2023 Training Camp

[PatriceBergeronFan]

I'm still oddly upset that Taylor Hall isn't here. He played with so much passion in playoffs...

One of the odder decisions Sweeney will have made all told by the end of the season I wager. Opting to be short a top 6 forward yet again. We saw this fail with Krejci and Debrusk and even Bergeron with Marchand at times. This will be an I told you so moment to all the Sweeney defenders over the cap.

I don’t think physical is the right word... Coyle is physical. Try to get the puck from him. Chiasson doesn’t hit much more than Coyle or Geekie and Forbort isn’t significantly more physical than Carlo. Shattenkirk is surprisingly physical.

I think you’re talking about intimidation. Lucic, McAvoy hit to hurt. Frederic and Greer hit and talk shit. Patrick Brown hits a TON (you left him off).

They could really use a 25 year old Lucic in their top6.

I will absolutely be thrilled if Brown is a borderline 31 year old rookie yet truly has this impact. Shawn Thornton and Greg Campbell used to hit "often" and the opposing players hardly flinched. We will see. 6'1, not exactly damaging on size alone. Also simpler to run around hitting on non playoff teams - he may suddenly hit less for positioning in Boston as well. Not a very high PIM count either.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

The only signing this offseason that I found curious was Shattenkirk. Not that I don’t like him, but they just acquired Mitchell, Regula, and Walsh in trades. Feels like that would have been a good place to save a few bucks.

Over $1M for Shattenkirk? Would have saved like $100k.

 

[GordonHowe]

I appreciate Coach Montgomery's comments on practice and the players. Yet again, however, the Bruins fail to provide a microphone in press conferences so the reporters questions are clear. Too many answers from Coach have no context. Which player(s) is he talking about when responding?

How many years will it take the Bruins to fix this?

As long as it will take them to install proper ice. Which is to say, likely never..

 

[GordonHowe]

Fair.

I just want them to get back to being an overly physical team.

While you’re right about Coyle, Carlo, etc. being strong…..nobody worries about playing against them.

Nobody sits on the bench next to a rookie and says….”hey, keep your head up out there….Carlo, Coyle, Shattenkirk or Geekie are on the ice”.

2011 won’t happen again, but please give me 4/5 guys who can play and actually intimidate most opponents and are looking to blow someone up with a crushing hit.

McAvoy does….but TBH he’s not the guy I want doing it.

Looch, obviousky does.

Frederic can and hopefully will.

Lauko certainly has the skating ability and decent size…time will tell if he can do it consistently.

I guess, I’m just getting to the point where the style of play I want to see isn‘t what management wants us to have.

That's the way it's been since Sweeney took over. I don't believe he values physicality as much as some here. I don't think it's in his DNA.

However, Montgomery said what he said and he said it plainly. If they are not physical, if they get run over and pushed around, that should tell you something. I expect them to be more physical and more tenacious this year, simply with Brad as captain. And if they're smart, they'll be physical because physical is what we want, at least most of us.

Say three Hail Milan's before bed tonight,

 

[PlayMakers]

That's the way it's been since Sweeney took over. I don't believe he values physicality as much as some here. I don't think it's in his DNA.

However, Montgomery said what he said and he said it plainly. If they are not physical, if they get run over and pushed around, that should tell you something. I expect them to be more physical and more tenacious this year, simply with Brad as captain. And if they're smart, they'll be physical because physical is what we want, at least most of us.

Say three Hail Milan's before bed tonight,

I agree that Sweeney doesn’t seem to value intimidating physicality the way Chiarelli did. And as much as Monty is talking about adding that. I don’t think they have the horses. Lucic was a nice step but I think they need a top6 forward and at least another D to be “that” team.

 

[sarge88]

That's the way it's been since Sweeney took over. I don't believe he values physicality as much as some here. I don't think it's in his DNA.

However, Montgomery said what he said and he said it plainly. If they are not physical, if they get run over and pushed around, that should tell you something. I expect them to be more physical and more tenacious this year, simply with Brad as captain. And if they're smart, they'll be physical because physical is what we want, at least most of us.

Say three Hail Milan's before bed tonight,

I’ll believe it when I see it.

As always a chain is as strong as it’s weakest link and for toughness to matter, it needs to be pervasive throughout the lineup,and everyone needs to buy in, IMO.

And not the “Going to the dirty areas” or “taking a hit” kind of “toughness”.

The real deal, “I‘ll happily fight you” kind of toughness.

I understand that all 20 guys aren’t going to be like that, but you just can’t have true team toughness with guys like Heinen or Boqvist in the lineup.

God forbid, both of them.

 

[GordonHowe]

I’ll believe it when I see it.

As always a chain is as strong as it’s weakest link and for toughness to matter, it needs to be pervasive throughout the lineup,and everyone needs to buy in, IMO.

And not the “Going to the dirty areas” or “taking a hit” kind of “toughness”.

The real deal, “I‘ll happily fight you” kind of toughness.

I understand that all 20 guys aren’t going to be like that, but you just can’t have true team toughness with guys like Heinen or Boqvist in the lineup.

God forbid, both of them.

100%.

I watched a clip of Z tonight, and he mentioned that the 2011 club and for years prior, was perhaps the toughest team in the league. He said, and it was true, that they were almost 8 9 10 guys who would hit, fight, get in your face, get dirty. Intimidate.

That's not the NHL today, and it's not the Bruins today. But they can certainly stand to be a hell of a lot more physical than they've been since Sweeney took over. Which means, as you say, they need several players who will go to the mat for teammates, and for themselves.

Just remember, Don Sweeney and Cam Neely are not going to be here forever. I think they both tap out in a year or two.

For many reasons, the jury is still very much out relative to Jim Montgomery. In my opinion he has a lot of work to do to overcome an absolutely terrible job of playoff coaching.

We'll see. Honestly, and perhaps unfairly, I am not holding my breath in that instance.

I still hope Z comes back in some capacity. Management preferably.

 

[sarge88]

100%.

I watched a clip of Z tonight, and he mentioned that the 2011 club and for years prior, was perhaps the toughest team in the league. He said, and it was true, that they were almost 8 9 10 guys who would hit, fight, get in your face, get dirty. Intimidate.

That's not the NHL today, and it's not the Bruins today. But they can certainly stand to be a hell of a lot more physical than they've been since Sweeney took over. Which means, as you say, they need several players who will go to the mat for teammates, and for themselves.

Just remember, Don Sweeney and Cam Neely are not going to be there forever.

I still hope Z comes back in some capacity. Management preferably.

Agree entimely!

 

[dugg133]

The fact that they have Heinen doing photo ops for the centennial jerseys feels pretty telling to me, I'd be shock if he's not on the roster opening night.

 

[GlenFeatherstone]

Over $1M for Shattenkirk? Would have saved like $100k.

Would have saved $250k and they will need all the money they can get. Again didn’t hate the signing. Just found it curious after acquiring 3 right shot D. Especially Walsh who I like a lot.

 

[KrugAvoy]

The fact that they have Heinen doing photo ops for the centennial jerseys feels pretty telling to me, I'd be shock if he's not on the roster opening night.

They probably feel sorry for him and don't want him to feel left out

 

[Smitty93]

The fact that they have Heinen doing photo ops for the centennial jerseys feels pretty telling to me, I'd be shock if he's not on the roster opening night.

You're overthinking it. It's a simple question of cost. Including him with everyone else basically adds no additional cost, while if they do end up signing him, they'd have to do an individual shoot of all this instead. There's no good reason not to do it now, regardless of whether he's signed or not.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

Would have saved $250k and they will need all the money they can get. Again didn’t hate the signing. Just found it curious after acquiring 3 right shot D. Especially Walsh who I like a lot.

None of these guys are as good as Shattenkirk yet. He’s better than people think.

 

[Fenian24]

That's the way it's been since Sweeney took over. I don't believe he values physicality as much as some here. I don't think it's in his DNA.

However, Montgomery said what he said and he said it plainly. If they are not physical, if they get run over and pushed around, that should tell you something. I expect them to be more physical and more tenacious this year, simply with Brad as captain. And if they're smart, they'll be physical because physical is what we want, at least most of us.

Say three Hail Milan's before bed tonight,

He was a small, soft player who only survived as long as he did because he was paired with Bourque for far too long.

They need a Wilson, hopefully Frederic can provide that in the top 6. If Boquist or Heinen make this team over Lauko or Greer in the bottom 6 Monty is nothing but a liar saying he wants a more physical team.

You don't make Zacha or Coyle physical, you find players like them who play physical, hit to hurt and never shy from contact. The Bruins under Sweengenius seem to think they can fill the bottom 6 with physical players by using late draft picks or free agency. Then again Sinden use to use the waiver draft to add toughness, how we added Willie Plett.

Put a premium on physical guys who can play top 6 or at worst top 9, don't try to fill in with scraps. And don't employ Matt Grczelyk or Danton Hrinen (or JFK, Spooner. Koko and so many others)

 

[The Storm]

Why I like the multi stripes! Look at those socks!

 

[GordonHowe]

He was a small, soft player who only survived as long as he did because he was paired with Bourque for far too long.

They need a Wilson, hopefully Frederic can provide that in the top 6. If Boquist or Heinen make this team over Lauko or Greer in the bottom 6 Monty is nothing but a liar saying he wants a more physical team.

You don't make Zacha or Coyle physical, you find players like them who play physical, hit to hurt and never shy from contact. The Bruins under Sweengenius seem to think they can fill the bottom 6 with physical players by using late draft picks or free agency. Then again Sinden use to use the waiver draft to add toughness, how we added Willie Plett.

Put a premium on physical guys who can play top 6 or at worst top 9, don't try to fill in with scraps. And don't employ Matt Grczelyk or Danton Hrinen (or JFK, Spooner. Koko and so many others)

Fenian,

Obviously, Sweeney was small of stature. But I don't believe he was soft. Did he fight? No. But I always liked him. I thought he was a smart player.

If you are waiting for Trent Frederic to become Tom Wilson, you will be waiting a long time.

This is it for Frederic. If he can't get it together on several levels this season, with this opportunity, he's never going to. I've never been terribly impressed, though I must say, I wanted to be.

And you are right. If it's Bo and DH, both of them, that will tell.

We'll see.

 

[slim399]

The Heinen-Merkulov-Debrusk line is interesting. If they were to stick together that would really lengthen the line up.

If Lysell isn’t looking ready I wouldn’t mind seeing Poitras getting some reps on the wing with Marchand and Coyle. That would be a good sheltered spot for him to enter the league early like Seguin did. Then switch back to Center in a year or two.

I know JVR will probably end up on the wing with Zacha and Pasta but wouldn’t mind seeing Lauko and Frederic take a few reps there.

Frederic-Zacha-Pastrnak
Marchand-Coyle-Poitras
Heinen-Merkulov-Debrusk
Lucic-Geekie-Lauko

Something like this is probably more realistic, which isn’t looking bad.

JVR-Zacha-Pastrnak
Marchand-Coyle-Debrusk
Heinen-Merkulov-Geekie
Lucic-Frederic-Lauko

 

[Ladyfan]

By my count the opening night lineup is likely to have the following players who can be considered physical.

Lucic
Frederic
McAvoy

Somewhat/kind of physical

Forbort
Marchand

Thats it.

Unless Greer or Chiasson makes it.

Montgomery can say whatever he wants, but they have way too many non-physical players in key roles.

Hopefully Brad won't feel the need to be the team enforcer this season now that Bergy is no longer there Marchy won't have to be that protector.

 

[Ladyfan]

In the first group yesterday, I watched Looch. He looks to be in very good shape and participated in everything. I know he isn't the "2011 Looch" but he looked good out there yesterday.

 

[GlenFeatherstone]

None of these guys are as good as Shattenkirk yet. He’s better than people think.

I agree. He got a bad draw with D partners in Anaheim. Much better than numbers indicate. Good point.

 

[PlayMakers]

In the first group yesterday, I watched Looch. He looks to be in very good shape and participated in everything. I know he isn't the "2011 Looch" buy he looked good out there yesterday.

They have him on a line with two of the fastest players in camp, and he doesn’t look out of place or behind the play.

 

[DKH]

Fair.

I just want them to get back to being an overly physical team.

While you’re right about Coyle, Carlo, etc. being strong…..nobody worries about playing against them.

Nobody sits on the bench next to a rookie and says….”hey, keep your head up out there….Carlo, Coyle, Shattenkirk or Geekie are on the ice”.

2011 won’t happen again, but please give me 4/5 guys who can play and actually intimidate most opponents and are looking to blow someone up with a crushing hit.

McAvoy does….but TBH he’s not the guy I want doing it.

Looch, obviousky does.

Frederic can and hopefully will.

Lauko certainly has the skating ability and decent size…time will tell if he can do it consistently.

I guess, I’m just getting to the point where the style of play I want to see isn‘t what management wants us to have.

Um wrong

Style of play is dead - brawls are outlawed, even a Daniel Paille accidental open ice blind side hit gets your bank hit in the thousands - it’s over. The new league is accountability and standing up for one another. Carlo soft is hilarious.

Dubois said it on NHL Network surrounded by youth hockey players in a clinic when asked who the toughest player to play against was and he gave ONE name and he listed strength

None other than HOF Neanderthal Ken Daneyko said during Bruins - Islanders series that losing Carlo flipped the series. Daneyko said Carlo was tough lol

When John Wensink who is known for one thing challenging the Minnesota bench and 5 time All Star 3 time Bruins top 10 scorer Murray Oliver isn’t tells me all you need to know about Bruins fans and media

That last line is such garbage - this is 2023 NOBODY worries about playing against anyone. They are almost all millionaires- they cross pollinate - there isn’t one team that I could think of as tough. These millionaires and friends play the regular season like a Disney vacation and then the playoffs start. Then they play dirty. Simple as that.

If this was 1978 hell yeh - but players made 40,000 if a regular, & drank beer at their stalls after games and many didn’t have an agent, a cook, a skating instructor, a personal trainer and definitely a house.
Lauko game 5 never should have been in game 5 and if you read this board no one noticed other then Monty had a worse day

Johnny Boychuk game 7 in 2014 and game 6 in 2019 F’d up those goals yet it’s always Tuukka

The only signing this offseason that I found curious was Shattenkirk. Not that I don’t like him, but they just acquired Mitchell, Regula, and Walsh in trades. Feels like that would have been a good place to save a few bucks.

Yea exact same

In the first group yesterday, I watched Looch. He looks to be in very good shape and participated in everything. I know he isn't the "2011 Looch" buy he looked good out there yesterday.

Wait ???? He’s not the Looch of 2011?

I already know 2 people waiting for him to fail so they can tell us how Smahhhhht they are

 

[DKH]

Why I like the multi stripes! Look at those socks!View attachment 745337

That is fantastic

 

[Ladyfan]

They have him on a line with two of the fastest players in camp, and he doesn’t look out of place or behind the play.

I agree and even as a Looch fan was shocked at how good he looked.

I said this before....In his last season here Looch was on the ice with a speedy Spooner and a young Pasta and he seemed to be keeping up.

Bottom line, Looch isn't as slow as some here would have us believe.

Also he looked very serious yesterday. He looks really committed to having a good year..

I am psyched.

I already know 2 people waiting for him to fail so they can tell us how Smahhhhht they are

...maybe I won't see their posts...Ignore works very well.

 

[Ladyfan]

Warrior Arena is very nice. That being said it is a pain in the ass for me to get to.

Wilmington was MUCH easier.