At least Cassidy is focused on the hangover - the challenge will be how to deal with it
An improving Atlantic Division: Bruins will have tougher...
While the Bruins rest their battered bones, the Atlantic Division is improving. This trend may continue on July 1, when the Panthers are expected to open their wallets for Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky.
This is not good news for the Bruins, one of three Atlantic clubs to qualify for the playoffs this past season. The dogfight for postseason qualification could be even fiercer next year.
“Toronto and Tampa, to me, are still excellent teams. I’d put us in that category,” Cassidy said. “So it is tough. You’re not going to get there by accident. You’re going to have to earn your way on our side. It wouldn’t surprise me next year if there were five (teams) from our side.”
Most of Cassidy’s players have already scattered to their summer retreats. Before they made their getaways, the chain-pullers consulted with Cassidy to discuss the slope they’ll face this fall. It could get slippery.
The Bruins’ rivals see Black and Gold in their crosshairs. Meanwhile, the Bruins’ summer programs have been disrupted and deferred because of their Stanley Cup run. Cassidy believes in the hangover, especially for those who complete the journey without lifting the Cup above their heads. It is not easy for such players to jack up the competitive juices in quieter rinks in October and November. The challenge begins right when the light turns green with a four-game road trip to Dallas, Arizona, Vegas and Colorado.
“We have to get their attention quicker for two reasons,” Cassidy said. “When you come off a season like ours, I think there’s a tendency to be not as focused coming out of it, because guys have lost part of their summer to train, so you’re maybe not up to speed. And you’re not that excited to go into a building in November when there’s maybe not that much on the line.”
Cassidy plans to take advantage of Jaroslav Halak. The No. 2 goalie watched Tuukka Rask accumulate 1,458:50 of playing time in the postseason. Halak will have many more matches to burn than Rask. Also, Rask has a history of hiccups early in the regular season. The Bruins cannot afford to ride a goalie whose dependability will be in question.
An improving Atlantic Division: Bruins will have tougher...
While the Bruins rest their battered bones, the Atlantic Division is improving. This trend may continue on July 1, when the Panthers are expected to open their wallets for Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky.
This is not good news for the Bruins, one of three Atlantic clubs to qualify for the playoffs this past season. The dogfight for postseason qualification could be even fiercer next year.
“Toronto and Tampa, to me, are still excellent teams. I’d put us in that category,” Cassidy said. “So it is tough. You’re not going to get there by accident. You’re going to have to earn your way on our side. It wouldn’t surprise me next year if there were five (teams) from our side.”
Most of Cassidy’s players have already scattered to their summer retreats. Before they made their getaways, the chain-pullers consulted with Cassidy to discuss the slope they’ll face this fall. It could get slippery.
The Bruins’ rivals see Black and Gold in their crosshairs. Meanwhile, the Bruins’ summer programs have been disrupted and deferred because of their Stanley Cup run. Cassidy believes in the hangover, especially for those who complete the journey without lifting the Cup above their heads. It is not easy for such players to jack up the competitive juices in quieter rinks in October and November. The challenge begins right when the light turns green with a four-game road trip to Dallas, Arizona, Vegas and Colorado.
“We have to get their attention quicker for two reasons,” Cassidy said. “When you come off a season like ours, I think there’s a tendency to be not as focused coming out of it, because guys have lost part of their summer to train, so you’re maybe not up to speed. And you’re not that excited to go into a building in November when there’s maybe not that much on the line.”
Cassidy plans to take advantage of Jaroslav Halak. The No. 2 goalie watched Tuukka Rask accumulate 1,458:50 of playing time in the postseason. Halak will have many more matches to burn than Rask. Also, Rask has a history of hiccups early in the regular season. The Bruins cannot afford to ride a goalie whose dependability will be in question.
