Post-Game Talk: GAME #65 - It wasn't pretty but 2 points is 2 points - BRUINS 3 NJ Devils 2 F

[b in vancouver]

Where you see lack of trying I see a player with 0 confidence afraid to make mistakes. Difference of opinion however the results under Cassidy are nothing more than obvious.

I get that. I watch the games. My micro-rant about Spooner isn't withstanding - I think the team is playing much more lively and exciting hockey since the coaching change. I'm excited. This team needed to loosen up and play like they can... -although the Rags game was very Julienesque.

the only thing is that I'm hesitant to believe that Spooner has turned the corner just yet and want to see him playing with this same energy and commitment for another month before I buy in.
(there's younger players across the league I have the same issue with - not just him)

 

[Sharp Shooting Neely]

Adam walked past us with a towel on his neck. Have they reported that he was OK ?[/]

A review of the game highlights on another telecast said that he had luckily escaped without any major injury. Have not heard or read an update from the Bruins. Would appear that disaster was averted. Certainly hope that is the case. Had flashbacks of Richard Zednik's similar incident in Florida a few years ago that caused him serious damage.

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/...nally_gives_bruins_steady_backup_goal_tending

But for Khudobin, there’s simply a different feeling around the locker room and bench under Cassidy. He feels it in his gut.

“I always say I feel like my gut will tell me how it’s going to be,†Khudobin said. “My gut was feeling pressure and tightness, you know? Like you never have fun. Even when you’re winning, it’s something . . . like not really in a good way. Right now, I have that good feeling. My feeling never lies to me. That’s what it is right now. Change made us have that.

“I think we were all tied up (before). Myself, I was really tied up. I didn’t know when I’m playing or what I’m doing; I didn’t really have confidence. So I guess what’s happened now, it’s little bit more freedom. Guys untied their hands and maybe started playing better. That’s what I see. That’s what I think.â€

“Yeah, well, maybe that’s what Bruce brings us,†Khudobin said. “Maybe we don’t feel that much pressure, or whatever. I don’t know what’s really changed much — but as you see, we’re playing more relaxed and more enthusiastic.â€

Coming from him it sounds like excuses to me. Instead of admitting he hasn't been good.

 

[cobrak]

Adam walked past us with a towel on his neck. Have they reported that he was OK ?[/]

A review of the game highlights on another telecast said that he had luckily escaped without any major injury. Have not heard or read an update from the Bruins. Would appear that disaster was averted. Certainly hope that is the case. Had flashbacks of Richard Zednik's similar incident in Florida a few years ago that caused him serious damage.

Sounds like he will be okay

 

[caz16]

Sounds like he will be okay

Wow, he is so lucky it wasn't worse. That is a terrifying situation to see.

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

Sounds like he will be okay

Could be or should be!?

 

[Tampbear]

Coming from him it sounds like excuses to me. Instead of admitting he hasn't been good.

These guys are human, he knew he wasn't good much like Spooner, and felt Claude's lack of confidence in them had them playing nervous. Playing nervous is going to affect how you play, and turning it off is easier in some people than others. Claude probably benefits from hearing this as well, it will help him grow as a coach. Claude is a great coach with a very effective system but he lost faith in his players and they all felt it, and I think that more than anything else is why the change has been so great for the team.

 

[Aeroforce]

A win is a win is a win. Having said that it was kinda ugly. Play like that against Ott they'll get smoked. JMO

Krug reminds me of Greg Hawgood. Remember him?

What was Zee doing on that 2 on 1?

Next up Guy Bouchard's Ottawa Senators...

Go Bruins!!!

Wow, hadn't heard that name in a while, and a very good comparison for Krug.

Undersized defenseman with huge offensive upside; just mismatched physically in most one-on-one battles.

Hawgood was a journeyman most of his career. I saw lots of games with him in the minors and he was usually the best player on the ice. May have been one of those that was too good for the minors, but not good enough to stick in the NHL. Then again considering the time he played, he may have always had two strikes against him because of his size.

 

[BruinDust]

Wow, hadn't heard that name in a while, and a very good comparison for Krug.

Undersized defenseman with huge offensive upside; just mismatched physically in most one-on-one battles.

Hawgood was a journeyman most of his career. I saw lots of games with him in the minors and he was usually the best player on the ice. May have been one of those that was too good for the minors, but not good enough to stick in the NHL. Then again considering the time he played, he may have always had two strikes against him because of his size.

Essentially a career minor-leaguer in Hawgood compared to Krug is an absolutely terrible comparison.

Krug isn't mismatched physically in most one-one-one battles. Not even close. He has trouble with bigger forwards, your 6'2, 6'3, 6'4 200 lbs + guys, so do a lot of D-men in this league who are smaller than that.

This myth that Torey Krug is a weak defensive player that is continually perpetrated on this board has got to stop, because it is flat out, 100%, BS.

Compariing Torey Krug to Greg Hawgood is one of the worst player comparison's I've seen on this board in a long time.

 

[Orrfourever]

Essentially a career minor-leaguer in Hawgood compared to Krug is an absolutely terrible comparison.

Krug isn't mismatched physically in most one-one-one battles. Not even close. He has trouble with bigger forwards, your 6'2, 6'3, 6'4 200 lbs + guys, so do a lot of D-men in this league who are smaller than that.

This myth that Torey Krug is a weak defensive player that is continually perpetrated on this board has got to stop, because it is flat out, 100%, BS.

Compariing Torey Krug to Greg Hawgood is one of the worst player comparison's I've seen on this board in a long time.

I said he reminded me of Hawgood, Both on the small size and could play offensively that's all. Different era.

 

[Aeroforce]

Essentially a career minor-leaguer in Hawgood compared to Krug is an absolutely terrible comparison.

Krug isn't mismatched physically in most one-one-one battles. Not even close. He has trouble with bigger forwards, your 6'2, 6'3, 6'4 200 lbs + guys, so do a lot of D-men in this league who are smaller than that.

This myth that Torey Krug is a weak defensive player that is continually perpetrated on this board has got to stop, because it is flat out, 100%, BS.

Compariing Torey Krug to Greg Hawgood is one of the worst player comparison's I've seen on this board in a long time.

I love Krug, so I'm not meaning to bash him.

But for his position, his size does work against him. Being smaller makes it harder for him to take guys off the puck (Andrew Shaw notwithstanding), shortens his reach which can make passing lanes bigger, and has a smaller stride affecting foot speed.

I don't imagine opposing forwards are too intimidated matching up against him.

The 'myth' perpetuated on this board comes from the fact when Krug isn't contributing offensively, he's not doing a lot to help the team, at least in the eyes of many.

When he goes into the corner for a puck battle, are you confident he's going to come out with the puck? When he's the last D back, even on the PP, aren't you a little nervous that if the other team gains possession, they are off to the races for a breakaway?

 

[ODAAT]

Wow, hadn't heard that name in a while, and a very good comparison for Krug.

Undersized defenseman with huge offensive upside; just mismatched physically in most one-on-one battles.

Hawgood was a journeyman most of his career. I saw lots of games with him in the minors and he was usually the best player on the ice. May have been one of those that was too good for the minors, but not good enough to stick in the NHL. Then again considering the time he played, he may have always had two strikes against him because of his size.

Hawgood couldn`t carry Krug`s jock, this is a horrific comparison

 

[DitClapper]

Rafalski is a better comp for Krug.

 

[BBB24]

Essentially a career minor-leaguer in Hawgood compared to Krug is an absolutely terrible comparison.

Krug isn't mismatched physically in most one-one-one battles. Not even close. He has trouble with bigger forwards, your 6'2, 6'3, 6'4 200 lbs + guys, so do a lot of D-men in this league who are smaller than that.

This myth that Torey Krug is a weak defensive player that is continually perpetrated on this board has got to stop, because it is flat out, 100%, BS.

Compariing Torey Krug to Greg Hawgood is one of the worst player comparison's I've seen on this board in a long time.

Hawgood played 474 games in the NHL so not sure I would call him a career minor leaguer, him and Krug do compared on lots of levels, maybe not all but most. Their size is they biggest issues, Krug gets bumped off the puck pretty easy but is an excellent skater and puckhamdler so that helps balance.

 

[TaroTsujimoto]

But for Khudobin, there’s simply a different feeling around the locker room and bench under Cassidy. He feels it in his gut.

“I always say I feel like my gut will tell me how it’s going to be,†Khudobin said. “My gut was feeling pressure and tightness, you know? Like you never have fun. Even when you’re winning, it’s something . . . like not really in a good way. Right now, I have that good feeling. My feeling never lies to me. That’s what it is right now. Change made us have that.

“I think we were all tied up (before). Myself, I was really tied up. I didn’t know when I’m playing or what I’m doing; I didn’t really have confidence. So I guess what’s happened now, it’s little bit more freedom. Guys untied their hands and maybe started playing better. That’s what I see. That’s what I think.â€

“Yeah, well, maybe that’s what Bruce brings us,†Khudobin said. “Maybe we don’t feel that much pressure, or whatever. I don’t know what’s really changed much — but as you see, we’re playing more relaxed and more enthusiastic.â€

What Khudobin is talking about here is exactly why the team collapsed the past two seasons, and why Julien had to go.

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

These guys are human, he knew he wasn't good much like Spooner, and felt Claude's lack of confidence in them had them playing nervous. Playing nervous is going to affect how you play, and turning it off is easier in some people than others. Claude probably benefits from hearing this as well, it will help him grow as a coach. Claude is a great coach with a very effective system but he lost faith in his players and they all felt it, and I think that more than anything else is why the change has been so great for the team.

True. But I think someone like Khudobin deserved to lose the coach's confidence. If it's an issue of chicken vs egg I think he unwhelming play came before the lack of confidence. With someone like Spooner I much better follow the argument against Claude!

 

[bobbyorr04]

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/...nally_gives_bruins_steady_backup_goal_tending

But for Khudobin, there’s simply a different feeling around the locker room and bench under Cassidy. He feels it in his gut.

“I always say I feel like my gut will tell me how it’s going to be,†Khudobin said. “My gut was feeling pressure and tightness, you know? Like you never have fun. Even when you’re winning, it’s something . . . like not really in a good way. Right now, I have that good feeling. My feeling never lies to me. That’s what it is right now. Change made us have that.

“I think we were all tied up (before). Myself, I was really tied up. I didn’t know when I’m playing or what I’m doing; I didn’t really have confidence. So I guess what’s happened now, it’s little bit more freedom. Guys untied their hands and maybe started playing better. That’s what I see. That’s what I think.â€

“Yeah, well, maybe that’s what Bruce brings us,†Khudobin said. “Maybe we don’t feel that much pressure, or whatever. I don’t know what’s really changed much — but as you see, we’re playing more relaxed and more enthusiastic.â€

What Khudobin is talking about here is exactly why the team collapsed the past two seasons, and why Julien had to go.

I sensed awhile ago that the players weren't having fun or enjoying playing for Clode, and the Spooner/Dobby quotes confirm it.

 

[Jdavidev]

I sensed awhile ago that the players weren't having fun or enjoying playing for Clode, and the Spooner/Dobby quotes confirm it.

Krug and Rask last week as well, though they were very diplomatic about it. Krug's I think were the most damning

 

[CharasLazyWrister]

Coming from him it sounds like excuses to me. Instead of admitting he hasn't been good.

Well, I certainly don't think he's doing the classic "hold myself accountable" thing you see in most sports interviews.

But, at some point, people (and not just one sect of the fanbase) is going to have to admit that player after player voicing issue with Julien isn't about the players "being babies" or "complaining". At some point, it should be chalked up to the obvious: Julien was not getting the most out of his players. This is what was being practically guaranteed to us by the hardest of Julien defenders. It's a "team of scrubs". No one else could pull more out of them. We've got players like Jimmy Hayes...how could we be good?

Based on results, and what we're hearing from players...I'll take a pass on demonizing or complaining about the players. Seems like the right button has been pushed and the team is showing it through more than just words.

 

[BruinDust]

I love Krug, so I'm not meaning to bash him.

But for his position, his size does work against him. Being smaller makes it harder for him to take guys off the puck (Andrew Shaw notwithstanding), shortens his reach which can make passing lanes bigger, and has a smaller stride affecting foot speed.

I don't imagine opposing forwards are too intimidated matching up against him.

The 'myth' perpetuated on this board comes from the fact when Krug isn't contributing offensively, he's not doing a lot to help the team, at least in the eyes of many.

When he goes into the corner for a puck battle, are you confident he's going to come out with the puck? When he's the last D back, even on the PP, aren't you a little nervous that if the other team gains possession, they are off to the races for a breakaway?

Nope, not at all.

So what if opposing players aren't "intimidated" going up against him. You can make the same statement for about 90% of D-men in the league.

His reach isn't massive, it's a drawback, but let's not act like it's a major point of concern either.

 

[bobbyorr04]

Krug and Rask last week as well, though they were very diplomatic about it. Krug's I think were the most damning

I missed Krug's statement. What did he say?

 

[HumBucker]

I can appreciate that maybe some players just respond better to different styles of coaching, but the idea that Spooner's past underperformance is all Julien's fault is pretty simplistic. That ignores the fact that other offensively talented players have played well under Julien and continue to play well under Cassidy - Marchand, Pasta, Bergeron, etc.

So, yeah, the coach-player dynamic can be a factor, but to place it all at Julien's feet is just silly. If the coach is "in the player's head" maybe it's because he needs to be? We know that Julien had more than a few talks with Marchand about his style of play – didn't stop him from potting a career high in goals last season. Some leash.

Some of it has got to be on the player.

 

[Bruinaura]

I can appreciate that maybe some players just respond better to different styles of coaching, but the idea that Spooner's past underperformance is all Julien's fault is pretty simplistic. That ignores the fact that other offensively talented players have played well under Julien and continue to play well under Cassidy - Marchand, Pasta, Bergeron, etc.

So, yeah, the coach-player dynamic can be a factor, but to place it all at Julien's feet is just silly. If the coach is "in the player's head" maybe it's because he needs to be? We know that Julien had more than a few talks with Marchand about his style of play – didn't stop him from potting a career high in goals last season. Some leash.

Some of it has got to be on the player.

Agree.

 

[bruinmann77]

Hey not sure what the cause but love that he playing very good

 

[Jdavidev]

I missed Krug's statement. What did he say?

I think it was Felger on Wed, kept saying "take it as you will" and talked about how they are aggressive offensively, allowed to use their skills, more free and such. Can't remember it all, but it was pretty heavy on how tough things were, guys not happy, really tense