Boston Bruins Training Camp

[Gee Wally]

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Brad Marchand missed the Bruins pre-camp captain’s practices.

This week, the captain returned to practice.

Marchand skated Tuesday with a red noncontact jersey, but Wednesday morning he shed that color and got back to the business of being a tempo setter.

“I’m feeling good,” said Marchand, noting that he’s all healed from the elbow, groin, and sports hernia surgeries he underwent during the offseason.
Marchand’s presence as a full participant raises everyone’s intensity.
“It is amazing how much energy and competitiveness he adds to practice all by himself,” said coach Jim Montgomery.

Morgan Geekie, who played right wing on a line with Marchand and center Charlie Coyle, could feel the extra jolt.
“He got into it with a few guys, and the competition level is a lot higher,” said Geekie. “It seems like every shift is your last shift out there with him. So he brings it every day and you see that and that’s why he’s been around so long and why he’s the leader he is.

“Everyone feeds off that, and for me especially, it’s lots of fun to play with a guy like that.”

Marchand said his fitness level is good, and that was apparent by the battle level.

“I love being out there,” he said. “And I think one of the biggest things about our group is we’re competitive in practice and tempos are usually high, especially in battle drills and in the compete drills, that’s where you want to show up.

“There are always times in practice where maybe you’re a little sore or tired and you’re just trying to be clean in your reps. But in the compete drills, it’s where we all want to step up and it just seems like Monty’s doing a good job integrating them at the right time.

“But I think we’re all excited to go out there and get closer to the season.”

Marchand is bullish on the prospect of working more with Geekie, who supports pucks well and uses his size and strength to create space for himself and his linemates.

“I love playing with Geeks,” said Marchand. “He’s so great in so many different areas, the way he can hold on to pucks and make plays and shoots and he’s great in the corners.

“I think he really complements our line well. We haven’t had a ton of reps together, so we’ll work on it. But I’ve always really liked his game after playing with him last year a bit. I really enjoyed that. I’m sure there’ll be big steps for him this year.”

 

[KillerMillerTime]

I love big 55 but having Brazeau as a 13th F means the Bruins are better than they were last year. It’s a nice luxury.

Brazeau will have to play himself out of the top 12 during beginning of RS. He won't be starting as the #13F unless injured.

 

[Fenian24]

He might get more elsewhere, but IMO if he approaches 20G-25A this season, based on the above then 4x4.75 is fair.

With cap increase I can see that 5 million. You don't lose him for 500k.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Wilson has been on the top line the last half decade, he might be who Frederic uses as a comparison but there is no way.

Anderson's contract went downhill almost immediately as his career appears to have derailed after Columbus?

$3 to $4 million seems fair enough for both parties with Frederic. The inconsistency is his biggest fault. At his best he is similar to Coyle but if that is only 20% of the time? The rest of the time Frederic is low impact two way player. His hits are closer to Shawn Thornton hits than Lucic hits as well and this past season is an outlier for the hits count.

Another prove it season this year. Who is the player really.

He is at peak right now. A 40-42 point player with good defensive ability. So 4.5-4.75M looks ok. Wonder what term he would sign for at that amount?

 

[dugg133]

He is at peak right now. A 40-42 point player with good defensive ability. So 4.5-4.75M looks ok. Wonder what term he would sign for at that amount?

I don't agree that he's at his peak, I think he absolutely could do more with increased minutes and responsibility. 18 goals and 40 points while averaging under 14min a game, if he gets consistent PP and top 6 time I don't think it's crazy to think there's a 20+ goal 50 point player there.

 

[SwayHeyKid]

Not even close on Lysell. Also wouldn't be surprised to see Poitras sent down to get in better game shape. H hasn't played in 9 months. He's going to be rusty when real games start.

This assumption that Providence is some prison sentence for guys is ridiculous. It is the same whiney shit every year. What the roster looks like now will be different in a month from now and we all know it will look much different in 4-5 months from now.

Poitras and Lysell are superior to TJ and Brown. You start the season with Poitras 3C and Lysell RW2. I don’t want Geekie or Brazeau sniffing line 2 unless Fabian is a total flameout. Poitras between Freddy and Geekie line 3 would be a mismatch for a lot of teams.

The whole don’t send a guy down because waivers is nonsense. If you’re thinking about sending him down but don’t want to lose him means you’ve made your decision he’s not integral to you success anyways.

Poitras has been the best player in camp and the games he’s a lock. Lysell is exactly what they need skill wise, lock again

 

[KillerMillerTime]

I don't agree that he's at his peak, I think he absolutely could do more with increased minutes and responsibility. 18 goals and 40 points while averaging under 14min a game, if he gets consistent PP and top 6 time I don't think it's crazy to think there's a 20+ goal 50 point player there.

Who is he supplanting for PP time? Lindholm, Marchand, Pastrnak, Zacha, Coyle and more than likely Poitras will slot ahead of him. Same issue with getting top 6F.

 

[Bodit9]

So, Waiver Exempt players via Boston Bruins Puckpedia:

View attachment 909877
View attachment 909878Most likely a roster player this season.

Providence players requiring Waivers competing for a roster spot:
View attachment 909880
View attachment 909881
View attachment 909882

Waiver required players competing for a roster spot:
View attachment 909883 Probably kept as extra 7th D
View attachment 909884
View attachment 909885Lettieri will be Prov bound, Johnson is unsigned

D is pretty much set.
Of the possible 13 forwards listed above, there are 5 bottom 6 spots available. There is just enough spots to cover the waiver eligible players and the PTO if he is signed. This means there will be fierce competition for any spots at all for the waiver-eligible players with Poitras far ahead of the rest of the pack.

As @Gee Wally is trying to point out, we could see some unhappy posters
once the opening night roster is released due to business decisions.

If Lysell is playing at a B+ level and Brazzeau a B level, Lysell will be back in Providence purely based on his waiver-exempt status.

So not only do waiver-exempt players need to outplay their competition for a roster spot, they need to do so by a wide enough margin to justify waiving a possible waiver-eligible player and losing that asset.

Puts the kids squarely behind the 8 ball.

I think Lysell might be good enough to make the team now but will be sent down. Seems like a mid-season call up for good if he keeps developing in Providence and the inevitable injuries.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

Who is he supplanting for PP time? Lindholm, Marchand, Pastrnak, Zacha, Coyle and more than likely Poitras will slot ahead of him. Same issue with getting top 6F.

Well, assuming they go 4 forwards on the first unit like they always do, there's a 7th spot sitting there. Could be Geekie. Could be Lysell. Could also be Frederic net front.

 

[AngryMilkcrates]

I think Lysell might be good enough to make the team now but will be sent down. Seems like a mid-season call up for good if he keeps developing in Providence and the inevitable injuries.

There is 5 more pre-season games to play, so anything can change. But Lysell being waive exempt means he will have to soundly outplay his competition. I see him, Merk, and Beecher starting in Prov as things currently stand. So I agree with you.
Poitras is in the same situation as Lysell. The only difference is Poitras shows he is NHL caliber every shift so far and is worth a spot. Lysell will need to get to that level to take a vets job from them and risk them being taken in waivers.

I am all for Lysell getting time in the NHL, its just looking like an uphill battle. He will have to beat out Tyler Johnson soundly.

 

[SwayHeyKid]

I’ll ask again. Why would we keep an inferior team because of the “risk of losing xxxx” who is waiver fodder anyways? There is literally no forward on the bubble the Bruins would send down that would even get claimed. TJ, Brown, Letteri…nobody wants those guys

 

[AngryMilkcrates]

I’ll ask again. Why would we keep an inferior team because of the “risk of losing xxxx” who is waiver fodder anyways? There is literally no forward on the bubble the Bruins would send down that would even get claimed. TJ, Brown, Letteri…nobody wants those guys

Losing an asset for nothing is a business decision that is forced on management by the play of the players for that specific role/position.
If you dump and lose a player because someone looked slightly better in a few pre-season games you are setting yourself up for long term failure. The best team to ice on opening night wont be the same team iced at the start of the playoffs. You cant be making business decisions based on a small sample size.

 

[dugg133]

There is 5 more pre-season games to play, so anything can change. But Lysell being waive exempt means he will have to soundly outplay his competition. I see him, Merk, and Beecher starting in Prov as things currently stand. So I agree with you.
Poitras is in the same situation as Lysell. The only difference is Poitras shows he is NHL caliber every shift so far and is worth a spot. Lysell will need to get to that level to take a vets job from them and risk them being taken in waivers.

I am all for Lysell getting time in the NHL, its just looking like an uphill battle. He will have to beat out Tyler Johnson soundly.

I guess my thing is what development does Lysell have left in the AHL? We already know for a fact he can generate and produce at that level, is another couple months gonna suddenly turn him into a great defender? The next step for him is to find out if he can produce at the NHL level, and that only happens in the NHL.

He's been our top prospect for years now, he's paid his dues in the minors, and we have gaping hole at 2RW that just so happens to be his natural position. f*** playing the waiver game, the time is now. The team NEEDS players that can generate offense that aren't named Marchand and Pasta.

 

[Beesfan]

Loading…

www.bostonglobe.com

Brad Marchand missed the Bruins pre-camp captain’s practices.

This week, the captain returned to practice.

Marchand skated Tuesday with a red noncontact jersey, but Wednesday morning he shed that color and got back to the business of being a tempo setter.

“I’m feeling good,” said Marchand, noting that he’s all healed from the elbow, groin, and sports hernia surgeries he underwent during the offseason.
Marchand’s presence as a full participant raises everyone’s intensity.
“It is amazing how much energy and competitiveness he adds to practice all by himself,” said coach Jim Montgomery.

Morgan Geekie, who played right wing on a line with Marchand and center Charlie Coyle, could feel the extra jolt.
“He got into it with a few guys, and the competition level is a lot higher,” said Geekie. “It seems like every shift is your last shift out there with him. So he brings it every day and you see that and that’s why he’s been around so long and why he’s the leader he is.

“Everyone feeds off that, and for me especially, it’s lots of fun to play with a guy like that.”

Marchand said his fitness level is good, and that was apparent by the battle level.

“I love being out there,” he said. “And I think one of the biggest things about our group is we’re competitive in practice and tempos are usually high, especially in battle drills and in the compete drills, that’s where you want to show up.

“There are always times in practice where maybe you’re a little sore or tired and you’re just trying to be clean in your reps. But in the compete drills, it’s where we all want to step up and it just seems like Monty’s doing a good job integrating them at the right time.

“But I think we’re all excited to go out there and get closer to the season.”

Marchand is bullish on the prospect of working more with Geekie, who supports pucks well and uses his size and strength to create space for himself and his linemates.

“I love playing with Geeks,” said Marchand. “He’s so great in so many different areas, the way he can hold on to pucks and make plays and shoots and he’s great in the corners.

“I think he really complements our line well. We haven’t had a ton of reps together, so we’ll work on it. But I’ve always really liked his game after playing with him last year a bit. I really enjoyed that. I’m sure there’ll be big steps for him this year.”

Between these comments and the comments he made about the prospects having a lot to prove, it is clear Marchand wants Geekie on the wing, not Lysell. Can't say I blame him. He's already playing second line, he wants to get back to his all-star level, why would he want to carry a turnover machine rookie as a development project for the team?

 

[Bodit9]

There is 5 more pre-season games to play, so anything can change. But Lysell being waive exempt means he will have to soundly outplay his competition. I see him, Merk, and Beecher starting in Prov as things currently stand. So I agree with you.
Poitras is in the same situation as Lysell. The only difference is Poitras shows he is NHL caliber every shift so far and is worth a spot. Lysell will need to get to that level to take a vets job from them and risk them being taken in waivers.

I am all for Lysell getting time in the NHL, its just looking like an uphill battle. He will have to beat out Tyler Johnson soundly.

I keep Beecher up. Want that guy in the lineup. My forwards would be:

Zacha-Lindy-Pasta
Marchy-Coyle- Geekie
Freddy-Poitras-Braz
Jones-Beecher-Kastellic
Tufte

 

[Beesfan]

I guess my thing is what development does Lysell have left in the AHL? We already know for a fact he can generate and produce at that level, is another couple months gonna suddenly turn him into a great defender? The next step for him is to find out if he can produce at the NHL level, and that only happens in the NHL.

He's been our top prospect for years now, he's paid his dues in the minors, and we have gaping hole at 2RW that just so happens to be his natural position. f*** playing the waiver game, the time is now. The team NEEDS players that can generate offense that aren't named Marchand and Pasta.

I'm not completely averse to trying Lysell on a line with Poitras and Frederic. The burden on Lysell is to show he can take care of the puck. If he cannot do that on the third line, then he does not belong on any line. We have size all throughout the team. I don't believe in a hard and fast rule that a third line per se needs to be a checking line or big and strong. They can just be three good players.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Well, assuming they go 4 forwards on the first unit like they always do, there's a 7th spot sitting there. Could be Geekie. Could be Lysell. Could also be Frederic net front.

What about Brazeau? Had same amount of PP production as Frederic in just 19 games. Excluding Lysell, that's still 8 F in the PP mix beside him.

 

[dugg133]

I'm not completely averse to trying Lysell on a line with Poitras and Frederic. The burden on Lysell is to show he can take care of the puck. If he cannot do that on the third line, then he does not belong on any line. We have size all throughout the team. I don't believe in a hard and fast rule that a third line per se needs to be a checking line or big and strong. They can just be three good players.

I think there's legitimately a 0% chance that Monty is willing to put Lysell and Poitras on the same line.

 

[Fenian24]

As bad as the power play has been at points I don't think it should be set in stone. Ability to put Frederic, Brazeau etc in is a nice option

 

[AngryMilkcrates]

I guess my thing is what development does Lysell have left in the AHL? We already know for a fact he can generate and produce at that level, is another couple months gonna suddenly turn him into a great defender? The next step for him is to find out if he can produce at the NHL level, and that only happens in the NHL.

He's been our top prospect for years now, he's paid his dues in the minors, and we have gaping hole at 2RW that just so happens to be his natural position. f*** playing the waiver game, the time is now. The team NEEDS players that can generate offense that aren't named Marchand and Pasta.

Agreed!
I don't think Lysell, Lohrei, and Merkulov can develop much more in the AHL, IMO. I think they need time in the NHL, which is a problem on this roster right now. However, it wont be a problem for long as injuries happen and spots open up.

ANOTHER option is to keep Elias Lindholm on IR and that opens a spot for Poitras at C and another open spot at wing for Lysell. But Lysell will have to end Tyler Johnsons' career by outplaying him so he does not get signed.

 

[Dr Hook]

Agreed!
I don't think Lysell, Lohrei, and Merkulov can develop much more in the AHL, IMO. I think they need time in the NHL, which is a problem on this roster right now. However, it wont be a problem for long as injuries happen and spots open up.

ANOTHER option is to keep Elias Lindholm on IR and that opens a spot for Poitras at C and another open spot at wing for Lysell. But Lysell will have to end Tyler Johnsons' career by outplaying him so he does not get signed.

Monty just said everyone that is day to day will be back by next week for sure, so whatever is ailing Lindholm is nothing that will put him on IR.

 

[dugg133]

Agreed!
I don't think Lysell, Lohrei, and Merkulov can develop much more in the AHL, IMO. I think they need time in the NHL, which is a problem on this roster right now. However, it wont be a problem for long as injuries happen and spots open up.

ANOTHER option is to keep Elias Lindholm on IR and that opens a spot for Poitras at C and another open spot at wing for Lysell. But Lysell will have to end Tyler Johnsons' career by outplaying him so he does not get signed.

I don't think there is a problem
Zacha-Lindholm-Pasta
Marchand-Coyle-Lysell
Frederic-Poitras-Geekie

That's the top 9 and literally the only thing you need to do to accommodate it is not sign 34 year old washed up Tyler Johnson. It's that easy.

 

[SwayHeyKid]

Losing an asset for nothing is a business decision that is forced on management by the play of the players for that specific role/position.
If you dump and lose a player because someone looked slightly better in a few pre-season games you are setting yourself up for long term failure. The best team to ice on opening night wont be the same team iced at the start of the playoffs. You cant be making business decisions based on a small sample size.

The Bruins have plenty of guys in the A that can fill roles of Brown or TJ or even Max Jones if they lost them on waivers, which I think the chances of that even is slim and none.

Jones 13th forward, Wotherspoon 7th D. The two kids make the forward group, TJ sits wherever, Patrick Brown stinks so who cares and ditto for Vinny.

Like I said Lysell flames out, put Geekie from 3RW to 2RW, Brazeau 4RW to 3RW and Jones in at 4LW. Zero chance that Poitras flames out, he's here to stay.

 

[AngryMilkcrates]

I keep Beecher up. Want that guy in the lineup. My forwards would be:

Zacha-Lindy-Pasta
Marchy-Coyle- Geekie
Freddy-Poitras-Braz
Jones-Beecher-Kastellic
Tufte

So, no contract for Johnson and Brown is down along with the rest of the providence players.

Could very well be right, but I don't think Beecher has a guaranteed spot on the 4th line yet. That 4C position still is close between several players right now, IMO. 5 more games to figure it out and Beecher is gonna have to win it like he did last year.

I don't think there is a problem
Zacha-Lindholm-Pasta
Marchand-Coyle-Lysell
Frederic-Poitras-Geekie

That's the top 9 and literally the only thing you need to do to accommodate it is not sign 34 year old washed up Tyler Johnson. It's that easy.

I think Johnson is solely here to push the kids. So no one thinks DeBrusks spot is a gimmie. If you catch my drift.
Im fine with that, but it means Lysell will have to outplay Johnson consistently in the next 5 games.

Time will tell.

 

[AngryMilkcrates]

The Bruins have plenty of guys in the A that can fill roles of Brown or TJ or even Max Jones if they lost them on waivers, which I think the chances of that even is slim and none.

Jones 13th forward, Wotherspoon 7th D. The two kids make the forward group, TJ sits wherever, Patrick Brown stinks so who cares and ditto for Vinny.

Like I said Lysell flames out, put Geekie from 3RW to 2RW, Brazeau 4RW to 3RW and Jones in at 4LW. Zero chance that Poitras flames out, he's here to stay.

Im just going to say that I am willing to bet that B's management does not agree with you on asset scouting and that will reflect on the final opening night roster. Still have a lot of hockey yet to play for the players to make their decision for them, though.