Speculation: What Went Wrong?

[smithformeragent]

I’ll preface this by stating that the season isn’t over by any stretch, and that the purpose of this thread is pure speculation.

However, with the team struggling, having fired the coach, having suffered multiple lopsided losses, and sporting a goal differential of -25, all of these factors beg certain questions.

• Is this simply a lack of talent, or is something else going on?
• Did the Swayman contract negotiations break something in the dressing room?
• Did Jim Montgomery entering the season as a lame duck, but seemingly not interested in extending his contract break something in the dressing room?
• Are there culture issues in the organization?
• Did any of the above influence the hiring of Zdeno Chara as a consultant with the organization?
• What other changes are needed both on the roster, behind the bench, and in the front office?
• Do you simply ride this season out?
• Elephant in the room: What becomes of the captain?

Click to read more...

 

[quietbruinfan]

I’ll preface this by stating that the season isn’t over by any stretch, and that the purpose of this thread is pure speculation.

However, with the team struggling, having fired the coach, having suffered multiple lopsided losses, and sporting a goal differential of -25, all of these factors beg certain questions.

• Is this simply a lack of talent, or is something else going on? Mostly lack of talent but a convergence of other bad things.
• Did the Swayman contract negotiations break something in the dressing room? yes, that selfish jerk not only cost them a depth winger they needed, he spat in the face of a winning over greed culture.
• Did Jim Montgomery entering the season as a lame duck, but seemingly not interested in extending his contract break something in the dressing room? /No but it gave a few followers enough rope to hang themselves.
• Are there culture issues in the organization? Yes, but a tough coach and a couple of good trades could fix them.
• Did any of the above influence the hiring of Zdeno Chara as a consultant with the organization? Yes.

• What other changes are needed both on the roster, behind the bench, and in the front office? A thorough house cleaning is long overdue, but it will not happen for a couple of years.
• Do you simply ride this season out?

/NO, a medium sized trade to acquire a decent young talent and clear cap is in order.

• Elephant in the room: What becomes of the captain? /He is traded. I think there is a wish to from Sweneely if not 63, and that's all it takes.

 

[Fenway]

The obvious answer is training camp as they didn't have a normal one.

 

[bme44]

The obvious answer is training camp as they didn't have a normal one.

This I don,t think the training camp distractions can be over estimated . Swayman's contract being the most obvious one. How big of distraction was the Montgomery issue ?? What other distractions ??

 

[Over the volcano]

I’ll preface this by stating that the season isn’t over by any stretch, and that the purpose of this thread is pure speculation.

However, with the team struggling, having fired the coach, having suffered multiple lopsided losses, and sporting a goal differential of -25, all of these factors beg certain questions.

• Is this simply a lack of talent, or is something else going on?
• Did the Swayman contract negotiations break something in the dressing room?
• Did Jim Montgomery entering the season as a lame duck, but seemingly not interested in extending his contract break something in the dressing room?
• Are there culture issues in the organization?
• Did any of the above influence the hiring of Zdeno Chara as a consultant with the organization?
• What other changes are needed both on the roster, behind the bench, and in the front office?
• Do you simply ride this season out?
• Elephant in the room: What becomes of the captain?

- not entirely
- yes, it got him off on the wrong foot and he hasn't recovered
- oh yeah it did
- yeah but I think the biggest ones are in the player leadership
- oh hells yes it did - they're out of solutions so they hired a consultant
- all they need is a tough as nails #1 c to set and keep the tone
- no way, use the rest of the season to diagnose and treat what's ailing them
- its up to him this year, after that you think what's best for the entire organization and what he's worth to it.

 

[wintersej]

I think it's a few issues that all compounded. I'm going to skip the Monty times. TLDR; they didn't know what they were, yet, and Monty was trying to make them something they couldn't be with this roster.

The centers: Last year they got career best seasons from Coyle and Zacha that changed that teams outlook from similar to this teams outlook to a really good (but flawed) team. This year, not only was there regression, but those two guys have completely bottomed out. Zacha on pace for 40 something. Coyle on pace for 20 something(!). That's just a massive drop-off from 59 and 60 points. So not only were last years results fools gold (not a total shock), we are also just getting just horrible seasons from those two (a shock). And then we get to Elias Lindholm. I think there was enough evidence to say that Lindholm was never a driver, but more of a defensive center with enough skill to pick up points with offensive players. A center version of Danton Heinen 2.0 with a really good shot and face-off skills. Maybe you call that Bergeron-lite, maybe that's a step too far. Regardless, you thought you were getting a legit top 6C that pairing with a Hart level guy like Pasta could be a basis for a two way first line. And then Zacha and Coyle could get slotted more appropriately. I'm not sure what is up with Lindholm. Like one of his great attributes is his shot. Have we seen that at all? AT ALL? Can you think of one time? Just one? Is there something to the hurt finger theory? I dunno. But I think you thought you were getting three 60 point guys with a young Poitras ready to push one of them to wing when he was ready, and you ended up with a 40, a 30 and a 20 point guy and none of them driving play and it makes everything go to shit from there.

Barely any play driving in the winger group to make up for the centers: Last year the Bruins were flawed in that while Coyle and Zacha were producing, they didn't drive play from up the middle and good teams would hem them in. DeBrusk used his speed and puck retrieval skills to help drive play on the second line. He was not elite by any means, but it was something. Something they didn't replace. Heinen 2.0 used his smarts and ability to win battles along the wall at a high level and an active stick to help drive possession on (mostly) the 3rd line. This team had already lost Bergeron, Krejci and Hall as guys who could drive possession, one on each of their top 3 lines. And then they lost DeBrusk and Heinen. They don't have enough guys that can go blue line to blue line like Krejci, Hall and DeBrusk. They don't have enough guys that can be smart in center ice to get counter attacks going like Bergeron. They don't have enough guys with speed to dump and chase. Few teams (if any) skate as many feet as the Bruins in the NHL. It's because they are always chasing the play.

Lack of transition game from the blue line to make up for the forwards: On the defensive side, they lost Gryz. Gryz was high high end at getting pucks quick and getting them to the forwards. With the forwards not being great play drivers last year, his effectiveness was muted. This year, it probably would have been worse. You can say similar things about McAvoy whom I think people around here completely miss the boat on. If every time you get the puck out, it just comes back in, you ain't getting far. There are like 2 d-men in the league that can drive 200 feet of ice without much help. And, honestly, maybe it's 0. It's not like Makar and Hughes don't have plenty of forward help (and also having Hronek and Toews as your partners ain't shabby either!). All a convoluted way of saying that the effectiveness of your D groups ability to move the puck is greatly effected but who you are moving the puck to. But at least getting it out for a reprieve before you have to defend again is something. But, I do think the balance of "big dudes that protect the house" and guys that can make you not defend is just off. Obviously, Lindholm being out for so long isn't helping. And when he was around they were in the Monty new system shit show. But, I am also not sure if a team with so little talent up front can afford to be icing Carlo, Peeke and Zadorov (who has a little puck moving ability paired with Dennis Wideman brain). They also don't have enough forward talent to be icing a team of puck movers. They are gonna have to be able to defend. But, I think that they are gonna need to replace one of those three guys (Carlo please) with someone who has some reliable puck skills to get the most out of their D group.

Too many role players not in their role: The Bruins had been so good for so long in putting guys in position to succeed and getting more out of them than other teams. Now it seems to be the opposite. Lindholm, Geekie, Zacha, Brazeau, Frederic, Poitras, etc. These are all guys who have varying levels of ability that have a thing or two they are really good at if someone else can be the main guy on the line. But these guys are being asked to do more than they can the second they aren't on a line with Pasta. And it's making them worse players. I can't remember the last time the Bruins team was so clearly worse than the sum of their parts. In a salary cap league, this is the worst thing that can happen.


In the end, it's a team that has to try to win 1-0 on luck and effort because they aren't very good. And it's hard to be the higher effort team every single night against other professionals. Especially when you aren't getting that extra juice from knowing you are a good team that has a chance to win it all. Especially when you know it's going to be a night of chasing around the puck you probably won't get to and then have to go play hard D minutes. If it was so easy to be the team that always worked hardest, why wouldn't everyone do it? Obviously, that's impossible. I would argue night in and night out they are one of the harder working teams and they do really try. And when the game gets out of hand, their true talent level shines through.

It's also a team that in a couple moves could fix a lot of their issues. But going out and getting a couple of first line forwards aint exactly easy with limited assets and no cap space.

But it's why I am so hot for making a deal with Vancouver. To be able to get one of those missing first line forwards at a discount while Pasta is still in his prime? Holy moly. f***ing take it.

Edit: Forgot the PP but that's just symptom of not having enough high end talent. I don't know what the f*** is wrong with the PK.

 

[22Brad Park]

I’ll preface this by stating that the season isn’t over by any stretch, and that the purpose of this thread is pure speculation.

However, with the team struggling, having fired the coach, having suffered multiple lopsided losses, and sporting a goal differential of -25, all of these factors beg certain questions.

• Is this simply a lack of talent, or is something else going on?
• Did the Swayman contract negotiations break something in the dressing room?
• Did Jim Montgomery entering the season as a lame duck, but seemingly not interested in extending his contract break something in the dressing room?
• Are there culture issues in the organization?
• Did any of the above influence the hiring of Zdeno Chara as a consultant with the organization?
• What other changes are needed both on the roster, behind the bench, and in the front office?
• Do you simply ride this season out?
• Elephant in the room: What becomes of the captain?

It's a GM incapable putting a core together because he can't get a top line centre .

 

[BruinDust]

I still think it's the forward group that is the critical flaw. Not enough speed to win puck races, transition through the neutral zone, gain zone entry, push the opposing D-men back so they can't cheat with their gap control. Not enough quality shooters up front, lacking both velocity and finish. And they don't pass or distribute the puck well enough as a forward group as they lack skill, execution and chemistry.

So because of all of that, they spend far too little time in the offensive zone and far too much time back-peddling and defending. In previous year's under Monty and Cassidy, they'd work that puck around the offensive zone maintaining possession, giving their D-men a chance to catch their breath, and wearing down opposing defenders. The best defense today is spending lots of time in the offensive zone and less time in your own zone.

I'd also like to see them tweak the right-side of the D-corps, specifically moving out Carlo for a more-well rounded D-man like a Rasmus Andersson (as an example). But that to me is secondary to them having a philosophical change in how they construct their forward group. Doesn't mean they need to go all skill/speed/shooting, but they need a better mix than what they have now. It's a forward group built to win in in the NHL from 5-10 years ago, not built for the modern game here in 2025.

Question is......are Sweeney, Neely, Bradley, and now Chara, the right people to make this philosophical change?

 

[McGarnagle]

They lost talent so it wasn't as easy as it used to be and since they were so used to it being easy, they weren't prepared to work hard for success.

Sweeney let over-performing players walk and signed underperforming replacements. Jim Montgomery didn't want to be here and coached like it. Swayman publicly putting himself over the good of the team and disrupting training camp pushed everything over the top. Dark clouds all around, and no leadership to overcome it. Marchand is a good guy but he's not a captain like Bergy or Chara. The coach wanted to be fired so he could get a contract and go move to the Midwest with his family so he had no incentive to buckle down (I'm still not ruling out tampering by the Blues this off-season). Just an overall disaster.

 

[Alicat]

The obvious answer is training camp as they didn't have a normal one.

Been beating this drum all season.

This I don,t think the training camp distractions can be over estimated . Swayman's contract being the most obvious one. How big of distraction was the Montgomery issue ?? What other distractions ??

Add in Marchand coming back from major surgery and then E. Lindholm dealing with something right off the bat. They could have dealt with these if they didn't have the circus around them.

 

[Alicat]

They lost talent so it wasn't as easy as it used to be and since they were so used to it being easy, they weren't prepared to work hard for success.

Sweeney let over-performing players walk and signed underperforming replacements. Jim Montgomery didn't want to be here and coached like it. Swayman publicly putting himself over the good of the team and disrupting training camp pushed everything over the top. Dark clouds all around, and no leadership to overcome it. Marchand is a good guy but he's not a captain like Bergy or Chara. The coach wanted to be fired so he could get a contract and go move to the Midwest with his family so he had no incentive to buckle down (I'm still not ruling out tampering by the Blues this off-season). Just an overall disaster.

People need to stop comparing Marchand to Bergeron and Chara. He's a damn good leader but his style is very different from his predecessors. Marchand gets what it takes to be a Boston Bruin. He's worked his ass off to get to where he is. It is that work ethic and ability to relate to the younger guys that makes him a great leader. He's also not afraid to say what needs to be said and he's always in front of the media taking accountability.

Marchand was not please with the Swayman shit being so public and subtly made it known.

 

[Absurdity]

I’ll preface this by stating that the season isn’t over by any stretch, and that the purpose of this thread is pure speculation.

However, with the team struggling, having fired the coach, having suffered multiple lopsided losses, and sporting a goal differential of -25, all of these factors beg certain questions.

Is this simply a lack of talent, or is something else going on?
Yes, but this season there's also a lack of effort. There's a lot of standing around, they can't complete passes, they can't retrieve passes, they aren't willing to put in a consistent effort, and the way they skate or try to complete plays seems like they are always 1 step behind the play.

Did the Swayman contract negotiations break something in the dressing room?
The biggest issue with the Swayman negotiations is that he missed the whole preseason and training camp. It was a failure on both sides to get a contract done before training camp and foolhardy to believe Swayman would be ready to go day 1 of the season. It took Swayman 3 1/2 months to get up to speed.

Did Jim Montgomery entering the season as a lame duck, but seemingly not interested in extending his contract break something in the dressing room?
I don't think it helped especially if the coach didn't want to be here. The way he coached with one foot out the door, and the team's results while he was a coach could be seen from a team perspective that they may have been set up for failure for the season. A move should have been made in the offseason if Monty's heart wasn't into staying.

Are there culture issues in the organization?
Maybe? I don't think there is a leadership issue in the room, but I do think that a lot of players on the team are playing way too comfortable with subpar results. That's where the coach and management have to step in to the right the ship. I think it's fair to ask if current coach and management should be navigating said ship.

Did any of the above influence the hiring of Zdeno Chara as a consultant with the organization?
Hard to tell without knowing the specifics of Chara's consultant role.

What other changes are needed both on the roster, behind the bench, and in the front office?
A retool is needed. A new coach is preferable, but the available pool of coaches will be better in the offseason. In my opinion, the Bruins should be thinking of moving on from Sweeney and Neely. There is also a complete failure of not changing the PP and PK when they both don't work.

Do you simply ride this season out?
I say ride it out and play the kids. They can't get any worse, and doing so will provide more insight on the future of this team.

Elephant in the room: What becomes of the captain?
If he wants to get traded, he will be moved.

Adding to the above, I wonder if the team is kind of writing this season off because of the injuries this team is facing. No one should have expected Marchand to come back after surgery and be the same player at his age. I wouldn't be surprised if Zacha, Pastrnak, and Lindholm are also playing with injuries. That's also not considering the ailments the defensive corps is/has experiencing/experienced.

 

[Smitty93]

Talent finally won out. It's not the only thing, but it's at the top of the list.

Under the first two years of Monty, they'd overperformed their talent. Scoring goals and saving goals above expected. They were at the top of the league in PDO, but you can't expect that to last. It's swung the opposite direction, where they're one of the worst in PDO.

I'd say, purely looking at the talent, this was a 90, maybe 95 point team. They're currently on pace for 88 points, so that's really not a significant underperformance.

All of which is to say, I think what really went wrong is our expectations. Zacha, Coyle, and Frederic had career years that were unlikely to be repeated. They got 2023-24 Elias Lindholm, not the 2022-23 version, which they really needed. No one's really taken a step forward (as good as Geekie has been recently, he's only on pace for a few more points than last season).

 

[Bruins4Lifer]

The lack of finish/goal scoring was foreseeable, or at least a very realistic possibility this year. Many current players had unexpected career years last season, along with strong depth scoring from players that are gone no (Heinen/JVR).

I'm not searching for answers on why they struggle to score goals. I am for how terribly inconsistent they are defensively and in net, though. That I can't understand.

 

[BigBadBruin]

I do think the lack of forward speed caused by their desire to be able to compete physically with Florida is a big issue. Training camp for sure and the Montgomery mess but there was also an indication that they figured they could just crank it up anytime specifically in April which goes against the culture they had in previous years. Turns out they may not get that chance.

 

[BruinDust]

The lack of finish/goal scoring was foreseeable, or at least a very realistic possibility this year. Many current players had unexpected career years last season, along with strong depth scoring from players that are gone no (Heinen/JVR).

I'm not searching for answers on why they struggle to score goals. I am for how terribly inconsistent they are defensively and in net, though. That I can't understand.

The goaltending isn't as inconsistent as we think upon first glance. Both goalies have held their weight at home, it's on the road where the Bruins have gotten their worst losses. In the 8 games where they've allowed 6 or more all have come on the road.

I think the D earlier in the year was adjusting to a new system. Now they just spend so much time defending, the fatigue leads to mental mistakes.

 

[BlackFrancis]

• Is this simply a lack of talent, or is something else going on?

You have a big, slow team that cannot complete a pass more often than Sully wins on a scratchie at the 7-11. So, the latter - they collectively lack passing talent, which is pretty amazing for an NHL roster. And, aside from a handful of players, they are ponderously slow skaters.

• Did the Swayman contract negotiations break something in the dressing room?

No, but it broke my mind. Why would anyone give huge money and maximum term to some idiot that stands in front of 100 mph shots?

Most variable performance, day to day, month to month, season to season? Friggin' goalies.

If you are going to squeeze anyone at all financially, pick a goaltender.

If you want to shower someone with riches, don't pick the guy with zero career goals.

• Did Jim Montgomery entering the season as a lame duck, but seemingly not interested in extending his contract break something in the dressing room?

I think the lame duck status broke Montgomery.

• Are there culture issues in the organization?

Issues? Probably. Show me a team with no issues.

• Did any of the above influence the hiring of Zdeno Chara as a consultant with the organization?

The team's obvious shittiness influenced Chara showing up. He's shiny bauble with no real non-NHL job experience. Unless they're bringing back Whitesides and having him and Z holler at the players in the gym room, I'm unenthusiastic.

• What other changes are needed both on the roster, behind the bench, and in the front office?

They need speed. They need players that can make and receives passes. They could use an additional player or two that play a more dynamic game, as Pasta's the only one they've got right now. And they shouldn't be spending all that money on goalies. Jesus Christ.

Behind the bench? Don't care. Coaches do little to influence wins, aside from enforcing consistency. No Bruins coaches ever call timeouts, so I'd suggest a media stunt by having a saint bernard in a suit as head coach. At least then, there'd be a chance the dog would bite a ref.

Front office? I'm pretty much over Sweeney. They should absolutely convince on of those guy running the GM hydra in Carolina to come here and replace Sweeney.

• Do you simply ride this season out?

They should sell, but for 2026 draft treasure - especially if Sweeney is still here. Though, it often seems like outgoing GMs hit unforeseen homeruns on the way out the door, so what do I know?

• Elephant in the room: What becomes of the captain?

Should be interesting. He's so much slower this season and it just sucks. I love the guy and hope he starts feeling better and gets a boost to his legs.

 

[TD Charlie]

They should be a better team than their record shows

Too many nights they play uninspired and lazy hockey. Front to back top to bottom. Pastrnak, with all of his flaws this season, is the only reason they are in a position to sneak into the playoffs

If they were battling and busting ass I don’t think we are having these discussions at all. We can accept when the other team is just better. My issue has always been preparation and effort. This team has neither.

 

[22Brad Park]

Is this simply a lack of talent, or is something else going on?
Yes, but this season there's also a lack of effort. There's a lot of standing around, they can't complete passes, they can't retrieve passes, they aren't willing to put in a consistent effort, and the way they skate or try to complete plays seems like they are always 1 step behind the play.

Did the Swayman contract negotiations break something in the dressing room?
The biggest issue with the Swayman negotiations is that he missed the whole preseason and training camp. It was a failure on both sides to get a contract done before training camp and foolhardy to believe Swayman would be ready to go day 1 of the season. It took Swayman 3 1/2 months to get up to speed.

Did Jim Montgomery entering the season as a lame duck, but seemingly not interested in extending his contract break something in the dressing room?
I don't think it helped especially if the coach didn't want to be here. The way he coached with one foot out the door, and the team's results while he was a coach could be seen from a team perspective that they may have been set up for failure for the season. A move should have been made in the offseason if Monty's heart wasn't into staying.

Are there culture issues in the organization?
Maybe? I don't think there is a leadership issue in the room, but I do think that a lot of players on the team are playing way too comfortable with subpar results. That's where the coach and management have to step in to the right the ship. I think it's fair to ask if current coach and management should be navigating said ship.

Did any of the above influence the hiring of Zdeno Chara as a consultant with the organization?
Hard to tell without knowing the specifics of Chara's consultant role.

What other changes are needed both on the roster, behind the bench, and in the front office?
A retool is needed. A new coach is preferable, but the available pool of coaches will be better in the offseason. In my opinion, the Bruins should be thinking of moving on from Sweeney and Neely. There is also a complete failure of not changing the PP and PK when they both don't work.

Do you simply ride this season out?
I say ride it out and play the kids. They can't get any worse, and doing so will provide more insight on the future of this team.

Elephant in the room: What becomes of the captain?
If he wants to get traded, he will be moved.

Adding to the above, I wonder if the team is kind of writing this season off because of the injuries this team is facing. No one should have expected Marchand to come back after surgery and be the same player at his age. I wouldn't be surprised if Zacha, Pastrnak, and Lindholm are also playing with injuries. That's also not considering the ailments the defensive corps is/has experiencing/experienced.

This is pretty good stuff.Well put.

 

[PB37]

I still think it's the forward group that is the critical flaw. Not enough speed to win puck races, transition through the neutral zone, gain zone entry, push the opposing D-men back so they can't cheat with their gap control. Not enough quality shooters up front, lacking both velocity and finish. And they don't pass or distribute the puck well enough as a forward group as they lack skill, execution and chemistry.

So because of all of that, they spend far too little time in the offensive zone and far too much time back-peddling and defending. In previous year's under Monty and Cassidy, they'd work that puck around the offensive zone maintaining possession, giving their D-men a chance to catch their breath, and wearing down opposing defenders. The best defense today is spending lots of time in the offensive zone and less time in your own zone.

I'd also like to see them tweak the right-side of the D-corps, specifically moving out Carlo for a more-well rounded D-man like a Rasmus Andersson (as an example). But that to me is secondary to them having a philosophical change in how they construct their forward group. Doesn't mean they need to go all skill/speed/shooting, but they need a better mix than what they have now. It's a forward group built to win in in the NHL from 5-10 years ago, not built for the modern game here in 2025.

Question is......are Sweeney, Neely, Bradley, and now Chara, the right people to make this philosophical change?

I agree, the speed of the forward group is a critical flaw and it's on display when the defense tries to transition the puck. Forwards aren't getting open, causing the D to hold on to the puck a little longer and be pressured into making a pass that's telegraphed because the play took too long to develop. The best Bruins transitions are when the D skates with the puck themselves or they're able to get the puck to the quicker of the Bruins forwards.

 

[22Brad Park]

The goaltending isn't as inconsistent as we think upon first glance. Both goalies have held their weight at home, it's on the road where the Bruins have gotten their worst losses. In the 8 games where they've allowed 6 or more all have come on the road.

I think the D earlier in the year was adjusting to a new system. Now they just spend so much time defending, the fatigue leads to mental mistakes.

Just not a good hockey team and sooner everyone gets on board with that and starts the process to fixing it the better.Can debate till cows come home but it's not a good team

 

[Kate08]

#1 issue is lack of proven talent. Minus a few players, this team is a bunch of JAGs. That's on Sweeney.

The guys that AREN'T JAGs are playing below their skillset.

The shitty Swayman situation and weird camp has to have played a role. As is being with a coach for the first quarter of a season that had one foot out the door.

This group hasn't gelled. And the various circuses around the team hasn't helped. But, beyond that, this team just isn't good enough as constructed. And I don't trust Sweeney and Neely to make the changes needed to turn the B's into a contender.

Even if they get their shit together and squeaked into the playoffs, I still think the team as constructed is too inconsistent and problematic to stay as is with only tweaks moving forward. At this point, getting into the playoffs is probably the worst possible outcome for the long term future.

In summary: hot. mess.

 

[Ludwig Fell Down]

Great comments so far.

To me, it starts with 2023. I still fully support them going all in, and they had the best team in the league. Ullmark gets hurt, Monty can't make a decision and relies on "Goalie Bob" to make the call, and the season is over in a flash. In a parallel universe, Cassidy is the coach and puts Swayman in for game 5, and the B's get to the second round.

Factors:
1. Father time is undefeated. The B's were blessed with the Bergeron-Krejci combo at center for years.
2. Poor asset management, from drafting to player development to inconsistency with callups
3. Mishandling the goalie situation, which led to a poor return on Linus and a protracted negotiation with Swayman where he held all the cards.
4. Too much reliance on what I call the aberration of last season, where the team outperformed its abilities and players like Coyle and Freddy had career years.
5. Attitude. This team reminds me of the late '90s teams who though they were better than they were, and mailed in the effort.
6. Special teams. Other teams are good at this. The B's are not. They have the most predictable PP in the league. I'm convinced that me and three friends could have an 80% kill rate against this team.

Finally, the elephant in the room. The B's will never waive the white flag, but I would trade Marchand. His body won't hold up much longer; it would be great to see him get one more shot; and besides JT Miller and his attitude, there isn't much else available at his calabur of play.

 

[mjhfb]

A hundred years ago I was told by a coach that what happened happened, he was more concerned how we react to it.

I say that now because I'm more interested in how Sweeney will react to it.

 

[BruinDust]

I agree, the speed of the forward group is a critical flaw and it's on display when the defense tries to transition the puck. Forwards aren't getting open, causing the D to hold on to the puck a little longer and be pressured into making a pass that's telegraphed because the play took too long to develop. The best Bruins transitions are when the D skates with the puck themselves or they're able to get the puck to the quicker of the Bruins forwards.

That's an excellent point and all true.

Look at the PP. The only player who has shown any consistency in carrying the puck up ice and gaining the zone is when Lohrei is able to wind up and comes through the neutral zone in full flight.

Forwards not being quick enough to get open for passes from the D-men is a major issue.