Hitting The Links: Back To Ottawa Edition

by sarahconnors on Jan 30, 2012 9:59 AM EST in Hitting the Links

Ed. Note: The Senators come to Boston tomorrow night, not the other way around.

It's right back to Ottawa for Zdeno Chara, Tyler Seguin, and Tim Thomas tomorrow as the Bruins will take on the Senators tomorrow night. Zdeno Chara can expect nothing but boos where he heard cheers this weekend, despite shattering records and talking up the Senators' captain. All-Star Weekend was fun to watch. Gimmicky, sure! But also just a good time. It's nice to occasionally watch a game that means nothing.

After the jump, lots of storylines from our guys at the All Star Game, plus a few stories to get you back into regular season mode...

Bruins News:

Fifty years ago, the Bruins' Tommy Williams was the lone American in a Canadian sport, and his story as told by KPD is pretty interesting. [Globe]
Some of Tim Thomas' critics are stooping pretty low to insult him. Bad call. [Herald]
Jeremy Jacobs is 100% behind Thomas. [Globe]
Zdeno Chara had a fantastic time at the All-Star Game, even honored by those rowdy Sens fans. [Globe]
108.8 miles an hour? No big deal for Big Z. [Fighting For Stanley]
Tyler Seguin and Phil Kessel were on the same line last night. Hilarious and also a great way to diffuse some of the tension in that situation. [Globe]

NHL News:

Miss the All-Star shenanigans? Here's a recap of all the best moments. [Tonight's Healthy Scratches]
Marian Hossa got to reunite with some of his countrymen at the game, and he and Marian Gaborik really stole the show. [Sun Times]
Sidney Crosby not only has a concussion, but also a neck injury. [Huffington Post]
Scott Hartnell donated $1000 to charity for every time he fell down during the All Star Game yesterday. He also told Dion Phaneuf to "suck it." Stop being hilarious, Hartnell, I can't deal. [PHT]
Former Bruin Dennis Wideman is really proving his worth, and his All-Star nod was indicative of how much his game has amped up this year. [Times]
Everyone loves Alfredsson. No, really. [Sun]
Lots of sweeps happened in college hockey this weekend. [PHT]

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Comments

KPD should stick to that sort of story and refrain from terrible trade rumors. Granted, I wrote an article about whether Timmy might be traded…in the offseason. I definitely do NOT think he’ll be traded this season….and absolutely NOT for Viktor Stalberg. Does anyone else think that KPD heard that Chicago would be interested, scanned their roster, saw that they had a player from UVM…and presto KDP5 Thomas to Chicago…

by Michael Taylor on Jan 30, 2012 10:13 AM EST reply actions

what an incredibly terrible return…

by TomServo42 on Jan 30, 2012 12:30 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, when I wrote that article last week, I thought Bruins fans would be disappointed in the return. This would fall under the category of justifiably horrified by the return.

A question I’d be curious to hear other fans thoughts on (amongst those who think it might make sense to trade Timmy this offseason if they’re certain Rask is the guy going forward), if the Bruins could acquire another elite/very good young defense prospect (looking at Pronman’s list guys like Gormley or Rundblad just to use examples), would you consider a mid-range forward prospect (Knight, Spooner, Koko) going the other way?

by Michael Taylor on Jan 30, 2012 12:55 PM EST up reply actions

I for one wouldn’t. I don’t think it’s worth trading Timmy – pretty much a lock for starting goaltender elsewhere – if the market for goalies is so weak that a commodity like that requires significant sweetening for the buyer. In that case, just eat the overlapping year w/ Rask’s deal

by TomServo42 on Jan 30, 2012 2:00 PM EST up reply actions

Also fairly entertaining Saturday night was KPD and Kalman suggesting that the Bruins should trade Lucic for a signed Ryan Suter. Two issues I have with that right off the bat.

1. If Suter isn’t signing in Nashville before the deadline. Why would he in Boston?
2. If the plan is to HOPE you sign him before July 1, then it’s also stupid because nobody is trading a Lucic-level player for a UFA.

As much as I’d love to see Ryan Suter in Black and Gold. The best bet for it to happen is for him to be a UFA on July 1. The Bruins don’t have that one player whose potential but not current production is going to bring back that sort of return. I also can’t see PC dealing a 1st for his rights after the season is over (don’t blame him) since almost any other team’s 2nd is going to be more valuable.

by Michael Taylor on Jan 30, 2012 10:16 AM EST reply actions

I have literally never read anything written by KPD, and I don’t intend to start now.

by dudebro on Jan 30, 2012 10:53 AM EST reply actions

He’s in the hall of fame, you know

Your 2011 Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins

Hockey Blog Adventure is my blog but I'm way more active on Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)

by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jan 30, 2012 2:41 PM EST up reply actions

Thus proving that admittance to the Hall doesn’t always require talent…

Our intention isn't to discuss this... it's to see if you can bleed.

by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 30, 2012 2:57 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

You scared me for a minute. I live in Ottawa now and I panicked when I read this post. I hadn’t made plans to go to the game (I obviously never miss a game when the B’s are in town) … thankfully I was right, the game is in Boston tomorrow.

by MTLsBiggestBsFan on Jan 30, 2012 11:12 AM EST reply actions

These links are 2 weeks old, but there hasn't been a hump day prospect report in a while...

Top 50 NHL Prospects, 1-25
Top 50 NHL Prospects, 26-50

Here are the comments on the future Bruins:
15. Dougie Hamilton, Defense, Boston Bruins (Preseason Ranking: 38)
Dougie has shown so much development in the course of the year. The once raw but toolsy big man is playing at a much faster pace, showing better decision making and offensive creativity. Concerns I’ve had about him have started to fade and he truly looks like a stud prospect.

41. Alexander Khokhlachev, Center, Boston Bruins (Preseason Ranking: 37)
Khokhlachev has some pretty impressive possession abilities in terms of his high-end puck skills and hockey sense but his speed is just average and his physical game is quite underwhelming although he does work hard.

43. Ryan Spooner, Center, Boston Bruins (Preseason Ranking: 66)
Spooner is a brilliant skater with great puck skills and he’s a player who can create a lot of offense. The knock on him used to be that he was a one-dimensional prospect but he’s shown significant improvements to his all-around game.

50. Maxim Chudinov, Defense, Boston Bruins (Preseason Ranking: Unranked)
Chudinov has had a tremendous campaign over in Russia this season. The 21-year-old defender has been putting up huge offensive numbers while also showing the ability to play good defense. He’s an impressive do-everything offensive player with fine skating, good technique and ability as a puck-mover and a high-end shot. He thinks the game at a very desirable if not high-end level in terms of his vision, offensive instincts and defensive reads. Chudinov does try to play the body, but when he does, his physical limitations are apparent.

by Black Bird on Jan 30, 2012 11:20 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

Bucci’s top 100 NHL players as of right now:

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/7502429/john-buccigross-ranks-top-100-current-players

Haven’t run the numbers but have to believe Boston is easily the most represented team on the list. Average should be 3.3 players per team… Boston has SEVEN and FIVE in the top 50!

97 – Brad Marchand
70 – Milan Lucic
48 – David Krejci
34 – Tyler Seguin
28 – Patrice Bergeron
16 – Tim Thomas (highest goalie)
9 – Zdeno Chara (Weber is highest D at 7)

Our intention isn't to discuss this... it's to see if you can bleed.

by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 30, 2012 11:31 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs

Chara > Weber by at least 3 mph

Your 2011 Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins

Hockey Blog Adventure is my blog but I'm way more active on Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)

by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jan 30, 2012 2:33 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Yesssss!

by Toocomplex4most on Jan 30, 2012 2:56 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

yes i have been slacking on the reports.

hoping to pick them up again soon now that i have real time, woo.

Link ninja/occasional writer of useful things at Stanley Cup of Chowder
Coverin' the bb B's at Something's Bruin
Watch me yell about stuff on the twitters
(also: Let's Go Bluuuuuuuues!)

by sarahconnors on Jan 30, 2012 11:33 AM EST up reply actions

I always enjoy reading them.

by Black Bird on Jan 30, 2012 11:48 AM EST up reply actions

I’ve seen those lists previously, Pronman has Colborne at 6, which I think is high, but given the qualities that he holds in high esteem (puck possession being the highest) I can see why he does. It reflects on the Bruins prospects involved as well. Depending on who you believe, the Bruins made Colborne (#6) available for Kaberle, but not Knight (Unranked).

This list also speaks to where I think the Bruins may have trouble at the deadline. I’m not sure any of their prospects below Hamilton would bring in a player who is a clear upgrade over any current starter, and you obviously aren’t trading Hamilton for any rental. They seem to lack that prospect in the 20’s, and of course we don’t have a 2nd rounder this year.

by Michael Taylor on Jan 30, 2012 11:51 AM EST up reply actions

Gleason signs for 4 years with Hurricanes

http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2012/1/30/2758467/tim-gleason-contract-extension-carolina-hurricanes

Wasn’t he one of the potential trade targets of the B’s?

In Memoriam: Dan Wheldon 1978-2011

by Arenacale on Jan 30, 2012 1:31 PM EST reply actions

so that’s Gleason and Beauchemin off the market. Next?

by TomServo42 on Jan 30, 2012 2:01 PM EST up reply actions

we didnt need his "skill" set anyway

Bergeron for Selke.
Give Nifty his number back!

by muffinman2 on Jan 30, 2012 5:52 PM EST up reply actions

Is it me, or does that seem a little extravagant for a guy like him?

by bruinlorr on Jan 30, 2012 4:16 PM EST reply actions

A guy like who? Please use reply -—^^^^^^^^

Your 2011 Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins

Hockey Blog Adventure is my blog but I'm way more active on Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)

by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jan 30, 2012 4:22 PM EST up reply actions

A guy like HIM! Duh. Isn’t it obvious? Damned gingers…

Our intention isn't to discuss this... it's to see if you can bleed.

by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 30, 2012 4:28 PM EST up reply actions

Well if it’s the capital He, as in god, I don’t think it really makes sense. I’m trying to use contextual cues but there’s no context :(

Your 2011 Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins

Hockey Blog Adventure is my blog but I'm way more active on Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)

by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jan 30, 2012 4:32 PM EST up reply actions

I meant Gleason…I thought I had hit reply

by bruinlorr on Jan 30, 2012 10:13 PM EST reply actions

Weird

I hit reply there too..

by bruinlorr on Jan 30, 2012 10:14 PM EST up reply actions

if you’re using app, that thing is a giant pile of reply fail.

And yeah, that seams like a wee bit of overpayment for Gleason. I’d have to think Beauchemin’s resign influenced the numbers, but most D are resigning in that ballpark lately (Liles 3.9, Goligoski 4.6, Gorges 3.9). We should thank our lucky stars Chia signed our mid-tier D when the market was weaker.

by TomServo42 on Jan 31, 2012 9:30 AM EST up reply actions