Bruins 2021 Season Thread

FL4WL3SS · Jan 6, 2021

cshea said:
Scrimmage coming tomorrow and Friday. Two 30-minute running clock periods with the ice cleaned in between. Each of the 4 goalies will play a period. I think it won't be a straight up scrimmage, they'll probably manufacture situational play. Hope the team streams it or something.

Kinda wild the regular season starts in 8 days.

This is the first season I'm excited for since Covid started. I didn't watch much of the Sox, Bruins, Celtics shortened seasons. My interest in sports during the pandemic has been pretty non-existent.

scottyno · Jan 6, 2021

Anyone know if the scrimmages are being streamed somewhere?

RedOctober3829 · Jan 7, 2021

Josh Anderson was waived today by Colorado. Should the Bruins have any interest in bringing him to see if he can revive his career?

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Ferm Sheller · Jan 7, 2021

That was my question, too.

burstnbloom · Jan 7, 2021

cshea said:
Don't let Nick Ritchie get hot!

View: https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1347233264432504842?s=20

If Ritchie isn't the breathing trash can he was last season that third line has a chance to be a really serious weapon. Dom has them as the best 3rd line in hockey already based on Coyle and Smith. If Richie can actually skate and not take a penalty per shift, they could be a difference maker.

BostonFanInCanesLand · Jan 7, 2021

burstnbloom said:
If Ritchie isn't the breathing trash can he was last season that third line has a chance to be a really serious weapon. Dom has them as the best 3rd line in hockey already based on Coyle and Smith. If Richie can actually skate and not take a penalty per shift, they could be a difference maker.

They seem committed to giving Ritchie a shot - hope he capitalizes on the opportunity.

I’d like them to try a 4th line of Frederic/Kuraly/Bjork.

View: https://twitter.com/_TyAnderson/status/1347217019054272514

LogansDad · Jan 7, 2021

I saw flashed from Ritchie last year that made him look like a competent player, which is more than can be said for the previous one. If he can find some consistency, that would be nice.

RedOctober3829 · Jan 7, 2021

cshea said:
Are you confusing him with Montreal's Josh Anderson, the forward? This Josh Anderson doesn't have a career to revive. He's and ECHL defenseman.

I confused him with the defenseman they were talking about acquiring in a Rask trade. Carry on.

TheRealness · Jan 7, 2021

LogansDad said:
I saw flashed from Ritchie last year that made him look like a competent player, which is more than can be said for the previous one. If he can find some consistency, that would be nice.

I don't meant to be as flippant as I was upthread about his conditioning, but any sign he is in better shape? The guy has skills, but his motor, speed and consistency were all major question marks. I am quite curious as I feel if he gets in better shape, he could be a real force on that line.

joe dokes · Jan 7, 2021

cshea said:
No streaming. Looks like hte teams are

Bjork - Bergeron - Studnicka
Frederic - Kuraly - Wagner
Carey - Lindholm - Senyshyn

Lauzon - McAvoy
Zboril - Miller
Ahcan - Kampfer

Rask
Vladar

versus

DeBrusk - Krejci - Kase
Ritchie - Coyle - Smith
Hughes - McKegg - Lantosi

Grzelyck - Carlo
Moore - Clifton
Vaakanainen - Wolff

Halak
Swayman

I am really pulling for Miller. I liked him a lot when he played and thought he was still improving, even at a relatively advanced age. Now, even though they can really use him, just being an NHL player gain is a victory I'd like to see.

TheRealness · Jan 7, 2021

joe dokes said:
I am really pulling for Miller. I liked him a lot when he played and thought he was still improving, even at a relatively advanced age. Now, even though they can really use him, just being an NHL player gain is a victory I'd like to see.

I would guess Miller and Clifton split time at the 3rd pair RD. Miller against heavier opponents, and Clifton against faster ones. Assuming health for both of course.

burstnbloom · Jan 7, 2021

cshea said:
I think Ritchie gets unfairly ragged on. He was traded here from Anaheim, played 7 games and then the shutdown occurred. After the shutdown, similar to Kase and Pasta. he missed multiple practices at both Warrior and then in the bubble. He may not have ever been 100% in the summer Let's see how he looks after he's more settled in.

I don't think he was great but I also don't think he was the disaster many believe he was. I think going through the Brett Ritchie experience clouded judgement on Nick.

I don't know if that's true. Richie was visibly slow and behind the play in the small sample size and you can forgive that but he took SO MANY penalties as a result of his type of play. If that was a one off, no big deal, but that's been his MO as an NHL player. He has to be quite a bit better than he was to be useful. He's getting put into a position to succeed with two strong puck possession players who generate a lot of chances. He has the talent to make a difference, but he needs to play markedly better than he did last year.

Haunted · Jan 11, 2021

I'm a little nervous about the defense but even without Pasta that is a solid forward list.

Ferm Sheller · Jan 11, 2021

I'm really interested in seeing whether Miller can stick as a top 6 Dman. He's 33 and hasn't played in two years.

burstnbloom · Jan 11, 2021

Haunted said:
I'm a little nervous about the defense but even without Pasta that is a solid forward list.

Agreed. Forwards are one of the deepest, most talented groups in the NHL. They have some ground to make up to cover for the back end though. McAvoy is elite. Gryz was elite in his sheltered role, one hopes he can still be above average with more opportunity. The rest are a bit of a question mark. Carlo suppresses offense but hes the human embodiment of the pre lockout devils. No one scores when he's on the ice. Neither team.

I think McAvoy can carry Lauzon and Gryz will be able to spread his wings a little with a super conservative partner but I do think you need more than they have to win a cup.

edit - also, Senyshyn is going on waivers and most likely won't get claimed. very sad.

joe dokes · Jan 11, 2021

Ferm Sheller said:
I'm really interested in seeing whether Miller can stick as a top 6 Dman. He's 33 and hasn't played in two years.

I am pessimistic as to a full time role. But as for opening night, even without fans, Cassidy is doing him a solid to play him even if he can only give them 10 semi-competent minutes.

The Napkin · Jan 11, 2021

Fluto Shinzawa
@FlutoShinzawa
2m
Anton Blidh, Paul Carey, Steve Kampfer, Greg McKegg, Zach Senyshyn on waivers.

burstnbloom · Jan 11, 2021

cshea said:
His chance was last season and he blew it. Not that his AHL resume suggested he was going to take a leap, but they entered camp with a RW depth chart of Pastrnak, Backes, Brett Ritchie, Wagner. Couldn't break through that group of luminaries.He then got called up early in the year and had his opportunity...and blew it. He played well in game 1...then got hurt in the 2nd game and that's probably all she wrote. RW is now a strength of the team with the additions of Kase and Smith plus Studnicka's temporary positional switch to RW. It'll probably take a catastrophic run of injuries for him to see time in Boston. Even on the 4th line he's behind Wagner, Bjork, McKegg as guys who can play RW.

Oh well. It is what it is at this point. Maybe Zboril will end up being something.

Agreed and at this point its a sunk cost that we have all accepted. Too bad, you can dream on the frame and the speed but he never put it together.

Salem's Lot · Jan 11, 2021

cshea said:
I'm sure many teams are doing this, but the Bruins are trying to keep Rask and Halak as far away from each other as possible.

View: https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1348709300068347913?s=20

Well the creases are 200’ apart at practice aren’t they?

All kidding aside, I’m glad Bruce and the organization as a whole are being proactive about avoiding possible Covid outbreak scenarios. Being able to play more games on time with as full a roster as possible might be the difference between making the playoffs or not in a tough division like this.

Salem's Lot · Jan 12, 2021

Pastrnak on the ice this morning.

View: https://mobile.twitter.com/HackswithHaggs/status/1349013196061995011

FL4WL3SS · Jan 12, 2021

Giggity

jk333 · Jan 13, 2021

This year will be be all about how the young defenseman perform. McAvoy as the 1, Gryz as the 2, Carlo as the 3 and whoever performs best as the 4.

If all the young guys flop, has anyone seen Yandle play lately? He’s expensive but could maybe be subsidized and fill that role out.

BostonFanInCanesLand · Jan 13, 2021

Today’s practice lines:

Marchand – Bergeron – Studnicka
DeBrusk – Krejci – Kase
Ritchie – Coyle – Smith
Bjork – Kuraly – Wagner
Lindholm/Frederic

Lauzon - McAvoy
Grzelcyk – Carlo
Zboril – Miller
Moore – Clifton

Rask
Halak
Vladar

Frederic and Vladar to the taxi squad would get the team to 13/8/2 (23 man roster).

Cap Friendly currently lists the taxi squad as Frederic, Vaak, Studnicka, McKegg, and Vladar.

(Cap Friendly also has Kuhlman as the 12th forward and Miller, Marchand and Pasta still on the IR. So clearly some updates coming before Thursday’s game.)

View: https://twitter.com/NHLBruins/status/1349392516798435336

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BostonFanInCanesLand · Jan 13, 2021

Grzelcyck on the 1st PP. Once Pasta returns Coyle will likely bump Ritchie off of PP2.

PP1: Grzelcyk, Bergeron, Krejci, Marchand, Coyle
PP2: McAvoy, Kase, DeBrusk, Smith, Ritchie

View: https://twitter.com/FlutoShinzawa/status/1349395284539760640
.

TSC · Jan 15, 2021

Some quick thoughts on last nights game.

1.) Miller did not look like someone who hadn't played a game in 2 years. He was physical, he was decisive, he looked like he did before he got injured. A lot of that could have been adrenaline, but if his play (somehow, miraculously) didn't drop off - that's a huge huge win for the Bruins.

2.) Zboril also looked good. He kept his game very simple, but I also didn't see a lot of panic or unforced errors.

3.) If Bjork ever finds a way to turn his 3-4 amazing shifts a game into a more consistent effort, he could be a really really good second line NHL player. Like others have mentioned, the consistency just isn't there shift to shift, yet.

4.) TUUUUUUUUUUUUKKKKK

5.) Studnicka does not seem to have much chemistry, yet, on the Perfection Line. It seemed like Marchand was spending a lot of time coaching him before puck drops/after whistles.

burstnbloom · Jan 15, 2021

TSC said:
Some quick thoughts on last nights game.

1.) Miller did not look like someone who hadn't played a game in 2 years. He was physical, he was decisive, he looked like he did before he got injured. A lot of that could have been adrenaline, but if his play (somehow, miraculously) didn't drop off - that's a huge huge win for the Bruins.

2.) Zboril also looked good. He kept his game very simple, but I also didn't see a lot of panic or unforced errors.

3.) If Bjork ever finds a way to turn his 3-4 amazing shifts a game into a more consistent effort, he could be a really really good second line NHL player. Like others have mentioned, the consistency just isn't there shift to shift, yet.

4.) TUUUUUUUUUUUUKKKKK

5.) Studnicka does not seem to have much chemistry, yet, on the Perfection Line. It seemed like Marchand was spending a lot of time coaching him before puck drops/after whistles.

Good thoughts. I was very happy with Zboril. He definitely looks like he's taken a step forward. You can dream on the skill set. He is a really great skater, plays physical and is a really good passer. The decision making and inconsistent effort problems have dogged him in his pro career but if he turns the corner, that will be huge.

I thought Lauzon had a tough game. Everything is so max effort for him that he sometimes look like he's teetering on the edge of disaster. He has a very tough job playing with Mac and its one game but I'm a little nervous.

Gryz had a really great game. 70% on ice scoring chances with him on the ice. I'm really rooting for him.

Bjork and Frederic don't want to sit. Stud needs to show up on Saturday or Bjork is going to end up in that spot.

Ritchie looked much better. He's clearly in better shape.

Tuukka is still pretty pretty pretty good.

Hockey!

Saints Rest · Jan 15, 2021

I really appreciate you guys taking the extra time to do some in depth analysis of the games, especially for those of us who hav a hard time catching the games live.

IdiotKicker · Jan 15, 2021

Kase is going to frustrate the hell out of me this year. He’s so talented in actually getting into good shooting spots, whether through off the puck movement or B-side-Krejci hands and change of speed, but I wonder if he’s someone who just lacks that ability to finish. I know he has only played over 60 games once in his career, but the lack of results in terms of scoring in his career worry me a bit. I wonder at what point we end up having to accept that this is what he is, rather than seeing the potential for someone who could be a 25-30 goal scorer. He does all the hard work of getting himself great looks, but just can’t put them in the net. His ability to score and offset some of the streakiness of DeBrusk on the second line is key to a more balanced attack this year, so I think this is a big one to watch.

burstnbloom · Jan 15, 2021

IdiotKicker said:
Kase is going to frustrate the hell out of me this year. He’s so talented in actually getting into good shooting spots, whether through off the puck movement or B-side-Krejci hands and change of speed, but I wonder if he’s someone who just lacks that ability to finish. I know he has only played over 60 games once in his career, but the lack of results in terms of scoring in his career worry me a bit. I wonder at what point we end up having to accept that this is what he is, rather than seeing the potential for someone who could be a 25-30 goal scorer. He does all the hard work of getting himself great looks, but just can’t put them in the net. His ability to score and offset some of the streakiness of DeBrusk on the second line is key to a more balanced attack this year, so I think this is a big one to watch.

I understand this. He gets the puck on his stick in dangerous places CONSTANTLY and he has yet to score. It's crazy. I take solace in the fact that he scored on 12.6% of his shots in his career before last year, where that dropped to 4.9%. It's much more likely that he's just snakebitten and it'll revert to something closer to average than he just can't score anymore. Until he does though, it's going to be annoying.

burstnbloom · Jan 15, 2021

cshea said:
This was brought up in the news thread, but the Panthers are sitting Keith Yandle out and are seeking a trade. LeBrun says the Bruins did discuss it with the Panthers in December but it doesn't seem to have gotten very far.

LeBrun: Inside Panthers' approach with Keith Yandle to start season

Yandle, a veteran and known commodity, has fallen out of favour with the Panthers organization.

theathletic.com

It's a little unclear exactly what is going on here. It seems the Panthers are done with him and aren't going to play him. No reason has been given other than Yandle's agent saying it's not performance related. In any event, Lebrun reports that there is speculation that the Bruins and Panthers talked about a trade in December. Yandle is from Mass so the assumption is that he would waive.

I guess it is a situation worth watching. Large ticket left though, 3-years $6.35 AAV. He'd fit in a Krug-type role. He's among the best PP QB's. I don't like the contract but if Florida retained and took back Moore it may be feasible. I'd like to get more of a sample on the kids before dipping back into the trade market though.

I think he'd be a nice fit if they take more and retain some money but Yandle is a PP specialist at this point. My real concern is that he has a NMC and will take a protection slot in the expansion draft. I don't want to expose Carlo or Gryz at the expense of Yandle and that makes dealing for him a non-starter for me.

mwonow · Jan 15, 2021

burstnbloom said:
I think he'd be a nice fit if they take more and retain some money but Yandle is a PP specialist at this point. My real concern is that he has a NMC and will take a protection slot in the expansion draft. I don't want to expose Carlo or Gryz at the expense of Yandle and that makes dealing for him a non-starter for me.

cshea said:
That's a good point, I hadn't even considered the expansion draft ramifications.

Me either, I was still on the 'man, that D is thin' train. Thanks for expanding the discussion.

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