Stat of the Week

by Michael Taylor on Feb 9, 2012 3:44 PM EST in Stat Tracker

Since defeating the floundering Habs on January 12th, the Bruins have had a rough 12 games. They've gone 5-6-1 over that span, which on the surface doesn't seem awful. Last night's no show to the Sabres not only dropped them under .500 since the Montreal win, it also ran their goal differential during that span to -7 (not counting OT/SO).

Two Bruins have had particularly bad plus/minus numbers during this slide have been involved in the same D pairing, with Dennis Seidenberg (-10) and Joe Corvo (-6). The reason this is worth noting is that with all of the talk surrounding potential trade targets in Ray Whitney, Tuomo Ruutu, Teemu Selanne, Ryan Smyth, and a host of others, the place where the Bruins might be most in need of an upgrade is another legitimate top 4 defenseman, who would split the Corvo-Seidenberg pairing up, and allow the Bruins to better weather injuries, rotate out struggling players, and (where possible) exploit certain matchup opportunities in the playoffs.

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Chara and Seidenberg carried the defense

last year in the playoffs. However, the knock on Seidenberg has been that he can not carry his pairing well, however, if we can pair Seidenberg with another solid D-man, instead of Corvo, I think he will do well. Maybe Ryan Suter from Nashville?

by pemci on Feb 9, 2012 4:23 PM EST reply actions

I like it

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 Feb 9, 2012 5:53 PM EST up reply actions

Would love to see a Dman like Suter here but I assume that the price for him will be very steep if Nashville trades him at all.

They did it for Savy, they did it for Horton, they did it for each other, they did it for us. I give you the 2011 Stanley Cup Champions....The Boston Bruins!!

My Lions lost to the Saints who are clearly the better team. (This is what happens when you back your team and they lose),

by beachguy113 on Feb 10, 2012 11:26 AM EST up reply actions

Joe Corvo

what a dick

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 Feb 9, 2012 5:53 PM EST reply actions

Corvo and Boychuk are expendable

please trade one of these chumps

by delta on Feb 9, 2012 6:23 PM EST reply actions

Corvo is going to be the next guy shown the revolving puck moving defenseman door in Boston. I honestly don’t know why they even bother. Between Corvo, Kaberle, Morris, Hunwick, Wideman, etc, wouldn’t they just be better off finding another guy that is solid defensively and can make a pass out of his own zone on occasion? All the so called “puck movers” that have come and gone in Boston tend to usually be pretty sketchy defensively and end up with a pretty low +/-, in spite of their “offensive ability”. The formula just doesn’t seem to be working for them and I feel like PC is beating a bit of a dead horse here.

by MattS on Feb 9, 2012 7:12 PM EST up reply actions

exactly…..you can add Montador, Leech and Gonchar to that list too (Leech is kinda unfair because he was ancient; Gonchar, however I think would’ve fit perfectly with the B’s long term if they could have kept him). Like you said, I dont need to see a certified puck moving defensemen. Just someone who doesn’t blow it trying to make a stupid play.

Johnny, your shot isn’t that good. Stop pinching so much.

by delta on Feb 9, 2012 10:56 PM EST up reply actions

I honestly don’t know why they even bother.

Because getting the puck from behind our net to neutral ice is pretty useful, when you get right down to it.

We don’t need a 1928 defense.

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 Feb 10, 2012 9:03 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

+1

by pemci on Feb 10, 2012 9:25 AM EST up reply actions

I notice that you posted “+1” but did not “rec” the comment.

If you click the “actions” button next to reply, and then click

Rec

this will “recommend” the comment. 3 “recs” turn it green.

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 Feb 10, 2012 9:49 AM EST up reply actions

There ya go. :)

by pemci on Feb 10, 2012 10:07 AM EST up reply actions

and now 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 Feb 10, 2012 10:17 AM EST up reply actions

Thank You.. :)

by pemci on Feb 10, 2012 10:24 AM EST up reply actions

Can we go for a 1957 defense instead?

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

by BobbyOrrsBastard on Feb 10, 2012 9:35 AM EST up reply actions

I want a 1970's defense!

Actually, just one guy on that defense….first name begin’s with a B, last name begins with a O…Taylor Hall in Edmonton wears his number….but the name currently escapes me…

by pemci on Feb 10, 2012 9:41 AM EST up reply actions

I’d settle for Bourque

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 Feb 10, 2012 9:46 AM EST up reply actions

In a heartbeat!

by pemci on Feb 10, 2012 9:47 AM EST up reply actions

I’d settle for the 2010-2011 defense…I forget how they finished the season but I don’t think they were that horrible.

In Memoriam: Dan Wheldon 1978-2011

by Arenacale on Feb 10, 2012 9:48 AM EST up reply actions

Tomas Kaberle, Stanley Cup Champion

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 Feb 10, 2012 9:49 AM EST up reply actions

What no picture of Kaberle in his knight suit

and the little piggies around him? I am disappointed Cornelius… :’(

by pemci on Feb 10, 2012 10:08 AM EST up reply actions

sigh

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 Feb 10, 2012 10:17 AM EST up reply actions

Just subsitute

Tomas Kaberle for Joe Corvo….the rest of the guys are the same that were here for the 2010-2011 season.. :)

by pemci on Feb 10, 2012 9:55 AM EST up reply actions

I’m sure Cale knows that… is likely commenting on the dropoff in performance for some.

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

by BobbyOrrsBastard on Feb 10, 2012 9:57 AM EST up reply actions

Yes, and in a sense.

The Bruins historically have a difficult time in these two months, and for the usual reasons – mid-season grind, natural cool-off, water finding it’s level, etc. etc. They will come back around, and probably will peak at the right time again. Also, I’m personally not a fan of blowing the team up when they’re still leading the division and just came off a Cup. Corvo is an expendable piece, I’m not sure that we’d really cry over losing Soup and Dish (Paella has snails in it…eeeewww), but as far as making big moves to make big moves because big names are going to help the team no matter what (right, Ilya?), I can pass.

In Memoriam: Dan Wheldon 1978-2011

by Arenacale on Feb 10, 2012 10:15 AM EST up reply actions

That is true...

Our defenseman, aside from Chara, do not instill any scoring fear in our opponents, unless it is Seidenberg from center ice…

Chara 8 Goals Last Year he finished with 14 Goals
Ference 4 Goals Last Year he finished with 3 Goals
Seindenberg 3 Goals Last Year he finished with 7 Goals
Boychuk 3 Goals Last year he finished with 3 Goals
McQuaid 2 Goals Last year he finished with 3 Goals
Kampfer 0 Goals Last year he finished with 5 Goals
Bartkowski 0 Goals Last Year he finished with 0 Goals
Corvo 3 Goals Last year, Hunwick, Stuart and Kaberle each finished
with 1 Goal (meanwhile Corvo had 11 Goals wtih Car)

by pemci on Feb 10, 2012 10:23 AM EST up reply actions

And yet the Bruins have the highest Goals For with at least a game in hand on the next 10 teams

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 Feb 10, 2012 10:24 AM EST up reply actions

True, but a defenseman that can score would

open up more opportunities for our wings and centers. Teams would have to respect our D more than they do now. Going by the numbers, our defensemen have either met or exceeded last years levels, with the exception of some, but there are still plenty of games left, and they will definitely add to those numbers. :)

by pemci on Feb 10, 2012 10:27 AM EST up reply actions

And to be honest...

The only Bruin on the team that is not in the + in the +/- is David Krecji at -3. Jordan Caron is -2, but he has only played in 19 games. Aside from Kreji, the next lowest Bruin (who is a regular) is Paille at +4.

by pemci on Feb 10, 2012 10:31 AM EST up reply actions

Paille’s +4 must come from all those PK breakaways

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 Feb 10, 2012 10:57 AM EST up reply actions

No disprect towards Paille...

He is not a offensive threat that Krejci is suppose to be. Paille is very good at what he does on PK, and I am very happy he is on the team.. :)

by pemci on Feb 10, 2012 11:05 AM EST up reply actions

Well it’s either PK breakaways or playing on a line with noted NHL sniper Shawn Thornton

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 Feb 10, 2012 11:32 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I did actually LOL at this comment.

by dudebro on Feb 10, 2012 2:33 PM EST up reply actions

Okay one last thing, I found this to be interesting:

Hits and Blocks:

Chara 104 Hits 55 Blocked Shots in 50 Games played
Boychuk 91 Hits 91 Blocked Shots in 51 Games played
Seidenberg 91 Hits 111 Blocked Shots in 52 Games played
McQuaid 58 Hits 75 Blocked Shots in 47 Games played
Ference 52 Hits 46 Blocked Shots in 47 Games played

Corvo 17 Hits 39 Blocked Shots in 52 Games played

by pemci on Feb 10, 2012 10:39 AM EST up reply actions

FAHKIN GUY NEVAH HITS!

I'm out, peace - Tim Thomas

by TomServo42 on Feb 10, 2012 10:46 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

DIKEMBEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

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 Feb 10, 2012 10:56 AM EST up reply actions

speaking of stats...

Mr. Gomez scored his first in 1 year and 3 days.

Keep Calm and Tim Tom

by Big Bad Me on Feb 9, 2012 11:31 PM EST reply actions

http://didgomezscore.com/

I'm out, peace - Tim Thomas

by TomServo42 on Feb 9, 2012 11:47 PM EST up reply actions

yep yep

most of what I read above is right in line with what I’ve been feeling after watching the games last couple of months. I’ve been complaining loudly about what a waste of space Corvo is but of course no one around me down here much cares, hey at least you folks know what I’m talking about! Boychuk, eh, I could take him or leave him and I like the other four a lot but Corvo is a failed experiment if you ask me. Time to ship him out. He still has a rep as an offensive defenseman, maybe some GM somewhere could be convinced that he would work better in their system than what he has shown for the B’s. He’s just not cutting it, the time to be patient is over, let’s make a new plan.

On a slightly different topic it seems startling to me that losing Horton would throw the offense into such a depression. Yeah I know what he brings to the table but I bought the hype that this team has depth instead of superstars, well gee whiz lose a first line winger and suddenly nobody else can buy a goal. What am I missing here? P.S. I vote leave the checking line just the way they are, they aren’t the problem if you ask me…

by dm440c on Feb 10, 2012 2:53 PM EST reply actions