News Article: Fluto - Bruins occupying middle ground

[DKH]

Sweeney better hope McAvoy is the real deal after passing on Chychrun who is IN NHL NOW.Only thing about waiting on kids is Krecji and Bergeron are aging and slow of foot now.Where will they be in 2 or 3 more years time? SCARY THOUGHT.

Since I have watched McAvoy live what I find scary is how good an addition he will make to the right side of their D

Will see him up to a half dozen times live next 3 months so will update

 

[22Brad Park]

Since I have watched McAvoy live what I find scary is how good an addition he will make to the right side of their D

Will see him up to a half dozen times live next 3 months so will update

Thats awesome to hear.I never ever get to watch him play here.He is main reason I am pumped for WJHC.Thankyou very much..

 

[Gordoff]

If we are speaking specifically with regard to Vatrano, ultimately I'm not sure it matters. You are right when you suggest that it'll be hard to predict how effective he will be, and will be hard to see which wing he fits better on. But ultimately this is Frank Vatrano here. 8 goals in 39 games last year. I like the kid and I have high hopes too, but you aren't adding a stud. If your need was offense before, you will likely still need it. And making matters worse is that our supposedly stout offensive centers, who will be leaned on for his production, have been sub-par at best.

But overall it's not my point to pick on Vatrano. It's just the general mindset that steers a GM to wait until he's seen his healthy roster before making moves. Games go by and points are lost, and ultimately you should be able to predict roughly how your missing players will integrate. So I just think this becomes yet another excuse in the endless string of excuses we've provided for Sweeney to date. He's been hidden behind his coach, a poor trade market, then pending UFA's being dealt and signed before reaching UFA status, then "prices being too high", etc. etc. I just don't get how we've arrived at this point in time where every shortcoming has some excuse that isn't on him. He's getting too much rope, IMO

This^^^^^^^^ It's just all so needlessly nonsensical. I really wonder if they have any plan at all besides wait and see what the draft picks do in the next few years. In the meantime we get to see mediocrity with the silent hope that this boring product can blossom into something more than that. We keep getting the stick and carrot. Sweeney seems to be way in over his head and his only hope is that his draft picks start to pan out over the next few years ignoring the fear that the Bergerons, Krejci's and Backes' may not be able to compete by the time those draft picks are mature enough to graduate. As a fan of the Bruins since 1970 I'm at my lowest point of interest since the days of Steve Kasper and will not spend my hard earned money on any Boston Bruins tickets or paraphernalia.

 

[disfigured]

Sweeney went to Harvard, I doubt he'd have any trouble "handling" Felger and Mazz. He just doesn't want to, which I applaud. What's the sound of one hand clapping?

Going to Harvard has very little to do with someones oratory or debating skills. There is a reason why Sweeney isn't a media guy, he isn't very good at talking to the media and doesn't like it. His interview would end worse than Neely's.

It doesn't even equate to intelligence or real world applications many times either.

Had a friend who graduated School of Economics at Harvard, top of his class too. What did he do with this illustrious education? Became a landlord, and a slumlord at that because there was higher "value potential" in doing so. Our mutual friend who's a 2nd generation landlord and was collecting rents for his father when he was 12, told him he could have taught him how to do that for free. It's still a running joke among us some 30 years later. There's an old adage that goes something like this: "If you think you're the smartest guy in the room, you're probably not." If having an amazing education made someone a better GM then we'd see M.I.T graduates running half the teams in most leagues.

The converse isn't true either, that hiring ala Neely the most beloved yet unqualified and inexperienced applicant will work.

I think we may have the worst of both worlds. Charlie is probably too much of a fan to see it. This feels horribly like the boss's son and his two buddies. Nice enough guys but for the most part ineffective.

I get the distaste for F&M , but I find them entertaining and that's why I'm listening. I come here if I want a calculated and informed opinion about the team. Felger does however express the frustration many fans feel, albeit in a ham-handed and blowhard way.

 

[DKH]

The teams in professional sports that abort plans and are impatient resemble the Cleveland Browns and Toronto Maple Leafs

For those who think the Bruins are doomed go get a cup of hot chocolate or coffee and listen to the three Amigos podcast

Something my friends and myself already knew but coming from Kirk, Dom, and Reed may comfort the 10 -15 posters who continue to want to know or wonder what Sweeney is doing

Maybe if Bergeron gets healthy the Bruins and Cam can achieve his difficult goal of rebuilding and competing at the same time

Side note- loved having minimal lines at game Thursday night felt like 2007 without the prices

 

[ODAAT]

The teams in professional sports that abort plans and are impatient resemble the Cleveland Browns and Toronto Maple Leafs

For those who think the Bruins are doomed go get a cup of hot chocolate or coffee and listen to the three Amigos podcast

Something my friends and myself already knew but coming from Kirk, Dom, and Reed may comfort the 10 -15 posters who continue to want to know or wonder what Sweeney is doing

Maybe if Bergeron gets healthy the Bruins and Cam can achieve his difficult goal of rebuilding and competing at the same time

Side note- loved having minimal lines at game Thursday night felt like 2007 without the prices

10 or 15 posters only? Sure feels like more DKH

Absolutely loving that podcast, those 3 amigos, wealth of information and experience. What I enjoy most about the podcast is they don`t mince feelings, if they aren`t optimistic about a player, they don`t sugar coat it.

Speaking of sugar, making Chocolate Macaroons today

 

[DKH]

Thats awesome to hear.I never ever get to watch him play here.He is main reason I am pumped for WJHC.Thankyou very much..

I am surrounded by BU folks. My daughter coach first couple of years was a former BU hockey captain and works full time in the hockey world. When I see him around town, gym, or in the lobby at TD Garden I will sometimes get a JFK & McAvoy update

One of the folks we often sit with at Bruins stuff works for BU athletics so I'm always asking

And Playmakers here goes regularly and I will vouch he is really good - I defer often he's that good

 

[DKH]

10 or 15 posters only? Sure feels like more DKH

Absolutely loving that podcast, those 3 amigos, wealth of information and experience. What I enjoy most about the podcast is they don`t mince feelings, if they aren`t optimistic about a player, they don`t sugar coat it.

Speaking of sugar, making Chocolate Macaroons today

There are also some of the best posters as well and time may prove them correct

To me it's the Bruins married Sweeney so let's see what the 3-5 years bring

I'm not a fan of a 2,3,3,4,5 for Rinaldo, Liles, and Stempniak when you pluck Heinen, Bjork, and Gabrielle in the 4th & 5th round and identification and drafting seems like their strength

Hope they learn and Jacobs is patient in year 2 of Sweeney (keep hearing year 3)

Chocolate macaroons work mmmm

 

[ODAAT]

There are also some of the best posters as well and time may prove them correct

To me it's the Bruins married Sweeney so let's see what the 3-5 years bring

I'm not a fan of a 2,3,3,4,5 for Rinaldo, Liles, and Stempniak when you pluck Heinen, Bjork, and Gabrielle in the 4th & 5th round and identification and drafting seems like their strength

Hope they learn and Jacobs is patient in year 2 of Sweeney (keep hearing year 3)

Chocolate macaroons work mmmm

definitely a few mistakes made by Sweeney along the way. Can`t hit home runs every time but you can also be a bit more selective when making a move and I think he`s given away a few picks I personally wouldn`t have but if grading his moves, I check off more positives than negatives but like you, sincerely hope those who sign the cheques have patience as I look at this prospect pool and the potential for them to have A) homegrown talent develop then play for the B`s or B) those prospects could be keys to making a trade with another team to help fill holes

 

[Therick67]

Will Jeremy Jacobs be patient enough to stick to Sweeneys plan?


How dare anyone ask the president of this team, that hasn't made the playoffs the last 2 years and was embarrassed in its last playoff appearance any 'tough' questions. Oh the horror.

 

[DKH]

Will Jeremy Jacobs be patient enough to stick to Sweeneys plan?


How dare anyone ask the president of this team, that hasn't made the playoffs the last 2 years and was embarrassed in its last playoff appearance any 'tough' questions. Oh the horror.

Charlie Jacobs is in to the draft and following this stuff so I'm pretty sure he knows they've got a strong system and watching kids like Pastrnak & Carlo is scientific proof

'There's more on the way' seems to be the their mantra

 

[Therick67]

Charlie Jacobs is in to the draft and following this stuff so I'm pretty sure he knows they've got a strong system and watching kids like Pastrnak & Carlo is scientific proof

'There's more on the way' seems to be the their mantra

I just hope daddy is listening.

 

[b in vancouver]

I prefer when teams transition on the fly while trying to remain competitive. I think it's better short and long term. The idea that you have to suck to be good is a fallacy. Two or three exceptions, but the best teams remain consistent. They might have a bad year or two but try to make the playoffs every year.
The isle, Florida, Carolina, Toronto, Buffalo, Columbus, Edmonton, Colorado, Atlanta/Winnipeg, Phoenix/Arizona, have all spent years in the basement rebuilding. A few have had a decent run or two and eventually the law of averages will have a couple of them succeed but - it's not a good way to build a team.
Boston is in the same group as San Jose, Philadelphia, New York, St. Louis, Detroit, New Jersey, Anaheim, LA. Year after year they try to ice the best team they can and aren't built on years of suckage.

It'll be tough for Sweeney to identify which ones, but he's going to have to move some prospects to shore up this team. Chiarelli came under heat when he moved kids like kalus, karsums and lashoff and the 16th pick for vets but it worked out especially holding onto Marchand, krejci, lucic, rask.
Not easy but better than building from a couple high picks that may impact and create a winning core.

 

[Krupp]

It may be another different, sport, but I can tell, as a fan of the Jacksonvillel Jaguars (This may very well my last year as a fan, honestly), it's NOT fun having to rebuild EVERY year.

I know the system for recognizing talent, drafting it, and developing it is VERY different in the NHL, but for the most part, I still enjoy watching the Bruins play, regardless of their outsider chances at either the playoffs or the cup. I am hoping that Sweeney's plan carries off admirably. I don't know how much of it I buy into, but so far I get what he's trying to do. I just wish he'd quit going after players like Hayes or Belesky, when clearly, the league is going in the opposite direction at this point.

You want to see a **** organization try to uselessly spin its wheels every season, though? Try being a lifetime Jacksonville Jaguars fan. I guarantee you guys will feel a hell of a lot better. We all gotta just remember the B's AREN'T horrendous; they're not great, either, of course, but this isn't a lottery pick drafting team just yet. Given the way some top players aren't playing at their best, and some continue to miss games because of injury (Especially Pasta at this point), I'm honestly am surprised at how well they're playing so far.

I know I certainly expected a bottom five or so finish from the B's in the offseason. I'm happy they're not there.

 

[DKH]

It may be another different, sport, but I can tell, as a fan of the Jacksonvillel Jaguars (This may very well my last year as a fan, honestly), it's NOT fun having to rebuild EVERY year.

I know the system for recognizing talent, drafting it, and developing it is VERY different in the NHL, but for the most part, I still enjoy watching the Bruins play, regardless of their outsider chances at either the playoffs or the cup. I am hoping that Sweeney's plan carries off admirably. I don't know how much of it I buy into, but so far I get what he's trying to do. I just wish he'd quit going after players like Hayes or Belesky, when clearly, the league is going in the opposite direction at this point.

You want to see a **** organization try to uselessly spin its wheels every season, though? Try being a lifetime Jacksonville Jaguars fan. I guarantee you guys will feel a hell of a lot better. We all gotta just remember the B's AREN'T horrendous; they're not great, either, of course, but this isn't a lottery pick drafting team just yet. Given the way some top players aren't playing at their best, and some continue to miss games because of injury (Especially Pasta at this point), I'm honestly am surprised at how well they're playing so far.

I know I certainly expected a bottom five or so finish from the B's in the offseason. I'm happy they're not there.

Great post

The Jags had a such a strong draft and all that FA money I figured they'd be good

 

[DKH]

I prefer when teams transition on the fly while trying to remain competitive. I think it's better short and long term. The idea that you have to suck to be good is a fallacy. Two or three exceptions, but the best teams remain consistent. They might have a bad year or two but try to make the playoffs every year.
The isle, Florida, Carolina, Toronto, Buffalo, Columbus, Edmonton, Colorado, Atlanta/Winnipeg, Phoenix/Arizona, have all spent years in the basement rebuilding. A few have had a decent run or two and eventually the law of averages will have a couple of them succeed but - it's not a good way to build a team.
Boston is in the same group as San Jose, Philadelphia, New York, St. Louis, Detroit, New Jersey, Anaheim, LA. Year after year they try to ice the best team they can and aren't built on years of suckage.

It'll be tough for Sweeney to identify which ones, but he's going to have to move some prospects to shore up this team. Chiarelli came under heat when he moved kids like kalus, karsums and lashoff and the 16th pick for vets but it worked out especially holding onto Marchand, krejci, lucic, rask.
Not easy but better than building from a couple high picks that may impact and create a winning core.

Yes I'm the same way

It's like you're low on cash and you look in your refrigerator and what you have kind of dictates what you're going to eat

The Bruins roster was to good to suck and not enough cap space or tradeable assets to go get a stud

My #1 move I dislike of all Sweeney moves in retrospect is the short term 2 & 4 for Stempniak

Why ?

I realize that was the apparent market and what Calgary got for Hudler but they didn't need to replace Loui and a going by the 2014-16 drafts that would be equivalent to either

Donato or Lindgren
And
Heinen or Gabrielle

For Lee Stempniak

Please stop this

Heinen & Donaro for Stempniak would be hurl worthy so this March they are in the hunt I am going to lose it if they go this route

 

[Brucentric*]

Using the word Rebuild is very funny, Or a 3 five year plan for Sweeney. That is such nonsense and anyone who believes it is not paying attention and or cutting the management team way too much slack. You dont go into rebuild with guys like Bergeron, Marchand, Chara, Krejci, Backes, Rask. Thats called a nucleus. Not a rebuild. Sweeney does not get a 5 year window. Sweeney's rope is up already. He has missed the playoffs. And on the verge of missing again. His teams defense and defense players are in turmoil. He has failed to upgrade the position via trade after we lost Boychuck and Sweeney panicked on Dougie. Why no replacement yet ? Carlo helped early but he is looking 19 again and Chara is getting worn down. Morrow and C Wilson are not getting enough time to develop and Krug, McQuaid, K Miller are just not any good and need to be gotten rid of sooner then later.

And Another WINGER is needed that is an NHL caliber top line wing. 25-30 goal scorer needed.

Sweeney has not done enough to improve the team. It is that simple. Austin Czarnick on the point is not acceptable. Where is the addition of a top player ? Many teams have added great players. Why has he not beside Backes which only made up for Louie leaving.

The fans pay top dollar, The players are doing their jobs and the Coaches are also. When does Sweeney do his ? Five year plans are not for Original 6 teams that charge top prices. 5 year plans are for Las Vegas and Toronto and The Cleveland Browns. This is a big market team. They are supposed to compete for Cups.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Yes I'm the same way

It's like you're low on cash and you look in your refrigerator and what you have kind of dictates what you're going to eat

The Bruins roster was to good to suck and not enough cap space or tradeable assets to go get a stud

My #1 move I dislike of all Sweeney moves in retrospect is the short term 2 & 4 for Stempniak

Why ?

I realize that was the apparent market and what Calgary got for Hudler but they didn't need to replace Loui and a going by the 2014-16 drafts that would be equivalent to either

Donato or Lindgren
And
Heinen or Gabrielle

For Lee Stempniak

Please stop this

Heinen & Donaro for Stempniak would be hurl worthy so this March they are in the hunt I am going to lose it if they go this route

I think you always go for it if you're in the hunt.

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

Bruins would have been much better off keeping Seidenberg, who was never as bad as some fans thought, instead of Liles.

Chara-Carlo, Krug/Seids is much better than what we had this year.

 

[Saxon Eric]

I think you always go for it if you're in the hunt.

For 8th place?

 

[DKH]

I think you always go for it if you're in the hunt.

2&4 for a Hudler or Stempniak type ?

 

[DKH]

Using the word Rebuild is very funny, Or a 3 five year plan for Sweeney. That is such nonsense and anyone who believes it is not paying attention and or cutting the management team way too much slack. You dont go into rebuild with guys like Bergeron, Marchand, Chara, Krejci, Backes, Rask. Thats called a nucleus. Not a rebuild. Sweeney does not get a 5 year window. Sweeney's rope is up already. He has missed the playoffs. And on the verge of missing again. His teams defense and defense players are in turmoil. He has failed to upgrade the position via trade after we lost Boychuck and Sweeney panicked on Dougie. Why no replacement yet ? Carlo helped early but he is looking 19 again and Chara is getting worn down. Morrow and C Wilson are not getting enough time to develop and Krug, McQuaid, K Miller are just not any good and need to be gotten rid of sooner then later.

And Another WINGER is needed that is an NHL caliber top line wing. 25-30 goal scorer needed.

Sweeney has not done enough to improve the team. It is that simple. Austin Czarnick on the point is not acceptable. Where is the addition of a top player ? Many teams have added great players. Why has he not beside Backes which only made up for Louie leaving.

The fans pay top dollar, The players are doing their jobs and the Coaches are also. When does Sweeney do his ? Five year plans are not for Original 6 teams that charge top prices. 5 year plans are for Las Vegas and Toronto and The Cleveland Browns. This is a big market team. They are supposed to compete for Cups.

Is this your original 6
Montreal
New York
Detroit
Chicago
Boston
Philadelphia

I'm sure your a great guy but I went through this trying to find something that I agreed with and Toronto not a big market charging big time prices was as close as I got

 

[b in vancouver]

Yes I'm the same way

It's like you're low on cash and you look in your refrigerator and what you have kind of dictates what you're going to eat

The Bruins roster was to good to suck and not enough cap space or tradeable assets to go get a stud

My #1 move I dislike of all Sweeney moves in retrospect is the short term 2 & 4 for Stempniak

Why ?

I realize that was the apparent market and what Calgary got for Hudler but they didn't need to replace Loui and a going by the 2014-16 drafts that would be equivalent to either

Donato or Lindgren
And
Heinen or Gabrielle

For Lee Stempniak

Please stop this

Heinen & Donaro for Stempniak would be hurl worthy so this March they are in the hunt I am going to lose it if they go this route

I liked the Stempniak deal at the time so, just because it never worked out, I can't pretend. I like that they never traded Loui. Never worked out but... same thing.

Two that bugged me is Sweeney waited way too long to find a vet d-man last year. All I wanted for Christmas last year (besides the GTO my wife refuses to get me) was a veteran RHD partner for Chara. C. Miller and Morrow had way too long of looks last year.
I also really didn't like them moving Martin Jones so quickly. It cost the team the playoffs last year and if they miss - it'll be the same reason. People tossed it into the Lucic trade but he was traded away on a wish and a prayer. Could've had the best tandem in the NHL but instead have Rask and... ?

 

[jgatie]

Today I learned that 5 year rebuilds are for teams like Toronto, not Original Six or big market teams. Boy am I glad I tuned into this thread.

 

[Gee Wally]

Using the word Rebuild is very funny, Or a 3 five year plan for Sweeney. That is such nonsense and anyone who believes it is not paying attention and or cutting the management team way too much slack. You dont go into rebuild with guys like Bergeron, Marchand, Chara, Krejci, Backes, Rask. Thats called a nucleus. Not a rebuild. Sweeney does not get a 5 year window. Sweeney's rope is up already. He has missed the playoffs. And on the verge of missing again. His teams defense and defense players are in turmoil. He has failed to upgrade the position via trade after we lost Boychuck and Sweeney panicked on Dougie. Why no replacement yet ? Carlo helped early but he is looking 19 again and Chara is getting worn down. Morrow and C Wilson are not getting enough time to develop and Krug, McQuaid, K Miller are just not any good and need to be gotten rid of sooner then later.

And Another WINGER is needed that is an NHL caliber top line wing. 25-30 goal scorer needed.

Sweeney has not done enough to improve the team. It is that simple. Austin Czarnick on the point is not acceptable. Where is the addition of a top player ? Many teams have added great players. Why has he not beside Backes which only made up for Louie leaving.

The fans pay top dollar, The players are doing their jobs and the Coaches are also. When does Sweeney do his ? Five year plans are not for Original 6 teams that charge top prices. 5 year plans are for Las Vegas and Toronto and The Cleveland Browns. This is a big market team. They are supposed to compete for Cups.

Just a point. 'Top dollar' has nothing to do with the job the coaches are doing, or GM or players on the roster.
It soley has to do with what you are willing to pay.