Former Bruins Ryan Donato - II

[bp13]

If people are hanging the team's woes on Donato, I don't know what to tell you. Completely misguided. He's a skill player. He's never going to be a physical guy. It's not his game. People expecting him to become that isn't on Donato, it's on the person with the unrealistic expectations.

Agreed 100%.

Further, he's not ready, IMO. Calling him up is not on him...it's on the GM. Clearly the plan now is to just live and die with the kids, and we're seeing that they're not ready. The ones who belong here aren't playing to the level we expected, and the ones who don't are here because the GM gambled they'd be ready and lost and is apparently incapable of fixing that problem at this point or doesn't want to. But it's not on the player.

And on that goal, let's acknowledge Matheson is fast as hell. Do we think Krejci or Bergeron cuts him off there with their speed? No chance. Maybe they take a better angle, sure, but speed-wise he's blowing past them. On that play, IMO, Krug is the one with the bullseye on him. Then again defense isn't exactly his forte, so that's not a complete shock.

 

[Fenian24]

Not talking about fighting or hitting, this is the softest team in the NHL, little effort outside of a handful of players, seems like all the "Super Prospect Forwards" read how great they are going to be and can't be bothered to put in any type of effort, this include Heinen, Donato and Bjork. The "sandpaper" forwards aren't tough and not talented and bring little to the table, Kuraly has taken a huge step back, Accari is just not a good player and inconsistent hitter, Wagner is meh.

This is what happens when your management believes the hype of the prospects and they don't develop. It's like Sweeney only listened to Pierre McGuire and his opinions on the prospects. Hopefully Donnie Hockey will be joining Pierre in the broadcast booth soon.

 

[BostonBruins11]

They are most likely going to loose one of Bjork, Heinen, Donato in the expansion draft. Maybe they can package 2 + 2nd round pick for a legit scoring winger?

 

[BruinDust]

They are most likely going to loose one of Bjork, Heinen, Donato in the expansion draft. Maybe they can package 2 + 2nd round pick for a legit scoring winger?

I wouldn't even count on those 3 even being here in 3 years time if things don't improve.

 

[LSCII]

Agreed 100%.

Further, he's not ready, IMO. Calling him up is not on him...it's on the GM. Clearly the plan now is to just live and die with the kids, and we're seeing that they're not ready. The ones who belong here aren't playing to the level we expected, and the ones who don't are here because the GM gambled they'd be ready and lost and is apparently incapable of fixing that problem at this point or doesn't want to. But it's not on the player.

And on that goal, let's acknowledge Matheson is fast as hell. Do we think Krejci or Bergeron cuts him off there with their speed? No chance. Maybe they take a better angle, sure, but speed-wise he's blowing past them. On that play, IMO, Krug is the one with the bullseye on him. Then again defense isn't exactly his forte, so that's not a complete shock.

Exactly. I don't blame Donato for that play. I put it on Krug. He had him lined up and could have easily put the body on him, but didn't. Instead, he threw a weak ass stick check at him and spun out of the way like a bullfighter dodging a horn.

 

[Oates2Neely]

If people are hanging the team's woes on Donato, I don't know what to tell you. Completely misguided. He's a skill player. He's never going to be a physical guy. It's not his game. People expecting him to become that isn't on Donato, it's on the person with the unrealistic expectations.

This. Putting this on a 22yr old rookie seems misguided.

He’s going through the same growing pains Pastrnak went through.

 

[Fenian24]

They are most likely going to loose one of Bjork, Heinen, Donato in the expansion draft. Maybe they can package 2 + 2nd round pick for a legit scoring winger?

Seattle is 3 years away, doubt two of them will be considered NHL players at that point and one most likely a 30 point quiet defensive specialist.

 

[mjhfb]

Exactly. I don't blame Donato for that play. I put it on Krug. He had him lined up and could have easily put the body on him, but didn't. Instead, he threw a weak ass stick check at him and spun out of the way like a bullfighter dodging a horn.

On the Florida feed Potvin made reference (dig) to how they're not the "Big Bad Bruins" anymore when Matheson skated right by Donato and Krug untouched.

 

[LSCII]

On the Florida feed Potvin made reference (dig) to how they're not the "Big Bad Bruins" anymore when Matheson skated right by Donato and Krug untouched.

Uh huh. And? They haven't been the Big Bad Boston Bruins since the freaking 80s and this is news now?

 

[mjhfb]

Uh huh. And? They haven't been the Big Bad Boston Bruins since the freaking 80s and this is news now?

Obviously Potvin, as color, was exaggerating to make his point that even a slight bump would have killed that play.

 

[Fenian24]

Uh huh. And? They haven't been the Big Bad Boston Bruins since the freaking 80s and this is news now?

Did you notice the 2011 team???? Lucic, Chara, Thornton, Campbell, Horton, Ference., McQuaid?

 

[LSCII]

Did you notice the 2011 team???? Lucic, Chara, Thornton, Campbell, Horton, Ference., McQuaid?

Yeah, and? Those teams would have been eaten alive by the physicality of the teams from the 70's and 80's. It's not even a debatable topic. From the 90's on, the game started to get get watered down in terms of physical play.

 

[Gordon Lightfoot]

If people are hanging the team's woes on Donato, I don't know what to tell you. Completely misguided. He's a skill player. He's never going to be a physical guy. It's not his game. People expecting him to become that isn't on Donato, it's on the person with the unrealistic expectations.

I don't feel like anyone is pinning the team's woes on Donato. I think we just need to see more from him. We need to see a little bit more from everyone. It's not like anyone thinks he's the key, do they?

 

[Oates2Neely]

Time for a minor shakeup trade yet?

 

[LSCII]

I don't feel like anyone is pinning the team's woes on Donato. I think we just need to see more from him. We need to see a little bit more from everyone. It's not like anyone thinks he's the key, do they?

Okay. But in defense of the young guys as a collective whole, shouldn't the team be seeing more from their best players/veteran players instead of counting on young guys to step up? To that point, Marchand needs to score goals, but he's not. Pasta has gone cold compared to his usual level since Bergeron has been out. Krejci has been getting helpers, but he's on pace to score like 6 or 7 goals this year. That's not acceptable for any of those guys, is it?

In a time like this where the team is being decimated by injuries to key players, your best players need to be your best players. Krejci hasn't scored a goal since October and hasn't had a point in his last 4 games. Marchand has 1 goal in his last 10 games. Pasta has 2 goals in his last 9 games and both came in one game. Those long stretches of non production are far more valid reasons for this team not being able to score 2 goals per night than because Donato didn't throw a body check or failed to score, no?

 

[LSCII]

Obviously Potvin, as color, was exaggerating to make his point that even a slight bump would have killed that play.

Yep. Even a slight bump. Which is why I put it on Krug, given he was in perfect position to get in the way with his body, yet didn't. Instead he played matador defense as he was left in the dust.

 

[BMC]

If people are hanging the team's woes on Donato, I don't know what to tell you. Completely misguided. He's a skill player. He's never going to be a physical guy. It's not his game. People expecting him to become that isn't on Donato, it's on the person with the unrealistic expectations.

It isn't unrealistic to expect him to learn how to do more than stand on the ice with his thumb up his ass waiting for someone to pass him the puck so he can shoot it. This goes for the other kids as well. Playing a 200 foot game is largely a matter of effort, not skill.

I'm not blaming Donato, I still think he's got it in him to be a more complete player but I am worried about the slowness of the process. I had hoped his trip to Providence would instill some urgency in him but after last night I'm concerned.

 

[BMC]

On the Florida feed Potvin made reference (dig) to how they're not the "Big Bad Bruins" anymore when Matheson skated right by Donato and Krug untouched.

I cringed when I saw that.

 

[Mainehockey33]

Yeah, and? Those teams would have been eaten alive by the physicality of the teams from the 70's and 80's. It's not even a debatable topic. From the 90's on, the game started to get get watered down in terms of physical play.

I’m too young to have seen those teams in the 79’s and 80’s but I was always told the physicality back then was a lot higher... I don’t see anyone in any era tougher than Lucic and Chara though, even Thornton.

 

[JCRO]

Time for a minor shakeup trade yet?

I think so.

I was in the boat of- play the young guys during this rough stretch of injuries and see what you got. Thought it was a great test for these guys and we could see what meshed well together before the team (hopefully) gets healthy.

Unfortunately, thus far, they've failed IMO.

Thus I think it's time. But I'm not hopeful we see anything right now. I also don't want a major panic deal. Not against a "minor shakeup trade" at all though.

 

[Bruinfanatic]

He has offensive ability,can’t argue with that ,but man he is so bad defensively and a lot of that is just plane laziness.

 

[BruinDust]

If people are hanging the team's woes on Donato, I don't know what to tell you. Completely misguided. He's a skill player. He's never going to be a physical guy. It's not his game. People expecting him to become that isn't on Donato, it's on the person with the unrealistic expectations.

Exactly.

Say that was Patrick Kane or Nikita Kucherov in that exact same position as Donato was last night on the Matheson goal. Do they all of sudden use physical play to stop Matheson from getting past them? Probably not.

It's like the whole Zach Senyshyn debate. He's drafted to be a goal-scorer, becomes a goal-scorer in junior. But yet he goes to Providence and plays on the 3rd and 4th lines because it's all part of "the plan" for him and develop his vaunted 200 ft game. Why are they trying to make him something he's not? Why not try to make what got him to the dance, putting the puck past the goaltender, better? Put him in a position to use his natural ability, not try to make him a 3rd line two-way winger.

Sometimes it's not just the fans expectations. I think the expectations of management and coaches in Boston are a bit out to lunch.

 

[LSCII]

I’m too young to have seen those teams in the 79’s and 80’s but I was always told the physicality back then was a lot higher... I don’t see anyone in any era tougher than Lucic and Chara though, even Thornton.

Even in the late 80's guys like Neely took a beating just trying to get to the front of the net. Now, guys get to set up shop without getting constantly chopped and cross checked and they get to stand there all day long. Totally different game. And that's not even talking about the hits, and fighting.

 

[Kalus]

Yep. Even a slight bump. Which is why I put it on Krug, given he was in perfect position to get in the way with his body, yet didn't. Instead he played matador defense as he was left in the dust.

Krug had an off game last night in every respect. He'll rebound in the next one.

 

[LSCII]

Exactly.

Say that was Patrick Kane or Nikita Kucherov in that exact same position as Donato was last night on the Matheson goal. Do they all of sudden use physical play to stop Matheson from getting past them? Probably not.

It's like the whole Zach Senyshyn debate. He's drafted to be a goal-scorer, becomes a goal-scorer in junior. But yet he goes to Providence and plays on the 3rd and 4th lines because it's all part of "the plan" for him and develop his vaunted 200 ft game. Why are they trying to make him something he's not? Why not try to make what got him to the dance, putting the puck past the goaltender, better? Put him in a position to use his natural ability, not try to make him a 3rd line two-way winger.

Sometimes it's not just the fans expectations. I think the expectations of management and coaches in Boston are a bit out to lunch.

Yeah, it's a head scratcher how this organization always wants to change how a player plays. I used to think it was just Claude, but it's clearly not. If you drafted a guy because he has a high skill level or they think he can score, why are you trying to make him a Selke caliber player before you bring him up? It makes no sense.