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Post by bookboy007 on Aug 29, 2023 20:33:09 GMT
26 days to the first pre-season tilt with the Rangers. 43 days until they get the first regular season shot to turn Connor Bedard into a fine red mist a la Dougie Hamilton on Connor McDavid in the OHL.
I am strangely more keen for the start of the year than I've been in a while. The uncertainty over the C position and seeing what this team is without Bergeron or Krejci after the loss of Chara and Rask means there are storylines right off the hop. The weathered the loss of Chara, the loss of Rask, the one year without DK. Still worthy. Still had a shot after each loss. Now? I guess we find out.
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Post by wayne on Aug 29, 2023 20:53:44 GMT
They had a great team on paper going into the playoffs last year and screwed the pooch. Now they have to do it the hard way
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Post by Corky on Aug 30, 2023 0:26:05 GMT
Hockey News has them at 3rd in the Atlantic. I’ve seen power rankings between 13 and 5, for what it is worth. They make the playoffs. Then who knows.
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Post by The OC on Aug 30, 2023 1:31:22 GMT
I'm interested in the season for sure, but I can't say I'm MORE pumped. I was confident they would be division winners last year, the DK return was awesome and the Zacha trade was brilliant. Less confident this year. Zacha can fill in for DK fine, but that means effectively a loss of Zacha AND Hall on LW, and those guys were real good there. And no Bergie in the middle is a big deal. Really like the Geekie signing, and pumped to see Lucic back. But to be among the elite it's going to take a few good bounces in terms of players exceeding what they have been to date. Good chance that happens, but things are less of a lock this year.
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Post by moognoates on Aug 30, 2023 2:00:48 GMT
Not really excited for this season. Doesn't mean there aren't interesting things to watch for, but that butterfly in the stomach anticipation isn't there.
Still very dissapointed that the core we've loved so much the past 15 yrs couldn't deliver more and now we are left with a bridge yr.
Things I am interested in is hopefully seeing some prospects get some opportunities, watching the Geek with an expanded role, and the trade deadline where I hope we can turn a few veteran assets (Gryz, Zbo, Ullmark, Forbort) into assets for the next core.
I'm most interested in getting through this season and hoping it's a one year blip and getting the team at a Cup competing level the following season.
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Post by bookboy007 on Aug 30, 2023 3:35:42 GMT
I'm interested in the season for sure, but I can't say I'm MORE pumped. I was confident they would be division winners last year, the DK return was awesome and the Zacha trade was brilliant. Less confident this year. Zacha can fill in for DK fine, but that means effectively a loss of Zacha AND Hall on LW, and those guys were real good there. And no Bergie in the middle is a big deal. Really like the Geekie signing, and pumped to see Lucic back. But to be among the elite it's going to take a few good bounces in terms of players exceeding what they have been to date. Good chance that happens, but things are less of a lock this year. This is why I am more pumped. I didn't have much doubt that they were going to be fine, and while there were doubts about how they would weather a start without Marchand and McAvoy, i was already thinking that a last dance is all about the playoffs. So they got way out in front and it was all biding time. So many ways yhat this could go including 70 points from Zacha as the #1 C, and 45 points from Zacha as the #1C. Could go either way.
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Post by dannycater on Aug 30, 2023 13:50:53 GMT
I feel the same way right now that I did back in 2007...That's when I got NHL NESN on DirectTV and started watching every B's game instead of only seeing a handful a year. Julien's first year and I didn't really have expectations after the under .500 Dave Lewis 06-07 season. Got excited to see a few players develop and at that time no Pasta like talent, no Marchand, certainly not 2 really good goalies already in place in UllSway (Thomas played great that year to become a go-to), and 2 standout d guys (Lindholm, McAvoy) v. (Chara, Wideman)...finally, that team got 22 goals from Kobasew (say what?), 11 from Metropolit, 13 from Dennis the Menace at point..Lucic and Krejci were barely on anyone's radar, Bergeron was out with concussion in October (10 games that year)...Savard was the show...loved that team if only that it was exciting to watch a team be competitive (many low scoring boring games due to system, but better than getting ass kicked)...I'm not saying the 23-24 Bruins will be just competitive, but really it's going to be dramatically different with no 37,46, no 71,59, and Orlov....I have no idea what will happen. Just hoping they are entertaining and make playoffs. Anything happens from there.
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Post by dannycater on Aug 30, 2023 13:55:05 GMT
One thing to keep in mind, the team has pretty much the same goalies, same d guys (Orlov was late addition) they had last year...that's half the battle...they should be good at keeping the score down...PK should be good too.
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Post by dannycater on Aug 30, 2023 14:01:42 GMT
Not really excited for this season. Doesn't mean there aren't interesting things to watch for, but that butterfly in the stomach anticipation isn't there. Still very dissapointed that the core we've loved so much the past 15 yrs couldn't deliver more and now we are left with a bridge yr. Things I am interested in is hopefully seeing some prospects get some opportunities, watching the Geek with an expanded role, and the trade deadline where I hope we can turn a few veteran assets (Gryz, Zbo, Ullmark, Forbort) into assets for the next core. I'm most interested in getting through this season and hoping it's a one year blip and getting the team at a Cup competing level the following season. You are in mourning too...You see a few games and you probably get that fan itch again...I focused so much on 46 as a fan, then he was gone that one year, but I adjusted to appreciate Marchand more, loved Pasta, Bergeron...I find myself really thinking maybe some of the low end acquisitions can be a Kobasew/Metropolit....you get production from these guys, even say JVR on PP...then it softens that blow of no 2 big centers...still it's going to be interesting when or if the B's want to get a big-name center whether it's trade deadline or earlier or the next off season...thinking too far ahead though. Want to focus on 23-24 season and enjoy the games.
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Post by bookboy007 on Aug 30, 2023 14:24:08 GMT
Hockey News has them at 3rd in the Atlantic. I’ve seen power rankings between 13 and 5, for what it is worth. They make the playoffs. Then who knows. Assuming they'd have them behind the Laffs and the Bolts? No love yet for the Wings or Sabres or Senators? Or maybe jilted love if they were among the pundits who predicted Boston would miss the playoffs last year and one of these supposed upstarts would get in.
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Post by islamorada on Aug 30, 2023 15:55:24 GMT
The Bs are alright. I agree the centers are the focus of success. Hall's numbers can be handled ok. What will be missed is his remaining ability to advance the puck. Now the need for an offensive defenseman would be nice. Gryz, ah yes but to a point. In Pronman’s annual I need to find number 32 team on the under 23 rankings, stated the Lohrie was a below average skater, and outside of being big was average puck skills. That seemed to be incorrect. He would make a big difference imo. Donny will have to make a trade to compensate the possible lack of production at center at the TDL.
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Post by chappy28 on Aug 30, 2023 16:59:28 GMT
One thing to keep in mind, the team has pretty much the same goalies, same d guys (Orlov was late addition) they had last year...that's half the battle...they should be good at keeping the score down...PK should be good too. Exactly. The sky is not falling. Just as long as nobody's expecting a repeat of last year's magic then we're fine. I will say though, much like the Pats, I think that was officially the end of an era and now there is a lot more certainty about who this team really is. It'll take some time to figure out I'm sure, but in it's own way that can make for a really interesting season. It's going to be less about asking if we're going to win the Presidents trophy and more about whether we squeak into the playoffs until we land a 1C however. On the bright side, we have a coach with record of connecting with young players and getting them to play loose. It'll be interesting to see the player development side take the spot light for the next few years. We'll either need to find some gems in the pipeline or Sweeney is going to make some big moves in the next 18 months or so. Both scenarios are enough to keep my interest
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Post by bookboy007 on Aug 30, 2023 17:42:30 GMT
Not really excited for this season. Doesn't mean there aren't interesting things to watch for, but that butterfly in the stomach anticipation isn't there. Still very dissapointed that the core we've loved so much the past 15 yrs couldn't deliver more and now we are left with a bridge yr. Things I am interested in is hopefully seeing some prospects get some opportunities, watching the Geek with an expanded role, and the trade deadline where I hope we can turn a few veteran assets (Gryz, Zbo, Ullmark, Forbort) into assets for the next core. I'm most interested in getting through this season and hoping it's a one year blip and getting the team at a Cup competing level the following season. You are in mourning too...You see a few games and you probably get that fan itch again...I focused so much on 46 as a fan, then he was gone that one year, but I adjusted to appreciate Marchand more, loved Pasta, Bergeron...I find myself really thinking maybe some of the low end acquisitions can be a Kobasew/Metropolit....you get production from these guys, even say JVR on PP...then it softens that blow of no 2 big centers...still it's going to be interesting when or if the B's want to get a big-name center whether it's trade deadline or earlier or the next off season...thinking too far ahead though. Want to focus on 23-24 season and enjoy the games. The only thing I'd say about this in relation to your 2007 story is that the Lewis year was just so awful that the team having a pulse was like being defibrillated on a game by game basis. But even then, I have a very strong feeling that you don't win playoff series relying on Glen Metropolit and Chuck Kobasew for offense. Or Ax, or Peter Schaffer. But I wonder if they can't get a shadow of Recchi from JVR. Numbers below his best, but timely and consistent as an elder.
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Post by The OC on Aug 30, 2023 20:21:51 GMT
The Bs are alright. I agree the centers are the focus of success. Hall's numbers can be handled ok. What will be missed is his remaining ability to advance the puck. Now the need for an offensive defenseman would be nice. Gryz, ah yes but to a point. In Pronman’s annual I need to find number 32 team on the over 23 rankings, stated the Lohrie was a below average skater, and outside of being big was average puck skills. That seemed to be incorrect. He would make a big difference imo. Donny will have to make a trade to compensate the possible lack of production at center at the TDL. Yeah, that's clearly someone who has never seen Lohrei play. He's above average at pretty much everything, speed, size, puck handling... and plays with some bite. Who knows if he can adjust to the NHL, but he's a high end prospect and the best in the Bruins system.
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Post by bookboy007 on Aug 30, 2023 22:37:15 GMT
The Bs are alright. I agree the centers are the focus of success. Hall's numbers can be handled ok. What will be missed is his remaining ability to advance the puck. Now the need for an offensive defenseman would be nice. Gryz, ah yes but to a point. In Pronman’s annual I need to find number 32 team on the over 23 rankings, stated the Lohrie was a below average skater, and outside of being big was average puck skills. That seemed to be incorrect. He would make a big difference imo. Donny will have to make a trade to compensate the possible lack of production at center at the TDL. Yeah, that's clearly someone who has never seen Lohrei play. He's above average at pretty much everything, speed, size, puck handling... and plays with some bite. Who knows if he can adjust to the NHL, but he's a high end prospect and the best in the Bruins system. It's Pornman. I trust nothing that guy writes about the Bruins.
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Post by sandogbrewin on Aug 31, 2023 0:02:34 GMT
The Bs are alright. I agree the centers are the focus of success. Hall's numbers can be handled ok. What will be missed is his remaining ability to advance the puck. Now the need for an offensive defenseman would be nice. Gryz, ah yes but to a point. In Pronman’s annual I need to find number 32 team on the over 23 rankings, stated the Lohrie was a below average skater, and outside of being big was average puck skills. That seemed to be incorrect. He would make a big difference imo. Donny will have to make a trade to compensate the possible lack of production at center at the TDL. Pronman has been getting pounded for another mail in comment about Lohreis skating. He actually handles the puck well but takes too much time sometimes getting rid of the puck. Difference being you can't over handle in the AHL compared to the NCAA. No biggie, I mean if the Bs had top-10 picks like the Oilers did in the mid-2000s. Pronman would still crap on the Bruins prospect pool. Just can't help himself as boyhood Lufa fan.
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Post by mdsizzle on Aug 31, 2023 1:06:17 GMT
Not really excited for this season. Doesn't mean there aren't interesting things to watch for, but that butterfly in the stomach anticipation isn't there. Still very dissapointed that the core we've loved so much the past 15 yrs couldn't deliver more and now we are left with a bridge yr. Things I am interested in is hopefully seeing some prospects get some opportunities, watching the Geek with an expanded role, and the trade deadline where I hope we can turn a few veteran assets (Gryz, Zbo, Ullmark, Forbort) into assets for the next core. I'm most interested in getting through this season and hoping it's a one year blip and getting the team at a Cup competing level the following season. Ditto Moongoats... I'm glad to have Looch back, but the hard lesson last year which is the regular season really means shit is still the main theme. Less excited than ever before.
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Post by thanx4memORRies on Aug 31, 2023 15:58:33 GMT
On paper the B’S are no worse than last year’s Florida Cheshire Cats and we saw first hand the havoc they caused on their path to the finals….
B’S just need to stay in the race until trade deadline in order to allow Donnie to pull a rabbit or two out of his hat for the playoff push….
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Post by kelvana33 on Aug 31, 2023 19:13:16 GMT
No top 6 center obviously has a ripple effect on Pastrnak, Marchand etc...Coyle is not a top 6 center and Zacha is better wing than he is a center. I'd feel alot better if they replaced one of Bergeron/Krejci with either Shcheifele or a Lindholm. I'd take Backlund. Morgan Geekie is more like Coyle than he is top 6.
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Post by The OC on Aug 31, 2023 19:20:34 GMT
No top 6 center obviously has a ripple effect on Pastrnak, Marchand etc...Coyle is not a top 6 center and Zacha is better wing than he is a center. I'd feel alot better if they replaced one of Bergeron/Krejci with either Shcheifele or a Lindholm. I'd take Backlund. Morgan Geekie is more like Coyle than he is top 6. Zacha and Pasta had better success when Zacha was at C than LW. Significantly so. The only issue this year is they don't have Hall or Bertuzzi to ride the left side.
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Post by islamorada on Sept 2, 2023 10:18:39 GMT
No top 6 center obviously has a ripple effect on Pastrnak, Marchand etc...Coyle is not a top 6 center and Zacha is better wing than he is a center. I'd feel alot better if they replaced one of Bergeron/Krejci with either Shcheifele or a Lindholm. I'd take Backlund. Morgan Geekie is more like Coyle than he is top 6. After reading comments I tend to fall into the above notion. It is not a bad thing though, Coyle then could be dangled in a possible trade down the road. Zacha can always shift back to LW if Donny can swing a deal for a top six center.
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Post by wayne on Sept 2, 2023 14:28:40 GMT
If people think Coyle is a 3rd line center Im not sure what they are expecting from Geekie
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Post by thanx4memORRies on Sept 2, 2023 14:56:54 GMT
If people think Coyle is a 3rd line center Im not sure what they are expecting from Geekie What concerns me about Geekie is that a dozen forwards (which even the most ardent Krakhead fan would be hard pressed to name five of) averaged more TOI than him…. Like Jack Black in “Shallow Hal”, maybe Donnie sees something in Geekie that others don’t….
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Post by wayne on Sept 2, 2023 15:30:02 GMT
If people think Coyle is a 3rd line center Im not sure what they are expecting from Geekie What concerns me about Geekie is that a dozen forwards (which even the most ardent Krakhead fan would be hard pressed to name five of) averaged more TOI than him…. Like Jack Black in “Shallow Hal”, maybe Donnie sees something in Geekie that others don’t…. Ideally it would be 1C Zacha Coyle Geekie but I guess right now it is Zacha Coyle Geekie Brown?? I dont know if its Sweeny that sees something in Geekie but maybe others.
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Post by thanx4memORRies on Sept 2, 2023 16:49:53 GMT
What concerns me about Geekie is that a dozen forwards (which even the most ardent Krakhead fan would be hard pressed to name five of) averaged more TOI than him…. Like Jack Black in “Shallow Hal”, maybe Donnie sees something in Geekie that others don’t…. Ideally it would be 1C Zacha Coyle Geekie but I guess right now it is Zacha Coyle Geekie Brown?? I dont know if its Sweeny that sees something in Geekie but maybe others. If no warm body down in Praaaavidence is better than this guy Brown, then the B’S pipeline is in more trouble than we can imagine….
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