Hitting The Links: Trial By Fire Edition

by sarahconnors on Jan 5, 2012 10:04 AM EST in Hitting the Links

Stop hugging Krejci, he clearly does not like that

So this is fun, word out of the Calgary camp is that the Flames will be starting not Miikka Kipprusoff, but their fresh-faced rookie Leland Irving. Oddly enough, considering the Flames are not a team we see very often, those among us familiar with Providence have encountered this guy before.

The Abbottsford Heat, the Flames' AHL affiliate, have made a really long east-coast swing every year for the past few years. They're one of the few West Conference teams the P-Bruins meet each year, and in fact, Irving played in both contests between the two teams last year. Two games isn't a lot, but it's enough to at least maybe get an idea of how the guy plays.

After the jump, Rick Nash is having a bad year, Rene Bourque won't play against the Bruins, and Tuukka Rask wants to be here for a long time...

Bruins News:

Tim Thomas was in Men's Health magazine this month! [Men's Health]
God this Stanley Cup rematch set for Saturday is so overhyped, GEEZ. [PHT]
The Devils are considering yesterday their "worst game of the year." [Herald]
Tuukka Rask wants a 'long future' with Boston, which is good to hear. [NESN]
The Bruins are manhandling the rest of the Northeast Division. And here is a review of NHL 36. [WEEI]
The Flames are giving us Leland Irving. It's like they're sacrificing him to a volcano or something based on the tone of this article. [Calgary Herald]
Nathan Horton is showing signs of life. [Herald]

NHL News:

The first 6 NHL All-Stars will be released in about a half-hour. [NHL]
John Tortorella was fined for his angry remarks about the refereeing in the Winter Classic. [USA Today]
Lars Eller scored four goals as the Habs beat the ~~Thrashers~~ Jets last night. [CTV]
Rene Bourque will start his five-game suspension tonight after targeting the head of Nicklas Backtrom the other night. [ESPN]
Rick Nash is having easily his toughest season, and he's apparently agreed to, if necessary, waive his NTC. [Blue Jackets Extra]

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I feel like this is a sick joke by the flames …..

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HOCKEY TEMPER

by Losted125 on Jan 5, 2012 10:07 AM EST via Android app reply actions

There’s no point of “over-hype” for re-living the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals, which the 2011 Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins won, for me.

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 5, 2012 10:09 AM EST reply actions

honestly. It’s just another two points.

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 5, 2012 10:12 AM EST up reply actions

Its a win win for us we win we say yep still own them , they win lol cool we still won the cup

Follow @Edward_Cash

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by Losted125 on Jan 5, 2012 10:14 AM EST via Android app up reply actions

when i read:

lol cool we still won the cup

I see:

Kick his ass, Seabass!

by phonymahoney on Jan 5, 2012 1:29 PM EST up reply actions

Every team coming into boston looks up at that banner and says “they’re the defending cup champs, let’s kick their ass”

finally we can say “they’re the defending cup loozahs, let’s rock them again”

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 5, 2012 10:33 AM EST up reply actions

I’ve been missing out on chowder last few games :( miss the off topicness of the open skate

Follow @Edward_Cash

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by Losted125 on Jan 5, 2012 10:12 AM EST via Android app reply actions

last night was a really good one. we missed you.

Kick his ass, Seabass!

by phonymahoney on Jan 5, 2012 1:29 PM EST up reply actions

That Lars Eller hat trick was celebrated with...

…an adult toy being thrown on the ice. Which I think is meant to be representative of how Randy Cunneyworth is being treated.

In Memoriam: Dan Wheldon 1978-2011

by Arenacale on Jan 5, 2012 10:27 AM EST reply actions

Fire sale in anaheim

So apparently almost the whole team can be yours for a low low price (Teemu not included). Damien Cox idiotically floated the idea of the B’s going for one of the big 3, but if Chia wants a D upgrade instead, Lydman and Beauchemin would be good targets. I’d personally lean Lydman, who typically gets tougher minutes and d zone starts – caveat: he’s signed for another year at 3m. Thoughts? Guesstimate of the price?

by TomServo42 on Jan 5, 2012 10:44 AM EST reply actions

We have the highest goal differential in the league and the lowest GA. I’m not sure I’d be blowing up our D right now.

In Memoriam: Dan Wheldon 1978-2011

by Arenacale on Jan 5, 2012 10:52 AM EST up reply actions

Nor am I proposing it. Talking about adding another if it can be done w/o moving anyone significant. Would want to move much more than picks and prospects

Our D’s doing great, but have been remarkably lucky with injuries and have no capable fill-in in the wings, for this year at least. Wouldn’t mind having another guy who can anchor a second pair and kill penalties.

by TomServo42 on Jan 5, 2012 11:06 AM EST up reply actions

“wouldn’t” want

by TomServo42 on Jan 5, 2012 11:06 AM EST up reply actions

The concern I would have is the future… don’t want to be tied into a longterm deal that may not be worth it. Not with so much talent needing to be retained over the next few seasons.

by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 5, 2012 11:14 AM EST up reply actions

understandable. Beauchemin would be the rental option, though his corsi qoc and zone starts aren’t quite as good, he’s a solid stay at home presence. Lydman would howerver probably fit next year for the final year of his deal if Corvo’s not around (not suggesting they have the same skill set – rather assuming Dougie’s replacing Corvo. Super speculative I know).

Anywho, just floating a slightly saner Anaheim trade out there. No idea what the cost would be. Can’t imagine nearly the insane Lupul/Gardiner/pick price Anaheim paid.

by TomServo42 on Jan 5, 2012 11:31 AM EST up reply actions

Well they have said they aren’t looking to rebuild with picks but instead get like players back. So maybe a Boychuck or Ference swap would be feasible. Boychuk is up at year end and likely due for a raise despite his inconsistent play (at 1.9M now)

by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 5, 2012 11:57 AM EST up reply actions

wouldn’t mind a Boychuk swap, but that doesn’t really help the whole injury depth thing much. Ah well

by TomServo42 on Jan 5, 2012 2:21 PM EST up reply actions

And if one of those 6 goes down-we get Kampfer or Bartkowski. Just the thought makes me shiver.

I want an upgrade for depth. I also think our D could still do with a strong veteran defensman,

by TCL40 on Jan 5, 2012 1:57 PM EST up reply actions

My thoughts:

Move no one (except possibly Horton, because he’s been irking me lately). This is a beautiful thing we’ve got going here.

Kick his ass, Seabass!

by phonymahoney on Jan 5, 2012 1:32 PM EST up reply actions

Horton looks like he's

getting complacent. He’s not a bad player, but he doesn’t seem to have that same fire in his belly that the rest of the squad has.

by dudebro on Jan 5, 2012 1:39 PM EST up reply actions

Didn’t we go through this same thing last year about this time?

get him to a pro shop

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 5, 2012 1:42 PM EST up reply actions

Anyone else who doesn't believe Tuukka?

I feel like he gave the only answer he could reasonably give, but we all know he wants to be the #1 guy and has the skill to be a #1 guy, but he’s playing behind a man who’s doing a damn fine job so far of defending his latest Vezina.

So I don’t think he really wants to be here long term considering that Thomas doesn’t look like he’ll be washed up any time soon. I think it’s going to take a LOT of money to resign him here (more than he’ll get on the open market, given the circumstances here- and he’ll get paid handsomely as a free agent), and I’m not sure that a backup netminder is the best use of that considerable cap space.

So if you think you’re going to lose him anyway, does that mean trade him? I say no, because he’s too valuable to this team’s title defense this year, even as a backup. And let’s be real: he’s not bringing back (for example) Duncan Keith even though the Hawks could desperately use him in their own cup run.

by Black Bird on Jan 5, 2012 12:01 PM EST reply actions

I beg to differ..

I think he really has settled into this team and knows his time will come. This team is ridiculously deep like no other team in the game so if he went elsewhere, yes he might make more $$ but his chances of winning would be far less (IMO).

On the other hand, if they were to trade him, bring on Shea Weber!

by Federko on Jan 5, 2012 12:31 PM EST up reply actions

If I'm a goalie of his talent

and have the chance to play as the starter (again) for a cup-contending team that plays a goalie-stat-flattering defensive system, gives plenty of goal support, and is willing to pay decent money and spend to the cap, I’m not sure I test the free agent waters.

by TomServo42 on Jan 5, 2012 12:34 PM EST up reply actions

^ this.

Timmy’s getting up there, Tuukka’s time will come. And he’ll be ready.

Kick his ass, Seabass!

by phonymahoney on Jan 5, 2012 1:33 PM EST up reply actions

However Rask is an RFA, there should be no assumption that we will lose him. We do retain the right to match any offer (taking into account offer sheets have been scarce these last few seasons). I just don’t see that not happening. Chia has done an outstanding job thus far and I see no reason to doubt his ability on this one. Our cap space is totally manageable and the players we need to sign, 4th line (relatively cheap) and Kelly aren’t very daunting. And let’s not forget Savvy is still on the books. I have no fear that 2Us, 2Ks, 2pts will remain a Bruin.

by gravitymike on Jan 5, 2012 1:59 PM EST up reply actions

I think what Tuukka would like is a cup run where he is the starting goalie.

I think Tuukka gets that Boston is built to be good for a while and I think he gets that he is part of it.

That said I do think Tuukka wants the starting job, but I think he knows there is an end in sight to his current situation and he is willing to wait. Not to mention that Timmy and Tuukka seem to have a friendly rivalry and seem to make each other better. I think they are good for each othe.

by TCL40 on Jan 5, 2012 2:02 PM EST up reply actions

Nobody caught this yet? I’m surprised! Granted, this is an article taken from a paper in Hackensack NJ that the Herald clipped:

Bergeron scored his second goal of the game 2:13 into the third to make it 4-1. Andrew Marchand circled behind the net with the puck and came out to goaltender Martin Brodeur’s left before finding Bergeron alone in the slot for the one-timer past Brodeur on the stick side.

by Miss Muse on Jan 5, 2012 4:35 PM EST reply actions