News Article: Globe - Sunday hockey notes Aug 8

[Gee Wally]

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2...5N/story.html?p1=Article_InThisSection_Bottom



For eight seasons, through personnel changes, adjustments, and trial and error, Claude Julien’s defensive system became one with the Bruins’ identity. The proof is in the results: 2.45 goals against per game in 2014-15 (No. 8 in the NHL), 2.08 in 2013-14 (No. 2), 2.21 in 2012-13 (No. 3), 2.43 in 2011-12 (No. 6), 2.30 in 2010-11 (No. 2), 2.33 in 2009-10 (No. 2), 2.32 in 2008-09 (No. 1), and 2.62 in 2007-08 (No. 11).

This fall, it will undergo its most significant transformation yet.


A month out from camp and new players (Matt Beleskey, Jimmy Hayes, Zac Rinaldo, Matt Irwin, Colin Miller) in place, Sweeney has a sharper idea of how game flow will proceed than when he was promoted. The questions are how far the transformation will go and whether the Bruins have the right mix to play this way.

“I think they have to,†said Sweeney, when asked if the defensemen will be skating more in 2015-16. “At times, we probably got a little bit too stationary on our breakouts. We need to be in motion a little bit. That means our forwards will be in motion a little bit, because teams were able to smother the walls, pinch, and pre-pinch.â€

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[BB88]

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2...5N/story.html?p1=Article_InThisSection_Bottom



For eight seasons, through personnel changes, adjustments, and trial and error, Claude Julien’s defensive system became one with the Bruins’ identity. The proof is in the results: 2.45 goals against per game in 2014-15 (No. 8 in the NHL), 2.08 in 2013-14 (No. 2), 2.21 in 2012-13 (No. 3), 2.43 in 2011-12 (No. 6), 2.30 in 2010-11 (No. 2), 2.33 in 2009-10 (No. 2), 2.32 in 2008-09 (No. 1), and 2.62 in 2007-08 (No. 11).

This fall, it will undergo its most significant transformation yet.


A month out from camp and new players (Matt Beleskey, Jimmy Hayes, Zac Rinaldo, Matt Irwin, Colin Miller) in place, Sweeney has a sharper idea of how game flow will proceed than when he was promoted. The questions are how far the transformation will go and whether the Bruins have the right mix to play this way.

“I think they have to,” said Sweeney, when asked if the defensemen will be skating more in 2015-16. “At times, we probably got a little bit too stationary on our breakouts. We need to be in motion a little bit. That means our forwards will be in motion a little bit, because teams were able to smother the walls, pinch, and pre-pinch.”

Well that must mean Colin has a great chance for making the team, please use it, because I mean how does K.Miller-Chara-Seidenberg-McQuaid-Irwin group fit into that plan?
That could be a nightmare for Julien, demanding a faster play without giving him the players, right now the D is looking much slower than it did last year.

But thank you for these, these are always nice to read.

 

[trudatman*]

"pre-pinch." didn't know that was a thing.

 

[ChargersRookie]

"pre-pinch." didn't know that was a thing.

Maybe he means they were too predictable. Teams were actually practicing pinch to suit the Bruins not just doing it as the game wore on.

 

[Fire Sweeney]

Why is Sweeney commenting on how Clode should coach ? Should just have fired him.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

Why is Sweeney commenting on how Clode should coach ? Should just have fired him.

Because he's Julien's boss?

 

[HockeyMomx2]

Why is Sweeney commenting on how Clode should coach ? Should just have fired him.

I took that comment to be referring to the personnel themselves on the ice, not how they were coached. More of a comment toward PC than CJ.

 

[JOKER 192]

I took that comment to be referring to the personnel themselves on the ice, not how they were coached. More of a comment toward PC than CJ.

But it's the same guys minus one of the faster ones, how is that going to work? If he is alluding to PC, I have a news flash for Sweeny, you haven't improved things.

 

[BklyNBruiN]

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2...5N/story.html?p1=Article_InThisSection_Bottom



For eight seasons, through personnel changes, adjustments, and trial and error, Claude Julien’s defensive system became one with the Bruins’ identity. The proof is in the results: 2.45 goals against per game in 2014-15 (No. 8 in the NHL), 2.08 in 2013-14 (No. 2), 2.21 in 2012-13 (No. 3), 2.43 in 2011-12 (No. 6), 2.30 in 2010-11 (No. 2), 2.33 in 2009-10 (No. 2), 2.32 in 2008-09 (No. 1), and 2.62 in 2007-08 (No. 11).

This fall, it will undergo its most significant transformation yet.


A month out from camp and new players (Matt Beleskey, Jimmy Hayes, Zac Rinaldo, Matt Irwin, Colin Miller) in place, Sweeney has a sharper idea of how game flow will proceed than when he was promoted. The questions are how far the transformation will go and whether the Bruins have the right mix to play this way.

“I think they have to,” said Sweeney, when asked if the defensemen will be skating more in 2015-16. “At times, we probably got a little bit too stationary on our breakouts. We need to be in motion a little bit. That means our forwards will be in motion a little bit, because teams were able to smother the walls, pinch, and pre-pinch.”

Good read thanks.. I am really liking Sweeney's input into our team's game/strategy etc. Compared to Peter C who I don't think ever played a game of hockey his whole life.

 

[mislysBB]

Good read thanks.. I am really liking Sweeney's input into our team's game/strategy etc. Compared to Peter C who I don't think ever played a game of hockey his whole life.

Doesn't mean much at this point, but PC played college hockey for four years at Harvard. I think he was the captain at one point, if I'm not mistaken

 

[Colt.45Orr]

Doesn't mean much at this point, but PC played college hockey for four years at Harvard. I think he was the captain at one point, if I'm not mistaken

He was a pretty crappy player with less than .5ppg as a forward. In his 4th year at Harvard there was a really good young Dman named.... Don Sweeney!

 

[mislysBB]

He was a pretty crappy player with less than .5ppg as a forward. In his 4th year at Harvard there was a really good young Dman named.... Don Sweeney!

That explains a lot

 

[radmcfad]

I would say that at this point in time our personnel are not a good match for the "our defensemen will be skating more" response by Sweeney.

 

[Fire Sweeney]

I would say that at this point in time our personnel are not a good match for the "our defensemen will be skating more" response by Sweeney.

Pretty strange response considering that all he did this off-season was to trade our only mobile defenseman, extend and sign two of the slowest skating D in the league (McQuaid and Irwin).

 

[Dr Quincy]

Good read thanks.. I am really liking Sweeney's input into our team's game/strategy etc. Compared to Peter C who I don't think ever played a game of hockey his whole life.

There are all sorts of reasons to be high on Sweeney and low on Chiarelli, but this is absolutely not one of them.

Wayne Gretzky sucked as coach and gm.
Scotty Bowman played at a lower level of hockey than Chia.

 

[Scotto74]

There are all sorts of reasons to be high on Sweeney and low on Chiarelli, but this is absolutely not one of them.

Wayne Gretzky sucked as coach and gm.
Scotty Bowman played at a lower level of hockey than Chia.

100% right Dr. Q. the level someone plays at has zero to do with their ability as a Coach or GM. Zero.

 

[Seidenbergy]

Pretty strange response considering that all he did this off-season was to trade our only mobile defenseman

Krug is not amused.

 

[Bruinswillwin77]

Pretty strange response considering that all he did this off-season was to trade our only mobile defenseman, extend and sign two of the slowest skating D in the league (McQuaid and Irwin).

That defenseman also wanted out, and sucked in his own end regardless

 

[Fire Sweeney]

Krug is not amused.

Krug is only mobile in one end of the ice.

 

[Eddie Munson]

This doesn't make me feel any better about the defense going into the season and wonder how much of this could be to get fans over the fact that what you see with the defense right now might be what you get come October.

Right now Sweeney is talking the talk and I understand the offense and most of the draft picks and trades that he's made. The defense on the other hand is a conundrum to me. He preaches speed, fluidity and transition but then re-signs McQuaid, signs Irwin and doesn't address the speed or offense lost by Hamilton. Maybe the defense was in such dire straights that he has a 2 year plan with it and will be targeting a Seabrook, Yandle, Giordano or Johnson next offseason? I also question if he had such high praise for C.Miller or Morrow then why did he sign Irwin? I'm curious to see how this shakes out and really hope one or two of the kids force the teams hand by playing insanely during training camp.

 

[Seidenbergy]

Krug is only mobile in one end of the ice.

Less mobile than Hamilton? C'mon now, it's ok to say you messed up.

 

[Roll 4 Lines]

The fact that the new GM is publicly identifying a major flaw in the team that many of us have complained about for years, is music to my ears.

The fact that he hasn't done enough to rectify the problem in his first 2-1/2 months on the job, is best digested with the proverbial gran of salt.

 

[freddy123]

The article also identifies McQuaid and K. Miller as "good" skaters.

At least we know who was whispering in Sweeney's ear when he signed McQuaid to that 4 year contract.

 

[Fierce1]

Sweeney jumped into his new GM job with both feet, his stamp is all over this team. On paper we are a weaker team and if that translates into missing the playoffs and being even worse in the standings Sweeney will absolutely take it in the media. I honestly hope we play over our heads for his sake.

 

[GordonHowe]

This doesn't make me feel any better about the defense going into the season and wonder how much of this could be to get fans over the fact that what you see with the defense right now might be what you get come October.

Right now Sweeney is talking the talk and I understand the offense and most of the draft picks and trades that he's made. The defense on the other hand is a conundrum to me. He preaches speed, fluidity and transition but then re-signs McQuaid, signs Irwin and doesn't address the speed or offense lost by Hamilton. Maybe the defense was in such dire straights that he has a 2 year plan with it and will be targeting a Seabrook, Yandle, Giordano or Johnson next offseason? I also question if he had such high praise for C.Miller or Morrow then why did he sign Irwin? I'm curious to see how this shakes out and really hope one or two of the kids force the teams hand by playing insanely during training camp.

I agree with much of this. It seems very unlikely that the defense as presently constituted will be able to do what Sweeney describes. He has to know that. Minus a breakout camp from Miller and/or Morrow, or an acquisition addressing D quickness, they simply don't have the horses.