Matt Bartkowski

[Jdavidev]

I don't want to get rid of either. Krug has demonstrated -- dating from last year after getting thrown right into the fire in the playoffs and responding fabulously -- unique poise and incredible offensive talent (and he's young with plenty of room to get even better than he is now) and is the kind of PP QB we've been looking for.

Krug's lateral movement and knack for finding open shooting/passing lanes makes him the perfect guy to QB the PP. The job he's done is admirable, especially as a rookie on a team that hasn't had a deadly PP in a while.

That being said, CJ is giving Bartkowski more minutes for a reason. Bart is, at the very least, every bit as good of a skater as Krug (perhaps better) but without the significant size disadvantage Krug has... especially for a defensemen. Not that Bart is huge or anything, but he has average size/frame and has been showing us that he can make some pretty heavy hits. Always good to see that.

Krug is good at minimizing his size disadvantage but nonetheless; he cannot change the reality that he is an undersized D-man who is in the NHL because of his great offensive instincts. Krug is the more offensive-minded specialist guy who can defend adequately, but Bartkowski is the better defender overall. That is why it appears Clode is giving Bart a chance to [and this is just conjecture] prove we don't need to make any desperation moves to replace the void Seidenberg left.

If things work out perfectly we won't have to overpay for a mediocre veteran rental if Bart can continue to handle big-time NHL minutes (he's been playing almost as much TOI as Chara the last several games) as well as he has... coupled with the emergence, and yet another pleasant surprise on the blue-line, in Kevan Miller.

I am not opposed to getting such a veteran acquisition, rental or not. But i think giving up too soon on some of our young guys that have performed pretty damn impressively as rookies might really come back to haunt the the team. Chia knows he has tough decisions (or non-decisions) to make. I just don't want to overpay, for obvious reasons... nobody does.

Bart has played well, though. And does not look in over his head playing 21-23 minutes a game lately. That ought to speak for itself. Consider me a big Bart fan, i think he could turn out to be really special.

Krug is already special and is exactly what the B's have needed for years now. He also should not go anywhere, as much as i like Bart i guess with our D-man depth Bart would be the one to go IMO. Krug is younger and just too offensively gifted, too perfect of a PP QB for this team.

But if Bart can prove he can at least be adequate as the #4 D-man... given the effectiveness of Clode's system and the glut of quality defensive forwards. I think the B's are still a contender as it stands now. Especially if Loui can build on that sick goal vs NYI, come into his own and play his best hockey of the season moving foward after the Olympic break.

I totally agree on keeping Bart now. He's really grown on me. And in the playoffs and through this season, he's the young defenseman that Claude trusts the most (played more minutes than Krug and Hamilton).

HOWEVER... next year is a different story. I would love to keep all three, but with Seidenberg coming back, that's Chara, Seids, Krug and Bart all LH shots. So unless one of them plays the off side, one probably goes. And, trading Bart in the offseason would be a very useful chip in finding a good 1st line RH RW to replace Iginla.

 

[Sea Bass Neely]

I totally agree on keeping Bart now. He's really grown on me. And in the playoffs and through this season, he's the young defenseman that Claude trusts the most (played more minutes than Krug and Hamilton).

HOWEVER... next year is a different story. I would love to keep all three, but with Seidenberg coming back, that's Chara, Seids, Krug and Bart all LH shots. So unless one of them plays the off side, one probably goes. And, trading Bart in the offseason would be a very useful chip in finding a good 1st line RH RW to replace Iginla.

Well things can change quickly... we cross that bridge (finding Iggy's replacement) when we get to it. Besides, i think after years and years of losing, i think playing on a winning team has injected new life into Iggy and it seems in many cases to be rubbing off on Looch.

I've been critical of his shot selection and shot accuracy, but aside from that he has really been a work-horse. He fits the Bruins mold and i hope he's willing to take a bit of a "hometown" discount so that Jarome himself can be "Iggy's replacement". He's getting old but he's 36, same age as Z.

Players like Alfredsson, Recchi, and Bertuzzi have been effective well into their 30's early-40's. There is every reason to believe that Iggy can bring what he's bringing now for at least one more season.

But anyhow, this isn't about Iggy... i was just speaking to your point. This is about Bart, and i can't imagine him handling these 22 minutes, some against top-notch competition, much better than he has.

The problem is that he brings more than what shows up on the stat-sheet. He facilitates offense just by being able to worm his way through the neutral zone with at times disarming ease... he's a great, great skater. And he has something like 14 assists but since he hasn't scored an NHL goal yet -- well, not in the regular season... he had a playoff goal which counts as 2 regular season goals in my book, but still -- we might end up selling low if we shop him sooner rather than later down the road.

I think Bart has the tools to pot 10 goals a year, 35 points. He won't do it this year but he is still improving... and his improvement in handling big-boy (he played more than Chara the other night) minutes is giving us a reason to believe we don't need to trade such a promising young, mobile D-man, something the Bruins haven't always had the luxury of having... or Krug for that matter.

Especially given the emergence of Kevan Miller. If anybody is expendable it is McQuaid. You mention an overload of LH shots on the blueline... but over half of the trade proposals on this forum are to acquire a mediocre LH-shot defensemen. We have more RH shots on D than LH shots right now.

I know Seidenberg is down and he is a LH shot... but that doesn't mean once he returns we have to get rid of a young and improving LH shot in Bart that brings a unique mobility to the blue-line.

If anything, i would consider McQuaid more expendable (and he's more established, a bigger more well-known name in the NHL... his huge size don't hurt either) because the return would be about equal if not possible a better return while keeping the younger, quicker D-man.

Again, i say we cross that bridge when we get to it. A lot can happen until a decision on Iggy's spot is made.

 

[aejk]

I keep Bart. He needs to get a little nastier and welcome contact like Ference, who is a similar player. I'm beginning to think that defencemen are like baseball pitchers; you need as many as you can get. With fatigue/injuries I think we need to keep the D we have, but I do think we also need a veteran "stay home" Left Defenceman--probably a rental for this year.

Also, 1/2 the D are better suited for quick forwards, but heavy teams will bang Bart, Krug and Dougie, just like Lucic, etc. does to those D-Men who are "affected" by contact. So you rotate guys depending on matchup.

 

[Sea Bass Neely]

I keep Bart. He needs to get a little nastier and welcome contact like Ference, who is a similar player. I'm beginning to think that defencemen are like baseball pitchers; you need as many as you can get. With fatigue/injuries I think we need to keep the D we have, but I do think we also need a veteran "stay home" Left Defenceman--probably a rental for this year.

Also, 1/2 the D are better suited for quick forwards, but heavy teams will bang Bart, Krug and Dougie, just like Lucic, etc. does to those D-Men who are "affected" by contact. So you rotate guys depending on matchup.

Bart has made some pretty impressive hits, and his game has gradually gotten a bit heavier. I think he will get it, to be honest. He's cleaned a few clocks and he holds his own in puck-battles. His skating ability compensates for whatever grit-downgrade (which i believe to be relatively mininal) losing Ference has left the Bruins with.

He's getting major minutes, and his plus-minus rating is reflective that he is handling those minutes well. Big minutes against some quality teams too. He played a spectacular game when we defeated San Jose in their own house (which almost nobody has done).

We will regret if we give up on Bart (or Krug) too soon. I see Bart being every bit as good as Ference, probably better given his mobility and marginally bigger size. And Ference was a favorite here... so IMO Bart is a keeper.

Clode is trusting him with all these minutes -- even against opponents like Chicago -- for a reason. He's not stupid, especially when it comes to handling the D-man rotation.

His roster decisions regarding the forward corps is a bit more questionable at times... but Clode is a defensive-minded guy who played D himself. He knows what he is doing on that blue-line and i think he realizes he's got a special young crop of youngsters back there bringing elements to the game that have been sorely lacking in recent years.

By elements, i mean Bart's impressive skating ability (which leads to his ability to worm his way through the neutral zone) and Krug's magnificent offensive contributions... especially considering BOTH are rookies.

If either of them are traded, the return better be superior to just a mediocre "veteran presence" D-man RENTAL. IMO Chia is too smart to move either of them unless the return warrants him pulling the trigger.

You don't just give away promising young D-men for rentals. There is plenty of veteran leadership on this team already!!!

 

[KrejciMVP]

Bart has made some pretty impressive hits, and his game has gradually gotten a bit heavier. I think he will get it, to be honest. He's cleaned a few clocks and he holds his own in puck-battles. His skating ability compensates for whatever grit-downgrade (which i believe to be relatively mininal) losing Ference has left the Bruins with.

He's getting major minutes, and his plus-minus rating is reflective that he is handling those minutes well. Big minutes against some quality teams too. He played a spectacular game when we defeated San Jose in their own house (which almost nobody has done).

We will regret if we give up on Bart (or Krug) too soon. I see Bart being every bit as good as Ference, probably better given his mobility and marginally bigger size. And Ference was a favorite here... so IMO Bart is a keeper.

Clode is trusting him with all these minutes -- even against opponents like Chicago -- for a reason. He's not stupid, especially when it comes to handling the D-man rotation.

His roster decisions regarding the forward corps is a bit more questionable at times... but Clode is a defensive-minded guy who played D himself. He knows what he is doing on that blue-line and i think he realizes he's got a special young crop of youngsters back there bringing elements to the game that have been sorely lacking in recent years.

By elements, i mean Bart's impressive skating ability (which leads to his ability to worm his way through the neutral zone) and Krug's magnificent offensive contributions... especially considering BOTH are rookies.

If either of them are traded, the return better be superior to just a mediocre "veteran presence" D-man RENTAL. IMO Chia is too smart to move either of them unless the return warrants him pulling the trigger.

You don't just give away promising young D-men for rentals. There is plenty of veteran leadership on this team already!!!

Bravo again!

 

[Shoebottom]

Bart looked like our best Dman last night. Was one of few who could actually shake off his shadow and skate the puck out of his zone. Interesting fact: Bart played 2 more shifts than Chara, yet Chara ended up with 3 more minutes of ice time.

 

[jasonbaz77*]

I love this kid.

 

[BergyWho37]

Bart has made some pretty impressive hits, and his game has gradually gotten a bit heavier. I think he will get it, to be honest. He's cleaned a few clocks and he holds his own in puck-battles. His skating ability compensates for whatever grit-downgrade (which i believe to be relatively mininal) losing Ference has left the Bruins with.

He's getting major minutes, and his plus-minus rating is reflective that he is handling those minutes well. Big minutes against some quality teams too. He played a spectacular game when we defeated San Jose in their own house (which almost nobody has done).

We will regret if we give up on Bart (or Krug) too soon. I see Bart being every bit as good as Ference, probably better given his mobility and marginally bigger size. And Ference was a favorite here... so IMO Bart is a keeper.

Clode is trusting him with all these minutes -- even against opponents like Chicago -- for a reason. He's not stupid, especially when it comes to handling the D-man rotation.

His roster decisions regarding the forward corps is a bit more questionable at times... but Clode is a defensive-minded guy who played D himself. He knows what he is doing on that blue-line and i think he realizes he's got a special young crop of youngsters back there bringing elements to the game that have been sorely lacking in recent years.

By elements, i mean Bart's impressive skating ability (which leads to his ability to worm his way through the neutral zone) and Krug's magnificent offensive contributions... especially considering BOTH are rookies.

If either of them are traded, the return better be superior to just a mediocre "veteran presence" D-man RENTAL. IMO Chia is too smart to move either of them unless the return warrants him pulling the trigger.

You don't just give away promising young D-men for rentals. There is plenty of veteran leadership on this team already!!!

I'm glad I came here to read this saved me a lot of typing great post dude

 

[theswede2013]

As has been said in previous posts here. Bart has improved and handles a lot of tough mins for CJ. I am starting to think that this season anyway we do not trade him. I am not saying that we have no needs on Defense with sieds out. But I just don't see the value in return out there for any vet D man. Especially a rental player.

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

A bit disappointed he wouldn't drop the gloves when he was tangled up with Eller later in the game. He's really not that big of a loss for 5 minutes and any show of emotion from any player would have been nice.

 

[Sea Bass Neely]

A bit disappointed he wouldn't drop the gloves when he was tangled up with Eller later in the game. He's really not that big of a loss for 5 minutes and any show of emotion from any player would have been nice.

Meh... i am not a huge fan of fighting for just fighting's sake. If there is a cheap-shot/dirty play made on a skill guy (or any teammate), well then that's a whole different story.

I just think seeking out fights to start, during a game in which you are getting beat with speed and skill -- NOT being bullied around physically (that is another story as well) -- makes you look like sore loser who is trying to instigate trouble because you're butt-hurt at the scoreboard.

I already listed the exceptions. But when it comes to fighting just to fight, remember there is no guarantee you are going to win that fight. You can get your ass kicked and actually boost the spirits/energy level for the opposition.

It is not an automatic positive thing by any means. But make no mistake, fighting has it's place in the game. I just don't like meaningless fights or staged bouts between brawlers. Fighting back as a team by upping the ante physically and taking the body to your opponent is preferable when no cheap-shots happen for a game you're getting schooled in.

Perhaps i am in the negative there, but whatever.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

For me, Bartkowski has been the biggest surprise of the season so far. Bigger even than Reilly Smith. From what I had seen of him before, I thought a 6th Dman at best. When confident he skates more freely. I still question his instincts at times, but he has really done a good job filling Seidenberg's minutes.

 

[Dennis Bergkamp]

Bartkowski has been playing over 20 minutes in 8 of the last 9 games and has been very good. I think he has already become almost too good to be traded for a "solid veteran defender" who might not be substantially better than Bart. Certainly his elite skating adds an unique element for the Bruins defense that cannot be found for cheap.

 

[Spooner st]

For me, Bartkowski has been the biggest surprise of the season so far. Bigger even than Reilly Smith. From what I had seen of him before, I thought a 6th Dman at best. When confident he skates more freely. I still question his instincts at times, but he has really done a good job filling Seidenberg's minutes.

Bartkowski has been playing over 20 minutes in 8 of the last 9 games and has been very good. I think he has already become almost too good to be traded for a "solid veteran defender" who might not be substantially better than Bart. Certainly his elite skating adds an unique element for the Bruins defense that cannot be found for cheap.

This sum's it up perfectly.
A perfect example of " Sometimes the best trades are the ones you don't make".

 

[ODAAT]

Really suprised by some of the posts here, for as long as I can recall, so many here (myself included) identified concerns over the lack of organizational depth on the back outside of the top 6 playing for the B`s.

Now we have not one, but really 3 in DH/Krug and Bart, who can actually skate, and are nowhere near as weak defensively as I would have anticipated with youth, and were talking about moving him? Sorry, IF I am moving anyone, it would be the Morrow`s or Warsofsky`s of the organization, not the players we are watching now play significant NHL minutes.

 

[MTaylorJ1]

Really suprised by some of the posts here, for as long as I can recall, so many here (myself included) identified concerns over the lack of organizational depth on the back outside of the top 6 playing for the B`s.

Now we have not one, but really 3 in DH/Krug and Bart, who can actually skate, and are nowhere near as weak defensively as I would have anticipated with youth, and were talking about moving him? Sorry, IF I am moving anyone, it would be the Morrow`s or Warsofsky`s of the organization, not the players we are watching now play significant NHL minutes.

I didn't want Morrow to be dealt to start with, but now it sounds like he took a pretty ugly injury last night.

 

[ODAAT]

I didn't want Morrow to be dealt to start with, but now it sounds like he took a pretty ugly injury last night.

ouch, what happened?

 

[MTaylorJ1]

ouch, what happened?

I wish I knew more, there are some details in the Providence Bruins thread, but sounds like his ankle buckled and he had to helped off the ice. Cassidy said they were waiting on the results, but he was expecting the worst.

 

[ODAAT]

I wish I knew more, there are some details in the Providence Bruins thread, but sounds like his ankle buckled and he had to helped off the ice. Cassidy said they were waiting on the results, but he was expecting the worst.

yikes

 

[KrejciMVP]

Really suprised by some of the posts here, for as long as I can recall, so many here (myself included) identified concerns over the lack of organizational depth on the back outside of the top 6 playing for the B`s.

Now we have not one, but really 3 in DH/Krug and Bart, who can actually skate, and are nowhere near as weak defensively as I would have anticipated with youth, and were talking about moving him? Sorry, IF I am moving anyone, it would be the Morrow`s or Warsofsky`s of the organization, not the players we are watching now play significant NHL minutes.

and we should have played all 3 of them in the finals last year

 

[PlayMakers]

I'm a fan.

I didn't used to be. The physical skills were there, but he used to get that 'deer in the headlights' look when it was time to move the puck and I just didn't think he was going to be able to think the game fast enough at this level, but he's gradually improved that part of his game and now those moments are few and far between, and the combination of skating and strength he brings is a tremendous asset.

I mentioned a couple weeks ago in the 'deadline needs' thread that I wasn't sure we needed to trade for a dman at the deadline anymore. With each passing game I'm more convinced.

 

[Dellstrom]

He's always stepped up big time for us when we've needed him to... And he's doing that right now.

Really, he looks like a great top-4 talent right now. He's also a terrific skater, he stopped about 20 odd man rushes and breakaways last night just by skating back. He doesn't lose races. I was for trading him a week or so ago, but that's a thing of the past. Really, if he keeps this up, it's either trade for a bona-fide top-4 guy or just keep him there. I don't see a point in trading for a guy like Phillips if he's just going to be the same thing.

Consistency is something to worry about, as he's young and he could just be hot, but he has so much confidence right now. I'd go with it for the time being.

 

[weaponomega]

I've really liked what I've seen so far and agree, I think trading him at this point is completely out of the question. He's established himself as a top 4 guy and at 25 who knows what his potential is. I saw someone say Oduya and I think that is a good comparison. Given that Bart has better size and offensive instincts I think he has higher upside than Oduya.

 

[ODAAT]

I'm a fan.

I didn't used to be. The physical skills were there, but he used to get that 'deer in the headlights' look when it was time to move the puck and I just didn't think he was going to be able to think the game fast enough at this level, but he's gradually improved that part of his game and now those moments are few and far between, and the combination of skating and strength he brings is a tremendous asset.

I mentioned a couple weeks ago in the 'deadline needs' thread that I wasn't sure we needed to trade for a dman at the deadline anymore. With each passing game I'm more convinced.

Agreed Bill, while Seids loss is going to be felt, realistically, was/is there anyone available who could have come close to filling that role and without costing a bundle? I don`t believe so

I think the attitude might now have shifted from a "must have" (top 4 D man) to a "would like to acquire" as far as a vet D man who comes cheap, is unspectacular but responsible ala Redden last year.

I know this is about Bart, but call me incredibly impressed with Miller as well.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

I'm a fan.

I didn't used to be. The physical skills were there, but he used to get that 'deer in the headlights' look when it was time to move the puck and I just didn't think he was going to be able to think the game fast enough at this level, but he's gradually improved that part of his game and now those moments are few and far between, and the combination of skating and strength he brings is a tremendous asset.

I mentioned a couple weeks ago in the 'deadline needs' thread that I wasn't sure we needed to trade for a dman at the deadline anymore. With each passing game I'm more convinced.

Reminds me a little of when Craig Rivet first came up for Montreal. I thought, God is he awful. Wondered why they stuck with him. Ended up being a pretty good defensive dman for years to come.