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Post by bruinsnorth on Apr 23, 2020 13:11:48 GMT -5
When did Lauko become Canadian? This writer needs a fact checker.
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Post by nfld77 on Apr 23, 2020 15:59:44 GMT -5
When did Lauko become Canadian? This writer needs a fact checker. Isnt he from the Chech Republic??
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Post by SeaBass on Apr 24, 2020 6:04:13 GMT -5
When did Lauko become Canadian? This writer needs a fact checker. Isnt he from the Chech Republic?? Yup.
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Post by crafar01 on Apr 24, 2020 6:22:43 GMT -5
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Post by SeaBass on Apr 24, 2020 7:41:39 GMT -5
Not sure I would have Cashman that high.
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Post by SeaBass on Apr 24, 2020 7:41:44 GMT -5
Bruins president Cam Neely is the Bruins’ primary point person with commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly. As such, Neely is the team executive most familiar with how the NHL might proceed with the remainder of 2019-20. Thursday, he sat down with season ticket holders on a video call and took questions, offering a window into what the Bruins are thinking and planning for when it comes to restarting their season.
Here are 12 takeaways from Neely’s call:
1. The league is intent on completing the 2019-20 regular season and proceeding with the playoffs. The Bruins played 70 of 82 regular-season games before the league commenced its suspension on March 12.
“Both players and ownership want to do everything possible to get this season completed,” Neely said. “If it means playing into the summer, we’re all willing to do that if it means pushing next season back. It’s an opportunity to push and still get an 82-game season in the following year. We’re going to be as patient as possible. Players are doing everything they can to keep themselves in the best shape they can before we can hopefully get back to some sort of training camp and get on the ice. Everything is on the table to try and get this season completed, which is exciting for us. I know our players are very excited about it based on where we finished when the pause took place and the potential our group has.”
2. Neely is not worried about how veterans such as Zdeno Chara, 43, and Patrice Bergeron, 34, are preparing for possible resumption, even with a month-plus off the ice.
“I know our group,” Neely said. “Especially the veteran guys. They’re so professional. They all realize their careers are ticking down. They’ve played more years than they have in front of them. They see an opportunity here. We have an opportunity in front of us with how many years they feel they have left to compete. They’d be ready to go.”
3. If local, national and international governing bodies give the NHL the green light, the most likely scenario would be for players to participate in informal workouts and practices with their teams. This would be followed by a training camp of approximately three weeks. It would then take approximately three weeks for the regular-season games to be completed before the playoffs. There have been no league discussions about shortening playoff rounds to fewer than seven games.
4. Games would likely be played in centralized locations, perhaps four to six cities. The players would have to be isolated in those locations.
“It’s not a bad idea to drop-ship teams in, keep them quarantined in hotels and bring them into games, as long as everybody’s taking care of themselves in that regard,” Neely said. “It probably gives them a little better opportunity to finish out the regular season in that respect.”
5. The priority for Bruce Cassidy and his staff during this time has been to study possible playoff opponents.
“It does give the coaching staff a little more time to really break down a lot of video,” Neely said, “which they’re taking advantage of.”
6. All parties want to complete this season. But one of the NHL’s priorities is to maintain an 82-game season in 2020-21, even if it means pushing the start date past the usual early-October puck drop.
“They do not want to compromise next year’s schedule,” Neely said. “This year has already been compromised, to a degree. It will look differently if we get up and running, possibly. But we don’t want to compromise next year. We do feel like we could start later and still not compromise the number of games played.”
7. International players who went back to their offseason homes overseas would most likely face quarantine after returning to North America. This would include Swedish players like Joakim Nordstrom and Anton Blidh. Sweden has been more liberal with distancing guidelines than other countries.
8. If this season resumes, fan attendance will be reduced, if not eliminated altogether. Television will have to lead the way. Additional camera locations have been discussed with in-person spectator sightlines not being an issue.
“If we’re doing it without fans, we want to make it the best TV event programming possible,” Neely said. “If that’s the case, we might see different camera angles. Bring the cameras a little lower than you normally would because there’d be no fans in the way. We’re looking at: How can we bring the game on TV a little differently than we see it now?”
9. The 2020-21 salary cap could be flat because of lost revenue. Ditto for 2021-22. It would make general manager Don Sweeney’s task of re-signing Torey Krug challenging.
“No question it’s going to affect the camp for next year,” Neely said. “It may even affect it a little bit after that. Don and our group here have done a nice job of projecting forward what we may need to do to keep a competitive team on the ice and being mindful of maybe a flat cap for a year or two.”
10. The Bruins and Predators were scheduled to start the 2020-21 regular season in Prague, Czech Republic. The trip will likely be postponed until 2021-22, assuming next season starts later.
11. Neely sounded skeptical about the 2020 NHL Draft taking place in June before the completion of the 2019-20 season.
“A lot of trades happened at the deadline that were contingent on what happens with that team in the playoffs or that player in the playoffs,” Neely said. “It could affect your draft choice. A lot of things have to be worked out to have the draft prior to finding out who the Stanley Cup champion is. It could affect some transactions that have already taken place.”
The Bruins have continued to prepare for the 2020 draft as usual, albeit remotely. They do not have a first-round pick, which they sent to Anaheim in the Ondrej Kase trade.
12. Neely classified Joey Kocur as the toughest player he ever fought. The two tangled when Neely was still in Vancouver.
“Thankfully, he hit my helmet,” Neely said. “He split my helmet right down the middle with a punch. This guy had quite a punch. He was packing. We didn’t see him that much, thankfully for me.”
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Post by SeaBass on Apr 24, 2020 7:44:13 GMT -5
One of the confusing elements in the coming weeks will be media reports identifying NHL cities “confirmed” as potential centralized sites for a season resumption.
So it’s important to understand this very fact: the NHL is currently in the process of vetting 12 NHL cities for the purpose of using four of them as centralized sites.
But the league isn’t likely to cut down to four sites anytime soon.
The reality is that because of the constantly changing dynamic of the pandemic, the league is going to have to keep several sites ready to go until figuring out where the coronavirus hot spots remain closer to puck drop this summer. Which means there will be more than four sites still considered in the loop as long as possible.
As of Thursday afternoon, I was told Minnesota, Edmonton, Toronto, Pittsburgh, Columbus and Dallas were among the 12 NHL spots being vetted.
I don’t think Raleigh (practice facility not done being built) and Buffalo (situation in New York state with COVID-19) are on that list of 12 cities at the moment. I don’t think they ended up making the cut even though both organizations would have had interest in being involved.
There are a number of factors in vetting the NHL cities such as access to testing, enough sheets of ice to handle training camps and practices for numerous teams, nearby hotels and even something as specific as what the kitchen setup looks like to feed all those players.
Now the list of sites may evolve, and there is strong interest from organizations across the league to be involved, but what I’m being told is that the league is currently in process of examining 12 NHL cities closely for purpose of hosting the resumption of season, which includes having three regular season games a day played in each site in a lead-up to the playoffs.
Let’s step back for a moment. There is no guarantee of puck drop. Perhaps this whole thing can’t be pulled off.
The league will need to find regions that are deemed safe enough and get the sign-off from health authorities. Which is also why the NHL is prepared to have fewer than four centralized sites if need be, maybe just 2 or 3 depending on the reality at hand.
Also important to note: while the plan as currently discussed is to group the teams by division in four different sites, the sites themselves might not necessarily line up with the division geographically. In other words, they’ll take their NHL sites wherever they can get ‘em, if none are available in a particular division, that division can play in an NHL city that’s from another division.
This is all about the NHL giving itself as much flexility as possible, something commissioner Gary Bettman has stressed repeatedly in his communication with clubs.
June draft feedback I ended up hearing from 28 NHL front offices by the end of Thursday to gauge the reaction to the league’s idea of having the draft in June before the season potentially resumes this summer.
This isn’t a scientific poll by any measure but I would say from the 28 team executives I heard back from, five were in the Yes camp, 15 were in the No camp and eight teams were in the mixed feelings/no comment camp.
I went through the pros and cons of it all in Wednesday’s story.
One common complaint to the idea of a June draft was that a team could conceivably win the draft lottery and then a few months later win the Stanley Cup after making the playoffs in July.
To that end, interesting to hear what TSN colleague Bob McKenzie reported on our Insider Trading segment Thursday, that the draft lottery could be amended to the old system, just one winner, not three and the winning team couldn’t move up any higher than four spots. Or McKenzie added, you could expand the draft lottery to 20 or 21 teams and decrease/level the odds for playoff bubble teams between 8 and 21 because the bottom seven teams are the real lottery teams.
That kind of change to the lottery might help appease the fear of a team winning the lottery and then winning the Cup, as unlikely as it is.
The NHL believes there are multiple draft lottery revisions they could make to satisfy any concerns.
Either way, Bettman and Daly will need to make a call sooner than later on the draft. Because if they do decide to push through with the June idea, the league will need all the time it can have over the next 6-7 weeks to hammer out what a virtual draft would look like. And believe me, the NHL was watching very closely Thursday night as the first round of the NFL’s virtual draft played out.
If the feedback is too overwhelmingly negative, maybe the NHL decides to pass on the idea and focus on a fall draft. Which also carries its complications, but we’ll address that later if that’s what transpires.
AHL fallout The American Hockey League hasn’t made any pronouncement on the end of this suspended season but it’s pretty obvious they’re not resuming. The AHL will convene a Board call at some point over the next few weeks to make that official.
What’s more important now for the AHL is to focus on next season and to that end, I’m told the AHL under the leadership of outgoing president David Andrews has begun modelling different scenarios for what next season might look like.
There is a plan for a normal season to start in October but also models for delayed starts to the season anywhere from November and December to even perhaps a January start for a shortened season.
The key is that the AHL is a gate-driven league. There would be very little appetite to play games in empty buildings. So it’s really about trying to figure out when fans around North America will start to go to games and that there will be areas ready to do that before others.
There’s also the fact that while many AHL teams are owned by NHL clubs, others are independently owned. The NHL-owned AHL clubs might have more flexility in perhaps starting a season without fans in order to prioritize player development whereas independent teams, and I’m assuming this here, will need fans in the stands for it to make any sense to open the doors.
The bottom line, though, is that the AHL is planning to have some kind of season next year but when it starts is anybody’s guess at this point.
All of which has some NHL teams a bit worried. What if the AHL season is a few months behind the NHL season starting? Where do NHL teams park their AHL prospects? Again, no answer to that right now.
Of course, the 2020-21 NHL season itself is likely going to be delayed if the league is playing through August and maybe into September to wrap up the 2019-20 season. I’ve reported a number of times over the past month that the NHL is ready to delay its start to next season until November. One NHL team executive told me Thursday that he believes the NHL would be ready to delay its season start until December if need be, especially when it comes to being able to have fans in the arenas.
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Post by nfld77 on Apr 24, 2020 10:00:50 GMT -5
Thanks again for those updates Seabass..What you do here is keep us all updated with nhl news and especially Bruins. With things being the way they are with covid19, reading those 2 posts at least gave me/us some hope of this season/playoffs. Thanks again for everything you do here!! And I hope your family and friends are all avoiding this virus..
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Post by kjc2 on Apr 24, 2020 10:23:40 GMT -5
Not sure I would have Cashman that high. I think Z gets not only on the list but automatically goes straight to number 1. He’s been here too long and been considered the toughest and most feared guy in the league not to be on our list. He’d have a lot more penalty minutes if he was a 6th dman and lucky for the league he’s a nice guy.
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Post by kjc2 on Apr 24, 2020 10:25:50 GMT -5
Thanks seabass, really good stuff there.
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Post by fforr on Apr 24, 2020 11:10:35 GMT -5
Have to say I am excited/intrigued about adding some new camera angles and sight lines for us television viewers. Could add some ultra sensitive mics as well for a TV Mature rating. Great opportunity for management to finally address the perennial lousy ice conditions once and for all.
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Post by madmarx on Apr 24, 2020 14:02:47 GMT -5
Have to say I am excited/intrigued about adding some new camera angles and sight lines for us television viewers. Could add some ultra sensitive mics as well for a TV Mature rating. Great opportunity for management to finally address the perennial lousy ice conditions once and for all. Ice issues drive Me crazy in this day and age just a recipe for injuries and something are team leads the league in annually..
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Post by kjc2 on Apr 24, 2020 17:27:04 GMT -5
Damn, I missed the one year anniversary yesterday.
Games 7 against the Leafs😁
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Post by bruinsnorth on Apr 25, 2020 9:03:30 GMT -5
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Post by SeaBass on Apr 27, 2020 8:21:36 GMT -5
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Post by SeaBass on Apr 27, 2020 8:42:25 GMT -5
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Post by SeaBass on Apr 27, 2020 8:58:16 GMT -5
It’s no secret that the veteran core of this Bruins team won’t be together too much longer. But the group proved good enough again this season to anchor a Stanley Cup contender. At the time of the NHL pause due to COVID-19, Boston was leading the league with 100 points.
With the exception of captain Zdeno Chara, the rest of the core remains under contract past this season. While it’s important to look to the future, the reality is that this group has more left in the tank. Whether or not this season resumes and a Stanley Cup champion is crowned, the Bruins are set to contend for another title in 2020-21.
Still, change is eventually coming. The Bruins have become a model of consistency over the last decade-plus, but how much longer will it last?
So, since we have time to ponder the future of the organization, let’s play our annual game of “Who stays and who goes?” We’ll take a look at the players coming back under contract, the free agents and those possibly moving on, and project who will still be around for next season.
The untouchables Patrice Bergeron – Unless Quebec is one day granted a new team, the 34-year-old forward will play his entire career with the Bruins. Soon after he hangs up the skates for good his No. 37 will be retired. Bergeron grew up a Nordiques fan and the only possibility he would ever wear another sweater is if his hometown was awarded an NHL franchise. If that came to fruition, the theory goes that he could play one season for Quebec before officially retiring. As unlikely as it seems, I’m willing to bet Bergeron would consider it. Now, back to reality. He has two seasons remaining on his current eight-year, $55 million deal, with an average annual value of $6.875 million. Considered the best two-way center of his generation, this is a huge bargain or the Bruins.
David Krejci – Many believe the veteran centerman is expendable. It’s crazy to believe that. The Bruins have become perennial Stanley Cup contenders for many reasons; the fact they are strong down the middle is high among them. Krejci, 33, is a proven playoff commodity and there’s no chance the Bruins move him. After this year, though? Krejci has one season and $7.25 million remaining on his six-year, $43.5 million deal. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he decides to retire after his contract expires, or continue his pro career back in the Czech Republic.
Tuukka Rask – He’s showing zero signs of slowing down and the 33-year-old goaltender is actually getting better each season. Had the Bruins won the Stanley Cup last June, Rask would have likely been named the Conn Smythe winner. At the time of the pause this season, he was in contention for the Vezina. It’s incredible (knock on wood) how healthy he’s been during his career. He has one season and $7 million remaining on his current deal, and as I’ve said and written many times in the past, I wouldn’t be surprised if he decides to retire after his contract expires. He’s played a lot of hockey at a tough position and he’s accomplished nearly everything, short of starting for a Stanley Cup winner. He’ll play his entire career with one organization and should be considered one day for the Hall of Fame.
David Pastrnak – The 23-year-old winger has become an elite forward. At the time of the NHL pause, Pastrnak had 48 goals and was set to become the first Bruins player to notch 50 since Cam Neely in 1994. Pastrnak has three seasons remaining on his six-year, $40 million deal. If he continues to progress as one of the top goal scorers in the league, his next contract, whether with Boston or elsewhere, will be massive.
Brad Marchand – Safe to say No. 63 isn’t going anywhere since the 31-year-old forward has five seasons remaining on his eight-year, $49 million contract. He registered 100 points during the 2018-19 season and was on pace to reach that mark again this season. At the time of the pause, he had 87 points in 70 games. He could join Bergeron in spending his entire career with one organization.
Charlie Coyle – Signing the 28-year-old centerman to a five-year deal worth $16 million at the start of the season was a huge deal for both Coyle and the Bruins. Acquiring him at the 2019 trade deadline was probably one of the best moves made by general manager Don Sweeney. Coyle is a perfect third-line center for the Bruins, and could replace Krejci if the veteran moves on once his contract expires. Coyle’s also a bridge to Jack Studnicka, who is considered a future top-6 centerman. Not many players have the ability to play and have success in their hometown, but Coyle thrives in Boston.
Charlie McAvoy – He’s been dubbed the future face of the franchise. The 22-year-old defenseman has made major strides this season and become a beast on the ice. He’s still learning some of the finer points of the offensive side, but his defensive game has been fierce. He inked a deal earlier this season worth $14.7 million for three years.
Brandon Carlo – He’s quickly becoming one of the league’s best shutdown defenseman, especially on the penalty kill. And he’s only 23. The 6-foot-5, 212-pounder has learned to use his size and strength effectively with his angles and gap protection. He’s also learning to effectively jump into the play. Carlo and Krug have become a solid tandem and could, contract issues aside, dominate opposition top lines for years to come. It also helps that they’re normally on the ice at the same time with Bergeron’s line. Carlo has one season and $2.85 million remaining on his deal before he becomes a restricted free agent.
Here if he wants to be Zdeno Chara – His future is completely in his hands. The 43-year-old captain has signed two consecutive one-year, incentive-laden deals with the Bruins and he plans on continuing that trend for next season. He understands his next contract is last on Sweeney’s docket, but another $2 million deal would be money well spent for the Bruins. Once Chara does decide to retire, no doubt he’ll end up in the front office.
Almost certainly staying put Ondrej Kase – It’s no secret that Sweeney likes to acquire players at the trade deadline with term remaining on their contract. Kase fits that mold. The Bruins acquired him from the Ducks at the deadline and the 24-year-old forward has one year and $2.6 million remaining on his contract. Depending on next season’s salary cap, Kase is the type of player Sweeney could re-sign once he figures out the status of the pending free agents.
Sean Kuraly – The 27-year-old forward has been a solid fit in the bottom six for the Bruins. Last season, he anchored the fourth line and was one reason for the team’s deep playoff run. Kuraly hasn’t been as consistent this season and has been shifted between center and left wing. He started to find his game before the hiatus. He has one season and $1.2 million remaining on his contract before he can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2021. It’s likely he’ll sign elsewhere since the Bruins will have younger and less expensive options at that point.
Chris Wagner – His most recent contract extension, a three-year deal worth $4 million, will start at the completion of this season. Since it holds an annual average value of $1.35 million, the 28-year-old forward will continue to be a versatile player for the Bruins going forward and will help mentor the younger players coming up.
Anton Blidh – The coaching staff really likes the 25-year-old’s style of play. He’s strong and can play that physical game when he wants. Blidh was slated to be on the roster at the start of the season, but he suffered an injury during training camp and did not return until January. He’s only played 28 games in the NHL but has the ability to make an impact when healthy. He has one season and $700,000 remaining on his contract before he reaches restricted free agency on July 1, 2021.
Jeremy Lauzon – If the season resumes, Lauzon has earned a spot in the lineup. It took longer than the organization thought it would, but the 22-year-old defenseman has played well since he was brought up from the AHL. He’s played a physical role and has moved the puck better than some expected. Because of his success, others who had been out of the lineup due to injuries aren’t guaranteed a spot once the NHL restarts. And, Lauzon doesn’t become a restricted free agent until 2022, which bodes well for the Bruins.
Connor Clifton – He’s now one of those players who could be on the outside looking in due to Lauzon’s success if the season resumes. Clifton, who has been solid since last season, suffered a concussion in December and has not been able to return. He was close to being cleared at the time of the pause. The 24-year-old defenseman’s entry-level deal expires at the end of the season before his three-year extension worth $3 million kicks in.
Staying put … I think Par Lindholm – He’s contributed more than expected, especially making only $850,000 as a bottom-six forward. The 28-year-old has one season remaining on his current deal before he becomes a free agent, but he will have to battle for a job.
Nick Ritchie – He was a little slow out of the gate once he arrived from Anaheim at the deadline. At the time of the pause, coach Bruce Cassidy had Ritchie playing the left side on the third line, with Coyle in the middle and Anders Bjork on the right. That trio was starting to find chemistry too. Ritchie, 24, has one year and $1.4 million remaining on his contract. However, forward prospect Trent Frederic should be ready to make the full-time jump to the NHL and he brings a lot to the table, including physical strength, a willingness to defend teammates and the ability to score goals in a bottom-six role at either center or wing.
Restricted free agents — so likely staying put Anders Bjork – The start of his pro career was derailed a bit by shoulder injuries and subsequent surgeries. The 23-year-old winger finally started to prove his worth this season, but still needs to produce more on a consistent basis. Management believes he has the ability to play in the top six, but playing with Coyle could be the right spot for Bjork at this point.
Jake DeBrusk – The 23-year-old forward has found a home on Krejci’s left side. DeBrusk’s speed and strength are key factors in his success, but still needs to be more consistent. He’s a streaky player but when his motor is going he’s tough to stop, especially in the dirty areas when he’s willing to compete.
Matt Grzelcyk – The 26-year-old is such an underrated player. Yes, he’s undersized, but he’s also an effective, puck-moving defenseman with a strong hockey IQ. His shot has improved this season and he’s learned how to quarterback a power play when needed, especially if Krug is out of the lineup due to injury. He’s an important part of Boston’s blue line and he’ll receive a raise from his current $1.4 million deal.
Could be on the move Jaroslav Halak – The veteran goalie is set to become a free agent on July 1 and it could be in everyone’s best interest to sign at least a one-year deal to remain in Boston, both because the Rask/Halak tandem is crucial to the team’s ability to win a Stanley Cup and because Halak is unlikely to find a better chance at a championship elsewhere. With those two basically splitting the regular season workload, it allows Rask to be healthy and fresh for the postseason. If Halak stays, it will also allow prospects Daniel Vladar, Kyle Keyser and Jeremy Swayman more time to develop in either Providence or Atlanta.
John Moore – The Bruins understand depth on the back end is key for a successful playoff run. When Moore signed as a free agent on July 1, 2018, he seemed set as the left-shot defenseman the team needed at the time. Because of the depth on the blue line, and more possibly coming from Providence, Moore’s spot is uncertain. The 29-year-old has three years at an annual average value worth $2.75 million remaining. It’s also possible he could find himself in Seattle with the expansion draft next summer.
Kevan Miller – Pound for pound, one of strongest players in the NHL. He’s respected for his strength and relentless style of play. The Bruins have missed his presence on the ice and in the room over the last calendar year as he’s undergone a long, fitful recovery from a knee injury. Sweeney recently said that even if the season does resume, the team has decided it would be best to let Miller reach 100 percent before clearing him to play. The issue is that he can become a free agent on July 1. If other teams shy away from signing him due to this long layoff, it could be a situation where the Bruins bring him back for relatively inexpensive money and he battles for a position next season.
Should be a future captain — but might not have a future here at all Torey Krug – The veteran defenseman should be in the untouchable category, but the final decision whether he remains in Boston or signs elsewhere is up to him since he’ll become a free agent after the season. The sides have been talking about a long-term contract, but they haven’t been able to find common ground. Those negotiations have been complicated significantly by the uncertainty caused by COVID-19, especially in how it impacts the future salary cap. Considered one of the best power-play quarterbacks in the league, Krug is a perfect fit for the Bruins both on and off the ice. Put it this way: If he signs a long-term deal, once Bergeron and Chara are no longer playing, Krug could one day wear the “C” on his sweater for the Bruins. He said recently he hopes he hasn’t played his last game for the Bruins, but he would have to sign a hometown discount in order to continue here, and a lot of currently unknowable things need to be sorted out for him to return.
So long Joakim Nordstrom – The Bruins really like his contributions and style of play, but he’s battled injuries this season and was limited to 48 games at the time of the pause. The 28-year-old forward can become a free agent this summer 1 and it’s likely he’ll sign elsewhere since the Bruins have prospects ready to make the jump to the NHL and fill similar roles.
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Post by SeaBass on Apr 27, 2020 9:41:38 GMT -5
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Post by SeaBass on Apr 27, 2020 12:28:06 GMT -5
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Post by SeaBass on Apr 27, 2020 12:28:41 GMT -5
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Post by SeaBass on Apr 27, 2020 12:36:52 GMT -5
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Post by SeaBass on Apr 27, 2020 12:38:56 GMT -5
If the NHL can get back to business in May or June, even if that means playing games at neutral sites with no spectators, Bruins ownership would like TD Garden to be one of up to four regional sites the league selects from the member clubs in its 31 US and Canadian cities. A league source confirmed Friday that Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs, who is also the NHL’s chairman of the board, has expressed interest in his building on Causeway Street being considered among the so-called “centralized” or “neutral” sites if play can be resumed. The source emphasized, however, that Jacobs is among some 20 owners who have evinced an interest in using their arenas as potential hosts.
Bruins president Cam Neely confirmed later Friday that he “did mention to the league” the club’s interest in being a host city. “Obviously, that depends on what restrictions may be in place for the city or state," Neely wrote via e-mail.
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Post by SeaBass on Apr 27, 2020 12:39:43 GMT -5
The NHL Network will pay homage to perhaps the most beloved team in Boston sports history May 10 when it premieres the documentary “The 1970 Bruins: Big, Bad, & Bobby.”
The documentary, which will air at 8 p.m., debuts 50 years to the day after Bobby Orr and friends clinched the 1970 Stanley Cup. During a roundtable interview, Orr, Gerry Cheevers, Phil Esposito, and Derek Sanderson discuss how this team earned a permanent place in the hearts and minds of New England sports fans.
“[We weren’t just close] on the ice, but off the ice, we would have family gatherings with our wives and our children, always kids in the dressing room and practice and so that was important for us,’’ says Orr during the conversation. “For us to be successful, we just felt we had to be like that. And we were having a blast, and we were winning games.”
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Post by crafar01 on Apr 27, 2020 12:58:11 GMT -5
If the NHL can get back to business in May or June, even if that means playing games at neutral sites with no spectators, Bruins ownership would like TD Garden to be one of up to four regional sites the league selects from the member clubs in its 31 US and Canadian cities. A league source confirmed Friday that Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs, who is also the NHL’s chairman of the board, has expressed interest in his building on Causeway Street being considered among the so-called “centralized” or “neutral” sites if play can be resumed. The source emphasized, however, that Jacobs is among some 20 owners who have evinced an interest in using their arenas as potential hosts. Bruins president Cam Neely confirmed later Friday that he “did mention to the league” the club’s interest in being a host city. “Obviously, that depends on what restrictions may be in place for the city or state," Neely wrote via e-mail. JJ's gotta recoup all the lost revenue on dried up chicken tenders and overpriced shit beer somehow. I imagine the league is going to pay out a nice chunk of cash for whatever 4 arenas are chosen.
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Post by madmarx on Apr 27, 2020 19:53:38 GMT -5
If the NHL can get back to business in May or June, even if that means playing games at neutral sites with no spectators, Bruins ownership would like TD Garden to be one of up to four regional sites the league selects from the member clubs in its 31 US and Canadian cities. A league source confirmed Friday that Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs, who is also the NHL’s chairman of the board, has expressed interest in his building on Causeway Street being considered among the so-called “centralized” or “neutral” sites if play can be resumed. The source emphasized, however, that Jacobs is among some 20 owners who have evinced an interest in using their arenas as potential hosts. Bruins president Cam Neely confirmed later Friday that he “did mention to the league” the club’s interest in being a host city. “Obviously, that depends on what restrictions may be in place for the city or state," Neely wrote via e-mail. JJ's gotta recoup all the lost revenue on dried up chicken tenders and overpriced shit beer somehow. I imagine the league is going to pay out a nice chunk of cash for whatever 4 arenas are chosen. It’s all about money for JJ even though his are apparently in control I will never believe it ..
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Post by nfld77 on Apr 27, 2020 23:45:16 GMT -5
It’s no secret that the veteran core of this Bruins team won’t be together too much longer. But the group proved good enough again this season to anchor a Stanley Cup contender. At the time of the NHL pause due to COVID-19, Boston was leading the league with 100 points. With the exception of captain Zdeno Chara, the rest of the core remains under contract past this season. While it’s important to look to the future, the reality is that this group has more left in the tank. Whether or not this season resumes and a Stanley Cup champion is crowned, the Bruins are set to contend for another title in 2020-21. Still, change is eventually coming. The Bruins have become a model of consistency over the last decade-plus, but how much longer will it last? So, since we have time to ponder the future of the organization, let’s play our annual game of “Who stays and who goes?” We’ll take a look at the players coming back under contract, the free agents and those possibly moving on, and project who will still be around for next season. The untouchables Patrice Bergeron – Unless Quebec is one day granted a new team, the 34-year-old forward will play his entire career with the Bruins. Soon after he hangs up the skates for good his No. 37 will be retired. Bergeron grew up a Nordiques fan and the only possibility he would ever wear another sweater is if his hometown was awarded an NHL franchise. If that came to fruition, the theory goes that he could play one season for Quebec before officially retiring. As unlikely as it seems, I’m willing to bet Bergeron would consider it. Now, back to reality. He has two seasons remaining on his current eight-year, $55 million deal, with an average annual value of $6.875 million. Considered the best two-way center of his generation, this is a huge bargain or the Bruins. David Krejci – Many believe the veteran centerman is expendable. It’s crazy to believe that. The Bruins have become perennial Stanley Cup contenders for many reasons; the fact they are strong down the middle is high among them. Krejci, 33, is a proven playoff commodity and there’s no chance the Bruins move him. After this year, though? Krejci has one season and $7.25 million remaining on his six-year, $43.5 million deal. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he decides to retire after his contract expires, or continue his pro career back in the Czech Republic. Tuukka Rask – He’s showing zero signs of slowing down and the 33-year-old goaltender is actually getting better each season. Had the Bruins won the Stanley Cup last June, Rask would have likely been named the Conn Smythe winner. At the time of the pause this season, he was in contention for the Vezina. It’s incredible (knock on wood) how healthy he’s been during his career. He has one season and $7 million remaining on his current deal, and as I’ve said and written many times in the past, I wouldn’t be surprised if he decides to retire after his contract expires. He’s played a lot of hockey at a tough position and he’s accomplished nearly everything, short of starting for a Stanley Cup winner. He’ll play his entire career with one organization and should be considered one day for the Hall of Fame. David Pastrnak – The 23-year-old winger has become an elite forward. At the time of the NHL pause, Pastrnak had 48 goals and was set to become the first Bruins player to notch 50 since Cam Neely in 1994. Pastrnak has three seasons remaining on his six-year, $40 million deal. If he continues to progress as one of the top goal scorers in the league, his next contract, whether with Boston or elsewhere, will be massive. Brad Marchand – Safe to say No. 63 isn’t going anywhere since the 31-year-old forward has five seasons remaining on his eight-year, $49 million contract. He registered 100 points during the 2018-19 season and was on pace to reach that mark again this season. At the time of the pause, he had 87 points in 70 games. He could join Bergeron in spending his entire career with one organization. Charlie Coyle – Signing the 28-year-old centerman to a five-year deal worth $16 million at the start of the season was a huge deal for both Coyle and the Bruins. Acquiring him at the 2019 trade deadline was probably one of the best moves made by general manager Don Sweeney. Coyle is a perfect third-line center for the Bruins, and could replace Krejci if the veteran moves on once his contract expires. Coyle’s also a bridge to Jack Studnicka, who is considered a future top-6 centerman. Not many players have the ability to play and have success in their hometown, but Coyle thrives in Boston. Charlie McAvoy – He’s been dubbed the future face of the franchise. The 22-year-old defenseman has made major strides this season and become a beast on the ice. He’s still learning some of the finer points of the offensive side, but his defensive game has been fierce. He inked a deal earlier this season worth $14.7 million for three years. Brandon Carlo – He’s quickly becoming one of the league’s best shutdown defenseman, especially on the penalty kill. And he’s only 23. The 6-foot-5, 212-pounder has learned to use his size and strength effectively with his angles and gap protection. He’s also learning to effectively jump into the play. Carlo and Krug have become a solid tandem and could, contract issues aside, dominate opposition top lines for years to come. It also helps that they’re normally on the ice at the same time with Bergeron’s line. Carlo has one season and $2.85 million remaining on his deal before he becomes a restricted free agent. Here if he wants to be Zdeno Chara – His future is completely in his hands. The 43-year-old captain has signed two consecutive one-year, incentive-laden deals with the Bruins and he plans on continuing that trend for next season. He understands his next contract is last on Sweeney’s docket, but another $2 million deal would be money well spent for the Bruins. Once Chara does decide to retire, no doubt he’ll end up in the front office. Almost certainly staying put Ondrej Kase – It’s no secret that Sweeney likes to acquire players at the trade deadline with term remaining on their contract. Kase fits that mold. The Bruins acquired him from the Ducks at the deadline and the 24-year-old forward has one year and $2.6 million remaining on his contract. Depending on next season’s salary cap, Kase is the type of player Sweeney could re-sign once he figures out the status of the pending free agents. Sean Kuraly – The 27-year-old forward has been a solid fit in the bottom six for the Bruins. Last season, he anchored the fourth line and was one reason for the team’s deep playoff run. Kuraly hasn’t been as consistent this season and has been shifted between center and left wing. He started to find his game before the hiatus. He has one season and $1.2 million remaining on his contract before he can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2021. It’s likely he’ll sign elsewhere since the Bruins will have younger and less expensive options at that point. Chris Wagner – His most recent contract extension, a three-year deal worth $4 million, will start at the completion of this season. Since it holds an annual average value of $1.35 million, the 28-year-old forward will continue to be a versatile player for the Bruins going forward and will help mentor the younger players coming up. Anton Blidh – The coaching staff really likes the 25-year-old’s style of play. He’s strong and can play that physical game when he wants. Blidh was slated to be on the roster at the start of the season, but he suffered an injury during training camp and did not return until January. He’s only played 28 games in the NHL but has the ability to make an impact when healthy. He has one season and $700,000 remaining on his contract before he reaches restricted free agency on July 1, 2021. Jeremy Lauzon – If the season resumes, Lauzon has earned a spot in the lineup. It took longer than the organization thought it would, but the 22-year-old defenseman has played well since he was brought up from the AHL. He’s played a physical role and has moved the puck better than some expected. Because of his success, others who had been out of the lineup due to injuries aren’t guaranteed a spot once the NHL restarts. And, Lauzon doesn’t become a restricted free agent until 2022, which bodes well for the Bruins. Connor Clifton – He’s now one of those players who could be on the outside looking in due to Lauzon’s success if the season resumes. Clifton, who has been solid since last season, suffered a concussion in December and has not been able to return. He was close to being cleared at the time of the pause. The 24-year-old defenseman’s entry-level deal expires at the end of the season before his three-year extension worth $3 million kicks in. Staying put … I think Par Lindholm – He’s contributed more than expected, especially making only $850,000 as a bottom-six forward. The 28-year-old has one season remaining on his current deal before he becomes a free agent, but he will have to battle for a job. Nick Ritchie – He was a little slow out of the gate once he arrived from Anaheim at the deadline. At the time of the pause, coach Bruce Cassidy had Ritchie playing the left side on the third line, with Coyle in the middle and Anders Bjork on the right. That trio was starting to find chemistry too. Ritchie, 24, has one year and $1.4 million remaining on his contract. However, forward prospect Trent Frederic should be ready to make the full-time jump to the NHL and he brings a lot to the table, including physical strength, a willingness to defend teammates and the ability to score goals in a bottom-six role at either center or wing. Restricted free agents — so likely staying put Anders Bjork – The start of his pro career was derailed a bit by shoulder injuries and subsequent surgeries. The 23-year-old winger finally started to prove his worth this season, but still needs to produce more on a consistent basis. Management believes he has the ability to play in the top six, but playing with Coyle could be the right spot for Bjork at this point. Jake DeBrusk – The 23-year-old forward has found a home on Krejci’s left side. DeBrusk’s speed and strength are key factors in his success, but still needs to be more consistent. He’s a streaky player but when his motor is going he’s tough to stop, especially in the dirty areas when he’s willing to compete. Matt Grzelcyk – The 26-year-old is such an underrated player. Yes, he’s undersized, but he’s also an effective, puck-moving defenseman with a strong hockey IQ. His shot has improved this season and he’s learned how to quarterback a power play when needed, especially if Krug is out of the lineup due to injury. He’s an important part of Boston’s blue line and he’ll receive a raise from his current $1.4 million deal. Could be on the move Jaroslav Halak – The veteran goalie is set to become a free agent on July 1 and it could be in everyone’s best interest to sign at least a one-year deal to remain in Boston, both because the Rask/Halak tandem is crucial to the team’s ability to win a Stanley Cup and because Halak is unlikely to find a better chance at a championship elsewhere. With those two basically splitting the regular season workload, it allows Rask to be healthy and fresh for the postseason. If Halak stays, it will also allow prospects Daniel Vladar, Kyle Keyser and Jeremy Swayman more time to develop in either Providence or Atlanta. John Moore – The Bruins understand depth on the back end is key for a successful playoff run. When Moore signed as a free agent on July 1, 2018, he seemed set as the left-shot defenseman the team needed at the time. Because of the depth on the blue line, and more possibly coming from Providence, Moore’s spot is uncertain. The 29-year-old has three years at an annual average value worth $2.75 million remaining. It’s also possible he could find himself in Seattle with the expansion draft next summer. Kevan Miller – Pound for pound, one of strongest players in the NHL. He’s respected for his strength and relentless style of play. The Bruins have missed his presence on the ice and in the room over the last calendar year as he’s undergone a long, fitful recovery from a knee injury. Sweeney recently said that even if the season does resume, the team has decided it would be best to let Miller reach 100 percent before clearing him to play. The issue is that he can become a free agent on July 1. If other teams shy away from signing him due to this long layoff, it could be a situation where the Bruins bring him back for relatively inexpensive money and he battles for a position next season. Should be a future captain — but might not have a future here at all Torey Krug – The veteran defenseman should be in the untouchable category, but the final decision whether he remains in Boston or signs elsewhere is up to him since he’ll become a free agent after the season. The sides have been talking about a long-term contract, but they haven’t been able to find common ground. Those negotiations have been complicated significantly by the uncertainty caused by COVID-19, especially in how it impacts the future salary cap. Considered one of the best power-play quarterbacks in the league, Krug is a perfect fit for the Bruins both on and off the ice. Put it this way: If he signs a long-term deal, once Bergeron and Chara are no longer playing, Krug could one day wear the “C” on his sweater for the Bruins. He said recently he hopes he hasn’t played his last game for the Bruins, but he would have to sign a hometown discount in order to continue here, and a lot of currently unknowable things need to be sorted out for him to return. So long Joakim Nordstrom – The Bruins really like his contributions and style of play, but he’s battled injuries this season and was limited to 48 games at the time of the pause. The 28-year-old forward can become a free agent this summer 1 and it’s likely he’ll sign elsewhere since the Bruins have prospects ready to make the jump to the NHL and fill similar roles. No doubt a terrific article. one mistake though as the writer got Coyle's contracts mixed up. the quoted 5 yr deal worth 16 million was the contract he signed with Mimmesota. As we know, hisnew contract is 6 yrs/ $31,500,000 for a 5.25 million dollar Avg. Bruins will have to be very careful with Brandon Carlo as teams will gladly sign him to an offer sheet for major big money. Maybe Seattle. I'm not sure what the writer meant when he said Jeremy Lauzon took longer than the Bruins expected him. He turned 23 today, ONLY 23 and he was chosen 52nd overall. It's not like he was a 1st rounder expected to make the team into his 1st training camp. I really hope the team can keep Grzelcyk but if they do resign Krug, I expect they may have to trade Grz..Unless they can trade Moore.. I wonder will Vaak be ready next season or maybe Zboril?
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Post by nfld77 on Apr 27, 2020 23:47:51 GMT -5
JJ's gotta recoup all the lost revenue on dried up chicken tenders and overpriced shit beer somehow. I imagine the league is going to pay out a nice chunk of cash for whatever 4 arenas are chosen. It’s all about money for JJ even though his are apparently in control I will never believe it .. I'm just happy he let's Sweeney spend to the Max and he has often exceeded that and team got penalized for it..Remember Harold Ballard??
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Post by crafar01 on Apr 28, 2020 6:09:40 GMT -5
It’s all about money for JJ even though his are apparently in control I will never believe it .. I'm just happy he let's Sweeney spend to the Max and he has often exceeded that and team got penalized for it..Remember Harold Ballard?? True, but it just seems like he can't help himself in other ways with his money grubbing. For example, he was the last owner to do anything for his employees when this quarantine shit show started and if the what I read was correct, it wasn't on nearly on par with what other clubs were doing. I try not to wish hateful things on others, Karma will always come back on you, but with people like him, it's hard not to.
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Post by SeaBass on Apr 28, 2020 6:32:30 GMT -5
I think Vaak is ready now.
Chara McAvoy Carlo Lauzon Clifton Vaak Gryz
I would be ok with this. Would prefer Krug with Carlo...
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Post by SeaBass on Apr 28, 2020 6:34:22 GMT -5
I saw this someplace else. Who ya got??
Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby or Wayne Gretzky and Connor McDavid
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