Gameday morning skate at Warrior Arena instead of TD Garden is hurting the Bruins.

[bossfan]

The suggestion that the B's home problem is because of the distractions of married family life or having morning skates at warrior is weak. Rangers are a veteran team with married players and the same can be said for plenty of other teams that are able to win at home. Rangers also practice in Rye NY and it is doubtful that MSG is ever available to them on non game days.

Bruins just are not better than a middle tier team right now that has the smallest margin for error to determine winning or losing.

 

[Fenway]

I dont think its any one thing.

Anyway our own doc5hole opines on what he thinks may be a factor too - ' lifestyle divide' :

http://blogs.southcoasttoday.com/bruins/2016/12/20/islanders-at-bruins-greiss-vs-rask/

This certainly can be a factor as well.

San Jose had the same problem last year but eventually figured it out and went on a run to the SCF. The most frustrating part of this is not that they are losing at home but who they are losing to. One fact to consider, this year when playing an afternoon game at home they have won them all.

 

[What The Puck]

After tonight's game I sent a private message to someone who is as inner circle to the Bruins as anybody expressing my concerns and they agreed with me. I have shared who that person was with the other mods here ( and a screencap of the message exchange ) and I truly believe this is screwing up the Bruins at home.

As a technical note, if we share information with only moderators by using screenshots, can we then cite such "hidden sources" in our posts? Seems like something that should go in the rules area, for those times when we are using information that would be otherwise considered libel. Not that your post would be libel per se. Just curious as to form.

 

[Gee Wally]

As a technical note, if we share information with only moderators by using screenshots, can we then cite such "hidden sources" in our posts? Seems like something that should go in the rules area, for those times when we are using information that would be otherwise considered libel. Not that your post would be libel per se. Just curious as to form.

We have a rule:


15) Outlandish claims of inside information: This is subjective and will be at the discretion of administrators, after consulting with other posters, moderators, and relevant sources. Deference will be given to veteran members who have established credibility. If you're an insider, contact us with proof BEFORE you post.

 

[talkinaway]

I don't think having the pregame skate at the new facility is causing all the team's problems winning at home. It's probably barely responsible for a small minority of them.

But, hey, even if it's only responsible for 10% of the issues the team is having, and could be solved by moving back to the Garden on game day, why in holy hell on game days are we skating at Warrior Ice Arena right next to the New Balance headquart...oh.

Ultimately, I agree with Fenway that the pregame skates should be moved back to the Garden. As I see it, the fundamental reason why the Bruins have practice anywhere that's not the Garden is that the Garden doesn't have ice 365 days a year. (Well, it has it...it's just underneath parquet.) But game days are different. I imagine the bull gang comes in early to convert the Garden to hockey form by 10 AM. The Bruins and the trainers/staff can set up shop - cut sticks, sharpen blades, hang up gear, etc. - early, so it's one less thing they have to do before the game. Heck, as we saw in Carolina a few days ago, the players can even examine the ice. I've never set foot on ice, but I know players talk about "good ice" and "bad ice" all the time, and I'm sure the Garden has its quirks. And every day is a little different. Why not get your feet wet and get used to the rink you're going to be playing on in 7-8 hours? I totally agree with the idea that you practice as close to real life conditions as possible.

It's not about pampered athletes. It's about trying to maximize any advantage you have, and minimize any disadvantage. It's not going to solve all the Bruins problems at home. It won't even solve most of them. But I can't see anything negative about moving the pregame skate (not the practices) to the Garden.

The only "negative" thing I can think of is fan interaction: I could be wrong, but the Garden's generally closed to fans for pregame skates/practices except training camp at the start of the year. Maybe the Bruins brass like the idea of having fans able to come to the arena and get "closer" to the players...especially when the fans can buy New Balance gear right next door. For younger players it's probably neat at first being a star, but I'm sure after awhile the players probably don't mind having some time to themselves, too.

They could split the difference: pregame skates at the Garden, except 1-2 times a month have a special "pregame skate" fan day at Warrior. The players don't have to do anything, but the promo team can come out and do stuff, they can get B-roll footage of fawning fans for game nights or Behind the B or Bruins Academy, etc. And you can keep non-gameday practices at Warrior, too, so that the New Balance folks are happy.

 

[Bad Hat Harry]

Meh. I live in Brighton about 1/4 mile from the Warrior Arena. Probably takes 15 mins to get to the North End or anywhere else where the Bruins live.

If our players are snakebitten and playing like crap because they are sitting in a car for a few extra minutes on gameday, I think that's pretty sad and frankly pathetic.

 

[SpeedyLazaro]

What exactly are you referring to? In this instance I feel confident that I am barking up the right tree.

I also know that the Bruins braintrust will be breaking bread later on Wednesday when Papa Jacobs will be hosting a Christmas party for the team in Wellington, Florida.

off the top of my head? hmmmm.

the goal song being changed after testing out a few different ones during radnom games last season (never happened)

a new scoreboard (never happened)

Dave Goucher on his way out (never happened)

there are others.. but whatever.. I have nothing against you.. just noticing a pattern where you claim to have the inside scoop, but it seems inaccurate more often than not.

 

[talkinaway]

For the record, I'm 99.9% sure either JJ or son mentioned something in passing about a new scoreboard at one of the September State of the Bruins - either 2014 or 2015. Probably 2015, because they were finishing renovating the loge in September 14, and finishing up the balcony one year later, so JJ said the scoreboard supposedly would be next. I get jealous whenever I watch TV and see a scoreboard that has player on ice and TOI tracking, and doesn't remove the shots on ice during a penalty so that ads can remain on the circles above and below.

I'm not sure if the new scoreboard got canned because of all the development that they're doing, but I wouldn't mind an update. He didn't give the public any timeline, from what I recall.

As far as the pregame practice location, ultimately, this is a decision that should be strongly influenced by the coach and players, and subject to change if they find it's not working. Maybe they thought they'd like pregame practices at the nice new arena. Maybe they thought it would work better than it actually did.

 

[Fenway]

off the top of my head? hmmmm.

the goal song being changed after testing out a few different ones during radnom games last season (never happened)

a new scoreboard (never happened)

Dave Goucher on his way out (never happened)

there are others.. but whatever.. I have nothing against you.. just noticing a pattern where you claim to have the inside scoop, but it seems inaccurate more often than not.

The goal song was going to be tinkered with and then the parson in the control room left for another gig,

The new scoreboard was delayed a year because the Bruins wanted to see the new 4K boards in operation ( most notably Edmonton).

Samsung has entered the market which has seen dropped prices.

Goucher is at the mercy of the radio contract but WEEI is no longer making a big push to acquire the B's as ratings have dropped significantly.

 

[Odie]

Did they not have all or most of their morning skates at Ristuccia before the new place?

 

[catsmasher]

Maybe if the Bruins could put the puck in the net this would not be viewed as an issue (because it isn't). How about the fact that we have 6 natural centers in our top 4 lines

37 46 42 28 51 20

And at least 3 ahl at best forwards the lineup every night 11 27 55/59 ?

The lack of pure scorers / shooters at the wing is the biggest issue .

End of thread.

 

[Mpasta]

Didn't you say this same thing yesterday in the GDT and when I said that it couldn't be the case because they didn't play in Brighton last year you agreed with me?

 

[talkinaway]

Did they not have all or most of their morning skates at Ristuccia before the new place?

Great question, and I honestly don't know. But it seems to me that, on a game day last year, when faced with the choice of both practicing and playing at the Garden versus hauling the team to Ristuccia for practice and then going to the Garden, they'd much rather do the former. With Brighton in the mix, on paper it's easier to say, "Oh, just do practice and pregame skates in Brighton, and don't bother coming to the Garden except for the actual game." Because, honestly, it is just a 15 minute drive.

The other reason to go to Ristuccia is there's no time constraints. I'm sure the NHL mandates that the Bruins give the visiting team an hour of ice time at either their practice facility or the game rink. That's one hour at the Garden the Bruins can't be on the ice. That said, I can't imagine the ice time is a big deal.

 

[Fenway]

Didn't you say this same thing yesterday in the GDT and when I said that it couldn't be the case because they didn't play in Brighton last year you agreed with me?

I did agree about last year. However this year they are playing much worse at home as they are losing in regulation and not picking up at least the loser point.

Great question, and I honestly don't know. But it seems to me that, on a game day last year, when faced with the choice of both practicing and playing at the Garden versus hauling the team to Ristuccia for practice and then going to the Garden, they'd much rather do the former. With Brighton in the mix, on paper it's easier to say, "Oh, just do practice and pregame skates in Brighton, and don't bother coming to the Garden except for the actual game." Because, honestly, it is just a 15 minute drive.

The other reason to go to Ristuccia is there's no time constraints. I'm sure the NHL mandates that the Bruins give the visiting team an hour of ice time at either their practice facility or the game rink. That's one hour at the Garden the Bruins can't be on the ice. That said, I can't imagine the ice time is a big deal.

I did a search on the Bruins twitter feed and as a rule they practiced at TD on gamedays.

I can't recall a visiting team ever going to Wilmington as they usually would use facilities at BU or Harvard if TD Garden wasn't available.

 

[Mpasta]

I did agree about last year. However this year they are playing much worse at home as they are losing in regulation and not picking up at least the loser point.

I think they were something like 7-9-2 at home around this time last year so it's all the same.

 

[BklyNBruiN]

Ah the modern day pampered athlete. If this truly affects any of them, get rid of them, what a horrible excuse.

I logged in just to agree with what you said here. If this is in any way the reason to their dismal play at games than, wow.. I just don't know what too say, but shameful and what a horrible excuse.

 

[ashnathan]

I think the game has evolved and Claude, who has tried to adjust his game plan, still sticks to his style (which is natural of course) I just think that style is getting phased out more and more. Im never a coach blamer, and Im not blaming him for the struggles, but I think they need a whole new game plan inside and out, and a full change up. Less "bruins type players" (grinding, not so high offensive producers, tough to play against) and get some damn skill.

I really dont think the Road vs Home Bruins is anything, it just works out that way cos they're so inconsistent. I really cannot see a correlation between the Garden and playing bad other than it being uncanny and annoying. I think other teams know scoring first in that building is key, and if they do, the crowd are out of it and the Bruins players aren't an 'explosive' team that can score at any second (Unless Pasta/Marshy/Bergy are on the ice) and most teams know this. The current roster is just structured terribly and I dont wanna knock Sweeney cos the future looks good but the right now? Not very. If you look at the Backes/Eriksson trade off, that to me shows perfectly clear whats wrong with the organisation. They're stuck in 2011.

Not being good enough for playoffs but not sucking isn't good for organisations, but when the Jacobs are at the helm 'sucking' is out of the question. $$$

 

[CharasLazyWrister]

Some teams have eliminated pre game morning skates...that would make more sense to me.

Every other team in the league could do it by the end of this year, but it would take Clode another four years to implement the change.

 

[nmbr_24]

If the team isn't good enough to get past this then they just plain aren't good enough.

Maybe they make a trade and catch fire and do something great, it has happened once or twice, but as they sit, they are just not good enough and their top forwards are under performing and some others are just missing in action. Their D outside of the top pairing gets dominated far too often for my liking, maybe that is effecting the offense too. They are a 2nd line and a 2nd D pairing away from being a contender.

 

[rudos1]

It does seem odd to me that they always did morning skates on home game days at the TD but now they do them in Brighton because they spent a buttload of money on their facility. Makes no sense to have the skate ANYWHERE except the Garden...

 

[ODAAT]

Almost wondering if a game day skate is even necessary at all? I`ve popped in on a few Mooseheads game day`s (yes I understand this is Junior) and I`ll be honest, it`s little more than just as it states, a skate. Rarely have I seen coaches going over anything significant.

 

[Donnie Shulzhoffer]

I have learned from a reliable source that the real affect on their home play has been the fact that for the in locker room snacks they have switched from Skippy to Jiffy Peanut Butter.

 

[ODAAT]

I have learned from a reliable source that the real affect on their home play has been the fact that for the in locker room snacks they have switched from Skippy to Jiffy Peanut Butter.

odd, my inside sources tell me it`s all Nutella in there

 

[DaStinger]

Wasn't this team also horrible at home last year?

 

[Boston Bruno]

odd, my inside sources tell me it`s all Nutella in there

If they ate Nutella they would defeat everyone in the NHL by 12, and have enough time to destroy a death star or two.

Every Italian knows this.