Opinion on Chris Bourque?

[PB37]

Career AHL player. You want to hope for the team's sake that last night's goal will be the start of an upswing in production. But the fact remains is that he's a vastly undersized player on a team that prides itself on it's board work and toughness. Add that to the fact that his skill ( as seen by his AHL numbers ) has not translated to NHL success at 27 years old, then it's pretty clear that this is a spot better served to someone with more size and potential. Still, he's not a bad player to have for depth as a callup injury replacement player. He works hard and he plays a competent two way game.

 

[GloveSave1]

Glad he did that "something" I was looking for tonight. Now we all have something positive to point to. I was really happy for him...It was starting to look like he was going to do zilch in probably his last shot at cracking The League...and you'd have to really feel for the guy. Clearly, we're all pulling for him because of Ray.

It's def not about effort. It's just a huge jump from doing really well in the AHL to performing in the NHL. Sometimes guys can't overcome their disadvantages at this level...and that's that.

The book is still out. But maybe tonight's GWG buys him a bit more time. It was a relief.

Some of the guys on the team that he has been called a poor man's version of...well...That's just funny. He's done nothing on the NHL level.

It was fantastic that he stepped up big tonight, but he's going to have to do a lot more to justify his spot. So far we have one point of production. Hopefully tonight will spark at least a level of consistent output.

...Oh, and I loved "The Pump." Great stuff.

 

[westernhome]

I know he is standing next to a big guy here, but he must be even smaller than Marchand, isn't he?

 

[NSBruinFan]

He was back checking really hard last night. Good to see him get the first goal out of the way. I really hope the Bruins keep giving him a chance to build his confidence.

 

[Flannelman]

Let's see if he can score more. If he does, I'll shut my damned face and be happy - I want to be wrong about him. but until otherwise proven wrong, I still think we need to upgrade his position.

1 goal does not a scorer make. there's nothing wrong with being a career AHLer. At all. but if this is a cup-run team, and that's how I see it, we could use more from that position.

 

[Quaider*]

It's one goal, but the "pump" after it was truly a thing of beauty. That being said, he's still not an NHL caliber player.

I know I'm older than most here, but Geoff Courtnall is the kind of LW we need in his spot. Geoff from the late 80s early 90s, of course.

 

[Kovi]

because we needed another Chris Borque thread.

 

[Braunbaer]

My opinion totally changed because of that goal that even John Scott would have scored.

 

[Flannelman]

because we needed another Chris Borque thread.

interesting...

from the 'noob thread' in which you wrote:

So, rule to live by: Be polite. be respectful. show that you are a true fan with lots of knowledge

I'd argue that your post in this thread is being disrespectful. if you don't like a thread A) stay out of it or B) put the thread on your ignore list.

i'm sure i'll get an infraction here for 'policing' but this is the type of hypocritical bullcrap that is now all too common on these boards.

 

[Kovi]

then I shall take this to PM, since you are calling attention to it


thanks.

 

[ODAAT]

Pouliot is far more skilled and physical than Chris Bourque

and was far more effective along the boards. Admittedly, didn`t see the game last night, it appears from Julien`s comments and some here Bourque had a nice game and that`s nice to hear.

I still loved the Paille addition to the 3rd against the Sabres, not a coincidence IMO that the bigger body on that line increased their effectiveness and I agree, Pouliot for as much as he took some verbal beatings here, was and is more skilled and physical. Truth is, he was a big body who learned to use it well under Julien

 

[BNHL]

Still too early. Once he's comfortable and confident,a proper evaluation can be made. 10-15 more games.

 

[Rookie Chargers]

Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.

It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err.

Mahatma Gandhi,

(not that anybody needed my help)

Bourque is just that, what we saw. I expect another point in 5 games. He deserves more by the way he has played but it is what it is.

Julien pressed the right buttons by sitting him for a game.

 

[Shaun]

hopefully his second goal is against a NHL caliber team and not the Marlies.

 

[Morris Wanchuk]

Stop gap until the deadline.

 

[TCL40]

I want him to do well, but I don't think he is the right forward for that line.

Glad to see him score though-maybe that will take some pressure off him and he will do better.

I thought Pouliot was better.

 

[ODAAT]

I want him to do well, but I don't think he is the right forward for that line.

Glad to see him score though-maybe that will take some pressure off him and he will do better.

I thought Pouliot was better.

Right there with ya, like his hustle, biggest issue is size on that line, love a winger who`s strong on the boards, that isn`t Bourque IMO

 

[bostonphoenix]

I miss Pouliot. We easily could have kept him for this season and even traded his rights next season.

Pouliot at 1.8 would have been excellent this season. 2g, 3a 8gp. His cost is negligible for this season, next season would have been a challenge.

I'm happy with Borque at his cost. But Pouliot would have been lovely. If borque improves he is an excellent cost player.

 

[DKH]

I know he is standing next to a big guy here, but he must be even smaller than Marchand, isn't he?

we were at practice in Wilmington last Sunday and he was standing next to Marchand and he is. Its going to be interesting to see how this goes.

Marty St Louis like Theo Fluery are the measuring standards of this generations short guys but Wednesday night we get to see a guy who is not in that level, but his freaking compete of the charts and pretty high end skills to boot- plus apparent leadership in Brian Gionta.

I've always had wood of this guy on Boston and I'm going to try a watch him closely especially on all the PPs the Habs get this week (both the real and the phantom one)

btw- I already have a vision of Chara getting a very borderline roughing or holding penalty in the corner and the Habs scoring on it (I can see the 'huh look' on Chara when he realizes its on him, and him coming out head down skating to the bench after the goal)

 

[spokedB]

Wait, he's not our whipping boy? I thought that was the thing to do.

 

[Krupp]

I'll admit i'm still not sure how long he'll last on this team, but i'm glad he finally got over the hump and got that first goal! His size is always going to be an issue, but if he can find a way to play around that, and continue to create great chances for the rest of the team, who knows? I'd love to see a little guy stick with the team.

 

[ReggieMoto]

He performed as a serviceable 3rd line winger...last night. Let's see whether he can continue. History is not on his side.

 

[ODAAT]

I'll admit i'm still not sure how long he'll last on this team, but i'm glad he finally got over the hump and got that first goal! His size is always going to be an issue, but if he can find a way to play around that, and continue to create great chances for the rest of the team, who knows? I'd love to see a little guy stick with the team.

If he were stronger on the boards I would have absolutely no issues with him however, although small and being a player who won`t physically win a ton of battles over bigger players, where I see the issue is that he struggles with coming out with the puck which many smaller players can do in other ways.

He seems to be a very intelligent player, sort of curious as to why he isn`t stronger with fishing those pucks out of tighter spots, we`ve seen Marchand do it for a few years, and Segs to a lesser degree

 

[TCL40]

I think it is really hard for smaller guys to find success at the NHL level even if they have a lot of success at the AHL one.

One thing about Marchand-he works hard to keep himself fit. He has learned to use his body as an asset. Bourque would do well to watch Marchand.

Bourque stinks on the boards though-although he seems willing to try (I think Seguin has an allergy to the boards) but he just isn't strong there.

I did love the way he came right to the net last night for his goal. He knew where he needed to be and scored.

 

[Ladyfan]

Me too.

And at the deadline, I want PC go go after Ryder.

I doubt that would happen but would love Ryder back

Good for Chris I don't know how things will play out but am happy for him. Maybe the confidence of scoring will help his game. Loved the fist pump