Stanley Cup of Chowder: FanPosts

Meet Ray Bourque

2009-11-20T21:25:15Z

Hey Bruins Fans my name is Adam Benoit and I'm with the Celebrities for Charity Foundation. We are a non profit organization the helps raise money for other non profits. We are currently working with Ray Bourque and Georges Laraque on an onlie raffle at NetRaffle.org. The raffle includes your choice of either 2 tickets to the Bruins vs. Canadiens game in Boston on Feb. 4th or the Bruins at Canadiens game in Montreal on Feb. 7th. The raffle also includes a meet and greet with both players, autogrpahed jersey's from both players, a one night stay in either Boston or Montreal, and dinner at either Tresca (Ray Bourque's restaurant in the Northend) or Ristorant Da Vinci (Ray's favorite restaurant in Montreal)

Tickets are only $2 each (minimum of 5) and the proceeds benefit the Celebrities for Charity Foundation (Ray Bourque) and the Montreal based Children's Charities (Georges Laraque)

For more information or to purchase tickets visit https://www.celebritiesforcharity.org/raffles/bourque_laraque.cfm

A little bit of optimism

2009-11-19T03:10:00Z

The Bruins aren't playing up to the expectations that were set for them, don't get wrong, but luckily we play in a fairly even division. The team is still only 5 points out of first in the division (third in the conference), even while playing some horrible/disappointing games. Lucic and Savard coming back will be huge, not because they can single handedly increase the scoring themselves, but increase the options. Right now the teams scoring is focused around two players who are coming off major injuries (Sturm and Bergeron), a player who season after season starts slow (Ryder), some young guys (Krejci and Wheels), and an old man (Recchi). Teams can easily shut down the Bruins forwards, because they don't have many options. Lucic and Savard returning gives the team more scoring options which will make it harder for teams to shut them down.

Lucic Savard Ryder

Sturm Bergeron Recchi

Wheeler Krejci Paille

Thornton Begin Bitz

(Maybe interchange Recchi and Wheeler)

That lineup will potent on three lines for offense meaning second and third line D-Pairs against top-notch offense, The Defense and Goaltenders have been very good (minus the past two games). I feel the D-Men have been playing too cute the past couple of games to try and jump start the O leading to bad plays in the Defensive Zone. The Offense will come around when the team gets it's options back, leading to the Defensemen settling down and playing smarter, leading to less Defensive Zone breakdowns, which hopefully will lead to more wins. Pretty much the meaning of this drunken spew of words is I can't wait to see whats on the horizon when the Bruins start playing with a full healthy team.

N. FIlatov a possibility for the Bruins?

2009-11-18T10:26:54Z

So news broke earlier today that alleged offensive dynamo and 2008 6th-overall pick ~~Amanda Bynes~~ Nikita Filatov has been amicably gifted to the KHL for the remainder of the season.

Here is Filatov discussing the move with Puck Daddy.

Obviously, Filatov won't be returning to the NHL this year, and there's a good chance he might stay in Russia, where people may not immediately question his gender upon gazing on his visage.

That said, would you like to see the Bruins, if they're able, swapping a 2nd round pick (or two) for Filatov's rights? If and when he does return to the NHL he will have at least a year left on his entry-level contract, and is a prodigiously talented offensive sniper, having already notched an NHL hat trick, and, well, only 6 goals and no assists in 21 career games. Ahem.

Yes, he is a defensive liability, but he's also 19 years old, and still in the throes of puberty (if not just starting) so there remains a chance that he could fill out. "Effective 2-way player" might be pushing it, but "not always a defensive liability" might be acceptable if they were accompanied by 30 goals and a 850k cap hit. And unlike Phil-the-Pill, character problems don't seem to plague Filatov, as Columbus has praised his work ethic and willingness to adapt, even if his talent and physical ability haven't quite caught up.

I'm not really a fan of Filatov. I sincerely doubt we'll ever see him in the NHL again (he's just too small, and not as good as Patrick Kane) but I thought I'd just throw the idea out there, see what everybody else thought. A 2nd round pick seems kind of slight for a talent like Filatov, but it's obvious that there is no place for him in Columbus, even with their desperate need of goal-scoring.

Looking for consistency from the "M"s

2009-11-17T07:41:34Z

At the quarter mark of the season, none of the following--complete with nicknames capturing their ineffectiveness--are on pace to crack the 40-point barrier. They'll certainly need to pick it up over the last 3/4 of the season if the Bruins hope to overcome their poor start:

Mark Recchi: He's morphed into the second coming of Glen Murray during his final stages with the B's--an old, tired, and frequently invisible spare part. While Recchi is a highly respected member of the NHL community and an extremely tough cookie--he played Game 7 within 24 hours of kidney stone removal last year, for Christ's sake--one has to believe that he's on his last legs. Mark "Train" Recchi is only appropriate as the former star barrels downhill into the twilight of his career. Mark "Tyrannosaurus" Recchi also received votes for the old-timer, as he appears to be better suited for the set of Jurassic Park than an NHL rink these days.

Michael Ryder: The enigmatic winger was just as ineffective at the beginning of last season as he is now, scoring just 3 goals in his first 22 games. The difference is that Ryder had the "fortune" of struggling while the rest of the B's were gaining steam last November; this season, now that the losses are beginning to pile up a little, he can hardly fly under the radar. While he provides the occasional flash, he usually proceeds to disappear for shifts at a time--earning himself the nickname, Michael "Ghost" Ryder. After all, Bruins fans have recently received him about as well as movie critics received the Nicolas Cage flop back in 2007. Honorable mention Michael "Easy" Ryder also enjoys tokin' it up with Peter Fonda before games, which may explain his sluggish skating on the forecheck.

Marco Sturm: Sturmy--normally dependable for 25 goals and 40-50 points over a full slate--deserves a bit of a break after coming back from a completely lost season, but I can't say I expected him to struggle this much. He went a month between goals, with his second goal of the season coming on October 8th, his third on November 7th. And, after scoring 25 combined goals on the man-advantage in his first three seasons in Boston, he still hasn't scored on the power play this season. The bottom line is that Marco "Infertile" Sturm just seems unable to produce anything these days. Marco "The Perfect" Sturm also received votes because, much like George Clooney's crew in the movie, he vanished long ago and still hasn't returned. Then again, the same can be said for the rest of the Bruins at this point.

Bruins inquire about Forsberg?

2009-11-11T05:36:47Z

Over on ESPN.com, Pierre LeBrun's NHL blog cited that a number of GMs inquired with Forsberg's agent Don Baizley about the availability of the 36-year-old forward.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4642932&name=lebrun_pierre

"I've had some discussions with Don Baizley on him and we had people scouting him last week," Chiarelli told ESPN.com, confirming his interest in Forsberg. "It's something that we certainly would look at exploring."

Other teams being mentioned as possible suitors are the New York Rangers, the Philadelphia Flyers, and the Vancouver Canucks. Forsberg's camp says that despite the discussions, he has not yet decided on his playing future. He has had a number of ailments throughout his professional career, though when healthy he was a pivotal part of the Colorado Avalanche's Stanley Cup winning teams.

Bergy's BA 'Stache

2009-11-07T05:43:44Z

I'm sorry...but I'm a massive fan of PattyB's new biker mustache. He needs to keep that straight thru May. I can almost swear to God on the last minute goal against the Habs, it was sheer willpower of the 'stache that put the puck in the back of the net. If his mustache was given the opportunity to a shootout, it would've lit the lamp behind Price. Speaking of shootouts, drunk idea led to this: Which coach will be the first to call upon a goalie to skate in on a shootout....must be the most confusing thing to ever see. If Boston ever gets to a point where we're confirmed for playoff contention, or eliminated...if the opportunity arises, Rask needs to be put down on the bill for a shootout.

Looking ahead a bit

2009-11-03T04:41:17Z

Who to look for?

I know its kind of soon in the season, but i was wondering with Boston and its draft picks who do you think they will be looking at to acquire by deadline? I dont know how its going to be once Sav and Lucic come back from being injured but would Boston go after a scoring winger or forward or bulk defense with a top D. Just a reasonable speculation or opinions what would it be?

The Genius of Peter

2009-10-15T12:30:51Z

Even though we haven't gotten past the first 10% of the season, looking at how Toronto is playing, Peter Chiarelli looks like a damn genius. Toronto is the only team with less then 2 points, and they are playing like poop. I don't know about you, but I wasn't worried about Phil Kessel going to a divisonal "rival", and now it appears to be paying off dividends. Bad goaltending, pitiful offense, and now Kessel gets the label of "savior" when he returns. I dont think he can handle that pressure and his play will suffer more then it did against good teams when he was here. If this keeps up we're looking at a top 5 and maybe even the #1 pick in the draft next year. I'll take that over Kessel any day.

My (sort of lengthy) take on the season thus far

2009-10-13T05:18:01Z

The start of the season has certainly been plagued by unexpected concerns--inconsistent scoring, sloppy puck control, inability to win physical battles, shaky goaltending and downright abysmal special teams play. I haven't seen much of the intensity and mental toughness that carried the Bruins to their best record in decades last year.

That being said, it would be ludicrous to say that the Bruins are screwed at this juncture of the season. True, they mustered just two wins out of a season-opening homestand in which they surrendered 19 goals in five games. True, one of those wins came against the Islanders in the shootout after erasing a three-goal, third-period deficit--one of the Bruins' few exhibitions of intensity and desperation this season, and all that stands between them and a 1-4 record.

But we must remember, as the season is in its infant stages, that there is plenty of time for the kinks to be worked out. In the long run, the first five games mean virtually nothing. There are too many experienced members of the organization--from the players on up--to allow mediocrity to set in for any length of time. Lest we forget, the Bruins have last season’s coach, goaltender, and defenseman of the year, and those honors were not unjustly awarded. But there's plenty of work to be done.

The power play is clicking at an anemic 4-for-29 rate so far. In fact, if you throw out the 7-2 romping of Carolina in their second game (which is a stupid concept but I still find the resulting fact interesting), the Bruins have actually allowed more goals while on the man advantage than they’ve scored, as the power play has gone 0-for-21 in the other four games while giving up two shorthanded goals. The penalty kill has sucked too, allowing 8 goals in 26 attempts--leaving me with a shocking feeling that I actually miss PJ.

The ineffectiveness on special teams is definitely an accurate reflection of the Bruins' struggles as a whole. Their power play has sputtered because of their inability to create traffic and get the puck to the net, something that has plagued them in their failed attempts to play a cohesive, 60-minute game. When I was at today's game, I was pulling my hair because the Bruins seemed unable to penetrate the shooting lanes, dancing around the perimeter until they either lost possession of the puck or took shots from the blueline that were blocked with ease and either cleared the zone or sailed out of play.

The Bruins are underperforming in their own zone as well. They've appeared overmatched in one-on-one battles, either getting outmuscled or losing races to the puck. The defensive corps has been burned multiple times by the speed of opponents’ top lines, particularly in the blowout losses to Washington and Anaheim. Neither Thomas nor Tuukka Rask has been overly impressive in net; then again, neither netminder has received great support from the five guys in front of him.

Despite all of these issues, the Bruins have the coaching and the talent to overcome their slow start. The fact that the offense has shown improved chemistry--at least in 5-on-5 situations--in the past few games is encouraging. The fourth line continues to be a silver lining with its gritty play, and Patrice Bergeron and Marco Sturm have shown that they are ready to make a difference this year.

For the rest of the team, much of the struggle seems to be mental. Thomas has been fighting the puck, looking oddly uncomfortable, and many of the skaters have been far too hesitant to get physical in the corners and take offensive risks. It's almost as if there's a hangover from last season--as if the players expect the success of 2008-09 to just present itself on a silver platter alongside a free playoff berth. Simply put, the Bruins need to prove that they are hungry, because they aren’t sneaking up on anyone this year.

So, my general advice is not to panic, but to exercise some patience--a rarity for Boston sports fans, myself included, who live in a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately type of world. Look for the Bruins’ upcoming road trip to serve as a wakeup call--a chance to return home with a fresh look next week--and expect a strong performance from an angry Thomas in net on Friday night in Dallas. This team is too good to fumble away its high expectations, and we all know that, once they string together a few wins, the good vibrations will return to the TD Garden. It's just a matter of translating skill into effort, intensity and focus.

5 Games I'm most excited about this season

2009-09-30T03:14:23Z

1) Fri, Jan 1 vs Philadelphia: The Winter Classic

The Winter Classic is the marquee event of the NHL regular season, and Fenway Park is the perfect venue for its continued success. The traditional appeal of the old ballpark will combine with the blustery winter weather to create a dynamic recipe for old-time hockey, and Chris Pronger and Zdeno Chara will be relied upon for some equally chilling physical play. Just like last year’s Classic at Wrigley, the buzz of the crowd and intensity of the game will further indicate the rebirth of an Original Six city that had recently struggled to keep professional hockey on its radar.

2) Sat, Dec 5 vs Toronto

Obviously, the focal point of this matchup will be Phil Kessel’s return to Boston, assuming he has fully recovered from offseason shoulder surgery. It will be interesting to see how the exiled sniper is received by the hometown faithful, as his departure was less than amicable, and it will be even more intriguing to see how he plays against his former teammates. Considering his tendency to avoid body contact, he probably won’t like the idea of going one-on-one in the corners against Chara’s 6-9, 255-pound frame.

3) Thu, Jan 14 @ San Jose

Through two periods of Joe Thornton’s much-anticipated return last season, the game was shaping up to be everything we expected--the B's led 2-1 in a tight defensive battle between the league's top teams. Then they suffered a most uncharacteristic collapse: San Jose came out firing in the third, and Boston surrendered four more goals in a frustrating exposure of defensive weaknesses that catapulted the Bruins into their worst slump of the season. The Bruins head to the Shark Tank for a redo this January, and the matchup should again serve as a clash of elite teams. Hopefully, the boys are better prepared this time.

4) Thu, Nov 5 vs Montreal

While I endorse any Bruins-Canadiens contest as entertaining television for even the most clueless of sports fans, this one will be particularly important in setting the tone for the season series. In the first of six games between the division rivals, Montreal will be seeking payback after its embarrassing playoff performance, and its revamped offense appears ready to create problems for the Bruins. The game should feature plenty of scoring, and it should also contain plenty of the post-whistle scrums and chatter that make this rivalry one of the best in sports.

5) Thu, Oct 1 vs Washington

Thursday’s season opener in Boston features two hungry, powerful Eastern Conference teams left unsatisfied by shortened playoff runs last spring. The Bruins and Capitals face heightened pressure and expectations heading into the new campaign, and the atmosphere in the Garden will be booming come game time. What better way to kick off the new season than a clash between Ovechkin, the league’s most electric player, and Chara, its most prominent shutdown defender?

Who can forget PJ?

2009-09-29T20:57:42Z

Watching the preseason games between the Ottawa Senators and the Columbus Blue Jackets made me think of one of the scrappiest, most fearless and dedicated fighters the Bruins have seen, Pj Stock. Don't get me wrong I love Shawn Thornton, and Milan Lucic is the modern day Cam Neely, but Stock was just amazing to watch do his job. The memorable fight with Stephen Peat and too many others to remember. His trademark wave to the crowd going to the box, he was a small bad Bruin, and I miss him.

What was your favorite Pj moment?

Reckless Photoshopping

2009-09-22T02:15:14Z

When I was a kid, and I would bring home NHL 94 for the weekend from Hub Video on East Broadway, I would never be able to figure out why the Bruins, dressed in black whenever I saw them, would inexplicably be brown in the game. As I got older, I learned that brown was a traditional team color, and that, in those games, it was a way to distinguish the B's from the ~~posers~~ other black-and-gold team in Pittsburgh. Brown would otherwise be forgotten as a Bruins color, until the awesomeness of the Winter Classic jerseys revived it for a new generation. Turns out, it doesn't look all that bad. So why not reintroduce it full-time? Through the magic of Photosh-excuse me, Paint Shop Pro 9, I was able to approximate the look:

via lh3.ggpht.com

via lh4.ggpht.com

OK, so they're not quite the same shade, but it should give you a sense of how it might look out on the ice. Personally? I kinda like the idea. A nice dark chocolate brown would be different, but in an old-school kind of way. Thoughts?

Poll

Should the Bruins go back to brown?

Yes, replace the black.

2 votes

Yes, as an accent color.

11 votes

No, brown can do nothing for me.

20 votes

33 votes | Poll has closed

Kessel Blockbuster Likely

2009-09-17T14:29:28Z

The Herald is reporting:

Because of the looming threat the Bruins [team stats] will not be able to match an offer sheet for free agent Phil Kessel [stats], two well-placed sources in Toronto said the team is close to pulling off a blockbuster trade involving the 21-year-old sniper.

According to the sources, the deal likely will be finalized within the next week, as four teams are in the running. Toronto and Nashville have made the best offers in talks with B's general manager Peter Chiarelli. Minnesota and the New York Rangers also are in the mix.

The Bruins hoped all along to keep Kessel but could not re-sign him despite making a lucrative offer, so they are close to getting what they can for him and moving on.

2009 Boston Bruins Fantasy Preview

2009-09-10T03:06:05Z

Editor's Note: Wamsley is a contributor for Habs Eyes on the Prize (but don't hold that against him) and editor of Fantasy Sense Hockey. He has been writing these awesome fantasy hockey previews for several of the SB Nation Hockey blogs this offseason. The views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflected the views of Stanley Cup of Chowder, SB Nation, or its sponsors.

Last season at this time the Boston Bruins were a team that the Hockey News had projected at 10. Their rivals the Canadienswere the class of the East and had a youthful core that would make them a contender for years. Twelve months later and a 4-0 shellacking in the playoffs, the tables are reversed. The Bruins are now the powerhouse entering 2010. Can they repeat the success of their breakout year? Will they avoid the pitfalls that follow success? Will the injuries to Kessel and Krejci stagnate a potent offense?

With the re-signing of Thomas, the Bruins have recognized their window and Chiarelli has pushed in all his chips. As long as they can retain Kessel, and he and Krejci rebound from injury, the Bruins should contend in the East again in 2010.

For a breakdown on how to read the profles, click here. For a larger version of the previews, click on the individual profile.

How does a goaltender that couldn't make the NHL until the age of 31 transform into a Vezina trophy winner so rapidly?

Play for a coach who has instilled defensive discipline at every NHL stop during his career.

In 2003 the Canadiens were in the process of finishing 23rd in the NHL and giving up 234 goals against. Enter Claude Julien. With a full training camp in place to implement his system, the Canadiens improved by 42 goals and finished as the 10th best defensive team in the NHL temporarily nullifying the rigamortis that had enveloped Jose Theodore's career.

New Jersey finished the 2006 season ranked 8th with 229 goals against. Enter Claude Julien. Once again Julien lead a 28-goal improvement and a 6th place defensive finish. After being fired late in the 2007 season Julien resurfaced with the Bruins. With 293 goals against and a 29th place finish in goals against, there wasn't much room to move but up. Julien lead the Bruins to a 72-goal improvement in 2008 and furthered that with another 27-goal improvement last season. From the 29th best defensive team to the 1st in 164 games!

Doesn't this seem like a reasonable explanation of how Thomas went from a 3.13 GAA and a .905 SV% at 33 to 2.10 GAA and a .933 SV% during the tail end of his peak at 35? It's not as compelling as Elliott Friedman tossing softballs about perseverance to Thomas on the CBC, but it makes more sense than crediting the improvement to Thomas' late learning curve.

As long as Julien coaches the Bruins, they are going to produce fantasy quality goaltenders. Should Thomas falter, Tuukka Raskis likely to step in and replicate Thomas' success.

Marc Savardhas been among the premier center's in fantasy over the last 5 seasons. Because of his uncanny on ice vision, Savard, when healthy has been a lock for 60+ assists and a yearly threat to crack 100 points. With the introduction of Julien's system, Savard's PP decline has been offset by his renewed defensive awareness. Savard managed to be a + player only 1 time during the first 10 years of his career, but has turned a -19 into a +23 over the last 2 seasons. He remains the biggest fantasy lock on the Bruins, but at 32 is entering into his descent as a fantasy performer. Playing for a contract, I don't expect any decline in 2010.

Tim Thomasis fun to watch and his reflexes and stubborn refusal to quit on a puck are extraordinary. If he was born in 1954 instead of 1974 he may have had a legendary career. After struggling to stick in the league for 15 years he finally found the perfect surroundings for success. Paired with Claude Julien, Thomas' penchant for over pursuit and kicking out monster rebounds has been nullified by a disciplined defense that rarely allows second chance opportunities. As long as Thomas is the starter in Boston, he will produce large fantasy numbers. How long he holds off Rask is another story.

Zdeno Charaanswered all the questions surrounding his 2008 shoulder injury by scoring 19 goals and winning his first Norris trophy in 2009. Although it took Big Z a while to make a fantasy impact, he has become one of the most consistent producers on the back end. Chara has enjoyed eight straight seasons of 95+ PIMs, four straight seasons of 20+ power play points and six straight seasons of 40+ points. Chara's production tailed off in the playoffs as he was hampered by numerous nagging injuries. He is surprisingly mobile and skates well for his size. He is an efficient puck mover and possesses a booming slap shot. With his consistency, the only concern in drafting Chara is his large frame avoiding wear and tear injuries.

David Krejciexploded on the fantasy scene after a torrid second quarter where he averaged 1.40 PPG (115 pt pace). From Nov. 19 – Jan. 13 Krejci had 39 pts in 25 games as he registered a +23. The most impressive aspect of the 23 year olds performance? Only 9 of those points were produced on the power play. Krejci's production tailed in the second half as the hip he injured in the pre-season got progressively worse to the point where he required off season surgery. Krejci still has months of rehab ahead of him and the highly skilled center may struggle out of the gate. 2009 was no fluke. With his vision, hands and ability to change pace, Krejci has a very bright fantasy future.

Phil Kessel is the prime reason why I thought the Thomas contract would act as an albatross around Chiarelli's neck. There remains a possibility that the dynamic winger could be on his way out of town, a victim of the Bruin's salary cap issues. Kessel owns lightning hands and feet and has the ability to maneuver at top speed, causing nightmares for NHL defenders. If they back in too deep, he unleashes a laser like wrist shot, if they get aggressive, he blows by them. Kessel enjoyed his breakout season in 2008 fueled by an 18 game point streak in which he produced 28 points (14G, 14A). He did suffer a lull in production in Jan - Feb, but a lot of that could be blamed on his bout with mononucleosis. He also rebounded from a shoulder injury, (which resulted in off season surgery) to produce 22 points over his final 19 games (including playoffs). Once he matures, the only thing holding him back from fantasy stardom is his health. If he remains in Boston, a PPG pace is realistic in 2010.

Dennis Wideman has improved immensely over the last 4 seasons. He went from being the guy who was traded for Brad Boyesto finishing in the top 15 in NHL scoring for D-men. Add in a +32 and 25 power play points and the question becomes has Wideman at 26 achieved his peak? Wideman is entering his prime and with his PP minutes and array of offensive skills he should remain productive. The Bruins had a magical 2009 and with the loss of Kessel and Krejci for the first couple of months, it isn't unreasonable to place his ceiling at 50 points in 2010.

Milan Lucic throws every hit with bad intentions and at only 21 years old has begun to terrorize the league like nobody since Todd Bertuzziin the early 2000s. Lucic is still raw and shows flashes of dominance. When he figures out the scoring zones and the most efficient routes to them, as well as improving his skating stride and balance, he will become the premier power forward in the league. After a slow 4th quarter, Lucic raised his level in the playoffs with 9 points in 10 games, as well as registering a team high +12. All of this with zero power play production (13th in PP minutes on the Bruins). Lucic almost doubled his 2008 production in 2009 with essentially the same ice time. When his maturity and offensive responsibility coincide, lookout. His upside is scary and leaves me wondering where his ceiling ultimately lies. Can you say Sea Bass!!

Patrice Bergeron was a rising offensive star until his inner Lindros emerged. After missing the majority of 2008, Bergeron returned to the lineup in 2009 and struggled to regain his offensive flow. After watching him adjust so seamlessly to a checking role in the playoffs, I began to have concerns about his future fantasy production. He has the opportunity to win me over during the first quarter of 2010. Injuries to Kessel and Krejci will provide him the opportunity for increased ice time and offensive responsibility, and with it, a chance to reclaim his once promising fantasy career.

There is no doubt that Michael Ryder is a strong offensive player and has the tendency to be very streaky. In fantasy, catching one of his torrid streaks could put you over the top. Last season he rebounded from a nightmare campaign to match his previous production. Upon return from a scary facial injury where he suffered a broken nose and multiple facial fractures, Ryder posted 30 points (13G, 17A) over his final 33 games as he caught fire in the playoffs. Ryder's history suggests a flawed offensive player who has strong instincts and the innate skill of having the puck follow him in the zone, but he also has a history of selfish play and concentration lapses. His hot streaks are always followed by lulls, so I wouldn't over value his hot stretch drive and expect more than his career trajectory shows.

The 23-year old Blake Wheeleronly one year removed from a 44 game schedule seemed to hit the wall over the second half of 2009. Coming off a productive second quarter in which he produced at a 60 pt pace, Wheeler struggled through the playoffs with 15 points over his last 39 games. Wheeler's lack of production cost him a lineup spot during the Bruin's final three games. Wheeler is a talented playmaker with great athleticism and finesse for his size. He has strong offensive upside that he displays through his 1 on 1 skills, and his offensive vision allows him to create time and space for his teammates. The biggest concerns in his development are his lack of strength, physical involvement and unwillingness to pay the price when the physical toll rises in the playoffs. An intriguing fantasy prospect with warts. His weaknesses are red flags for a 6'5" budding power forward.

Looking at the Bruins top prospects, it is easy to see why Chiarelli has gambled on the cap. They possess some intriguing offensive prospects that could step in and provide a cheap alternative over the next couple of seasons. His gamble will all depend on how quick the kids can adapt to the NHL. If any of them can make the leap on entry-level deals, Chiarelli will ultimately look good.

Leaf fans brace yourself. While Andrew Raycroft bounces around the league Tuukka Rask is ready for prime time. With Julien at the helm, Rask is going to be well insulated at the NHL level. With his flaws negated by the Bruins system, he should begin his ascension to number one in Boston. His skill set is impressive, but when his size, athleticism and economy of motion are combined with his passion and drive you have a future All-Star. With Thomas making $5M, Rask's owners will have to remain patient for glimpses. Should Thomas get injured, the Bruins could have a goalie controversy on their hands.

Colborne is the best offensive prospect in the Bruins system. At 6'5", Colborne is a tall, intelligent playmaker. His vision and hands are not consistent with his huge frame and his long effortless movements create the perception that he is not working hard. With low expectations entering his freshman season, Colborne surprised when injuries forced him back to his natural center position. As his body matures and gains the strength to compete more consistently, Colborne should fulfill top line potential.

Soderberg has been a productive player for Malmo in the second tier Swedish Elite League finishing 5th in league scoring in 2009. Soderberg is another large pivot in the Bruins pipeline; he is deceptively quick and possesses strong playmaking skills. When he decides to come over to North America his toughness and mettle will be tested, if he passes the test he can become a solid offensive player with limited upside.

Coming off a prolific junior career in which he posted 93 points and lead the WHL in scoring during his draft eligible season, Hamill's stock has dropped. Consecutive seasons marked by a decline in his production have raised questions about the former 8th overall pick. Initially viewed as undersized, Hamill has grown into his frame and with his effortless stride and powerful acceleration has significant offensive upside. Although his lack of production in the AHL can be explained as an adjustment to the pro game and lack of ice-time, his final WHL campaign raises red flags. How much was Peter Mueller responsible for his 2007 breakout campaign? With Mueller's departure, Hamill's point total plummeted 18 points and he failed to rebound in 2009. He still remains a solid pro prospect, but with the Bruins knee deep in offensive centers, 2010 is a huge year in determining his future offensive impact.

With a name like Sobotka, I expect a future place as the head of the NHLPA where he will ultimately be betrayed by "The Greek" Chris Chelios. Sobotka's future ultimately lies in the opportunity he is provided. Looking at his point per game production in the AHL, if he is provided an offensive role, his dogged work ethic, soft hands and puck carrying ability could translate into fantasy success. His biggest problem in meeting his offensive potential is his adaptability to a checking/energy role and the logjam of centers in the Bruins organization. He will make the NHL, his role will determine his fantasy future.

Predictions/Outlooks?

2009-09-02T20:25:13Z

Since the "unofficial" kickoff to the 09-10 season is upon us I figured I would throw out the obligatory preseason predictions/outlooks post.......

I think the Bruins finish 2nd in the East behind Pittsburgh

I think even with the addition of Pronger, Philly finishes 5th because they have absolutely no goaltending

I think the top 5 in the East are 1. Pittsburgh 2. Boston 3. New Jersey 4. Washington 5. Philly

I think Chara repeats as the Norris winner

I think Lucic pots 22-25 goals this year, Kessel resigns a few weeks into the season, Rask plays more than we all think he will, Ryder gets over the 30 goal mark, Shawn Thornton goes full handlebar moustache all season

Remember the early '90s yikes, it's scary how similar things look on paper

2009-08-24T16:25:03Z

I mean Yikes. B's were loaded in the early '90s and seemed like they could be perennial cup contenders...it was just that there was this team in Pittsburgh who was a bit better. It's amazing to look at the rosters now and see the similarities:

- the B's have a young power forward from Vancouver: Neely, now Lucic

- B's have a top 3 defender, Bourque, now Chara

- B's have a young Canadian D, Donny Sweeney, now Hunwick

- the Pens feature an all world canadian center: Super Mario, now Sid the Kid

- the Pens feature skill from the eastern block: Jagr from the Czech, Malkin from Russia

- the Pens have a Samuelson on D, Ufl, now the Pens drafted his son in '09.

- Hopefully the present works out better then the past.

Looking ahead to next season

2009-08-11T17:53:28Z

While the end of summer brings school and cold weather, it also brings us gloriously close to puck time. Training camp commences in little more than a month, so here are some general questions for Bruins fans to ponder heading into the 2009-10 campaign:

What becomes of Phil Kessel?

Contract negotiations with Boston’s only 30-goal scorer remain at an impasse. Kessel is due to miss a decent chunk of the season after shoulder surgery anyways, but one has to wonder if his future beyond that lies somewhere outside of Boston--especially considering the lack of available cap space and the need to retain other high-profile free-agents after 2009-10 (Lucic, Savard, Wheeler). Chiarelli has stated that he’ll match any offer sheets from other teams, but who’s biting? And if Chiarelli is set on Kessel’s return, which player is heading out the door to make room?

How will the new faces fit in?

Considering his history against the Bruins (most notably his hit on Savard), Steve Begin is an interesting locker room addition. That being said, he’s the type of player anyone would want on their team, providing plenty of grit and energy on the fourth line. Aside from Begin there aren’t any new forwards of note, although a healthy Marco Sturm will be a welcome sight. Much like Bergeron's return last season, Sturm's presence is akin to having added another forward in the offseason.

On the defensive end, signing Derek Morris at 3.3 million for one year raised plenty of eyebrows considering his decline in offensive output since the lockout. Morris hasn’t cracked the 30-point barrier since 2002-03 and is a career minus player. He’ll need to do better than that in order to justify his lofty contract, but he is clearly an offensive upgrade over Ward. There's no doubt he could have provided the skill and acuity with the puck that the Bruins' defenders frequently lacked against the Hurricanes.

What players should we keep an eye on?

I'm particularly interested to watch Hunwick, Wheeler and Bergeron play this season. The pressure will be on Hunwick and Wheeler to avoid the "sophomore slump," but I think Hunwick has a solid combination of poise and skill and could break the 40-point barrier over a full slate. Wheeler wore down as the season progressed, but I've heard he's been working out extra-hard this offseason, which bodes well for continued improvement and more consistent play. Bergeron is the player I'm really curious to watch. I'm unsure of whether or not he can return to form as the prominent scorer he was a few years ago, but I often forget that he's only 24. A strong start to the season offensively would be key in putting him back on his feet as a potential 30-to-40-goal scorer to complement his reliable defensive presence. I think he'll put at least 20 in the net this season; in my opinion, anything more would be gravy.

What’s the outlook for the division rivals?

The soap opera that is the Montreal Canadiens can expect plenty of media scrutiny after overhauling in lieu of a disappointing season. Or should I say, a centennial season in which hockey's most celebrated franchise was expected to win its 25th Cup but instead bumbled its way to an eighth-place finish--only to be humiliated in a four-game sweep by its rival. So farewell, Koivu, Komisarek and Kovalev, and welcome, Cammalleri, Gionta and Gomez, to a season of renewed expectations under Montreal’s unforgiving microscope. If everything breaks right, Carey Price still has a chance to be the next Patrick Roy.

Elsewhere in the division, Toronto and Ottawa continue to be franchises in upheaval, so I don’t expect them to keep pace with the Bruins this season. The Sabres are potential spoilers, particularly head-to-head, but I think the Bruins hold a pretty clear advantage both offensively and defensively; the Sabres lack scoring depth and depend too heavily on their goaltending. In my opinion, the Canadiens are once again the main concern.

Lastly--can the Bruins improve?

The Bruins’ regular season was nothing short of marvelous and will be difficult to replicate, let alone improve upon. Thomas, Krejci, Wideman, Lucic, Wheeler, Hunwick, Kobasew and maybe even Kessel will be expected to build on career-best seasons--a notion that isn't out of the question based on their combined youth. Last season also took a costly physical toll on key players. Krejci and Kessel, should he return, are both expected to miss months of action, so who knows how their play will shape up upon returning? Fortunately, I think the Bruins have the offensive depth to cover for those losses; I just don't expect another November and December like last year.

But the real issue for me isn’t improvement in the regular season--I fully expect the Bruins to qualify for the postseason whether or not they perform at the same level as last season, so I'd rather they didn't waste energy padding their record late in the season only to succumb to injuries and sloppy play in the postseason. Their runaway first place finish did nothing to prevent me from feeling sick after leaving Game 7. So hopefully, a tougher mental and physical approach to the upcoming season will prepare them for the battles further along the line that matter most. And these growing pains are to be expected from a young team, so I'm thinking that us Bruins fans have to be pretty excited about the future.

Already Too Late to Improve

2009-08-10T15:32:39Z

Gang, I am a Jersey boy...but a lifelong Bruins fan! Just to set things straight...No down to Bruins hockey business...

1. Heatley to the Sharks???? If anything the B's need to get a big profile guy like Heatley...Also keep the Sharks from becoming more potent.

2. Kessel....Chiarelli should cough up some personal dough to keep this guy...nuff said there...

3. Draft picks are nice but not proven and they certainly dont make the B's an immediate contender. The B's should take the cup this year if thet aggressively go after a big wing man for line 2 or 3 and speed on the 3 defense.

4. Most importantly strength and conditioning must be paramount to get the guys who are hurt back to good health and keep it that way

Team Massachusetts

2009-08-06T14:56:54Z

Last week we broke down Team Canada into 7 different provincial teams . This week, we are breaking up Team USA into different States. Monday we looked at Team Michigan , Tuesday we looked at Team Minnesota , Wednesday we looked at Team New York and today we look at Team Massachusetts which was the 4th largest producer of American born players in the U.S..

Team Massachusetts:

As part of our ongoing project of choosing Olympic teams based on states and provinces, I volunteered to take Team Mass., thinking it would be pretty easy to find a solid squad. While I was able to round off the defensive corps pretty quickly, the forwards took some work, with a search of the American League made necessary by the lack of NHL calibre forwards hailing from the state.

Coach: Robbie Ftorek. I realize I could have gone with Peter Laviolette, but the mere chance that Ftorek might bring back the sweater look was enough to make me choose him.

Goalies:

1. Rick DiPietro

2. Corey Schneider

3. Mike Morrison

For a complete look at Team Massachusetts, click here.

Kessel to Sharks?

2009-07-30T21:26:05Z

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Eklund/Kessel-to-San-Jose---E4/1/22338

Its Eklund so take this with a grain of salt. Eklund rates his posts by 1-5 with 5 being the most likely to occur. This is rated at an E4. In my offseason boredom i messed around with the trade machine posted on SCOC. The guys i saw that i liked were michalek, clowe and setoguchi. Setoguchi is very very similar to kessel the only difference is five goals, three draft picks, months in age, and he is only paid 1.3 million. or somewhere near that. Point is we could get him and be under the cap. Clowe and michalek are more expensive and less skill yet they are bigger.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/players/Devin_Setoguchi/

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/players/Phil_Kessel/

Scouting reports for both players, (can also navigate to other sharks scouting reports}

In PC we trust

- Silk