Player Discussion Joe Morrow

[Dennis Bonvie]

Why yes, that's exactly what happened. Before that, he went through any available option simply to avoid playing Krug. Including Wade Redden, who hadn't played in the league for nearly 3 seasons before suiting up for Boston in the playoffs.

It's amazing how often people forget or flat out ignore the reality of something like that though. Which is why I bring it up so frequently. If Krug doesn't finally get in and go on that scoring streak, my guess is he'd be like Morrow and Colin Miller are today. Fighting just to get playing time.

Krug, 21, had played 3 NHL games at that point. 63 games in Providence, that's all of his pro experience at that point. The B's went to the finals. He got a chance and earned a job. What's odd about that?

McQuaid played 3 years in Providence. Got a chance because of injuries when he was 23, earned a job. Next season he was a regular on a Cup winner.

Has Morrow earned a job? He's had so many chances he can't be sent down any more.

 

[barstool]

Yep. You're preaching to the choir. I don't get it. It drives me nuts. It makes me angry to think about the time that's been wasted not developing young guys because of mistakes, while vets make the same mistake and never hear a word.

Andy Brickley is another one that is all over the young guys mistakes,drives me crazy

 

[LSCII]

Krug, 21, had played 3 NHL games at that point. 63 games in Providence, that's all of his pro experience at that point. The B's went to the finals. He got a chance and earned a job. What's odd about that?

McQuaid played 3 years in Providence. Got a chance because of injuries when he was 23, earned a job. Next season he was a regular on a Cup winner.

Has Morrow earned a job? He's had so many chances he can't be sent down any more.

If you look at it a certain way, nothing. When you factor in that they went to options like Wade Redden first, a guy who hadn't played a game in the NHL for years before they brought him in to play over Krug, over Bartkowski, and over Hamilton, there's a lot wrong with it. It shows the coach as being risk averse and not developing the young guys correctly, IMO. It shows he'll play it safe to the detriment of the team's long term goals.

It's just like Seguin sitting in the playoffs his rookie year. He only got in because Bergeron got hurt and he impacted the series with the lightening in a big way, no?

With you, it's all about positioning though because you seem to think Claude is above criticism. So with that in mind, how about this example: A young second year player gets sat in the playoffs against a heavily favored Canadiens team. That doesn't sound so bad, right? Well, not until you consider that he was sat in favor of Jeremy Reich, a guy that was so bad, his last NHL game was in the playoffs for Boston. Where he took a really heinous penalty that cost them a game. But again, it makes sense that he picked Reich over Kessel, right?

In terms of Morrow, or really any young player, they need to play games. They can't get one game, make a mistake and sit for a month. By the time they get back in, they're so rusty that they make more mistakes and the nonsense perpetuates. He should have been given a 40 game stretch like Carlo is this year. Where he could make a mistake and grow from it.

 

[LSCII]

Andy Brickley is another one that is all over the young guys mistakes,drives me crazy

He's a ****ing schill for the team to the point of embarrassment. I cringe at most of the crap he says because despite being an analyst, he can't be critical of anything they do. Unlike Bob Beers who calls it like he sees it. No clue why they haven't dumped Brick and replaced him with Beers on tv yet. It makes way too much sense.

 

[LSCII]

Precisely what a kid should do when he gets the chance.

People act that the Bruins are the only team that acts in this manner. It's funny actually

Nah, happens all the time in sports. It's just that nobody here gives a **** about the rest of the teams and how they handle young guys.

 

[BruinDust]

If you look at it a certain way, nothing. When you factor in that they went to options like Wade Redden first, a guy who hadn't played a game in the NHL for years before they brought him in to play over Krug, over Bartkowski, and over Hamilton, there's a lot wrong with it. It shows the coach as being risk averse and not developing the young guys correctly, IMO. It shows he'll play it safe to the detriment of the team's long term goals.

It's just like Seguin sitting in the playoffs his rookie year. He only got in because Bergeron got hurt and he impacted the series with the lightening in a big way, no?

With you, it's all about positioning though because you seem to think Claude is above criticism. So with that in mind, how about this example: A young second year player gets sat in the playoffs against a heavily favored Canadiens team. That doesn't sound so bad, right? Well, not until you consider that he was sat in favor of Jeremy Reich, a guy that was so bad, his last NHL game was in the playoffs for Boston. Where he took a really heinous penalty that cost them a game. But again, it makes sense that he picked Reich over Kessel, right?

In terms of Morrow, or really any young player, they need to play games. They can't get one game, make a mistake and sit for a month. By the time they get back in, they're so rusty that they make more mistakes and the nonsense perpetuates. He should have been given a 40 game stretch like Carlo is this year. Where he could make a mistake and grow from it.

You can almost find an example of Claude's preference for zero-zone players in every playoff year.

2008 - Reich over Kessel

2009 - Bitz over Wheeler

2010 - Whitfield over Marchand

2013 - Redden over Hamilton

2014 - Florek over Spooner

 

[LSCII]

You can almost find an example of Claude's preference for zero-zone players in every playoff year.

2008 - Reich over Kessel

2009 - Bitz over Wheeler

2010 - Whitfield over Marchand

2013 - Redden over Hamilton

2014 - Florek over Spooner

No question. It's incredibly easy to do. It's amusing because the deniers keep putting out this narrative that it's all Sweeney's fault this year. Who's dressing the guys? Who's doling out the TOI? It ain't Sweeney, but Teflon Claude never has any criticism stick, despite there being volumes of it with merit.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

If you look at it a certain way, nothing. When you factor in that they went to options like Wade Redden first, a guy who hadn't played a game in the NHL for years before they brought him in to play over Krug, over Bartkowski, and over Hamilton, there's a lot wrong with it. It shows the coach as being risk averse and not developing the young guys correctly, IMO. It shows he'll play it safe to the detriment of the team's long term goals.

It's just like Seguin sitting in the playoffs his rookie year. He only got in because Bergeron got hurt and he impacted the series with the lightening in a big way, no?

With you, it's all about positioning though because you seem to think Claude is above criticism. So with that in mind, how about this example: A young second year player gets sat in the playoffs against a heavily favored Canadiens team. That doesn't sound so bad, right? Well, not until you consider that he was sat in favor of Jeremy Reich, a guy that was so bad, his last NHL game was in the playoffs for Boston. Where he took a really heinous penalty that cost them a game. But again, it makes sense that he picked Reich over Kessel, right?

In terms of Morrow, or really any young player, they need to play games. They can't get one game, make a mistake and sit for a month. By the time they get back in, they're so rusty that they make more mistakes and the nonsense perpetuates. He should have been given a 40 game stretch like Carlo is this year. Where he could make a mistake and grow from it.

I would say the vast majority of NHL coaches are risk averse. As is Claude. However, you are talking about a situation where the Bruins were a legitimate Cup contender. By playing a veteran defenseman over 3 rookies in the playoffs is bad development? That's no place to be think about development of young players.

As for Reich, did his penalty really cost them the game, which they lost 5-0? Reich played 4th duties, Kessel wasn't going to be used like that. So it was really one of the top 6 wingers that was taking Kessel's place.

No, I don't think Morrow should just be given a 40 game stretch like Carlo. Based on what, that he was a high draft pick?

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

You can almost find an example of Claude's preference for zero-zone players in every playoff year.

2008 - Reich over Kessel

2009 - Bitz over Wheeler

2010 - Whitfield over Marchand

2013 - Redden over Hamilton

2014 - Florek over Spooner

Veterans over rookies in the playoffs? Gee, I'll bet no other coaches do something that off the wall.

 

[BruinDust]

Veterans over rookies in the playoffs? Gee, I'll bet no other coaches do something that off the wall.

How many veterans do you see on the left-side of the ledger? I see one, Redden.

Were any of Reich, Bitz, Whitfield, or Florek proven veteran NHL players when they were chosen by Claude over other unproven guys with actual talent? Heck, I believe 3 of them were in fact rookies themselves.

But they were the type of zero-zone safe-is-death player Claude loves.

 

[LSCII]

How many veterans do you see on the left-side of the ledger? I see one, Redden.

Were any of Reich, Bitz, Whitfield, or Florek proven veteran NHL players when they were chosen by Claude over other unproven guys with actual talent? Heck, I believe 3 of them were in fact rookies themselves.

But they were the type of zero-zone safe-is-death player Claude loves.

That is exactly right. Look at that list of crap he picked over guys with actual offensive upside. It's mind boggling. Yet his defenders don't care.

 

[SanDogBrewin]

I'm not even sure that's enough. The wisdom is 200 games for a defenseman,let him grow,err and mature,unless he's a complete mess. There is no wisdom in the way they are being handled,they should be expecting what they are getting back,how could they not?

And I don't think it will take 200 games for Morrow. But the games can't be in spurts. I would take Morrow's mistakes over Liles mistakes all day.

 

[Brucentric*]

Joe Morrow was very very solid last night. I have watched him closely. I have been confused with Claude or mgmt for not insisting Claude play him every day.

He has obvious skill. He is also a horse who plays square on his man along the boards. He had a very solid hit in period three i think. He had four or five very nice keeps in the O zone along the boards. Nice breakaway from Spooner on a nice read to continue up ice.

He basically was an all around two way force last night from start to finish.

Team needs rangy,fast mobile, physical Dmen, they have a number 1 draft pick kid staring them in the face. He plays great and they bury him.

It may be time for the coach to go. I love the guy and would want him to coach my son. But it is time if he cant adjust to this player over a K Miller or a J Liles. This type of talent cannot simply be wasted. This is a serious problem. This team for some reason does not appreciate talent. Needs to change.

 

[BNHL]

Joe Morrow was very very solid last night. I have watched him closely. I have been confused with Claude or mgmt for not insisting Claude play him every day.

He has obvious skill. He is also a horse who plays square on his man along the boards. He had a very solid hit in period three i think. He had four or five very nice keeps in the O zone along the boards. Nice breakaway from Spooner on a nice read to continue up ice.

He basically was an all around two way force last night from start to finish.

Team needs rangy,fast mobile, physical Dmen, they have a number 1 draft pick kid staring them in the face. He plays great and they bury him.

It may be time for the coach to go. I love the guy and would want him to coach my son. But it is time if he cant adjust to this player over a K Miller or a J Liles. This type of talent cannot simply be wasted. This is a serious problem. This team for some reason does not appreciate talent. Needs to change.

For a 60 game NHl player who gets jerked around for every mistake,he didn't look bad.

 

[Dr Hook]

For a 60 game NHl player who gets jerked around for every mistake,he didn't look bad.

No, he didn't, and most of the time he's played this season he hasn't looked bad- he's had his moments, but they all do, especially the young guys. Why you would play an aging, slowing Liles over Morrow is a mystery to me. I get that guys like K. Miller and Liles have veteran experience, and maybe a level of composure that Morrow might not have yet, but to me he offers more than either of them in the big picture.

 

[Bruinfanatic]

Kid should be playing every game,starting now .Get rid of Liles and when C Millar comes back they both should be playing,if it meets sitting out or moving KMillar or Mcquaid so be it.

 

[Blowfish]

Kid should be playing every game,starting now .Get rid of Liles and when C Millar comes back they both should be playing,if it meets sitting out or moving KMillar or Mcquaid so be it.

Totally agree.

 

[LSCII]

No, he didn't, and most of the time he's played this season he hasn't looked bad- he's had his moments, but they all do, especially the young guys. Why you would play an aging, slowing Liles over Morrow is a mystery to me. I get that guys like K. Miller and Liles have veteran experience, and maybe a level of composure that Morrow might not have yet, but to me he offers more than either of them in the big picture.

Especially when you factor in that he mentally knows he has to play mistake free or face punitive actions from the coach. Kevan Miller has been a **** show in just about every game he's played this year. He routinely makes the easy play look hard because he has an incredibly low hockey IQ, IMO, yet he never gets benched because he's a low risk, stay at home kind of guy.

 

[Bruinfanatic]

Especially when you factor in that he mentally knows he has to play mistake free or face punitive actions from the coach. Kevan Miller has been a **** show in just about every game he's played this year. He routinely makes the easy play look hard because he has an incredibly low hockey IQ, IMO, yet he never gets benched because he's a low risk, stay at home kind of guy.

Exactly and the main reason Julian has to,go going forward need a coach that will show some patience with the kids because there will probably be a lot of them next season.

 

[BNHL]

No, he didn't, and most of the time he's played this season he hasn't looked bad- he's had his moments, but they all do, especially the young guys. Why you would play an aging, slowing Liles over Morrow is a mystery to me. I get that guys like K. Miller and Liles have veteran experience, and maybe a level of composure that Morrow might not have yet, but to me he offers more than either of them in the big picture.

To me,it's coaching out of fear.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Joe Morrow was very very solid last night. I have watched him closely. I have been confused with Claude or mgmt for not insisting Claude play him every day.

He has obvious skill. He is also a horse who plays square on his man along the boards. He had a very solid hit in period three i think. He had four or five very nice keeps in the O zone along the boards. Nice breakaway from Spooner on a nice read to continue up ice.

He basically was an all around two way force last night from start to finish.

Team needs rangy,fast mobile, physical Dmen, they have a number 1 draft pick kid staring them in the face. He plays great and they bury him.

It may be time for the coach to go. I love the guy and would want him to coach my son. But it is time if he cant adjust to this player over a K Miller or a J Liles. This type of talent cannot simply be wasted. This is a serious problem. This team for some reason does not appreciate talent. Needs to change.

Oh my God, are you serious? A force?

 

[missingchicklet]

Most team message boards, including those for teams with great coaches (ie-Chicago), have fans that get frustrated with the coaches playing vets in favor of young talent. This one is no different. I've had my share of frustration with the way Chiller and Morrow have been handled. If the team was winning games and looking like a Cup contender the past couple years then I would not be too worried about it. The issue is that management/ownership seems to think the Bs can make a deep playoff run, and that is certainly going to filter down to coaching decisions. A player like Liles is the safe bet for a coach who is being instructed to win now, and for a coach with a lot of crappy players to begin with, especially a D corps that has very little high-end talent. CJ has already been sitting a $2.3 million forward (Hayes). To sit out a piece that management brought in for $2 million in favor of a kid who is still trying to work things out in his game is understandable from the perspective of a coach who has to worry about his relationship (and keeping his job) with management. Having said all of that, I really want to see Morrow in and Liles sitting out. I'm just not so sure the stage has been adequately set and the message sent by management for Claude to be able to do that and feel like he is putting the team in the best position to win in the present. He is already playing a lot of kids as is. Whatever the case it really stinks for a young player who has shown good improvement.

 

[Dr Hook]

To me,it's coaching out of fear.

You know, not to drag this too far OT, but the whole organization seems to operating on the fear principle right now. "Well, Morrow might cost us a goal and we need points, so lets not play him." Same went for C. Miller earlier in the year. The same level of accountability doesn't apply evenly here. Carlo by rights should have taken in a game or two from the upper deck based on what other young D have had to deal with. Why the hell aren't they afraid of what might happen (is happening) with K. Miller, McQuaid, and Liles all in the lineup with a rookie Carlo and an aging "the old grey nag just ain't what she used to be" Chara? Is it status thing with Morrow? K. Miller is a "veteran NHLer" while Morrow is just a "prospect"? So one gets a pass the other gets a screw job?

Play Morrow till his wheels fall of the rest of way and find out if you have something with him or not. The way it's going on the ice right now, there isn't anything to lose.

EDIT: saw you post just now Missing Chicklet and I think you have a great point. It is a decision borne of fear, but understandable from a money standpoint. That is more than likely the reason we saw as much of Hayes this year as we did. But, you are also right that it still sucks for Morrow, Chiller, Blidh etc. who have the potential to better our team with some more growth and development.

 

[Brucentric*]

Oh my God, are you serious? A force?

Last night, He was. Like i said, He had 4-5-6 big Keeps, one leading to a PP. He had a breakaway after a shot block that went to Spooner and then Morrow stayed and went up ice and Spoons fed him for a break away. And he had the best Hit of the game that Jack went wack on.....So when you add up his whole two way game last night...Yes, he was a force.

 

[Brucentric*]

Lost in the PENS loss is another stellar performance by Joe Morrow. The kid is so ready. I think he is arriving right before our eyes right now. This kid should never see the press box again. He should be here to stay.

He is playing clean crisp aggressive hockey and playing physical. Sitting him again would be a clear indication that the team has no direction.