frankgrimes

The Bruins are in a win now window, if things go south they might have to overpay for a top 4 pairing guy come trade deadline. Picks aren't helping them right now, lots of teams called for Boychuk, so the return should have been something like Grabner , 2nd plus a serviceable defender at the least. Before the trade I was sure the Isles would be bad again, now they are in the mix for the last playoff spot alongside Wings, Toronto and Philadelphia. God knows their fans deserve this after all the suffering.

The Jarnkrok trade was a pure panic move based on the notion of him going back to Sweden stock didn't come true. You just don't trade a guy like him for 2 months of a third line center, when the team is in extreme need of defense

If someone told me Snow would have had a better off season than Chiarelli, Holland my first reaction would have been laughing but now it has become true. Boychuk is an absolute tank and a reliable shutdown guy blessed with a laser from the blue line, plus he comes with a great cap hit. Giving him awake 2 prospects, who might never play in the league is nuts and it puts the Bruins in a very bad spot.

Luckily for me this thread is about Johnny Boychuck and not a player, who isn't even playing in the nhl...

This puts the Isles closer to playoff contention and if I were BAbcock it would absolutely piss me off. Boychuck would have been the perfect defenseman for this team and he didn't cost a lot guess it wasn't a "hockeytrade" Even as a rental Boychuck for only a second round pick ? What the hell is going on with Chiarelli, 1. the Seguin trade which looks even worse now 2. not re-signing a heart and soul guy in Thornton and now 3. basically giving Boychuck away for spareparts. This deal puts the Bruins D in a bad spot, Seidenberg and Chara better be prepared to play a lot of minutes now, stupid.

http://www.nicholsonhockey.com/worthreading/2014/10/2/insider-trading looks like he could be had for a B level prospect. If I'm Holland I'd be all over this guy hits like a truck, brings size and will stick up for his teammates and the best thing Schenn will only get better. Would love him in a Winged Jersey Stupid auto correct could a mod please change the title?

Jip that would be my thinking too. If you use him as a shutdown force the guy is good in his role, I mean 6th in hits with hardly over 16 minutes of ice time is impressive. Pair him with an offensive defenseman and results should come. He was a force on the Leafs but for whatever reason, they wanted to use him as an offensive weapon after Carlyle came on board.

Fully agreed and it really pisses me off, how such great, honorable and respectful guys aren't getting the support they deserve from everybody. These guys are fully aware of the dangers, consequens and yet they are sticking up for something honorable and their teammates no matter at what cost. Another reason why I can't stand the anti-fighting crowd those guys deserve nothing but the utmost respect. Fully agreed the Devils should sign Big Mac Steve MacIntyre or Gillies if he doesn't make the Flames roster and let Clowe focus on playing on the edge without risking further damages.

Could it be the case, that The Chief Berube just doesn't like him ? I mean this is a kid, Burke refused to trade in order to get the Isles number 1 pick (John Tavares) at that time so either I haven't watched him enough lately or he has really fallen of the cliff ? Like I said maybe if the Flyers trade him his brother gets pissed off and wants out too ? If both Schenn's can be had for "cheap" I wouldn't be against it. My personal believe is, he just needs a good mentor (we have that with Kronwall and Ericsson).

Maybe he needs a better defensive partner or some sort of mentor? I've seen a few games of him too, he was really good in his first year. I'm also sure Brayden wouldn't be too happy seeing his brother traded.

Oh ok thanks for clarification

Really good article so much respect for Close, guy is a warrior and a decent player. The Devils should sign someone else to do his job, 4 concussions in 15 months is way too much.

I didn't understand the third one but also the others aren't that funny. I mean why troll visiting fans they bring money too? I hope this doesn't turn into gong show where they get harassed in front of the home crowd

Well the other "star player" is getting the same threatment so it's more like wanna act like an idiot ? Fine we'll send out our tough guy and see how you like our response. Just look back at that famous Isles - Pens brawl, Pittsburgh made jokes about the Isles being too soft and tried to rough them up morre than once but after the Isles returned the favour it didn't happen again.

It's so funny the league is talking about players safety and yet the teams are playing way too much pre-season games, why not cut the number in half and split between an AHL and almost NHL squad (best players sitting out). ?

Surprise, surprise enforcers help keeping the other team honest. But of course the media is only talking about it if it happens to Crosby, the Z incident wasn't even a news article..With a guy like McGrattan Weber would maybe still have smashed him against the glass, but then McGrattan would have smashed Web *through* the glass.

If he does I can fully understand it and will not hold against Babcock. Like I've said many times his job is getting harder each year and he doesn't get much needed help in terms of a better roster from his GM. Babcock is as competitive as they come and the guy wants to coach a stanley cup contender. There must be an obvious reason, why Holland hasn't allowed other teams to talk to Blashill. A lot of people have been saying we are in some sort of re-tooling if Babcock moves on and Blashill becomes the next coach I personally believe the re-tool turned into a re-build << build a new team around Goose, Tatar and Danny.

Nope

I think people will realize, how good Babcock was when he signs with team Crosby. The writing is on the wall Malkin and Crosby are already praising the guy and contract holdout. Usually a negotiation with the best coach should be really easy... Here is a blank check fill in everything else.

Could be I think Babcock knows, some players deserve a spot but the roster is almost set thanks to some questionable extensions. Hasek was a hit and miss chance the good thing is he turned into a hit for the team, at that time Holland easily the best GM in the game and for the players are wanted

Could a moderator please merge the two threads? This one and the prediction thread

I believe it when I see it

Me too, give him a blank check and let Babcock will in term and money.

Other teams had to deal with it too Boston lost Seidenberg, Blues half top line, Bolts Stamkos.. Also keep in mind that Kronwall hasn't missed significant time if he does, the whole defense is even more screwed. In terms of youth I prefer a wait and see approach because nobody knows if some will fall into a sophomore slump or not. I'm not pessimistic I'm realistic and looking at the opinions of some established experts, media outlets I'm not far off with my prediction. I think it's healthier to wait and see what some potential future Wings can do instead of putting my hopes on them, before they've played a few games. Also people are quick to forget that other teams do have potential young players too. The difference being with my approach I will enjoy the season much more thanks to realistic expectations. I just don't see a point in expecting magic things from a retooling team, just look at the Leafs and their unreal Nylander hype kid will never live up to that. Heck if Mantha gets some games and scores around 10 goals that would be fantastic but I'm not expecting anything other than hard effort from some of the rookies. There are threads on other message boards talking about Goose easily scoring 30 goals ! this season and stuff like that I just don't believe going into a season with such expectations - if a team isn't a contender - is the right approach to take but that's only mer if others think differently, that's fine too. Anyhow I agree with your point about Howard I think the monster and him will have a good year.

Way to waste 4,5 million this thing looks like a spaceship from a Star Trek Episode. I mean the Tsn one may not have been "state of the art" but it was very functional, well structured and Canadian in terms of the surroundings. Also while did SN choose an oval one ? I mean it world's better than the old studio but it doesn't change the fact that the on-air personal is still terrible and I hope they lose a lot of money and therefore are forced to return to Tsn where hockey belongs! I mean , their best expert is by far Mike Johnston nothing against him but he is no Dreger, McKenzie or LeBrun in terms of sources and reporting skills. I feel bad for Don Cherry hopefully Tsn gets at least Hnic back and go from there