Post-Game Talk: PS 4 - Flyers 3 BRUINS 1

[quietbruinfan]

This preseason has really just reinforced to me that the Bruins’ prospect pool is exactly what you would reasonably expect it to be after so many years at or near the top – pretty light on. Poitras looks a gem, high hopes for Lohrei, Lysell has struggled but he’s high-end and probably going to be one of those boom/bust types, Beecher is shaping up as a respectable bottom 6 center, and Bussi is starting to show good signs that he can play NHL-level. There’s really not too much else in the pipeline, although of course the jury is still well and truly out on the most recent draftees. It’s certainly not nothing, but it’s not a whole lot either.

As fans we tend to get a bit over-excited about guys like McLaughlin and Steen largely because of the paucity of other options. Whereas the reality is those sorts of players were low or undrafted for a reason, and while they can battle hard and show flashes of higher ability, the odds on that eventually translating into a solid consistent NHL player, even a depth one, are really slim. You might very occasionally get lucky, but it’s rare. This isn’t the end of the world – there are other ways to acquire good talent, although the Bruins will need an injection of homegrown genuine quality at some point if they want to remain serious contenders down the track – but it’s an acceptance of where things are at. Actions speak louder than words and Sweeney himself knows the limitations of what he’s got internally to work with, otherwise the likes of JVR, Geekie, Brown, Boqvist and Shattenkirk wouldn’t be here.

The really interesting decisions left to be made are around Poitras, Beecher and Lohrei. All three have made a case that you could roll the dice on them, all three you can equally easily argue that now is not yet the time. With the Bruins still very much officially in ‘win now’ mode, and given contract and waiver considerations, how willing is Sweeney to take a punt on one or more of the kids and take a higher risk, high reward approach? History says not very, but we will find out shortly.

I don't think they are in win now mode, anything but....However, whether it's win now, medium rebuild or outright tank, Sweeney's true prospects need work and time despite showing well. Despite a rebuild, Sweneely will not break with tradition and dump a veteran or two. As you point out,the scrubby vets are here for a reason. The reason does not portend good things, but is pretty clear.

 

[Fenway]

I don't think they are in win now mode, anything but....However, whether it's win now, medium rebuild or outright tank, Sweeney's true prospects need work and time despite showing well. Despite a rebuild, Sweneely will not break with tradition and dump a veteran or two. As you point out,the scrubby vets are here for a reason. The reason does not portend good things, but is pretty clear.

Ownership has flat-out said they don't believe the Boston market will accept a tank and honestly that is probably an accurate assessment.

Charlie made it clear he wanted Papa Jacobs to win one more Cup and the debacle of 2019 made 2023 now or never..............

 

[Aussie Bruin]

I don't think they are in win now mode, anything but....However, whether it's win now, medium rebuild or outright tank, Sweeney's true prospects need work and time despite showing well. Despite a rebuild, Sweneely will not break with tradition and dump a veteran or two. As you point out,the scrubby vets are here for a reason. The reason does not portend good things, but is pretty clear.

They're in 'win now' mode. Whether or not they should be or it's a realistic ambition are different questions, but as it stands right now their number one goal for this season is to compete again for a Cup, and the roster has been built and will be managed primarily with that aim in mind. Perhaps come January the situation will have changed and we'll be having different conversations, but for now we can only see how the team stacks up once the real games begin. It's very early days, and the roster has quite a lot of change to adjust to, especially amongst the forwards. We need to be patient.

 

[Fenway]

They're in 'win now' mode. Whether or not they should be or it's a realistic ambition are different questions, but as it stands right now their number one goal for this season is to compete again for a Cup, and the roster has been built and will be managed primarily with that aim in mind. Perhaps come January the situation will have changed and we'll be having different conversations, but for now we can only see how the team stacks up once the real games begin. It's very early days, and the roster has quite a lot of change to adjust to, especially amongst the forwards. We need to be patient.

@Aussie Bruin - Charlie wants to win one more Cup for his parents to enjoy and Cam and Don understand that.

You can see Papa not happy when St Louis goes ahead 2-0

Bottom line is ownership is in win now mode

 

[Dr Quincy]

Lysell and Grizz to Ott for Pinto

Doesn't really make sense. Gryz makes more than anything they'd sign Pinto for right now. Nevermind that they don't need LD.

 

[quietbruinfan]

Ownership has flat-out said they don't believe the Boston market will accept a tank and honestly that is probably an accurate assessment.

Charlie made it clear he wanted Papa Jacobs to win one more Cup and the debacle of 2019 made 2023 now or never..............

Do you believe everything, you read? Especially that which emanates from the always hockey knowledgeable and trustworthy Jacobs family? He very well want Daddy to get another cup, the same why I would like to subsist on a diet of pizza and root beer floats. I have said before, but I also find it a little slimy saying that WE are the ones who will not accept an obvious rebuild.

 

[bb74]

For the next to last tune up before all the cuts, that was one really passive show of emotion. Almost like the Dave Lewis "lost their mojo" level of apathy...

I don't know what Monty was telling the guys but whatever it was, it wasn't working. Makes me anxious about how much coaching he was doing last year vs. Bergeron from the bench...

I hope to hell he isn't a D Lewis redux who admitted he didn't have to coach with Yzerman and the DET leadership core in the room back in the day. Monty and the staff needs to get the guys motivated to perform and for the moment, they sure look disinterested...

 

[Guelph Bruin]

For the next to last tune up before all the cuts, that was one really passive show of emotion. Almost like the Dave Lewis "lost their mojo" level of apathy...

I don't know what Monty was telling the guys but whatever it was, it wasn't working. Makes me anxious about how much coaching he was doing last year vs. Bergeron from the bench...

I hope to hell he isn't a D Lewis redux who admitted he didn't have to coach with Yzerman and the DET leadership core in the room back in the day. Monty and the staff needs to get the guys motivated to perform and for the moment, they sure look disinterested...

Yup, but when it's a full squad I think Captain Brad will excel at motivating this team ....Lucic as well.

 

[lopey]

For the next to last tune up before all the cuts, that was one really passive show of emotion. Almost like the Dave Lewis "lost their mojo" level of apathy...

I don't know what Monty was telling the guys but whatever it was, it wasn't working. Makes me anxious about how much coaching he was doing last year vs. Bergeron from the bench...

I hope to hell he isn't a D Lewis redux who admitted he didn't have to coach with Yzerman and the DET leadership core in the room back in the day. Monty and the staff needs to get the guys motivated to perform and for the moment, they sure look disinterested...

It’s preseason!

 

[Fenian24]

Doesn't really make sense. Gryz makes more than anything they'd sign Pinto for right now. Nevermind that they don't need LD.

True, real trade idea would be Grizz for a pick to clear space then a pick and Lysell for Pinto

 

[Kegs]

True, real trade idea would be Grizz for a pick to clear space then a pick and Lysell for Pinto

I like pinto. Sens fans call him a second or third line centre. We have a few of those as it’s. I just want poitras to make the team

 

[KrugAvoy]

I have concerns but I want to see what happens on Thursday night in New York.

Monday night was a display of players who fear they will be taking Peter Pan bus charters next week from Providence and Lehigh Valley.


Scratches
Flyers
Marc Staal, Ryan Ellis, Nicolas Deslauriers, Nick Seeler, Valeri Vasiliev, Garnet Hathaway, Louie Belpedio, Felix Sandstrom, Cooper Marody, Matej Tomek, Ivan Fedotov, Adam Brooks, Victor Mete, Carter Hart, Tanner Laczynski, Rhett Gardner, Olle Lycksell, Sean Walker, Mason Millman, Bryce Brodzinski, Massimo Rizzo, Emil Andrae, Zayde Wisdom, Helge Grans, Elliot Desnoyers, Samu Tuomaala, Aleksei Kolosov, Owen McLaughlin, Ty Murchison, Ethan Samson, Brian Zanetti, Jon-Randall Avon, Cutter Gauthier, Devin Kaplan, Alexis Gendron, Santeri Sulku, Alex Bump, Hunter McDonald, Cole Knuble, Will Zmolek, Denver Barkey, Carson Bjarnason, Oliver Bonk, Alex Ciernik, Matteo Mann, Carter Sotheran, Matvei Michkov, Egor Zavragin, Ryan MacPherson
Bruins
Brad Marchand, Milan Lucic, Kevin Shattenkirk, James van Riemsdyk, Derek Forbort, Maxim Chudinov, Matt Grzelcyk, Linus Ullmark, Jayson Megna, David Pastrnak, Pavel Zacha, Jakub Zboril, Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson, Parker Wotherspoon, Charlie McAvoy, Trent Frederic, Michael DiPietro, Andrei Svetlakov, Kyle Keyser, Alec Regula, Curtis Hall, Jakub Lauko, John Beecher, John Farinacci, Roman Bychkov, Jake Schmaltz, Quinn Olson, Luke Toporowski, Riley Duran, Trevor Kuntar, Mason Lohrei, Mason Langenbrunner, Ty Gallagher, Brett Harrison, Andre Gasseau, Philip Svedeback, Ryan Mast, Jonathan Myrenberg, Oskar Jellvik, Frederic Brunet, Ethan Ritchie, Jackson Edward, Georgii Merkulov, Cole Spicer, Dans Locmelis, Reid Dyck, Owen Pederson, Adam Mechura, Beckett Hendrickson, Christopher Pelosi, Ryan Walsh, Casper Nassen, Kristian Kostadinski

Surprised JFK is still listed elite prospects Saya he's retired

 

[ON3M4N]

Do you believe everything, you read? Especially that which emanates from the always hockey knowledgeable and trustworthy Jacobs family? He very well want Daddy to get another cup, the same why I would like to subsist on a diet of pizza and root beer floats. I have said before, but I also find it a little slimy saying that WE are the ones who will not accept an obvious rebuild.

I 100% agree that Boston fans will not tolerate a rebuild. Look no further than the Red Sox and the Patriots. The Patriots are in the 4th year of the Brady era ending and their 6th year since winning their last Superbowl. The Patriots record since Brady left is 26-29, which is far from what we're used to, but not the worst in the league. You wouldn't know it based on how fans are acting though. They act like we're in a 40 year drought and the worst franchise in the NFL. Fans want Bill fired to the moon and questioning if Bill is even a good coach at all or a fraud. They also want Mac Jones traded for a pair of used socks.

The Red Sox are also 6yrs removed from winning a title and 4 years removed from making the ALCS. The owner was vehemently boo'd at the Winter Classic and he gets boo'd anytime his name is mentioned to fans. They've been destroyed every off-season for looking for "value" players instead of going out and getting true impact players. Bloom was hated by Sox fans because of this reason and fired after just 3 seasons. When Bloom was hired he was basically asked to win games while cutting payroll and rebuilding a farm system that was depleted. That sounds an awful lot like rebuilding/retooling to me.

 

[AngryMilkcrates]

@Aussie Bruin
You can see Papa not happy when St Louis goes ahead 2-0

View attachment 748482

He can definitely taste it

 

[Therick67]

They can be in win now mode, but that forward group isn't going to cut it.

 

[yazmybaby]

Doesn't really make sense. Gryz makes more than anything they'd sign Pinto for right now. Nevermind that they don't need LD.

No way Ottawa does that deal, add Lohrei and take out Gryz and that gets the conversation going.

 

[Healthy Wrap]

They can be in win now mode, but that forward group isn't going to cut it.

Neither is the defense. They're bringing back the exact same D corps (minus Orlov) that got absolutely worked over by Florida.

 

[bruinsfan1968]

I 100% agree that Boston fans will not tolerate a rebuild. Look no further than the Red Sox and the Patriots. The Patriots are in the 4th year of the Brady era ending and their 6th year since winning their last Superbowl. The Patriots record since Brady left is 26-29, which is far from what we're used to, but not the worst in the league. You wouldn't know it based on how fans are acting though. They act like we're in a 40 year drought and the worst franchise in the NFL. Fans want Bill fired to the moon and questioning if Bill is even a good coach at all or a fraud. They also want Mac Jones traded for a pair of used socks.

The Red Sox are also 6yrs removed from winning a title and 4 years removed from making the ALCS. The owner was vehemently boo'd at the Winter Classic and he gets boo'd anytime his name is mentioned to fans. They've been destroyed every off-season for looking for "value" players instead of going out and getting true impact players. Bloom was hated by Sox fans because of this reason and fired after just 3 seasons. When Bloom was hired he was basically asked to win games while cutting payroll and rebuilding a farm system that was depleted. That sounds an awful lot like rebuilding/retooling to me.

Well sorry to say but Boston fans need to get over it, this team needs a rebuild, there is no two ways about it.
The win now scenario has played itself out, Sweeney trading for Orlov, Hathaway and Bertuzzi was a big mistake, none of those guys brought a winning culture to this team.
It clearly showed in the playoffs, they simply weren't worth the draft picks they traded away.
The so called healthy competition every camp is joke as well, that leads lackluster performances like last night.
The players supposedly fighting for a job, knew they weren't making the big club, so they fell flat as always.
The kids that have had a good camp need to be rewarded, not kill there confidence just because they have contract that is waiver exempt.

 

[OldScool]

Bruins are in a world of hurt right now. Last year was the closing of window to win a title. Sweeney did the right moves to make a run and now they pay the price of being a contender for the past few years. The prospect pool is very, very poor like it or not. The Bruins goaltending, McAvoy, Pasta and Marchand are good enough to be a mediocre team but that's the issue. Bruins will be stuck in mediocrity and the don't have draft picks! They traded away their 2024 1st, 2nd and 3rd round picks and they pick in the 4th round. Good luck with that. In 2025 they have only a 1st and 3rd....future aint looking too bright folks. Sorry but that's the reality.

 

[Grasshopperking]

For the next to last tune up before all the cuts, that was one really passive show of emotion. Almost like the Dave Lewis "lost their mojo" level of apathy...

I don't know what Monty was telling the guys but whatever it was, it wasn't working. Makes me anxious about how much coaching he was doing last year vs. Bergeron from the bench...

I hope to hell he isn't a D Lewis redux who admitted he didn't have to coach with Yzerman and the DET leadership core in the room back in the day. Monty and the staff needs to get the guys motivated to perform and for the moment, they sure look disinterested...

It was a preseason game with half a team of prospects. Chill

 

[yazmybaby]

I like pinto. Sens fans call him a second or third line centre. We have a few of those as it’s. I just want poitras to make the team

After watching some of the game last night, the Bruins need to give Poitras the 9 game NHL tryout. He looks like he belongs here, pencil him in as the 3rd line center. Brown / Geekie are not the answer.
I would also take a hard look at keeping Beecher on the team, we need his speed and he has value killing penalties.

 

[Therick67]

The ownership are the one's that don't want the rebuild, you can't raise ticket prices or charge more for hot dogs and beers and sell all your overpriced merch.

As a fan, a few down years wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

Despite what some claim, they aren't loaded with great prospects and the only way you get a franchise center is to draft one, or spend a lot of money and draft capital and deal those good prospects you have.

They have enough good players to be a good team, but enough for a deep run and contend for the cup?

 

[Caper Bruins fan]

They can be in win now mode, but that forward group isn't going to cut it.

Last night’s forward crew , certainly but what if Poitras really can hang in the top 6 ? Add Marcnand , Zacha , Pasta along with Debrusk and Coyle . There is potential.

 

[Therick67]

Last night’s forward crew , certainly but what if Poitras really can hang in the top 6 ? Add Marcnand , Zacha , Pasta along with Debrusk and Coyle . There is potential.

Sure, they have potential - but expecting a rookie and a guy in Coyle who's a 3rd liner to step up to the top 6 for an entire seasons has some potential to not work also.

It will be interesting to see how things go.

 

[mjhfb]

Very interested to see basically the last tryout game tonight. If we assume that Geekie and Brown were brought in projected for 3C and 4C then I'm not sure what else the kid can do to earn a spot. He's looked terrific.