The Defense

SoxScout

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Julien also addressed the status of defenseman Matt Bartkowski, who has been a healthy scratch for the first two games despite leading the B's in pre-season scoring.
 
"I'll be very honest -- he's not going to sit up there for a month," Julien said. "That's not going to happen. We've got some good young players (who) need to play, especially early in the year. You've got to get those guys opportunities to play. When that's going to happen, I'm not sure yet, but certainly don't expect to see him in the stands for a whole month."
http://www.patriotledger.com/blogs/blogofice/x2139021932/Bruins-Marchand-No-hard-feelings-towards-Wings-Abedelkader
 
1. Is it better to have him in Prov and have a traditional emergency 7th D?
 
2. Do you think it is McQuaid that ends up sitting some games? He plays the least, can't sit Krug because PP, why break up your second pair with a kid you're trying to turn into a #1, etc.
 

TFP

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1. He is on a 1 way deal as a result of the Iginla (non)-trade. He's not going to Providence (nor do I think he should).
2. I definitely think McQuaid should get some time up top, along with a rotation of others like Dougie, Seids, and Boychuk.
 

FL4WL3SS

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I honestly don't know why more teams don't employ a straight rotation with their 6th and 7th defenseman to rotate young guys in and out. Let them keep their legs, ease them into the NHL, let them gain some confidence and see who emerges. Having a 4th/5th defenseman as your 7th defenseman is an absolute luxury that the Bruins should take advantage of by keeping guys fresh throughout the year.
 
In other words, no way do you send him down.
 

Eddie Jurak

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On the topic of the defense...
 
Krug has been every bit the offensive weapon he was in the playoffs, so far.  In 30 career games (including playoffs), he has 8 goals and 15 points.  This year he is second on the team in goals, after Lucic, and he has 3 of their 6 PPG.
 
Hamilton's play has improved in the past couple of games.  In the last game, he logged 25+ minutes, probably a career high for him, and really played well in all three zones.  If Boychuk missed any more time, I could see them going with Chara/Hamilton as the top pair.
 

cshea

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With Seidenberg, McQuaid and Bartkowski banged up, Kevan Miller was recalled on an emergency basis and is available for the game tonight.
 

IdiotKicker

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This is a really tough game to be missing two defensemen, especially with Chara's play being fairly uneven so far to start the season.  Then again, this is pretty much the same situation we had in the playoffs last year with Ference and Seidenberg out, so I'm open to being pleasantly surprised by Miller.
 

Eddie Jurak

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With Seidenberg, McQuaid and Bartkowski banged up, Kevan Miller was recalled on an emergency basis and is available for the game tonight.
This suggests that All three won't be out.
 

SawxSince67

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Miller w/P Bruins: 30 PIM in 12 Games, but 19 were from the Nov 10 game, eh, melee v. Hartford when Subban left the crease to fight the opposing goalie. Edit: includes a game misconduct.

-7 to date....
 

cshea

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Nice to see Krug getting recognition, but it's still extremely unlikely he makes the team. They're pretty stacked on D. Ryan Suter, Keith Yandle, Jack Johnson (not a huge fan of his, but USA Hockey loves him), Erik Johnson, John Carlson, Kevin Shattenkirk, Ryan McDonaugh, Dustin Byfuglien, and maybe guys like Justin Faulk, Cam Fowler and maybe a vet like Paul Martin are probably ahead of Torey Krug. 
 

ForceAtHome

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Suter and McDonagh are locks. Paul Martin is making Team USA. In fact, Brooks Orpik may as well. Carlson has been excellent and I think is playing his way onto the team. (For those who don't realize, Carlson's not just an offensive guy -- he has the most shorthanded TOI in the NHL this year and is 2nd in SHTOI/game).
 
And that's before you get to the Johnsons, Yandle, Shattenkirk, Jones, Faulk, Byfuglien, et al. who are in the mix. If those above 5 make the team, then the latter group plus those omitted are working for just three spots. As cshea noted, I wouldn't buy on Krug making it.
 

Dummy Hoy

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Holy shit. I don't think Krug is a lock by any means, but if Team USA takes Brooks Orpik on big ice over Krug, they deserve to lose.
 

cshea

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Miller is back up, somewhat curiously. No glaring injuries occurred on Saturday, but perhaps McQuaid tweaked his groin injury. 
 

cshea

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Hamilton is headed back to Boston with a lower body injury. He won't be available for the rest of the trip. Boychuk is a possibility for Tuesday in Calgary.  Claude said they were going to wait until after seeing Boychuk in practice tomorrow before calling anyone else up. I haven't heard anything on Miller, so I'm assuming he is OK. 
 
 

 
Amalie Benjamin ‏@AmalieBenjamin35s
Dougie Hamilton headed back to Boston to be evaluated. Lower body injury. Unlikely to play this week.
 
 
 

cshea

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Bruins sent Miller down today and recalled David Warsofsky.

Edit: Warsofsky will play tomorrow. This was done to protect Miller as an asset.He's played 9 games on emergency recall...1 more game means he would need to go through waivers in order to be sent down. He'd be snatched up immediately, so if all the D were to get healthy, they'd have to carry 8 D orlose Bart/Miller to waivers. Chiarelli noted that Miller's next recall will be for good.
 

RIFan

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It will be interesting how they mix in Warsofsky.  Very similar player to Krug, but doesn't have the same level shooting ability.   On the plus side, very good skater who can jump up into the offensive end.  Good passer who sees the lanes well.  Strength of his offensive game is walking the blue line to open up lanes.  Down size is he lacks NHL size and probably doesn't have the high end speed to make up for it.  I imagine they'll match him up with Seids and keep his minutes under 12 overall depending if he gets a PP time.  
 

McDrew

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Warsofsky was a member of the '09 National Champion BU squad, and was the trade piece the B's got back when they traded Sobodka to the Blues