Speculation: Do the Bruins make the playoffs?

[TP70BruinsCup]

I voted no. Thought this even before the los to NYR last night. I think the goaltending is fine and could steal some games. But the lack of scoring (outside of what Pasta brings and who he compliments like Geekie) and the absolutely putrid PP that shows no signs of ever ever ever ever ever ever…..ever……ever getting better is what will cost them. Last night a PP goal and maybe they get a point and even win in OT. A PP 15% better would even get them into the playoffs, but won’t happen. No I think they hover near 8th/9th place down the stretch but finish 10th. Sweeney hums and haws but only moves out one guy.

Just my two cents.

Really hoped for a better season. I hate years like this. As few and far between as they have been over the last decade plus, still annoying.

 

[EverettMike]

I voted no.

They're in 12th place by win percent. They'd need to go 15-8-3 down the stretch (.635) to finish with 93 points and most of their games are on the road. The Sens and Wings have won 7 of their last 10, the Isles have won 8 of their last 10 and now the Rangers have won 6 of 10.

Thanks for providing the numbers.

This really shows how hard it's going to be for them to make the playoffs, which is why they either need to sign Frederic to an extension or trade him at the deadline, the time when prices are always highest.

Keeping him unsigned would be total malpractice by Sweeney.

 

[SPLBRUIN]

No, our ST's are terrible, we can't win on the road and the coaching staff is well below average.

 

[Oates2Neely]

Even if they miraculously make the playoffs I say they still sell off UFA’s who they know they’re parting ways with this summer. I’m assuming Sweeney has to know by now what Freddy’s number is. Just waiting out the market.

Brazeau & Koepke won’t get much in return.

 

[Dr Hook]

What are the chances this vote is contaminated with Leaf fan stink smell?

I'm sure the mods could tell you that, but it seems about right based on how the discussions around here among actual Bruins fans have gone this season.

 

[Kalus]

Even if they miraculously make the playoffs I say they still sell off UFA’s who they know they’re parting ways with this summer. I’m assuming Sweeney has to know by now what Freddy’s number is. Just waiting out the market.

Brazeau & Koepke won’t get much in return.

Frederic - late 2nd
Marchand - late 1st and a B+ prospect if there is a bidding war

Not a windfall, but some pieces to start building up a pipeline. Take the assets. Last summer, I predicted a major retool / rebuild in 2-3 seasons. I thought the team would be good this year, was wrong about that, H Lindholm injury and underwhelming goaltending major factors. Still think we are heading for the major retool / rebuild, so now is not the time to sign any more negative value contracts, already have enough that will be tough to get rid of in a few years. Take the assets.

 

[Sheppy]

Can they? Yeah, probably.

They'll be bounced in 5 or less, though.

 

[Terrier]

A three-point game in Tampa tonight, is there any doubt?

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

I voted no. For obvious reasons. Had them out a while back, although I was far from the first. Nothing they’ve accomplished in the meantime has done anything but cement that opinion.

This is NOT saying that I want to be right. I WANT to be wrong. I wanted to be wrong about a lot of things this year that I unfortunately wasn’t.

It’s barely a discussion point any longer. The more interesting one to me would be: could this year have been salvaged? It was posted earlier that only five teams have yet to make a trade this season and the Bruins are one of them. If they were serious about contending from the beginning, then how can this be?

 

[Oates2Neely]

Frederic - late 2nd
Marchand - late 1st and a B+ prospect if there is a bidding war

Not a windfall, but some pieces to start building up a pipeline. Take the assets. Last summer, I predicted a major retool / rebuild in 2-3 seasons. I thought the team would be good this year, was wrong about that, H Lindholm injury and underwhelming goaltending major factors. Still think we are heading for the major retool / rebuild, so now is not the time to sign any more negative value contracts, already have enough that will be tough to get rid of in a few years. Take the assets.

Agree with all except the “major” retool. If the numbers are realistic resign Geekie & Frederic. If either wants big $ trade them. They will have the cap space to add an impact top line wing/ center via UFA or trade.

 

[The Hockey Tonk Man]

I don't see it unless Lindholm comes back playing like Orr.

This is a healthy roster minus him and it's not good.

A lot of teams seem to have games in hand on them also.

 

[Blowfish]

I voted yes...Never give up. Loser mentatility.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Lindholm coming back will help the defense, Sweeney is too hard headed to sell and will add a Stempniak/Stafford type of player at the deadline and they'll back their way into WC2 and getting punted out by Florida again

You are expecting way too much from a guy coming back after 3 months with a broken kneecap.

 

[quietbruinfan]

No they are slow, limited, their special teams and coaching are bad. I would have liked them to make it, but no.