Speculation: What are the Bruins' needs?

[Shaun]

He hasn't been "given" anything. He's worked hard at Providence and been one of their best players, and word is he's working hard at camp too. And whether he produced in earlier NHL stints is irrelevant. It's what he's doing now that matters.

And so what if he left school early? College isn't for everyone. It would have been worse if he'd stayed and gone through the motions just because he was "supposed" to.

And for the record, whether it's Chris Bourque or Joe Rinkrat, I don't care. The name means nothing.

It's nice he works hard I guess but he still doesn't produce. Trent Whitfield has produced more at the NHL level. There were options during the Summer to bring in and provide secondary scoring but instead he was pretty much given the spot without any competition and without a record at producing at the NHL level which is especially worrisome considering Horton's concussion history.

 

[Bruinguy]

As for what the Bruins need, I think an MLT is perfect. You know, a mutton, lettuce and tomato sandwich, where the mutton is nice and lean and the tomato is ripe.

Excellent Princess Bride reference!

 

[Shoebottom]

Gomez would be the absolute perfect 3rd line LW for this team. Put him with this leadership group and he would be a very good player IMO. That rumor is not true BTW of him shooting a puck at Julien.

Holly crap! A Peverley-Kelly-Gomez line would be amazing. Both, offensively and defensively. Nice to see Bourque given a chance, but if Gomez is available for $1 million or so, its a no brainer.

 

[unifiedtheory]

Anyone saying Scott Gomez should be added has not seen Scott Gomez actually play. The guy is AWFUL. I'm not just saying he has been terrible in comparison to the expected production from his contract. I'm saying he's been awful period. If he was making 700K it would have been too much. The only reason he was in the league was because of his contract.

I expect him to sign somewhere and disappoint. He's going to bounce around for a few years because he is a center. Keep him away.

 

[unifiedtheory]

On topic:

Third line winger
Depth on defense

Nothing we "add" for "needs" will change this teams destiny. If we get goaltending, health and production from the usual suspects we win the division with ease and have the #1 seed in the East. This is a Cup team as constructed right now.

 

[DevilsHughes86]

Anyone saying Scott Gomez should be added has not seen Scott Gomez actually play. The guy is AWFUL. I'm not just saying he has been terrible in comparison to the expected production from his contract. I'm saying he's been awful period. If he was making 700K it would have been too much. The only reason he was in the league was because of his contract.

I expect him to sign somewhere and disappoint. He's going to bounce around for a few years because he is a center. Keep him away.

The guy isn't that bad and wasn't good enough in Montreal to play a top 6 role, we don't need that and would be best for his game to be a 3rd liner on a much deeper team. He isn't a bad player, just had a really horrible contract that all of us on HF would have signed if we were him

 

[DoubleAAAA]

Id love to see a Recchi-esque add. Hoping for that kind of chemistry is wishful thinking but adding a vet guy like that with some offensive pop and a little bit left in the tank would be nice. Still wish Smyth was willing to leave home, perfect fit IMO.

Smyth-Bergy-Seguin
Marchand - Kelly - Pevs

Yyyyyyup

 

[LouJersey]

Anyone saying Scott Gomez should be added has not seen Scott Gomez actually play. The guy is AWFUL. I'm not just saying he has been terrible in comparison to the expected production from his contract. I'm saying he's been awful period. If he was making 700K it would have been too much. The only reason he was in the league was because of his contract.

I expect him to sign somewhere and disappoint. He's going to bounce around for a few years because he is a center. Keep him away.

Maybe since I saw him 70 games a year for the Devils I am still somewhat jaded, but he has been on messes of teams with the Rangers and Canadiens. He was certainly a part of that, and he has always needed leadership around him. He would get that here. No harm no foul if we don't get him, but he would I *think* be an upgrade on that 3LW spot..

 

[bruinsfan46]

What's the deal with Daymond Langkow? I didn't think he was totally done as a player in Phoenix last year and I don't believe he's even in camp anywhere. I like him better than veteran options like Gomez.

 

[Fire Sweeney]

Colin White ? Leave Johnson and Wasrosky in Providence. Played under Julien in Hull and NJ.

 

[DKH]

This Bruins team and organization needs only two things for the next 3 to 5 years- good health and very good goaltending.

Health you have to be lucky

This teams is very good from the D thru the forwards, and underratedly deep as an organization. History will prove I have no doubt the Boston under 23 somethings are right there with everyone. They all may not be sexy and all over top 100 lists but never remember Bergeron, Krejci, Lucic, and Marchand showing up many places on these lists.

As Tuukka goes, and maybe Khudobin and Svedberg, so go the Bruins...Tuukka has to play well and be healthy. I actually think this lockout is good for Boston's one concern to me.

This shortened season should be a blessing for Tuukka; he plays most of the games but likely only needs to do about 34ish over 99 days. Playoffs are standard times as before....not a long season but fast paced but Claude can get Khudobin or Svedberg in there in between and keep him fresh.

 

[SerenityRick]

I honestly don't think the Bruins need anything as long as some of the guys continue to live up to their billing. If Tuukka plays similarly to his 09 season and the Krejci, Lucic, Horton line clicks again.. the Bruins are in perfect shape.

Great defense, both on the back-end as well as just overall team defense
Great goaltending
Great depth
Great at the dot
Great offensively
Great at physicality
Great penalty killing

About the only thing you can point to definitively as being a need is a solid and consistent power play.. that and being able to DRAW penalties.

 

[remer]

Defense-It's seems to appear that we all forgot that this team needs a puck moving defenseman. Dougie is one step toward that goal but someone who can carry the puck out of the zone consistently would really help. The Bruin's defense is not that great at transition and lack speed.

Speed-As well, the front end with Lucic, Krejci and Horton will need to pick it up because we will have a tough time against speedy teams like Pitts., Philly, LA, Washington, St. Louis, etc.

Powerplay- We really need to hope Sequin is the answer, because we don't have any other options.

Goaltending- Tuukka Time is Here! Otherwise we are not going anywhere. The defense better help him out because many nights the Bruins won simply because of Timmy!

 

[RussellmaniaKW]

a legit setup guy on the Powerplay would really help a lot. Here's hoping Spooner develops into an NHL player sooner than later.

 

[Bmessy]

A productive powerplay(they have the tools). With this roster they need to stay motivated, determined, and driven in order to accomplish what they can, which is a helluva lot. Everyone being so young and accomplished they may lose some of those things. Let's hope Julien and the Boys are up for it.

 

[Lost Horizons]

A dedicated Power Play coach

 

[LouJersey]

It will have to be fixed in season, but if there is any injury to the top 6 we will more than likely be mediocre like last year when Nasty Nate was knocked out...

Somebody gets hurt, Pervs moves up and bottom six is Kelly, Bourque, Paille, MacDermid, Campbell and Thornton...Not exactly the '84 Oilers..

 

[Alan Ryan]

This Bruins team and organization needs only two things for the next 3 to 5 years- good health and very good goaltending.

Health you have to be lucky

This teams is very good from the D thru the forwards, and underratedly deep as an organization. History will prove I have no doubt the Boston under 23 somethings are right there with everyone. They all may not be sexy and all over top 100 lists but never remember Bergeron, Krejci, Lucic, and Marchand showing up many places on these lists.

As Tuukka goes, and maybe Khudobin and Svedberg, so go the Bruins...Tuukka has to play well and be healthy. I actually think this lockout is good for Boston's one concern to me.

This shortened season should be a blessing for Tuukka; he plays most of the games but likely only needs to do about 34ish over 99 days. Playoffs are standard times as before....not a long season but fast paced but Claude can get Khudobin or Svedberg in there in between and keep him fresh.

You nailed it Dan. Good health is the biggest need, followed by good goaltending.

This is a complete team with good prospects in the pipeline. Great time to be a Bruins fan.

 

[Dr Quincy]

Imagine that, Kovalev in a Bruins jersey I accepted Begin, Ryder, Pouliot, and whoever else I'm forgetting from recent years, but Kovalev is forever a Canadien to me, specifically for the way he torched Boston on the pp.

Hmm he'll always be a Ranger in my eyes.

 

[Artemis]

It will have to be fixed in season, but if there is any injury to the top 6 we will more than likely be mediocre like last year when Nasty Nate was knocked out...

Somebody gets hurt, Pervs moves up and bottom six is Kelly, Bourque, Paille, MacDermid, Campbell and Thornton...Not exactly the '84 Oilers..

Who is?

Seriously, I see this as a constant refrain and I keep wondering - how many teams in the NHL have this vaunted depth that will allow them to lose a top six forward and not miss a beat?

 

[Aucoin11*]

As soon as you people see chris bourque in extended NHL game action you'll realize why him at that position is an enormous problem.

 

[Artemis]

As soon as you people see chris bourque in extended NHL game action you'll realize why him at that position is an enormous problem.

An "enormous problem"?

The Bruins know from enormous problems - they've had their share. A third-line wing playing alongside two savvy veterans is not an enormous problem.

 

[22Brad Park]

Scott Gomez at his worst is still better than Ray's kid

I think young Bourque is going to shock alot folks,He tore up AHL last yr and looked great other nite too with 1 g and 2 a,Gomez take 5 weeks get that . Give the kid a chance ,i think with Pevs and Kelly he gonna do ok,

 

[22Brad Park]

Colin White ? Leave Johnson and Wasrosky in Providence. Played under Julien in Hull and NJ.

Tough ole boy from NewGlascow Nova Scotia,with loads experience,Id take him in case Hamilton not cutting mustard,I mean Bruins in this to win Cup not blow a whole yr to teach a kid to play at this level.,Love to least have a good vet for stretch run in case that kid not up to snuff in 1st yr.Saying that I hope Dougie gets it done and is relaible down stretch,Cause lets face it,thats when he is gonna be under a microscope.Feel free to blast me,but im nervous about trying to win and teach this kid the ropes at same time in just 40 plus games,

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

Colin White ? Leave Johnson and Wasrosky in Providence. Played under Julien in Hull and NJ.

I used to be a huge Colin White fan. I know he's gotten older, but I'd take a flyer on him as a depth vet for sure. Provided there's not something there that I'm not aware of.