Bruins GM Chiarelli: All’s well entering Olympic break

[cat400]

The Boston Herald has a good article with Chiarelli commenting on the Bruins season to date.

He has some food for thought for the Hot Stove League as we critique the Bruins after each game.

http://bostonherald.com/sports/brui...m_chiarelli_all_s_well_entering_olympic_break

“As always, our structure has been good,†Chiarelli said. “I think we have improved our ability to score. We still struggle at times to finish, but that’s something that we have been focusing on. I think our depth has been outstanding, through the forwards that we brought up and now you see the (defensemen) in there. Generally, I think the four lines have been performing — you can never have four lines at once performing at their top level — but I have been happy with their level of performance."

“Even our veteran players are still young. You talk about the (center David) Krejcis and (winger Milan) Lucics and (defenseman Johnny) Boychuks, those guys are still young. So I think (it’s true), we are more consistent. It would be nice to be even more consistent but I like the way that we are going.â€

Click to read more...

 

[Danton Heineken]

Posturing for trade negotiations.

 

[EverettMike]

That just isn't true.

They need to get a defensemen with some size and strength that they trust to put on the ice defending a one goal lead in the last minute. They need that player to win the Cup.

 

[qc]

That just isn't true.

They need to get a defensemen with some size and strength that they trust to put on the ice defending a one goal lead in the last minute. They need that player to win the Cup.

From the article..

The general manager’s remarks could be distilled down to a few bullet points:

• Chiarelli is very pleased with the B’s play thus far — notably, the depth of the roster and the overall improved consistency and maturity of the team.

• He still hopes to add a veteran defenseman who is strong in his own end before the March 5 trade deadline, but he does not want it to cost him a player off the varsity roster.

• He expects making such a deal to be difficult, given a tight trade market.

The title is a bit misleading.

 

[EverettMike]

From the article..


The title is a bit misleading.

Tis.

 

[bruinmann77]

I wonder if PC is going over to the Olympics and will scout some players who might be available to be bruins.

 

[bruinmann77]

If getting a veteran defenseman and it cost a first rounder i would have no issue with that. Still think we can use another scorer but not a major issue .

 

[Bruinswillwin77]

That just isn't true.

They need to get a defensemen with some size and strength that they trust to put on the ice defending a one goal lead in the last minute. They need that player to win the Cup.

Couldn't agree more.

 

[missingchicklet]

He seems to really stress the maturation aspect of the young guys. Sounds as if he likes their progression and is not too worried about mistakes they are making.

“But I always feel that we need eight good NHL defenders going in to the playoffs. While I’m certainly not going to replace Seidenberg . . . you’d like to think that there is a player with a little bit of Seids’ defending that we could find and help us. But this year’s been a story about our depth and I’ve been happy with it.â€

Chia gets it. That may be the one potential chink in our armor, and could play a role in a late round in the playoffs. Early rounds I'm not too concerned with. As he states earlier, we have a solid team and he can live with the team even if he cannot find a semi-replacement for Seids. I'm relieved to hear that he is not going to trade someone from the current roster. I very much like our chances in a 7-game series against all but a few teams with who we have now. Youth tends to show its face against elite teams, though, thus Chia's desire to get a veteran D-man. We are lucky to have the management we have in Boston. They are smart hockey guys.

 

[bruins repeat time]

I really don't get the need for a depth defenseman. I think we have more depth on defense than up front. Now if he is talking bringing in a top 3 defenseman by all means we could use that. This is the best depth we had on defense in years. No offense but cup winning year we had hnidy playing in the playoffs for a couple games . Hnidy at that stage and fitness of he career couldn't come close to competing with any guy we are using right now.

 

[Bruins 54]

I still think we are bit slow .... very dependent on Rask standing on his head to win a series come playoff time.

 

[Artemis]

I wonder if PC is going over to the Olympics and will scout some players who might be available to be bruins.

Chiarelli is part of the Canadian team staff for the Olympics.

 

[bobbyorr04]

That just isn't true.

They need to get a defensemen with some size and strength that they trust to put on the ice defending a one goal lead in the last minute. They need that player to win the Cup.

Someone like Kevan Miller?

 

[bruinmann77]

Chiarelli is part of the Canadian team staff for the Olympics.

so that should give him some good insight right.

 

[RussellmaniaKW]

this should be mandatory reading for everyone if they want to post on this board. I really hope Chia's own words will lay to rest some of these ridiculous trade proposals such as going after Callahan, etc.

If we get anyone it will be on D, but it doesn't sound like he's going to swing for the fences at the deadline this year.

 

[unifiedtheory]

I think we need a 4th liner who can skate, fight and play a little. Someone to push Thornton.

 

[Caper Bruins fan]

He seems to really stress the maturation aspect of the young guys. Sounds as if he likes their progression and is not too worried about mistakes they are making.



Chia gets it. That may be the one potential chink in our armor, and could play a role in a late round in the playoffs. Early rounds I'm not too concerned with. As he states earlier, we have a solid team and he can live with the team even if he cannot find a semi-replacement for Seids. I'm relieved to hear that he is not going to trade someone from the current roster. I very much like our chances in a 7-game series against all but a few teams with who we have now. Youth tends to show its face against elite teams, though, thus Chia's desire to get a veteran D-man. We are lucky to have the management we have in Boston. They are smart hockey guys.

Yes.I do not want to see anyone from the current roster moved.

 

[Lobster57]

Yes.I do not want to see anyone from the current roster moved.

Depends on whether or not Caron is on the current roster

 

[BNHL]

this should be mandatory reading for everyone if they want to post on this board. I really hope Chia's own words will lay to rest some of these ridiculous trade proposals such as going after Callahan, etc.

If we get anyone it will be on D, but it doesn't sound like he's going to swing for the fences at the deadline this year.

Believe everything Chiarelli says publicly? I'd bet that McQuaid or Bartkowski could be had,one not both.

 

[remer]

Chia is posturing himself for a deal. He does not want GM's to think he is desperate for a defenseman. This team does not win the Cup with it's present roster.

They need a top 2-3 defenseman and they need someone for the third line.

This present roster has players available. Caron, McQuaid, Campbell, Kelly or Thornton would not be missed.

The Bruins have prospects that I would like Chia to cash in for some draft picks.

Chia's mistake with the Seguin deal was not bringing back a first round draft pick.

Providence does not alot in the cupboard except for Spooner.

 

[ReggieMoto]

Chia is posturing himself for a deal. He does not want GM's to think he is desperate for a defenseman.

You don't actually think that the other GMs don't know that the Bs second top D is out for the season, leaving the Bruins with a big hole that needs to be filled, do you?

 

[Alicat]

Chia is posturing himself for a deal. He does not want GM's to think he is desperate for a defenseman. This team does not win the Cup with it's present roster.

They need a top 2-3 defenseman and they need someone for the third line.

This present roster has players available. Caron, McQuaid, Campbell, Kelly or Thornton would not be missed.

The Bruins have prospects that I would like Chia to cash in for some draft picks.

Chia's mistake with the Seguin deal was not bringing back a first round draft pick.

Providence does not alot in the cupboard except for Spooner.

Yes guys like McQuaid, Campbell, Kelly and Thornton would be missed quite a bit.

You not only get rid of your depth at Center but you get rid of experience and toughness at the blueline and a hell of a lot of heart and leadership.

The Bruins were never the same when Campbell went down in the ECF's last year.

Thank god you're not the GM because getting rid of those guys is a guaranteed first round exit.

 

[Fire Sweeney]

Chiarelli repeats the same thing every year.

 

[Spooner st]

Chiarelli repeats the same thing every year.

So does the fans.

 

[Rebel Bruin]

Yes guys like McQuaid, Campbell, Kelly and Thornton would be missed quite a bit.

You not only get rid of your depth at Center but you get rid of experience and toughness at the blueline and a hell of a lot of heart and leadership.

The Bruins were never the same when Campbell went down in the ECF's last year.

Thank god you're not the GM because getting rid of those guys is a guaranteed first round exit.

QFT

Campbell is a very under rated player, even by our own fans it seems!

The fact that he and Paille are on our 4th line sums up the Bruins in my opinion.