Boston Bruins After 1/3 of the Season...

[DKH]

We now have a good size body of work to mull over since October 5 at 7 PM minutes before Opening Night.

The Bruins project to 97 points and a slot somewhere 5-8. A good run can all but cement them a bad week put them out.

The inevitable 3-5 teams every year get separated in this horse race regardless of their long shot or lofty odds and this year is no different.

Peter Gammons likes to tell the story around each Memorial Day of the baseball season (approximately where 1/3 of season is) how a old time GM told him the first third of season is to get an idea of what I got.
The second-third what I need, and the last third of the season to see if it comes together and works like hoped.

With that a quick look at what the Bruins have after 1/3 of season:

Assuming health

Goaltending is a strength - khudobin was fantastic when Rask struggled and Tuukka looks like he's back on track.

Which kids if any will earn their keep?

Heinen was 'meh' in his NHL debut and when a long 20 game stretch where he scored but 1 goal and the AHL and whispers he was maybe homesick.

He caught a second wind soon into the New Year and had a monster Playoff that carried over.

The games in the NHL taught him preparation and pace and his confidence in the AHL biggest games gave him the knowledge of what he needed to do and understand what he needed to do.

He's been the biggest suprise and projects as a key player going forward - nothing it seems he can't do well. Last night he showed he can slow the game down and consistently make correct reads and decisions.

Jake DeBrusk has not shown the overall consistency of Heinen but his future looks just as bright. He reminds me offensively of Michael Ryder in both an opportunist and quick sniper release. Ryder may have earned the inconsistency tag but he was a 5 time 30 goal scorer. I see DeBrusk more consistent and a very good playmaking wing that will become more evident as the games pile up the way they did for Blake Wheeler.

I am very high on Anders Bjork as well and the Bobby Bourne comp in style is something I'm watching but to move on (taking a Snow shoveling break- freaking December 10)

The first line with Pastrnak is a killer and Cassidy may occasionally drop 88 to Krejci during a game. When he puts those 3 on the oppponents top line they can both strangle the offense out of them and exploit a usual poorer defensive game found in the offensive elite

I love this technique

Krejci and to a lesser Backes are keys

They are a completely different team when those to play

There has been a lot of good things the past 2 months hopefully it will continue and with good health no doubt

Click to read more...

 

[bruins repeat time]

I am really starting to buy in to this team and a lot of the young guys . I have loved Bjork and Charlie --Captain Obvious from day 1 but heinen and even more so Debrusk has taken a bit more time but I am in on them as well now . I know this team isn't near the top of the hill yet but they are a really fun hard working group .

The youth is really starting to look awesome which a lot of us including me couldn't see. I have to give credit to you DKH because you saw it very early . I still think our famous three drafts in a row could've been better but you simply cant knock the drafting or recruiting since Sweeney took over

As far as Marchy,pasta and bergy go I think they can out play any line in the league more times than not . Marchy has come back as a beast from injury, Pasta is an amazing talent and Bergy is as we all know Bergy.

 

[KnightofBoston]

Don't forget about cehlarik too, he gets it and makes this team better when he's in


Very little room for dead weight, the young guns have stepped up. Big props to the draft and develop department

 

[bruins repeat time]

Very true on Cehlarik I have really liked the way he played since nhl game 1

 

[RI.B FAN]

Well written and on point. DeBrusk is exciting to watch. He looks like the best of the forwards to me.

 

[Krupp]

I think we're finally seeing what solid drafting is doing for this team's long term future.

Carlo, McAvoy anchoring the defensive side of things, those two young guys alone give me hope for this team winning another cup down the road in the not too distant horizon. I didn't think much of Heinen - but then again all I had to go on was what we saw last year, which wasn't him at his best, apparently. He's definitely showing a full game right now, and that excites me to no end.

I haven't seen Bjork play outside of preseason, so it's hard for me to say what to think of him. I trust you guys more on that. But Debrusk is about where I thought he might come along, honestly - I didn't expect him to light up the league in his first NHL season, nor do I expect it any season soon. I think he's going to be a decent winger for the top 6. If not that, certainly not a poor option for a third line winger otherwise

It's great to have management that's good at scouting kids and prospects. That bodes well in the long run. I just really don't want Sweeney trying to sign in big named FA players or do any nutso trades for this season or the next. I'd rather see how this Rookie Rollercoaster Ride plays out first; and really, Boston's not been winning the trades as of late....

Losing Malcolm didn't help the goaltender position, but I'm hoping they're looking into improving that. Again, you guys would know if they've got a great prospect down the line better than I would.

All in all, I'm enjoying this season for what it is. I'm not getting hopes up for the playoffs, but i'll be delighted if they get in again. I'd rather see this team build a strong mentality to handle every difficult situation that can arise in a game, week by week, and see the new young core become solidified.

 

[DominicT]

@DKH if you recall the podcast following the 2015 draft I was adamant this team would be a playoff contender in 3 years (not waiting until the last weekend of the season) and a serious Stanley Cup contender in 5 years. It's on course and have remained adamant about that.

So I am not going to argue with your take

 

[Blowfish]

Very true on Cehlarik I have really liked the way he played since nhl game 1

So many good young players. I was down on Heinen at one point but he's gaining confidence and you can see he's a cerebral player both ends of rink. Reminds me of P.J. / skating style reminds me of Sobotka.

I want to add Matt Grzelcyk. Liking him more and more. Not sure how McQauid fits in on his return. Grz playing some really good hockey. I like the D pairings right now and would hate to see that broken up.

 

[Fenian24]

I find them incredibly frustrating. They could easily be legitimate contenders by getting rid of some of the falling prospects like Senyshyn or Zboril before they become anchors and adding a top six forward and some grit to the lower lines. Sadly I have zero faith in Sweeney's ability to do anything right and would be terrified of any trade he tried to make

 

[Mount Kramer Cameras]

I perhaps made too many judgments when key players were injured.

The vets + the kids is a killer combination. A lot of the new youngsters seem to have spirit. Its crazy to think that Donato/Frederic/Urho/Lindgren/Lauzon/JFK and more are still to get their chance to contribute. I don't care if there isn't a guaranteed star in there, that's just sheer power in numbers.

 

[GlenFeatherstone]

I find them incredibly frustrating. They could easily be legitimate contenders by getting rid of some of the falling prospects like Senyshyn or Zboril before they become anchors and adding a top six forward and some grit to the lower lines. Sadly I have zero faith in Sweeney's ability to do anything right and would be terrified of any trade he tried to make

How can you call them falling or failing already? Incredibly early to do so. I agree at some point some of these guys need to be cleared out to thin the heard but to call them a failure already is a mistake. I look at where Heinen and DeBrusk were at this time last year and where they are now. That season of development was huge.

 

[JRull86]

I find them incredibly frustrating. They could easily be legitimate contenders by getting rid of some of the falling prospects like Senyshyn or Zboril before they become anchors and adding a top six forward and some grit to the lower lines. Sadly I have zero faith in Sweeney's ability to do anything right and would be terrified of any trade he tried to make

Must suck to be so negative all the time.

 

[Fenian24]

Must suck to be so negative all the time.

When you hit your fortieth year of being a Bruin fan you wont be all sunsine and rainbows

 

[Blowfish]

When you hit your fortieth year of being a Bruin fan you wont be all sunsine and rainbows

So the recent bruin cup and president cups didn't fix your 40 years misery? Based on your posts I believe your primary issue is more to do with the game changing not necessarily the team itself. Much like the NFL, the game is changing. Evolution keeps progressing. Much like the first day the NHL introduced the hockey goalie mask. There would a fan out there perplexed and frustrated with the way the game is changing.

 

[DKH]

I find them incredibly frustrating. They could easily be legitimate contenders by getting rid of some of the falling prospects like Senyshyn or Zboril before they become anchors and adding a top six forward and some grit to the lower lines. Sadly I have zero faith in Sweeney's ability to do anything right and would be terrified of any trade he tried to make

You need to go read what you wrote last year - you have been proven wrong

 

[Kate08]

I find them incredibly frustrating. They could easily be legitimate contenders by getting rid of some of the falling prospects like Senyshyn or Zboril before they become anchors and adding a top six forward and some grit to the lower lines. Sadly I have zero faith in Sweeney's ability to do anything right and would be terrified of any trade he tried to make

Oh my goodness gracious. They were drafted in 2015. TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN.

As someone that has been a fan for 40 years, I’d assume you’d be more familiar with the ebbs and flows of rosters and eras.

Being nervous about Sweeney’s trade track record is fair, but to call 2015 draft picks anchors or busts is crazy.

 

[LouJersey]

The fact this team sits where they do this am is pretty miraculous. Hats off to the entire team from the front office down to Providence who continues to stock us with NHL ready players.

The kids upfront have done better than I thought they would. I think 43, 10 and 74 have shown they will be top 9 guys at very least. I'm in the minoroty on Cehlarik, as I'm not his biggest fan, but he is certainly in the mix. The veterans are doing pretty well too. Lots of injuries up front over the first third but I liked those top three lines last night.

I never would have thought our preseason third line of 39-51-72 would all basically be useless at this point although I do like Vatrano still.

Backend, the left side has been a surprise. Chara defensively playing as good as ever, but his puck handling has become terrible imo. Krug hasn't been great defensively but is starting to come in. He's still one of the best facilitators in the league. Griz had been fantastic.

Right side is phenomenal imo. Deep too.

Goalies are one of the best tandems in the league.

 

[missingchicklet]

Don't forget about cehlarik too, he gets it and makes this team better when he's in


Very little room for dead weight, the young guns have stepped up. Big props to the draft and develop department

I agree about Cehlarik. I'm a Heinen fanboy, but I think Cehlarik has a good ceiling as well. He has had absolutely awful luck in his very limited time with the big club. He has a lot of tools and just needs consistent time to keep improving at the NHL level. Hopefully he is able to stay healthy once he's back. He could prove to be a valuable piece for the Bs down the road this season.

 

[BruinDust]

I find them incredibly frustrating. They could easily be legitimate contenders by getting rid of some of the falling prospects like Senyshyn or Zboril before they become anchors and adding a top six forward and some grit to the lower lines. Sadly I have zero faith in Sweeney's ability to do anything right and would be terrified of any trade he tried to make

Right on cue.

 

[PlayoffBeard365]

I had them just outside the top 16 prior to season beginning. A few surprising lackluster starts for teams who had been solid in their 16/17 campaigns and the Bruins ability to tread water and now gain momentum has given us the opportunity to think playoffs. I'm happy we are in the conversation thats for sure. They are growing as team quickly and everyone is filling a role - well except for Vatrano Best of all they give effort and are fun to watch!

Ive read that a few players (including Marchy) have stated their concern about getting knocked around out there. Is this a roster issue or a game issue? Who can we get to bolster our team toughness - McQuaid? Cuz I sure don't want Marchand acting as a pseudo enforcer or Krech spending any more time on the DL. And we saw DeBrusk sure can't fight - lol - but hats off to him. Maybe thats all it is a call to arms/all fists on deck (like last night) but come 2nd season we gotta play heavy and be prepared.

If Tuukka can remain steadfast or even crank it up a notch Id say we are only limited by some in- experience and lack of consitent deep scoring.

 

[PlayMakers]

​

Word to the wise: Negative opinions are just as valid as positive ones.

Disagree with the points that are being made but be careful not to attack the individual making them.

 

[PlayMakers]

Some stats...

7th in the East in Win%

PP is 13th
PK is 4th

16th in Shooting%
13th in Hits
12th in Faceoffs
8th (fewest) GiveAways
5th in TakeAways

21st in the league in terms of Goals For
17th in Shots For
8th best Shot Attempt Differential 5on5

6th in Goals Against
5th in Shots Against

 

[BruinsCupNow]

It's difficult not to be excited about the mid- to long-term future of the franchise. The young players have quickly become integral to their success, and the farm system seems likely to produce more good players in the years ahead. There's still some caution on the prospects front, as they need either more or better at C and G, and likely there's no elite F anywhere in the group. But...so what? Let's talk about this year.

I think the original DKH post was pretty bang-on. This year's team is still in that "could go either way" stage, but all the arrows are moving in the right direction. I marvel at how quickly McAvoy has become an impact defenceman. And the Bruins finally have puck moving D on both sides of the ice - good timing, too, considering how Chara's puck skills have eroded.

The forward group really does look different with Krejci and Backes in the lineup. I'm naively optimistic that it could be better still with a healthy Spooner (4th liner and PP specialist, maybe?). It's hard for me to believe that the 2nd and 3rd lines will be consistently good with three rookies and Nash playing there. But the Bruins seem especially well-positioned with the volume of prospects to make a trade deadline acquisition that would make a difference. My choice would be a legitimate third-line centre, but a scoring winger would help too.

Honestly, I have seen enough promise in the kids this year that I won't be upset, even if they go in the tank and miss the playoffs. The only thing that would change my mind is if January includes three losses to the Habs in an 8-day span. If that happens, I hope HFBoards' profanity filter is working on "extra strong" setting!

--BCN

 

[Sevendust]

If you want to have some fun, go to these post game threads after their loses against Anaheim or Toronto in November. Man holy overreaction back then about a team with that many injuries and young guys in the line up

 

[wintersej]

I find them incredibly frustrating. They could easily be legitimate contenders by getting rid of some of the falling prospects like Senyshyn or Zboril before they become anchors and adding a top six forward and some grit to the lower lines. Sadly I have zero faith in Sweeney's ability to do anything right and would be terrified of any trade he tried to make

I mean, at this time last year it was Heinen that was falling. We have to learn to be more patient with prospects. Some are going to fail. Some aren't.

I generally agree that they aren't that far away and what they need. I'm pretty happy with Backes, Kuraly and Accari as grit in the bottom 6. I'd like to see a top six forward with grit in the top 6. The fact that they were rumored to be all about Landy makes me think that Sweeney and co. feel the same way.

The combination of the team being back to close to being legit contenders added to the fact that Sweeney and company seem to agree with what the team is missing, makes your dismissal of Sweeney's abilities hilarious, though.