Post-Game Talk: GAME 51 - Bruins 3, Avalanche 1

[KillerMillerTime]

No it wouldn't. Without a massive injection of speed up front, they are still going nowhere. Still need to overhaul the bottom 9 forwards. They were very fortunate to get 2 points out of this one. Geekie-Zacha-Pasta will cool off somewhat they can't keep this pace going.

Absolutely insane to invest in this team as a contender this year. Want to invest in the team for the future? I'm in, but you have to bite the bullet and trade Marchand and Frederic to start that process.

If you get the right deal trade McAvoy. That would be something like a Pulock, Barzal and '25 NYI #1 for McAvoy, Zacha and say Colorado's '25 #1 (Marchand).

Or McAvoy for Kreider, Schneider and NYR #1. Bottom line if you can get a legit top 6F, a #1 pick and a moderate downgrade from McAvoy you have to take a serious look.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Who's slow in the bottom 9 - Coyle, Brazeau?

It isn't just being slow but because they put such a priority on getting big they have just 3 forwards in top 9 right now with quickness or speed with puck in 88\63\51 Every other forward forward in top 9 lacks any explosivness\quickness

Add Frederic to 13\55 being slow. All 3 of those guys are puck protection big frame guys, best served with one fast, quick forward.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Zad has been better the last few games. I don't like him but he has been playing simpler, smarter hockey.

If he can give you 7 out of 10 games like that against Playoff Teams during Regular Season and you get bad Zad the other 3 he will be well worth his contract. So far this year its too close to 5 out of 10.

 

[aguineapig72]

Swayman was excellent. Nice to see him rebound after Jersey.

The Jersey game aside, since around Xmas Swayman has become the 'stopper" much like JIm Lonborg was in the 67 Impossible Dream season

 

[Blowfish]

Again per the Edge stats, yes Poitras is slow. Which is no surprise. But so is Geekie. Glacial. One of the slowest forwards in the league. Doesn't seem to be holding him back, but it is what it is. Lattieri is slow too. Even Jones is actually in the bottom half for top speed. Would never call him a laggard, but appearances can be deceiving.

The only Bruins forwards who are in the top 50% of the league for pace are Pasta, Zacha, Beecher, Kastelic and Koepke. Probably Lysell too if he actually saw some decent time in Boston. But that's it.

I’m really surprised by the Geek and Vinni. Not sure how the stat thing you’re referencing works but I would say the geek Vinni Poitras excel speed/edge work in tight and average straight line. The Vinni thing really doesn’t make sense to me. Dude has wheels.

 

[Mad-Marcus]

Geekie untouchable? Come on. People are so myopic around here.

Obviously no one is(that's why I put "close to" if reading is your thing), but Geekie is filling a role no one other than Pasta is filling. So long as they're still in a playoff spot at the TDL, I do not see him being sent out unless it is part of a package with significant return.
The career comp to Mike Knuble is spot on. Higher in the lineup rising confidence and output. Not to mention defensively reliable. This isn't Frederic we're talking about, this is a guy that is actually learning his linemates. I haven't seen him disappear for the last couple of months, after a teamwide slow start.

 

[Gonzothe7thDman]

Glad to see some of the players raise their trade value as we get closer to the TD.

Will make the return they fetch all the better when we sell.

 

[Terrier]

 

[KillerMillerTime]

They looked like a very good one line public high school hockey team going up against a strong Catholic Conference those first 2 periods.

I still get triggered whenever you mention this...lol.

My older brother, nephew and son were all totally screwed over by Catholic Schools and ISL Schools in hockey and a lesser degree in baseball.

My older brother was the starting goalie in 1968-69 and he lost 4F to Belmont Hill (including Bob McManama) and St. Sebastian. They finished 9-5-2 but were a DNQ for States. They actually played Belmont Hill and lost 6-4.

I saw my nephew go 1-2 against Catholic Conference Teams between 1976-77 and 1978-79 and win the D1 Eastern Mass Title in 1978. Lost in the State Final to Hudson in what will probably be last All Public School Championship in my lifetime.

Then 24 and 25 years later saw my son lose 2 Catholic School All Stars,
a QMJHL D man and a Junior Bruin Center who went to Austin Prep and Captained UMass-Lowell around 2010. Made Super 8 his Jr year and D1 States Sr year. Still went 4-4-2 against Catholic Super 8 or D1 Tourney Teams.

So maybe Sacco\Sweeney right now with what they have, is NHL equivalent.

I've noticed this very same thing ...most of our D fall into that category (except Lohrie but sometimes his quick decisions are just wrong but I see more right than wrong) ..and a significant amount of our forwards....they're like "I have the puck..what's next?" ...I laughed today when Beecher actually split the D with his speed then he was "what the hell do I do now?" lol Obviously Pasta makes quick decisions, as does Marchy...Matty P has that capability as well ...

Even Geekie suffers from some tunnel vision play making wise but nothing
like Beecher. Geekie can finish and knows where to be though.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

I will add Poitras as average skater. His skating style and strength are worrisome. Disagree with Geekie. I wouldn’t call him a turtle. I like Jones/Vinni speed. I hope the bruins call up Lysell. They could use his speed.

For his height #51 lacks pure separation speed. He is young and can improve his skating but I think he is what he is speed wise. I can go either way on him as far as a trade chip. If packaged with maybe #11 they might bring in a top 6F from a WC DNQ Team but not someone 30+.

 

[Caper Bruins fan]

Glad to see some of the players raise their trade value as we get closer to the TD.

Will make the return they fetch all the better when we sell.

I wonder if Tampa Bay and all the other teams vying for a wildcard spot are going to sell and bust up their teams? Maybe the Bruins should just ride it out and not buy or sell . For me , every game is like a playoff game now and I am scoreboard watching . It’s more exciting than watching the Bruins have a good regular season and then imploding in the playoffs.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

The Jersey game aside, since around Xmas Swayman has become the 'stopper" much like JIm Lonborg was in the 67 Impossible Dream season

So is Korpisalo, Jose Santiago?

 

[BruinDust]

It isn't just being slow but because they put such a priority on getting big they have just 3 forwards in top 9 right now with quickness or speed with puck in 88\63\51 Every other forward forward in top 9 lacks any explosivness\quickness

Add Frederic to 13\55 being slow. All 3 of those guys are puck protection big frame guys, best served with one fast, quick forward.

This came up on my Bleacher Report app earlier. From Matt Porter:

____________________________________________________________________________________
"NHL Edge Stats for the Bruins; not a lot of fast guys or heavy shots. Eye test agrees:

Top 5 in shot mph (so far)

Zadorov 98.3
Pastrnak 98.03
Geekie 92.35
Carlo 92.3
McAvoy 90.59

Top 5 in skating speed (mph)

Zadorov 23.15
Kastelic 23.03
Beecher 22.81
Koepke 22.78
Pastrnak 22.37"


__________________________________________________________________________________________



It's hard to be a contending team when you have a group that overall doesn't skate well, doesn't shoot well, and frankly doesn't pass well. It will take more than one player to fix that. But I do think it is fixable, just not within this current season. They don't need to tear it down to the studs and start fresh, just start fixing these fundamental issues with the roster one piece at a time.

 

[bruins19]

For his height #51 lacks pure separation speed. He is young and can improve his skating but I think he is what he is speed wise. I can go either way on him as far as a trade chip. If packaged with maybe #11 they might bring in a top 6F from a WC DNQ Team but not someone 30+.

I think Poitras can dangle in more open ice, but he seems to hear footsteps in tight places because the boards are not his friend. As he gets older, he will get more size and strength - it will change his game.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

I wonder if Tampa Bay and all the other teams vying for a wildcard spot are going to sell and bust up their teams? Maybe the Bruins should just ride it out and not buy or sell . For me , every game is like a playoff game now and I am scoreboard watching . It’s more exciting than watching the Bruins have a good regular season and then imploding in the playoffs.

TB and Boston aren't comparable. Boston has 1 player who won Cup with Boston in Marchand. TB has 6 that won Cup.

Boston has 5 players including Marchand that have gone to SCF.

TB has 9 players that went to SCF (Vasy, Hedman, McDonagh, Cernak, Point, Kucherov, Hagel, Cirelli & Paul) that went to SCF.

 

[TCB]

This came up on my Bleacher Report app earlier. From Matt Porter:

____________________________________________________________________________________
"NHL Edge Stats for the Bruins; not a lot of fast guys or heavy shots. Eye test agrees:

Top 5 in shot mph (so far)

Zadorov 98.3
Pastrnak 98.03
Geekie 92.35
Carlo 92.3
McAvoy 90.59

Top 5 in skating speed (mph)

Zadorov 23.15
Kastelic 23.03
Beecher 22.81
Koepke 22.78
Pastrnak 22.37"


__________________________________________________________________________________________



It's hard to be a contending team when you have a group that overall doesn't skate well, doesn't shoot well, and frankly doesn't pass well. It will take more than one player to fix that. But I do think it is fixable, just not within this current season. They don't need to tear it down to the studs and start fresh, just start fixing these fundamental issues with the roster one piece at a time.

Straight line speed Zadarov the king, Have to say Im a little surprised there.

 

[Blowfish]

This came up on my Bleacher Report app earlier. From Matt Porter:

____________________________________________________________________________________
"NHL Edge Stats for the Bruins; not a lot of fast guys or heavy shots. Eye test agrees:

Top 5 in shot mph (so far)

Zadorov 98.3
Pastrnak 98.03
Geekie 92.35
Carlo 92.3
McAvoy 90.59

Top 5 in skating speed (mph)

Zadorov 23.15
Kastelic 23.03
Beecher 22.81
Koepke 22.78
Pastrnak 22.37"


__________________________________________________________________________________________



It's hard to be a contending team when you have a group that overall doesn't skate well, doesn't shoot well, and frankly doesn't pass well. It will take more than one player to fix that. But I do think it is fixable, just not within this current season. They don't need to tear it down to the studs and start fresh, just start fixing these fundamental issues with the roster one piece at a time.

Why Charlie playing the point is crazy. He isn’t fast nor does he have a shot. Trade Charlie train. Let’s do it.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Absolutely insane to invest in this team as a contender this year. Want to invest in the team for the future? I'm in, but you have to bite the bullet and trade Marchand and Frederic to start that process.

If you get the right deal trade McAvoy. That would be something like a Pulock, Barzal and '25 NYI #1 for McAvoy, Zacha and say Colorado's '25 #1 (Marchand).

Or McAvoy for Kreider, Schneider and NYR #1. Bottom line if you can get a legit top 6F, a #1 pick and a moderate downgrade from McAvoy you have to take a serious look.

Don't think McAvoy's current value would fetch any of those deals.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

The Jersey game aside, since around Xmas Swayman has become the 'stopper" much like JIm Lonborg was in the 67 Impossible Dream season

Korpisalo hasn't had a regulation loss in 2025. Perhaps he's the actual stopper.

But I do love the Lonborg reference.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

This came up on my Bleacher Report app earlier. From Matt Porter:

____________________________________________________________________________________
"NHL Edge Stats for the Bruins; not a lot of fast guys or heavy shots. Eye test agrees:

Top 5 in shot mph (so far)

Zadorov 98.3
Pastrnak 98.03
Geekie 92.35
Carlo 92.3
McAvoy 90.59

Top 5 in skating speed (mph)

Zadorov 23.15
Kastelic 23.03
Beecher 22.81
Koepke 22.78
Pastrnak 22.37"


__________________________________________________________________________________________



It's hard to be a contending team when you have a group that overall doesn't skate well, doesn't shoot well, and frankly doesn't pass well. It will take more than one player to fix that. But I do think it is fixable, just not within this current season. They don't need to tear it down to the studs and start fresh, just start fixing these fundamental issues with the roster one piece at a time.

Not passing well is by far more important.

Not skating fast and not shooting hard not the same as not skating well and not shooting well.

 

[Hookslide]

I see Geekie finally replaced his old dish rag with a Bruins 2011 SC shirt

His mother took from him and hid it.

 

[Boston Bandit]

This came up on my Bleacher Report app earlier. From Matt Porter:

____________________________________________________________________________________
"NHL Edge Stats for the Bruins; not a lot of fast guys or heavy shots. Eye test agrees:

Top 5 in shot mph (so far)

Zadorov 98.3
Pastrnak 98.03
Geekie 92.35
Carlo 92.3
McAvoy 90.59

Top 5 in skating speed (mph)

Zadorov 23.15
Kastelic 23.03
Beecher 22.81
Koepke 22.78
Pastrnak 22.37"


__________________________________________________________________________________________



It's hard to be a contending team when you have a group that overall doesn't skate well, doesn't shoot well, and frankly doesn't pass well. It will take more than one player to fix that. But I do think it is fixable, just not within this current season. They don't need to tear it down to the studs and start fresh, just start fixing these fundamental issues with the roster one piece at a time.

That is impressive that Zadorov leads both shot and speed

 

[BruinDust]

Not passing well is by far more important.

Not skating fast and not shooting hard not the same as not skating well and not shooting well.

I think it's all important really. I don't think the passing is as important as it once was in today's chaotic track-meet style of NHL hockey. The game moves so fast now finding clean passing lanes is getting harder and harder. The high chip and chase is used more than ever to get out of the defensive zone and through the neutral zone. I was at a local senior hockey game last night and it was crazy how many more clean, hard, flat crisp passes you see at that level with so much more time and space to work with. These are all strong hockey players, some who played pro, but the game is nowhere near as fast or chaotic as the NHL game today. I don't think I saw one attempt at a chip and chase to get out of the defensive zone and through the neutral zone.

But not only do they not shoot hard, they lack the ability to finish. Zadorov shoots very hard but also misses the net on the majority of his shots. Carlo has a bomb but it's usually into the goalies chest.

The forward group lacks top end speed, but as well their first few strides aren't explosive at all. There were times they created turnovers yesterday in the neutral zone and the Bruin player's first few strides looked like they were skating in quicksand and Avalanche back-checkers quickly closed on them. Watching Marchand this year, you can see his explosiveness has decreased and he doesn't have the zip on his wristers he once did.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

I think it's all important really. I don't think the passing is as important as it once was in today's chaotic track-meet style of NHL hockey. The game moves so fast now finding clean passing lanes is getting harder and harder. The high chip and chase is used more than ever to get out of the defensive zone and through the neutral zone. I was at a local senior hockey game last night and it was crazy how many more clean, hard, flat crisp passes you see at that level with so much more time and space to work with. These are all strong hockey players, some who played pro, but the game is nowhere near as fast or chaotic as the NHL game today. I don't think I saw one attempt at a chip and chase to get out of the defensive zone and through the neutral zone.

But not only do they not shoot hard, they lack the ability to finish. Zadorov shoots very hard but also misses the net on the majority of his shots. Carlo has a bomb but it's usually into the goalies chest.

The forward group lacks top end speed, but as well their first few strides aren't explosive at all. There were times they created turnovers yesterday in the neutral zone and the Bruin player's first few strides looked like they were skating in quicksand and Avalanche back-checkers quickly closed on them. Watching Marchand this year, you can see his explosiveness has decreased and he doesn't have the zip on his wristers he once did.

We disagree on the importance of passing.

 

[Ladyfan]

From the GDT... @Sheppy and @NeelyDan

Thanks for thinking of me BUT you two need some alone time.

"2. We’re taking @Ladyfan to the peelers"