning teams are stacked down the middle. It’s not easy to run out a string of high-end centers, and Krejci still fits that category, especially being the No. 2 behind Bergeron. Krejci has a rare ability to slow the game down and make those around him better. In terms of thinking the game and making plays, he’s still valuable. Is he untouchable? No. However, he’s dealt with back and hip issues in the past, and he’s earning $7.25 million per season through 2021. Plus, he has a no-movement clause this season, which becomes a modified no-trade clause the next two seasons.
Torey Krug: Arguably one of the top-five power-play quarterbacks in the NHL. When he’s not in the lineup, it’s evident how much he’s missed. It’s hard to deal a player like Krug, especially with his ability to move the puck to players like Marchand, Bergeron and Pastrnak. Bottom line: The Bruins are a better team with Krug in the lineup. He advances the puck. He moves the puck and pushes the offense. When a team’s best players receive the puck on their tape and on the fly, they’re happy, and Krug provides that service. But Krug is also a young, valuable asset. The Bruins possess a similar player in Matt Grzelcyk, and other teams will have interest.
Jake DeBrusk: Put it this way: If — and that’s a big if — the Bruins decide to move DeBrusk, the player in return has to be elite (it won’t be Artemi Panarin). DeBrusk makes the second line move. He’s strong and has the ability to retrieve pucks. He’s only 22 and already shows the ability to score goals, especially the gritty ones. He has the potential to become a solid and consistent two-way winger. He has a high ceiling moving forward.
Brandon Carlo: People tend to forget that he’s only 21. The third-year pro has the potential to be a top-pair defender for a long time. The Bruins would like to see more offense from him. He defends with conviction. Despite his 6-foot-5, 212-pound frame, Carlo skates well. He has turned a developmental corner this season while playing against opponents’ best players. The Bruins plan on McAvoy and Carlo becoming the foundation of the blue line.
Urho Vaakanainen: The 19-year-old rookie defenseman is sidelined with a concussion. He has the potential to become an impact player at both ends of the ice. He skates well and covers a lot of ice. Picture a future top four of McAvoy, Carlo, Krug and Vaakanainen. Along with Moore in the mix, the Bruins will be just fine defensively with players who can move the puck and are mobile.
Conceivable trades, but be careful Joakim Nordstrom: He’s been a valuable role player. Currently playing on the second line with Krejci, Nordstrom’s more of a bottom-six type player who can skate, chase pucks and close quickly and is strong on the penalty kill. He’s been such a solid addition that it would be in the Bruins’ best interest to keep him in the mix. He’s 26 and earning only $1 million per season through 2019-20.
Danton Heinen: He’s only 23 but already possesses high-end hockey sense and great hands. He’s a bit light on his skates at times, and the Bruins would like to see more pace to his game, but he has the ability to play with really good players. It’s actually hard to find a player with that type of versatility. He’s also a bit streaky. Overall, he’s played well. He produced 47 points in 77 games as a rookie last season, and he’s beginning to find his game this season.
Noel Acciari: What you see is what you get with Acciari. He’s hard-nosed and gritty and fits perfectly in a bottom-six role. He’s heavy on pucks. He’s one of the cleanest and most-feared body checkers in the league. He’s competitive. He’s relentless. He’s been a healthy scratch at times recently, but when he’s playing the way he should be, everyone in the NHL appreciates how hard he goes.
Matt Grzelcyk: He’s been a solid player at both ends of the ice, and there’s a lot to like about his game. He can skate and moves the puck well. He has the ability to move the puck to the team’s best players, and that’s hard to find on a consistent basis. Since he plays a similar style as Krug, do the Bruins need two of those players in the lineup? Yes. But there’s also a reason the Bruins signed the puck-moving Moore last summer. If the right deal presents itself to the Bruins, Grzelcyk could be a movable asset — or he could fill in as Krug Lite if Krug does depart.
What would be the point? David Backes: This is a tough one. He’s 34 and becoming increasingly fragile. Plus, he’s making $6 million per season through 2020-21. He has a no-movement clause this season, which becomes a modified no-trade clause for the next two seasons. In the room, he’s a well-respected player. He’s a prototypical character guy, which is something the Bruins need, especially during the playoffs.
Chris Wagner: There’s a reason the Bruins signed the gritty forward as a free agent on July 1. He’s making $1.25 million for each of the next two seasons, and he possesses the type of physicality that the Bruins want and need. His job is to be relentless up and down the ice for 10 to 13 minutes each game. He can kill penalties and plays fearless hockey.
Kevan Miller: His ability to defend and the respect he gains from his teammates is invaluable. The 30-year-old defenseman will earn $2.5 million in each of the next two seasons. He’s sidelined with a broken hand, the result of blocking a shot.
Steven Kampfer: The Bruins re-acquired the veteran defenseman in September from the New York Rangers in exchange for fellow defenseman Adam McQuaid. Kampfer understood his role coming in and began the season as a healthy scratch until his services were needed because of injuries.
Some possibilities Anders Bjork: The 22-year-old forward is beginning to find his game. He possesses speed and skill. He’s light on his skates, and the Bruins want to see improvement from Bjork in that category. He’s a movable piece. He’s young and still finding his way. Take into consideration he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury last January, so the Bruins want to take a long look at Bjork and see how he develops.
Ryan Donato: Known as a hard worker on and off the ice, the 22-year-old forward is currently in Providence. He’s continuing to develop his pro game and regaining his confidence with the P-Bruins. If the Bruins decided to move Donato, the return would need to be a prominent piece or an established player. Sooner than later, Donato will be back with the Bruins because he’s going to score goals. He works too hard and is too smart to spend much time in the AHL.
Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson: Similar to Donato. Every young player develops differently, so the Bruins will allow JFK time. He’s only 22. Needs to get stronger. He’s a smart, two-way centerman who can skate. Yes, he’s a movable asset, but he would require something of significance in return. The Bruins will continue to let him play and see what they have.
Sean Kuraly: His motor never stops. His legs drive that fourth line. He’s the fastest center on the team and covers a lot of ice. He’s reliable on the penalty kill. His role is important, especially later in the season and into the Stanley Cup playoffs. Contenders want, and need, these types of players.
Jeremy Lauzon: The 21-year-old defenseman has come a long way since the Bruins selected him in the second round (No. 52 overall) in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. He skates pretty well, but he’s known for his gritty style of play. He needs to find consistency. If he sticks in the NHL, he’s projected to be a bottom-six guy.
Jakub Zboril: The first-round selection (No. 13 overall) in 2015 has made strides but still has plenty of development ahead of him. If the Bruins decide to move him, the team would need something of value in return. He has talent. He has the ability to play in the top four, but he needs to find his consistency.
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Post by madmarx on Nov 19, 2018 18:30:17 GMT -5
Twenty games in what is your Good Bad and Ugly for the Bruin Players ..
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Post by SeaBass on Nov 19, 2018 18:59:12 GMT -5
Good - The Perfection Line Bad - secondary scoring Ugly - INJURIES
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Post by offwego on Nov 19, 2018 19:36:11 GMT -5
Good - The Perfection Line Bad - secondary scoring Ugly - INJURIES Can't argue with that...
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Post by crafar01 on Nov 20, 2018 7:28:37 GMT -5
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Post by KSJ08 on Nov 20, 2018 9:08:20 GMT -5
My 20 Games: GOOD: In great position considering the Bad BAD: Injuries UGLY: The TOTAL BIASED of "Professional Officials"!!!!
Note: The TOTAL Biased started in the Bolts series last spring. I hate to blame Officals BUT dam it it IS BLATANTLY Obvious!
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Post by KSJ08 on Nov 20, 2018 12:08:48 GMT -5
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