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Post by barleytinking on Sept 20, 2023 16:38:27 GMT
Was there really ever any doubt? The Bruins are now Brad Marchand’s team.
Boston on Wednesday announced the veteran winger is the club’s next captain, as Marchand takes the torch from longtime friend and linemate Patrice Bergeron, who retired this summer. At first I didn't think this was a great idea. Too much damaged luggage for me. But then I really thought about it. If there is a guy who better exemplifies the Bruin way, name him. I can't think of it. When the chips are down, and you need leadership, I can't think of who else can lead by example. McAvoy - I don't see it yet. Pasta - isn't C material. Coyle - Seriously. There really is only one choice, and after he retires, it goes to MacAvoy.
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Post by thanx4memORRies on Sept 20, 2023 16:55:47 GMT
Was there really ever any doubt? The Bruins are now Brad Marchand’s team.
Boston on Wednesday announced the veteran winger is the club’s next captain, as Marchand takes the torch from longtime friend and linemate Patrice Bergeron, who retired this summer.Not really surprising…. Only doubt was whether B’S would hand it over right away to Chuckie instead of naming a captain in a few years again…. This would have had to be done with Marchy’s blessing of course…. Marchy deserves it considering all the blood and sweat (and enemies) he’s left on the ice ever since donning the Spoked B….
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Post by thanx4memORRies on Sept 20, 2023 16:57:41 GMT
Was there really ever any doubt? The Bruins are now Brad Marchand’s team.
Boston on Wednesday announced the veteran winger is the club’s next captain, as Marchand takes the torch from longtime friend and linemate Patrice Bergeron, who retired this summer. At first I didn't think this was a great idea. Too much damaged luggage for me. But then I really thought about it. If there is a guy who better exemplifies the Bruin way, name him. I can't think of it. When the chips are down, and you need leadership, I can't think of who else can lead by example. McAvoy - I don't see it yet. Pasta - isn't C material. Coyle - Seriously. There really is only one choice, and after he retires, it goes to MacAvoy. Honestly don’t think anyone else but Chuckie was on the very short list….
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Post by badhabitude on Sept 20, 2023 17:40:15 GMT
I was about to ask 'are we there yet?'
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Post by bookboy007 on Sept 20, 2023 17:44:10 GMT
Was there really ever any doubt? The Bruins are now Brad Marchand’s team.
Boston on Wednesday announced the veteran winger is the club’s next captain, as Marchand takes the torch from longtime friend and linemate Patrice Bergeron, who retired this summer. At first I didn't think this was a great idea. Too much damaged luggage for me. But then I really thought about it. If there is a guy who better exemplifies the Bruin way, name him. I can't think of it. When the chips are down, and you need leadership, I can't think of who else can lead by example. McAvoy - I don't see it yet. Pasta - isn't C material. Coyle - Seriously. There really is only one choice, and after he retires, it goes to MacAvoy. I'm fine with it, and he's a surprisingly articulate advocate for the players. I think he's going to end up with the PA down the road, to be honest. He took the lead to criticize the decision to skip the Olympics, and he's been vocal on other issues. When other leaders on the team like Bergeron and Foligno were being diplomatic in their criticism about the Bruins unaccountably signing Mitchell Miller, Marchand was unequivocal about saying the kid would have to prove some things if he was going to be accepted in the room. I think he'll do a good job. For me, though, part of his baggage is the selfishness of some of the shit he's pulled over the years. The spearing on Jarry was just stupid. The elbow on MarJo. And then some of the in game stuff like the way he seemed reluctant to give the puck to Smith or Connolly when they were playing RW with him and Bergeron, or some of the very, very long shifts he's taken at key moments, none more glaring than the 2min in the offensive zone in Game 7 vs. StL that eventually meant he was gassed and got caught on the counter by Pietrangelo - waving at him like turnstile as he went in on Tuukka. He is also among the more irresponsible players on the team with the puck - only Pastrnak comes close with the careless passes across the offensive blueline that lead to opponent goals. But hey, water under the bridge. He wasn't captain then. Now he needs to set a better example.
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Post by sandogbrewin on Sept 20, 2023 18:29:04 GMT
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Post by The OC on Sept 21, 2023 0:38:04 GMT
At first I didn't think this was a great idea. Too much damaged luggage for me. But then I really thought about it. If there is a guy who better exemplifies the Bruin way, name him. I can't think of it. When the chips are down, and you need leadership, I can't think of who else can lead by example. McAvoy - I don't see it yet. Pasta - isn't C material. Coyle - Seriously. There really is only one choice, and after he retires, it goes to MacAvoy. I'm fine with it, and he's a surprisingly articulate advocate for the players. I think he's going to end up with the PA down the road, to be honest. He took the lead to criticize the decision to skip the Olympics, and he's been vocal on other issues. When other leaders on the team like Bergeron and Foligno were being diplomatic in their criticism about the Bruins unaccountably signing Mitchell Miller, Marchand was unequivocal about saying the kid would have to prove some things if he was going to be accepted in the room. I think he'll do a good job. For me, though, part of his baggage is the selfishness of some of the shit he's pulled over the years. The spearing on Jarry was just stupid. The elbow on MarJo. And then some of the in game stuff like the way he seemed reluctant to give the puck to Smith or Connolly when they were playing RW with him and Bergeron, or some of the very, very long shifts he's taken at key moments, none more glaring than the 2min in the offensive zone in Game 7 vs. StL that eventually meant he was gassed and got caught on the counter by Pietrangelo - waving at him like turnstile as he went in on Tuukka. He is also among the more irresponsible players on the team with the puck - only Pastrnak comes close with the careless passes across the offensive blueline that lead to opponent goals. But hey, water under the bridge. He wasn't captain then. Now he needs to set a better example. He's extremely smart and well-spoken. Goes above and beyond for teammates and former teammates off the ice (Taking Kevin Hayes's kid to hockey, helping the guy who died's widow). Works hard, plays 2-way hockey. Also, lots of the most legendary captains in hockey history have been dirty players, dickheads or both. Clarke. Messier. Stevens. Pronger. A lot of these guys would be suspended half the season in today's game. As long as he's moved past the line where he needs another player to keep him in line, we're good.
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Post by chappy28 on Sept 21, 2023 13:20:27 GMT
I'm fine with it, and he's a surprisingly articulate advocate for the players. I think he's going to end up with the PA down the road, to be honest. He took the lead to criticize the decision to skip the Olympics, and he's been vocal on other issues. When other leaders on the team like Bergeron and Foligno were being diplomatic in their criticism about the Bruins unaccountably signing Mitchell Miller, Marchand was unequivocal about saying the kid would have to prove some things if he was going to be accepted in the room. I think he'll do a good job. For me, though, part of his baggage is the selfishness of some of the shit he's pulled over the years. The spearing on Jarry was just stupid. The elbow on MarJo. And then some of the in game stuff like the way he seemed reluctant to give the puck to Smith or Connolly when they were playing RW with him and Bergeron, or some of the very, very long shifts he's taken at key moments, none more glaring than the 2min in the offensive zone in Game 7 vs. StL that eventually meant he was gassed and got caught on the counter by Pietrangelo - waving at him like turnstile as he went in on Tuukka. He is also among the more irresponsible players on the team with the puck - only Pastrnak comes close with the careless passes across the offensive blueline that lead to opponent goals. But hey, water under the bridge. He wasn't captain then. Now he needs to set a better example. He's extremely smart and well-spoken. Goes above and beyond for teammates and former teammates off the ice (Taking Kevin Hayes's kid to hockey, helping the guy who died's widow). Works hard, plays 2-way hockey. Also, lots of the most legendary captains in hockey history have been dirty players, dickheads or both. Clarke. Messier. Stevens. Pronger. A lot of these guys would be suspended half the season in today's game. As long as he's moved past the line where he needs another player to keep him in line, we're good. Yes --- if he wasn't Bergy's linemate he'd get a lot more attention to just how good of a 200 foot player he is. He'll have a different style than Bergy or Chara that is for sure. But he works just as hard, plays with passion, cares about his teammates and has the swagger you want in your leaders. Big shoes to fill, but love the player, rat and all.
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Post by Lord Markwart on Sept 22, 2023 14:16:11 GMT
Different skill set as a leader... The guy spits blood and drinks vinegar. He would slewfoot his own mother if she was on the ice playing against him, especially if she wore a Canuck uniform.
Brad might be a guy with one of the highest compete levels out of any Bruin in recent memory. Bergie also had the compete level but it was overshadowed by his smarts and composure.Everyone was scared of Chara because he looked like the guy in Happy Gilmore that had the golf ball land on his foot.
Brad is out of the Terry O'Reilly mold. I like the decision.
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Post by bookboy007 on Sept 22, 2023 16:45:37 GMT
I'm fine with it, and he's a surprisingly articulate advocate for the players. I think he's going to end up with the PA down the road, to be honest. He took the lead to criticize the decision to skip the Olympics, and he's been vocal on other issues. When other leaders on the team like Bergeron and Foligno were being diplomatic in their criticism about the Bruins unaccountably signing Mitchell Miller, Marchand was unequivocal about saying the kid would have to prove some things if he was going to be accepted in the room. I think he'll do a good job. For me, though, part of his baggage is the selfishness of some of the shit he's pulled over the years. The spearing on Jarry was just stupid. The elbow on MarJo. And then some of the in game stuff like the way he seemed reluctant to give the puck to Smith or Connolly when they were playing RW with him and Bergeron, or some of the very, very long shifts he's taken at key moments, none more glaring than the 2min in the offensive zone in Game 7 vs. StL that eventually meant he was gassed and got caught on the counter by Pietrangelo - waving at him like turnstile as he went in on Tuukka. He is also among the more irresponsible players on the team with the puck - only Pastrnak comes close with the careless passes across the offensive blueline that lead to opponent goals. But hey, water under the bridge. He wasn't captain then. Now he needs to set a better example. He's extremely smart and well-spoken. Goes above and beyond for teammates and former teammates off the ice (Taking Kevin Hayes's kid to hockey, helping the guy who died's widow). Works hard, plays 2-way hockey. Also, lots of the most legendary captains in hockey history have been dirty players, dickheads or both. Clarke. Messier. Stevens. Pronger. A lot of these guys would be suspended half the season in today's game. As long as he's moved past the line where he needs another player to keep him in line, we're good. One thing I think is very different about Marchand from Messier, Stevens or Pronger - they were pretty good at being dirty in ways that didn't show up from 7 angles on a TV broadcast. Marchand can be dirty, but it's more his tendency to blow a gasket and be stupid dirty that bothers me. The other thing that I'm not crazy about is how much his frustration shows, especially in big games. If the kids see dad losing his noodles over a bad shift in a game 7, they'll get a little more nervous too. If Dad takes a 2 minutes shift because HE has to be the one to score the tying goal.... That stuff. Like I said, I think he'll do a good job as a leader for the Bruins and eventually for the players when he ends up with the PA. But there are flags.
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Post by The OC on Sept 22, 2023 18:43:59 GMT
He's extremely smart and well-spoken. Goes above and beyond for teammates and former teammates off the ice (Taking Kevin Hayes's kid to hockey, helping the guy who died's widow). Works hard, plays 2-way hockey. Also, lots of the most legendary captains in hockey history have been dirty players, dickheads or both. Clarke. Messier. Stevens. Pronger. A lot of these guys would be suspended half the season in today's game. As long as he's moved past the line where he needs another player to keep him in line, we're good. One thing I think is very different about Marchand from Messier, Stevens or Pronger - they were pretty good at being dirty in ways that didn't show up from 7 angles on a TV broadcast. Marchand can be dirty, but it's more his tendency to blow a gasket and be stupid dirty that bothers me. The other thing that I'm not crazy about is how much his frustration shows, especially in big games. If the kids see dad losing his noodles over a bad shift in a game 7, they'll get a little more nervous too. If Dad takes a 2 minutes shift because HE has to be the one to score the tying goal.... That stuff. Like I said, I think he'll do a good job as a leader for the Bruins and eventually for the players when he ends up with the PA. But there are flags. There were less cameras. When Messier knocked out Modano he'd have gotten a longer suspension than Big Willie today. It was savage. But back then it was "Haha, oh Mark being Mark. Modano won't showboat like that again!"
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Post by bookboy007 on Sept 22, 2023 18:52:48 GMT
He's extremely smart and well-spoken. Goes above and beyond for teammates and former teammates off the ice (Taking Kevin Hayes's kid to hockey, helping the guy who died's widow). Works hard, plays 2-way hockey. Also, lots of the most legendary captains in hockey history have been dirty players, dickheads or both. Clarke. Messier. Stevens. Pronger. A lot of these guys would be suspended half the season in today's game. As long as he's moved past the line where he needs another player to keep him in line, we're good. Yes --- if he wasn't Bergy's linemate he'd get a lot more attention to just how good of a 200 foot player he is. He'll have a different style than Bergy or Chara that is for sure. But he works just as hard, plays with passion, cares about his teammates and has the swagger you want in your leaders. Big shoes to fill, but love the player, rat and all. I think he gets a ton of credit for how good a 200' player he is, but wingers get less fanfare for that than centres. Marchand's received Selke votes in 10 different seasons, and 7 of the last 8. In most of those years, he was one of the top wingers in the voting with only Mark Stone and Mitch Marner getting votes as often or more often. So I think he's duly recognized as one of the top 2-3 two-way wingers in the game.
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Post by Fletcher on Sept 29, 2023 20:53:29 GMT
Very late to the party here, but like others, this decision has grown on me. I'm not sure who's a better option and McAvoy getting the 'A' recognizes his leadership (or calls for it) on the backend.
I agree with some of the criticisms too, most notably his bad habits of sometimes hurting the team, of course. I agree with Book, that he's not really "greasy", as that implies that his questionable play is somewhat subtle or inconspicuous. His outbursts are anything but that. So blunt and glaring that they get an overreaction from the league, officials, fans. I don't want him to be a Boy Scout, but I also want his mean streak and pest behavior to have some nuance and restraint, so it grinds on the other team a bit, but without great consequence.
I think he'll have a good sense of what's needed in the locker room and will lead a culture of accountability. He'll play hard and lead by example. He's smarter than people think, and he got where he is the hard way. Younger players will see that. When he speaks, teammates will listen.
The mocking and criticism of 'Marchand as Captain?' from other teams and fans outside of New England is just fine with me. I like it. It's galvanizing.
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