In this edition of the Boston Bruins Weekly Post one very simple question is being asked: What's wrong with the B's? Injuries have certainly hurt the Bruins this year, but we're long past the point of being able to blame everything on injuries. 55 games into the season and the team's leading scorer (Patrice Bergeron) has just 33 points. Not good. Some key players are playing significantly worse than last year, while some have simply failed to improve. The only Bruins actually playing above expectations so far are Bergeron and Tuukka Rask. That's 2 out of 25, not good. At this point the B's own 1st round pick is beginning to look nearly as valuable as that of the Maple Leafs that they will own. So is there any salvaging this season? Absolutely. The good news is that they are still just a few points out of the playoffs and not much separates #6 from #12 in the East, and in the NHL a hot goalie can carry the team in the playoffs. Any chance to make the postseason in the NHL is certainly worth it, especially when they made such a leap in regaining a following in these parts last season. To lose that in just 1 season would be a major blow to the entire organization, and head's will most certainly roll this summer.....Also this week: Are ex-NHL stars like Peter Forsberg or Jaromir Jagr possible additions after the Olympics?.....I had no problem with Claude Julien calling out Dennis Wideman, but blaming his comments on the media somehow was very disappointing. Nothing he said wasn't true and there was no reason why he shouldn't have stood behind it.....I realize the outcome has already been decided, but I hate how Tim Thomas sprints off the ice after a game-winning goal is scored against him.....these and any other issues on your sports mind are open for discussion right here in MWM.....
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14 comments:
The 5 most disappointing Bruins:
1. Dennis Wideman (terrible)
2. Milan Luic (injuries aside)
3. Matt Hunwick (no improvement)
4. Blake Wheeler (ditto)
5. Michael Ryder (useless)
I was going to put Krejci on the list, but he was clearly injured at the beginning of the year (came back too soon) and is playing much better over the past 2 weeks or so.
Don't forget about Derek Morris. I can't believe we got rid of Aaron Ward because he was making too much money at $2/yr so we could sign this stiff for $3+.
I know the Bruins want defensemen who can move the puck, but how about ones that can play some defense? At least Ward did that much.
I will say that I after watching the last few Bruins games they actually played well enough to win, but can't seem to finish off their scoring chances.
They have been getting about 40 shots on net per game and are somehow making all these goalies look like all-stars. Granted, not all of the shots are quality scoring opportunities, but there have been enough of them.
I feel like the Bruins are just a sniper away from regaining their form from most of last year.
Thought Wheeler might actually step it up this year and provide some scoring punch, but he looks like he's regresses, as you mentioned (along with Hunwick).
Rumors have the Bruins shopping Thomas and Ryder. Hard to imagine any team willing to take on Thomas contract at this stage of his career, so I can't see him going anywhere.
What is more likely to happen is that the Bruins will deal Recci and Satan for mid-round draft picks.
Caps-Penguins on right now and that's a real grudge match. Worth checking out before the Bs and Cs come on later this afternoon.
Great game between the Caps and Pens. The one thing that was most obvious to me is that the B's aren't in the class of either team.
I totally agree D-Man about the B's having played well enough to win several of the recent games. At some point the question is: Why do we keep losing them? You can only blame "running into a hot goalie" so many times before you have to question the players ability to sore on anyone.
Also, as great of a job as he did last year, at some point you really do have to question Julien. Not saying they should make a switch now, but if we miss out on the playoffs that will need to be evaluated for sure. Since we're still paying Dave Lewis at the moment I'm sure they're a little gun shy to fire Julien and pay 3 head coaches at the same time.
I don't see them trading anyone for the sake of dumping them (i.e. Recchi, Satan). We're in the odd situation of not wanting to get rid of guys who can help us, yet not wanting to give up any prospects/picks for what may be a lost cause this year.
When all is said and done I wouldn't be surprised to see us do nothing.
B's up 2-0 after the 1st vs Montreal. It would certainly be nice to put an end to this losing streak today!
2-0 after the first period? That could only mean another OT and then shootout loss.
Big 3 - 0 win today that will propel the B's to a 4 game win streak leading up to the Olympics.
As much as I think the B's defense has been subpar this year, the big problem is lack of scoring.
They are LAST in goals for in the NHL....by 11 goals to the second lowest scoring team. They average 2.3 goals per game, next lowest 2.41. You need to amend that top five to be more forward heavy.
1. Ryder
2. Krejci
3. Wheeler
4. Lucic
5. Wideman
If I had room for more I would include Bitz, Savard, Hunwick, and Thornton.
For the record the Bruins are 7th best in GAA.
I know I have asked this question before, but do the Bruins practice penalty shots?
Game 2 of 4 game steak in the bag and a shootout win to boot.
3 out of 4 in the books...one more to go in Florida for the 4 for 4 before the Olympics.
Will Thomas ever see the ice again?
The way Miller is playing lately, Thomas might be benched for the Bruins and starting for Team USA.
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