23-24 Bruins Season Thread

[cshea]

There is some redundancy with the camps and preseason thread but figured I’d get the season thread going with Ooening Night rosters due today.

Still sorting through final decisions on Heinen and Lohrei but today’s practice:

Marchand - Coyle - DeBrusk
JVR - Zacha - Pastrnak
Frederic - Poitras - Geekie
Lucic - Beecher - Lauko
Heinen?

Grzelyck - McAvoy
Lindholm - Carlo
Forbort - Shattenkirk
Lohrei? - Mitchell

Ullmark
Swayma

PP1: McAvoy, Pastrnak, Marchand, Zacha, JVR
PP2: Lindholm, Shattenkirk, Poitras, Geekie, DeBrusk

 

[Myt1]

There is some redundancy with the camps and preseason thread but figured I’d get the season thread going with Ooening Night rosters due today.

Still sorting through final decisions on Heinen and Lohrei but today’s practice:

Marchand - Coyle - DeBrusk
JVR - Zacha - Pastrnak
Frederic - Poitras - Geekie
Lucic - Beecher - Lauko
Heinen?

Grzelyck - McAvoy
Lindholm - Carlo
Forbort - Shattenkirk
Lohrei? - Mitchell

Ullmark
Swayma

PP1: McAvoy, Pastrnak, Marchand, Zacha, JVR
PP2: Lindholm, Shattenkirk, Poitras, Geekie, DeBrusk

I’d really prefer to see Poitras with DeBrusk & Marchand for his nine game audition. Coyle’s mostly a known quantity and seems to have some good rapport with Frederic. See if you can catch lightning in a bottle with someone with possibly more playmaking skill.

 

[Haunted]

I’d really prefer to see Poitras with DeBrusk & Marchand for his nine game audition. Coyle’s mostly a known quantity and seems to have some good rapport with Frederic. See if you can catch lightning in a bottle with someone with possibly more playmaking skill.

I agree. I'm not in favor of installing a rookie on your first line, but this is not that - this is a tryout. "Here, kid, you have 9 games with two of the best forwards on the team. Here's your chance." I think putting him with two, er, "less capable offensive players" and is setting him up for a less-than-ideal outcome.

 

[cshea]

Flames claimed AJ Greer.

 

[Myt1]

I agree. I'm not in favor of installing a rookie on your first line, but this is not that - this is a tryout. "Here, kid, you have 9 games with two of the best forwards on the team. Here's your chance." I think putting him with two, er, "less capable offensive players" and is setting him up for a less-than-ideal outcome.

Playing directly with a smaller in stature captain who has grown his game throughout his career would also seem like a positive to me. This feels a little too much like old school “earning your stripes,” and a bit of a gift to Coyle, than what might be best for the on ice results.

 

[Haunted]

Playing directly with a smaller in stature captain who has grown his game throughout his career would also seem like a positive to me. This feels a little too much like old school “earning your stripes,” and a bit of a gift to Coyle, than what might be best for the on ice results.

Agreed, which is exactly what I expect from this organization's management (on which my disdain is palpable). I don't want to go all Felger and make a hypothetical and then argue it as if it were 100% true (so I won't), but I think in something that's. genuine short-term audition then set them up for success. If the player - Poitras or whomever - does well, then you keep him and re-evaluate where he slots in permanently. If he fails, back to juniors. Giving him 9 games on the top line isn't anything beyond giving him the best chance to succeed.


... which means it's absolutely not going to happen and we'll be treated to some rockhead old school "he has to earn his playing time" gibberish.

 

[Salem's Lot]

Playing directly with a smaller in stature captain who has grown his game throughout his career would also seem like a positive to me. This feels a little too much like old school “earning your stripes,” and a bit of a gift to Coyle, than what might be best for the on ice results.

I agree with all of this. One of the benefits was that Marchand could be sitting next to Poitras on the bench between shifts going over things.

I think they’re missing an opportunity here and I don’t like it. But watch me be wrong and he turns Frederic into a 25 goal scorer .

 

[BostonFanInCanesLand]

I was excited to see Poitras play well with Marchand and thrilled when Poitras made the opening day roster. I hope he finds his way to centering Marchand and DeBrusk sooner rather than later.

But I can see a few reasons to start him as 3C. Starting on the 3rd line should allow him to get early ice time against lesser competition. That could lead to a bunch of scoring opportunities. Having big bodies like Frederic and Geekie might reduce the chance that he gets knocked around on the ice (or at least they’d be there to retaliate if he is. This is not to say that Marchand and DeBrusk won’t stick up for him, just that maybe Frederic‘s presence will change the calculus for some opponents).

From Montgomery’s comments it seems like they already appreciate his skills and his effort level. In some ways he doesn’t need to prove that he’d cook with Marchand and DeBrusk. He’s already demonstrated that he’s an NHL-quality pivot regardless of which NHL linemates he has. What he needs to show (and 9 games is a short runway for this test) is that he is up to the physical challenges of playing in the NHL.

The season starts with 2 at home, 4 on the road (3 in CA), then 4 more at home. I’m hoping that they use the last change judiciously with him in the home games. And that they give the 2nd PP unit decent ice time. Oh, and that they let him get some shifts with Marchand and DeBrusk too. (Side note: that PK breakaway Poitras and Marchand had was fun - more of that please).

I don’t know whether he should stay up all season. I hate the idea of him wasting his time in juniors.

And like you guys, I want him to be afforded every opportunity to stay with the Bruins for the whole season.

Agreed, which is exactly what I expect from this organization's management (on which my disdain is palpable). I don't want to go all Felger and make a hypothetical and then argue it as if it were 100% true (so I won't), but I think in something that's. genuine short-term audition then set them up for success. If the player - Poitras or whomever - does well, then you keep him and re-evaluate where he slots in permanently. If he fails, back to juniors. Giving him 9 games on the top line isn't anything beyond giving him the best chance to succeed.


... which means it's absolutely not going to happen and we'll be treated to some rockhead old school "he has to earn his playing time" gibberish.

Playing directly with a smaller in stature captain who has grown his game throughout his career would also seem like a positive to me. This feels a little too much like old school “earning your stripes,” and a bit of a gift to Coyle, than what might be best for the on ice results.

Agreed, which is exactly what I expect from this organization's management (on which my disdain is palpable). I don't want to go all Felger and make a hypothetical and then argue it as if it were 100% true (so I won't), but I think in something that's. genuine short-term audition then set them up for success. If the player - Poitras or whomever - does well, then you keep him and re-evaluate where he slots in permanently. If he fails, back to juniors. Giving him 9 games on the top line isn't anything beyond giving him the best chance to succeed.


... which means it's absolutely not going to happen and we'll be treated to some rockhead old school "he has to earn his playing time" gibberish.

 

[Myt1]

I was excited to see Poitras play well with Marchand and thrilled when Poitras made the opening day roster. I hope he finds his way to centering Marchand and DeBrusk sooner rather than later.

But I can see a few reasons to start him as 3C. Starting on the 3rd line should allow him to get early ice time against lesser competition. That could lead to a bunch of scoring opportunities. Having big bodies like Frederic and Geekie might reduce the chance that he gets knocked around on the ice (or at least they’d be there to retaliate if he is. This is not to say that Marchand and DeBrusk won’t stick up for him, just that maybe Frederic‘s presence will change the calculus for some opponents).

From Montgomery’s comments it seems like they already appreciate his skills and his effort level. In some ways he doesn’t need to prove that he’d cook with Marchand and DeBrusk. He’s already demonstrated that he’s an NHL-quality pivot regardless of which NHL linemates he has. What he needs to show (and 9 games is a short runway for this test) is that he is up to the physical challenges of playing in the NHL.

The season starts with 2 at home, 4 on the road (3 in CA), then 4 more at home. I’m hoping that they use the last change judiciously with him in the home games. And that they give the 2nd PP unit decent ice time. Oh, and that they let him get some shifts with Marchand and DeBrusk too. (Side note: that PK breakaway Poitras and Marchand had was fun - more of that please).

I don’t know whether he should stay up all season. I hate the idea of him wasting his time in juniors.

And like you guys, I want him to be afforded every opportunity to stay with the Bruins for the whole season.

Fuck you for bringing a cogent argument and reasonable tone to the table here.

 

[BostonFanInCanesLand]

Fuck you for bringing a cogent argument and reasonable tone to the table here.

It was either that or start the “When is it OK to worry about Poitras: An attempt at a reverse jinx to ensure that he stays in Boston for the whole season” thread.

 

[Over Guapo Grande]

It was either that or start the “When is it OK to worry about Poitras: An attempt at a reverse jinx to ensure that he stays in Boston for the whole season” thread.

I think of all the subforums, we here are the most rational, and can see the long-game the best. So probably not until his third shift in game 1. Or until the first "POITRAS WILL NEVER SCORE AGAIN" post in a game thread.

 

[Myt1]

I think of all the subforums, we here are the most rational, and can see the long-game the best. So probably not until his third shift in game 1. Or until the first "POITRAS WILL NEVER SCORE AGAIN" post in a game thread.

I think of all the subforums, we here are the most rational, and can see the long-game the best. So probably not until his third shift in game 1. Or until the first "POITRAS WILL NEVER SCORE AGAIN" post in a game thread.

CLAUDE MONTY HATES THE KIDS!!!

 

[NJ_Sox_Fan]

Not sure why, but I’m more excited for this season than I was for last season. Maybe I just really miss hockey - or maybe it’s the excitement of having some young guys like Poitras to follow/dream on. Or maybe it’s because my 15 year old daughter is even more obsessed with the Bruins and hockey in general than I thought possible.

 

[IdiotKicker]

I think this is still a very capable team, but we'll see if what they have at center is enough to get them into the playoffs. They're deep on D, have great goaltending (and a rotation that continues into the playoffs if they make it), and they still have some scoring punch on the wings. 44-32-6 with 94 points and a wild card spot feels about right to me. But I don't think this is a bad team, and I'm excited to see if the young guys have anything to show over an extended period of time.

 

[katnado]

I'm irrationally excited for this year as well. Mainly because watching two kids get their first shots is a great story. With the defensive corps and goaltending basically unchanged they'll still be a tough team to score on. Now to see if the injection of youth helps in the offensive zone. Either way hockey is back!!!

 

[NJ_Sox_Fan]

Weird schedule start with all the west coast games means we aren’t getting to our first game until 11/11 at MTL, oddly enough, but then holy hell - I’ve got tickets for @ NYR 11/25, @NJD 12/13, @NYI 12/15, 12/30 vs NJD, @LV 1/11, @PHI 1/27, 2/10 vs WAS, @SEA 2/26, @NYI 3/2, @PHI 3/23, @WAS 3/30, @ NASH 4/2, @PIT 4/13 which is by far the most games we’ve ever gone to, and I’m sure we will try to add a few more games in Boston and hopefully some playoff series. In short, my daughter is making me poor - although to be fair, she didn’t have to twist my arm much. Knocking out Montreal/Vegas/Seattle/Nashville this year - haven’t been to any of these arenas yet, though oddly we went to the Kraken Store prior to them opening up for their inaugural season.

For those more in the know, what are the odds that Poitras sticks past the 9 games? He’s looked great, albeit in preseason games.

 

[amfox1]

Scott McLaughlin
@smclaughlin9
2m

The Bruins have assigned Mason Lohrei and Patrick Brown to Providence.

 

[cshea]

Lohrei assigned to Providence.

https://x.com/nhlbruins/status/1711498366855586061?s=46&t=23orJRFkAhpzRtm4p3-oEw

No word on Heinen yet but withGreer off to Calgary I think that increases the odds that he is signed.

 

[TSC]

I'm not too disappointed in Lohrei to Providence.

This team has a knack for Dmen getting injured and needing call ups from the Baby B's, so he'll get his chance this season. Meanwhile, he'll learn to play against some bigger bodies in the AHL and refine his game a bit.

Poitras and Beecher making the team from the jump has me irrationally excited though, even if Poitras is only here for a 9 game cup of coffee.

 

[joe dokes]

Monty could just want to avoid Poitras as 1C starting opening night. He could be alongside Marchand after 20 minutes.

 

[kenneycb]

He’s a 19 year old rookie who’s never played a game outside juniors, is not a generational talent-type, is on a team that doesn’t suck, and is playing the most complex / demanding position on the ice. I don’t think putting him as 3C is a crazy idea at all. If he can play, it’ll make itself obvious.

 

[The Mort Report]

He’s a 19 year old rookie who’s never played a game outside juniors, is not a generational talent-type, is on a team that doesn’t suck, and is playing the most complex / demanding position on the ice. I don’t think putting him as 3C is a crazy idea at all. If he can play, it’ll make itself obvious.

Man don't be a buzzkill! Not comparing them, but same could have been said about Bergy when he first made the team, no one expected anything from him. Marchand ceiling was a 4th line pest at the start. Sports are supposed to be fun, sure make an argument for why he should be a 3rd line C and not higher to open the season, but who benefits with you pouring cold water all over him? I feel like the only reason now to do so is to pull the "I told you so first" later

 

[kenneycb]

I’m not pouring cold water on him. I’m being realistic around what he is today and comparing that to other situations in the NHL, where it’s pretty much non-existent to have someone with Poitras’s profile jump in and be a 1C from day one. I hope I’m wrong and he quickly makes the jump but the arguments that the Bruins are holding him back or being old school rang hollow to me.

 

[Cotillion]

I'm insanely excited by this season (which I wasn't fully expecting). It's going to be super weird to see a season without Bergeron, but this team still looks like it's going to be fairly strong. The youth transition also is looking very intriguing, and hopefully we can see some real progress there. Also, I'm always here for the bromance between Swayman and Ullmark. If you haven't seen it, you should search out the clip of Ully posing for photos with his awards at the Award show and he feels bad that Swayman isn't there since he was part of the tandem that won the Jennings award so he calls him up. I think Behind the B on youtube has it.

 

[joe dokes]

I’m not pouring cold water on him. I’m being realistic around what he is today and comparing that to other situations in the NHL, where it’s pretty much non-existent to have someone with Poitras’s profile jump in and be a 1C from day one. I hope I’m wrong and he quickly makes the jump but the arguments that the Bruins are holding him back or being old school rang hollow to me.

I don't think it has anything to do with "old school," either.

 

[cshea]

We're in kind of unchartered waters with Poitras. The last 19-year old non-first round pick to make the team out of camp in a CHL-or-NHL situation was Lucic. Looch started on the 4th line but obviously at 19 he was already essentially a heavyweight goon which was playable back then while he figured the rest out. He slowly worked his way up and ended the season playing with Savard. After Lucic, Seguin was the next player to make it but he did so as the #2 overall pick. He also started on the 3rd line. His development was fine.

I get the "put him with Marchand and DeBrusk and see what he can do" thing but at the same time it adds perhaps unfair expectations to a kid that is already hearing fans and media drawing comparisons to Bergeron. Additionally, Marchand and DeBrusk are going to be counted on to provide top 6 play at both ends of the ice. Asking them to do so with a 19-year old that nobody expected to be on the team 3 weeks ago is probably not putting them in the best position to succeed either. The team will also benefit from seeing what Coyle can do in the elevated role. Poitras or not if Coyle flops they'll need to figure something out.

I think the 3rd line and 2nd PP is a nice, soft landing spot for Poitras to start his career. He'll get a lot of ozone starts against softer competition. He's not going to be asked to produce immediately. Just play his game, pay attention to details and don't get run over. If he lasts past the 9 games then we can start discussing elevating him.

 

[cshea]

Anywho, Patrick Brown was back at practice today so appears he's been called up as the 13th F. Heinen is still there too but seems they're going to take their time before making a decision.

View: https://twitter.com/_TyAnderson/status/1711781700835889305?s=20

 

[FL4WL3SS]

I was very pessimistic for this season after Bergy/Krejci departures and the collapse last season, but I think the infusion of youth is giving me hope. Should be fun at least

 

[Over Guapo Grande]

I...actually agree with @FL4WL3SS . I am checking my temperature as I type.

I was prepared for the season to be a bunch of "eh, I'll watch it if I have nothing else to do" nights, but now I am excited to see the kids kook.

 

[Cotillion]

I think I'm looking for them to be competitive and make the playoffs... not sure why I'm confident about that part (the playoffs), but it just feels like they should be able to do it, and then at that point it's all gravy to me.

 

[FL4WL3SS]

I...actually agree with @FL4WL3SS . I am checking my temperature as I type.

I was prepared for the season to be a bunch of "eh, I'll watch it if I have nothing else to do" nights, but now I am excited to see the kids kook.

What? Like I know we haven't agreed on Mac Jones, but we've posted on here a long time and I never got the impression that we disagreed on a wide range of things.

 

[NJ_Sox_Fan]

I think I'm looking for them to be competitive and make the playoffs... not sure why I'm confident about that part (the playoffs), but it just feels like they should be able to do it, and then at that point it's all gravy to me.

This team is still too talented to not make the playoffs in my opinion. I’d be very disappointed if they don’t make the playoffs.

 

[Over Guapo Grande]

What? Like I know we haven't agreed on Mac Jones, but we've posted on here a long time and I never got the impression that we disagreed on a wide range of things.

Just playful ribbing. It's still preseason for me.

 

[cshea]

Poitras Game 1

11:58 5x5 TOI
Shot Attempts: 21-10 Boston
Shots: 9-6 Boston
Scoring Chances: 14-6 Boston
High Danger Changes: 3-1 Boston
Goals: 1-0 Boston
xG: 0.77-0.41 (65%)

Individually: 1 assist, 2 SOG, 71% on draws.

Thought it was an excellent debut, better than I could've imagined. I thought he was noticeable at both ends of the ice. In the first period he turned the puck over inside the Chicago blueline with a drop pass to nobody but busted back and made a defensive play to end a Chicago rush. He had another sequence where he won a battle around the left wing half boards in the Bruins end, spun around and found an outlet for a zone clear. Just an all around great debut. Then at the offensive end he made the play to set up the first goal and was involved in several other great chances.

Obviously there are the "only 1 game" caveats but he no question has the talent, hockey IQ and skills to play in this league. It's just going to be a matter of if he can do consistently across an 82 game + playoff schedule.

 

[IdiotKicker]

I thought he was fantastic as well.

One thing that I didn't find fantastic related to the other parts of the team was the defensive decision-making and passing along the boards in our own zone. Maybe it's early season rust, maybe it's needing to build familiarity again, but I thought there were too many instances in the Bruins defensive zone where a defenseman got the puck along the boards near the corner, and either just was too slow making a decision or made the wrong decision and gave the puck away in a dangerous area with a Chicago player heading towards the slot. It was really reminiscient of some of the issues they had against the Panthers, and something I had hoped was just a weird playoff thing for that series. I didn't see as many as the game went on, so maybe it's just getting back into the flow of the game, but those types of giveaways didn't really happen in the regular season last year, so I'm hoping it's a fluky thing that goes away in short order.

 

[cshea]

I didn't notice anythin egregiously wrong in that area but I think in general the breakouts might take some time to get fully humming. There was a lot of turnover among the forwards, essentially half the forward group is "new." Beecher, Poitras, Geekie, JVR, Lucic, Lauko...it's going to take some time for the new forwards to get used to being where they are supposed to be and also the defense trusting/knowing where the F outlets will be.

 

[tims4wins]

Noticed similar last night @IdiotKicker and it gave me some PTSD flashbacks.

That said, really nice to start with a W. With 37 and 46 retiring, it feels like a strong start could be really important to this year's team. Build some confidence that, yeah, they're still a good team despite what happened in the playoffs and despite not having those two guys.

 

[Dahabenzapple2]

Forbert is still awful. Can’t clear the zone. Even easy for a non-expert like me to see.

 

[Cotillion]

What can anyone here that is more versed in goalie play say about Ullmark last night? There were a bunch of times he looked really awkward and slow moving side to side. Do we think he still has lingering issues from his injury last season? Am I just too hyper vigilant about seeing him not playing so exceptionally well like his last season form?

 

[lexrageorge]

Noticed similar last night @IdiotKicker and it gave me some PTSD flashbacks.

That said, really nice to start with a W. With 37 and 46 retiring, it feels like a strong start could be really important to this year's team. Build some confidence that, yeah, they're still a good team despite what happened in the playoffs and despite not having those two guys.

And to reinforce the importance of a good start:

Of last season's 16 playoff teams, all but 3 would have qualified had the season ended after Thanksgiving weekend. And those 3 (Panthers, Rangers, Wild) were all 5th in their respective divisions at that point in the season. And that is not atypical of an NHL season.

 

[EL Jeffe]

I thought the 4th line had good energy and chemistry. Lucic's limitations at this point are what they are, but he still did some Looch things. Beecher flashed some skill and the physical ability is clearly there. Lauko is just a fun player to watch.

 

[Over Guapo Grande]

Were the shuffled lines in the second due mostly to a run of special teams play, and trying to balance out minutes in game 1? The first Pasta goal, for instance... I think it was Pasta, Looch, and Geekie up front?

Also, watching the game recap, something I didn't notice in real time...after his goal, it seemed like Frederic was looking to get the puck to give to Poitras for his first point.

 

[cshea]

Monty flipped JVR and Lucic for a bit in the 2nd. Said he told JVR it wasn't a demotion. Monty wasn't too enthused by the overall game and called it "average."

Zacha missed a shift, no idea why, so Geekie was out in that spot. Zacha's TOI by period was 6:09, 4:35, 6:05. In the second period he went 4:00 without a shift which is when the goal was scored.

 

[Over Guapo Grande]

Monty flipped JVR and Lucic for a bit in the 2nd. Said he told JVR it wasn't a demotion. Monty wasn't too enthused by the overall game and called it "average."

Zacha missed a shift, no idea why, so Geekie was out in that spot. Zacha's TOI by period was 6:09, 4:35, 6:05. In the second period he went 4:00 without a shift which is when the goal was scored.

Thanks!

 

[The Mort Report]

What can anyone here that is more versed in goalie play say about Ullmark last night? There were a bunch of times he looked really awkward and slow moving side to side. Do we think he still has lingering issues from his injury last season? Am I just too hyper vigilant about seeing him not playing so exceptionally well like his last season form?

I pointed out the exact same thing in the game thread. He seemed really slow pushing off to reposition, then sometimes just failing to do so altogether. It seemed worse moving to his left. It’s really worrisome to me, because whatever injury he had in the playoffs should have been fine months ago. It’s also not a technique thing, it’s an effort thing, and for him a lot of those movements should be muscle memory/instinct, even if hurt(it’s like the biggest culprit of turning a minor injury into a major one). His positioning still seemed fine, but yeah, something was definitely off in his lateral movement

 

[Haunted]

Poitras needs to be on the first line. Why does Monty hate the kids?




Kidding of course, I appreciate everyone's feedback on that discussion

 

[Over Guapo Grande]

It took Bergeron 4 games to get his first point *ducking*

 

[IdiotKicker]

That means Poitras should get his first Cup next year if that pace continues.

 

[joe dokes]

Small samples notwithstanding, I think we'll get some helpful info when they play a road game and its harder to match up.

 

[jk333]

I was impressed with Beecher; I’ve been very negative because of my perception that he is not going to be able to score many points but if he can really be a physical presence, two way player and strong/fast skater while winning face offs, that’s nice. So often we are paying 2-3M for these guys as they regress.

Poitras looked good- hopefully he can perform like that more often than not. Exactly what the Bruins need.