Bittersweet 16

The Bruins pack and travel west to face the Avalanche tomorrow night, 10:00 Eastern.

• Whatever "it" is, the Bruins can't find it with both hands, and they are not giving any indications at this point of being able to turn this thing around.[ScoutingPost]


• It has been the worst start for the Bruins in 16 years. Could trades of key players be far behind?[NBCSports]


• Even the return of Zdeno Chara to the lineup didn't save the day.[TheBostonGlobe]


• At least Brad Marchand is back on ice skating and shooting before practice after having being concussed on Saturday evening.[WEEI]


• Take five... observations. It was sobering to hear audible booing at TD Garden on Monday. Patrice Bergeron: Goon?[WEEI]


• The Bruins are floundering, neither the team they were nor the team they want to be. [TheBostonGlobe]


• Tuukka Rask has not been at his best behind an already shaky defense. At least David Krejci and Loui Eriksson have been good.[WEEI]


• Bruins special teams were a mixed bag on Monday against the Lightning.[ProvidenceJournal]


• Alex Khokhlachev could do worse than to follow in Ryan Spooner's footsteps (except for that regrettable boarding penalty, of course.)[AlongTheBoards]


• In addition to dropping the puck for the Bruins on Monday, Travis Roy was also signed to a one-day contract.[Boston.CBSLocal]


• Hey, we're not such homers that we can't applaud Steven Stamkos on having scored his 500th career point on Monday, right?[NHL]

Elsewhere around the rink:

• Meanwhile, around the NHL this week... The Red Wings are soaring even as the Leafs get blown out. The Flyers bounce back after a players-only meeting.[LosAngelesTimes]


• Say it ain't SO! Tom Brady is a Canucks fan?[FoxSports]


• The Kings ' settlement with Mike Richards is troubling for a number of reasons, and will not help any players spiraling downward.[TheGlobeAndMail]


• Former Bruin Matt Hunwick did not end up in Toronto by accident, not by a long shot.[TSN]


• The Western Hockey League is trying, but their message to players regarding sexual assault merely amplifies their disconnect.[PuckDaddy]


• Former Bruin Jaromir Jagr confesses that it is hard to ramp up to speed early in the season as he gets older.[TSN]