Providence Bruins General Discussion thread XI - Providence Bruins to play abbreviated season in Massachusetts

[Saxon Eric]

Going to the PBruins game in Hartford tomorrow. Anything I should keep an eye on?

Who stood out to you?

 

[Si Hopkins]

PBruins had a dead second period today and Legace let in what looked like soft goals to me. Studnicka and Frederic looked polished even as they had quiet 2nd and 3rd periods. Vaak and Zboril were smooth and confident coming out of their own end. I liked Gaunce's game. I noticed Zech looking good. And Lauko had a couple speedy shifts, but not much action. I was surprised by the size of their D with Petrovic and Didier, I'm so used to the little guys in Boston. Overall, Bruins looked really good. They reminded me of watching the big club.

It was my 6 year old's first hockey game. After the game, I was like, "What'd ya think, buddy?" He said, "I liked the fights!" Old school first grader.

 

[BronxBruin]

not BN, but for me kuhlman has better hockey IQ. zach has all the physical tools over
him, but kuhlman gives you exactly what the coach wants every shift. wash, rinse, repeat.
i still like zach though and think he'll be a solid bottom 6 winger.

I agree. Kuhlman is the safer player at this point in my opinion. He's more likely to win a board battle, get the puck out of the d-zone and not make bad mistakes/turnovers...whereas Zach can be loose with the puck (having it roll off his stick, etc.) at times and isn't always as physical along the boards. Perhaps if the Bruins were struggling to score goals as a team then Senyshyn would get the nod over Kuhlman (even though Karson has been a better scorer in the AHL, I would think Senyshyn is viewed as the more skilled player)...but the Bruins are killing it and can afford to play it safe since they just keep winning.

 

[Smitty93]

Just want say a big thank you to those of you who provide game recaps/scouting reports for those of us who are too busy/lazy (cheap? ) to watch for ourselves. One of these days I'll get myself an AHL TV subscription.

I will say that it's nice to hear that the play matches the hot streaks for Steen and Studnicka. Steen has 10 points in his last 11 games (2G/8A), after an 11 game pointless streak, and Studnicka has 20 points in his last 16 (8G/12A), after having a 7 game pointless streak.

 

[DKH]

First win against Hartford and that's 8 straight isn't it. Zboril player of the game imo. But many guys worked for this win. Steen is playing much better and it was nice to see Lauko out there.

Going to be funny when Zboril 5 years from now is a regular solid NHL defenseman here or somewhere else

 

[Alicat]

Going to be funny when Zboril 5 years from now is a regular solid NHL defenseman here or somewhere else

I mean he could pull a McQuaid or Boychuck and be a late bloomer but even with his recent play, I’d tap the breaks and get ready for him to be dealt.

 

[Alicat]

Going to the PBruins game in Hartford tomorrow. Anything I should keep an eye on?

Props for you going to that shithole. Also, thank you for your insight, it is much appreciated.

 

[Fenian24]

Going to be funny when Zboril 5 years from now is a regular solid NHL defenseman here or somewhere else

As you said Donnie can pick and identify solid D prospects. Leach and his staff seem to do a much better job coaching and preparing them as well.
Carlo, Clifton, McAvoy. Lauzon, Vaakanaienen, Zboril all under 25 and ready to step in or making significant contributions already. Zech I'm sure will be signed next year to an NHL deal. Krug and Grzelcyk are by no means old with Kampfer, Moore and maybe Miller as depth. Tons of depth only problem is a few are going to have to go at the draft or just be lost in waivers. Nice problem to have and a good way to recoup picks used to improve team this year.

 

[Si Hopkins]

Props for you going to that shithole. Also, thank you for your insight, it is much appreciated.

Yeah, pretty dingy. There's kind of like a Hartford Whalers mini-museum in the area in front of the arena. And inside they have the retired numbers and a couple other related banners. It's weird, I was surprised when I started feeling the old Adams Division rivalry hatred stir in me looking at all that. I gave the middle finger to the massive Ulf Samuelsson action shot. Old habits die very, very slowly apparently.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Props for you going to that shithole. Also, thank you for your insight, it is much appreciated.

City or arena?

 

[Dr Hook]

not BN, but for me kuhlman has better hockey IQ. zach has all the physical tools over
him, but kuhlman gives you exactly what the coach wants every shift. wash, rinse, repeat.
i still like zach though and think he'll be a solid bottom 6 winger.

Anytime! I’m always happy to talk about prospects to those who are genuinely curious.

Is Senyshyn going to end up on that list of players? Maybe, maybe not. I don’t think he does, but sometimes players just don’t make it.

Thanks guys- I don't have time to follow the P Bruins- it is hard enough keeping up with the big club, so your commentary is appreciated. I am also not down on Karson Kuhlman- he is a good player for what he is. I agree with his smarts, energy etc. I also think he is exactly what we see out there- a solid 4th line talent- and probably isn't going to be any better. Not that there's anything wrong with that I've had hopes that Senyshyn would be more than that and have been curious (and I won't lie, a bit disappointed) about why he's not had another look up in Boston especially given the unsettled nature of the RW slots beneath Pasta.

 

[Saxon Eric]

From the man himself

 

[DKH]

From the man himself

Nice

lines up with what I my senses tell me about Zboril

 

[BruinDust]

Nice

lines up with what I my senses tell me about Zboril

Just based on what other's here (And Divver) have said about Zboril lately, I'd pull a "Lauzon" with him and extend him on a two-year, one-way deal in the 700-800k per range, trade Moore in the off-season, and roll with this group of 8 next year.

Chara - McAvoy
Krug - Carlo
Gryz - Lauzon
Zboril - Clifton

 

[CDJ]

Just based on what other's here (And Divver) have said about Zboril lately, I'd pull a "Lauzon" with him and extend him on a two-year, one-way deal in the 700-800k per range, trade Moore in the off-season, and roll with this group of 8 next year.

Chara - McAvoy
Krug - Carlo
Gryz - Lauzon
Zboril - Clifton

would certainly allow them to keep everybody fresh, I would be rotating Clifton and Zboril in pretty frequently

 

[Dr Hook]

Just based on what other's here (And Divver) have said about Zboril lately, I'd pull a "Lauzon" with him and extend him on a two-year, one-way deal in the 700-800k per range, trade Moore in the off-season, and roll with this group of 8 next year.

Chara - McAvoy
Krug - Carlo
Gryz - Lauzon
Zboril - Clifton

I hope we don't have another year of Chara as the top pairing guy.

 

[whitetape]

I hope we don't have another year of Chara as the top pairing guy.

Why not? He's been great this year. If he were no longer on the top pairing, that would mean his play had declined, which would not be a good thing.

 

[Saxon Eric]

 

[Dr Hook]

Why not? He's been great this year. If he were no longer on the top pairing, that would mean his play had declined, which would not be a good thing.

I don't think hes been great at all. I think he's been very good at times, and been exposed a lot also. His puckhandling which was never great to begin with is just awful these days- a little hint of pressure and off the glass it goes. He is lucky to have McAvoy who has the skating and energy to cover from him when the play transitions quickly through the neutral zone. His 12 foot stick has been helpful for him, too. He's been good on the PK for the most part, but I've noticed his clearing attempts have gotten poorer. Probably still one of the best in the league at crease clearing, though. Even down low he has not been agile enough to deal with mobile forwards like he used to. He's 43 (in a few days) and I am not sure why any of this is a surprise.

Aside from all that, because I don't mean to give the impression that I think he stinks- he doesn't- but long-term for the Bruins his retirement is beneficial. He won't play forever, and the longer he commands big minutes for average play, the less chance for our young LD to develop properly. Charlie McAvoy is better with Matt Grizz every time they pair up. He needs to be free not to have to keep one eye on covering for the slow partner. If Chara re-signs, he ought to be a 3rd pair, PK specialist and nothing more.

And yep, I expect to get hammered for this point of view by many, but I own it.

 

[DKH]

Just based on what other's here (And Divver) have said about Zboril lately, I'd pull a "Lauzon" with him and extend him on a two-year, one-way deal in the 700-800k per range, trade Moore in the off-season, and roll with this group of 8 next year.

Chara - McAvoy
Krug - Carlo
Gryz - Lauzon
Zboril - Clifton

It’s more then just Divver - there are folks around game noticing he’s playing very well

I can see that as well

 

[bb74]

Chara needs to be 2/3rd pair next year best case. We need a #2 big time and it is unfortunate Krug and Gryz aren't built to move up to that first pairing on the left side. Almost need to have a year with 7 D to groom one of the yutes...

Would go something like this:

Krug-Carlo (5v5 ES) -15-17 mins
Gryz-McAvoy (5v5 ES) - 15-17 mins
Chara - Lauzon (5v5 ES) 12-15 mins

Rotate in Zboril / Vaak for Chara nights off and Lauzon nights off 20-25 games a year.

PK
Chara-Carlo (PK - 3-4 mins)
Gryz-McAvoy (PK - 1-2 mins)

PP
Krug as D on 4F set (PP - 2-3 mins)
McAvoy as D on 4F set (PP - 1-2 mins)

Ultimately it could make sense to do a 2 for 1 trade next year. I'd still go after Fowler as that bonafide first pair LD. Seems they have the speed dial on Anaheim so make it happen Don. ;-)

 

[neelynugs]

It’s more then just Divver - there are folks around game noticing he’s playing very well

yup, just heard this last week. zboril easily playing best hockey of his pro career the last
few weeks. zone entries, exits, defending, moving the puck. good for him, would be like
found money if he figured it out.

 

[Estlin]

I hope we don't have another year of Chara as the top pairing guy.

I hope that we don't have another year of Chara, period. Heresy to most, I guess, but it's time to move on and bring in the young blood.

 

[Deuce17]

I hope that we don't have another year of Chara, period. Heresy to most, I guess, but it's time to move on and bring in the young blood.

I totally understand that. Gotta take the good (1 man penalty kill) with the bad (the endless lob flips out to center ice) at this point I suppose

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

He is lucky to have McAvoy who has the skating and energy to cover from him when the play transitions quickly through the neutral zone. His 12 foot stick has been helpful for him, too. He's been good on the PK for the most part, but I've noticed his clearing attempts have gotten poorer. Probably still one of the best in the league at crease clearing, though. Even down low he has not been agile enough to deal with mobile forwards like he used to. He's 43 (in a few days) and I am not sure why any of this is a surprise.

Aside from all that, because I don't mean to give the impression that I think he stinks- he doesn't- but long-term for the Bruins his retirement is beneficial. He won't play forever, and the longer he commands big minutes for average play, the less chance for our young LD to develop properly. Charlie McAvoy is better with Matt Grizz every time they pair up. He needs to be free not to have to keep one eye on covering for the slow partner. If Chara re-signs, he ought to be a 3rd pair, PK specialist and nothing more.

And yep, I expect to get hammered for this point of view by many, but I own it.

McAvoy is better with Grz mainly because they are not paired against the other team's top line.

Carlo's babysitting role is tougher than McAvoy's, he has to take care of Krug.

Chara's a +24 currently. Best among Dmen on the team. Never plays the PP, always plays the PK. He's a shutdown defenseman.

It would be better for the development of the young guys if he retired. Not sure it would be better for the team.