Absolutely correct. Bergeron's OZS percentage went from just under 40% under Claude to over 60% under Butch (with some gentle suggestions from the analytics staff).That is a great story. I think I remember further evolution in which Cassidy explicitly said that he wanted to increase Bergeron's OZ time because he thought Bergerson was a really good offensive player whose skills there were being underutilized.
Pretty close, but there were a lot more expletives from what I heard. Cam was very inventive with profanity.I can absolutely see Cam throwing a water bottle and screaming "1 in 50!!"
Wonderful story.
The former, the team that ends up with control following the draw, even if there's a scrum for it and a winger digs it out.I guess this is as appropriate as any to chime in with a question that has been loitering in my head for a while. What constitutes a face-off win? Is it the team that gains control of the puck, or just the person who provides the impetus for the puck movement after the drop?
Thanks. That made the most sense to my simple mind- but I was talking myself into the latter as more of a "skill"The former, the team that ends up with control following the draw, even if there's a scrum for it and a winger digs it out.
Marchand in the third round!Yeah - this is definitely not a "push the chips to the center" year like in the recent memory, which is fine by me. Thankfully getting playoff experience is valuable for all the young guys, including Swayman. Even if they don't go all the way this year, they can build off understanding what it takes to do so and the future looks brighter by the day.
I counted the other night and I think 13 out of 18 skaters were Bruins draft picks (including Heinen in that). That's pretty awesome work considering we've all thought their internal development has been crap (myself included).
The Pasta and McAvoy draft picks were franchise altering and both outside the top 10. Not often that happens I don't think.
Yeah - this is definitely not a "push the chips to the center" year like in the recent memory, which is fine by me. Thankfully getting playoff experience is valuable for all the young guys, including Swayman. Even if they don't go all the way this year, they can build off understanding what it takes to do so and the future looks brighter by the day.
I counted the other night and I think 13 out of 18 skaters were Bruins draft picks (including Heinen in that). That's pretty awesome work considering we've all thought their internal development has been crap (myself included).
The Pasta and McAvoy draft picks were franchise altering and both outside the top 10. Not often that happens I don't think.
And one of those draft picks represents the final remaining piece of the Pederson for Neely trade, and has 10 goals this season.Marchand in the third round!
Just to follow up on this, Poitras and Merkulov co-existing, the ESPN broadcast last night did say the Bruins/Monty were discussing Poitras on the wing during the second half of the season to ease some of the burden and pressures of being a center on a playoff team in games 40-80 and beyond. Fist I'd heard of it, not sure I'd love it, but that would be a path.Interesting to see what happens with Poitras on the way back. Prior to the tournament, Sweeney said Poitras would be staying with Boston for the rest of the season but it would also seem he can't co-exist with Merkulov. Easiset thing to do is send Merk back to Providence, but what if he shows well in the next 2-3 games?
I hope it’s a back or groin. That left knee looked a little twisted.Poitras, Ully hurt in the OT loss to AZ. Poitras grabbed his arm/shoulder after a hit in the corner, Ully looked like he jammed his back on a nice glove save and needed help off the ice.
I hadn't looked at Prov's goalie stats since early in the year, I didn't realize how much Bussi had fallen off compared to last season. Stark difference. Have you, or basically anyone watched him this year to get a sense of what the biggest difference is? Players adjusted? rebound control?Guessing DiPietro gets the call for now. NHL experience, better numbers at Providence this year. Same cap hit as Bussi. I guess a silver lining is, if Ullmark is out for an extended period of time, we'll get a look at Swayman in a full starters role. Gonna have to pay him as an elite starter after this year, might as well get some data on how he handles things when not in an every-other rotation.
There's going to be a lot of moving parts. Currently maxed out on the roster with 23 guys but Carlo, Poitras and Ullmark banged. At the very least will likely need to make a roster move to get a goalie to Vegas.
I've heard it described multiple times that he is incredibly tough on all players, but that his toughness never comes from an unfair place. If someone isn't meeting expectations, both Torts and the player are clear on what isn't working and what needs to be improved. I can 100% understand how that can be polarizing in response.Yeah, good on Torts for that, but players don't really love Torts.
Don't forget Torts is from Boston.I've heard it described multiple times that he is incredibly tough on all players, but that his toughness never comes from an unfair place. If someone isn't meeting expectations, both Torts and the player are clear on what isn't working and what needs to be improved. I can 100% understand how that can be polarizing in response.
I had the same concern. Money talks, though. I hope.Hope Sway isn’t holding too big of a grudge come contract negations:
When asked about being named an All-Star, Jeremy Swayman brought up his arbitration case as part of his answer:
"After dealing with what I did this summer with arbitration, hearing things that a player should never hear, it feels pretty special to be in this situation."
Talking to his Dad in the off-season Sway really loves Boston and playing for the Bruins. To the point for the first time he didn't really come home here to Alaska last off-season and spent it back in Mass.I had the same concern. Money talks, though. I hope.
I appreciate the additional insight. Tell him I’m willing to go halfsies on a pizza some time, if you think it would help.Talking to his Dad in the off-season Sway really loves Boston and playing for the Bruins. To the point for the first time he didn't really come home here to Alaska last off-season and spent it back in Mass.
I know his ex as well and Tori said he absolutely loves the area and the Bruins. On a side note she had some funny stories about Marchy and raves about what an amazing guy he is and his family.
So that would leave me to believe that as long as the money works he stays. But nobody but Sway knows for sure. Fingers crossed. I really hope he finishes his career with the Bruins. Kid is a stud.
If I see him around again I'll pass it on, man if only it worked like that!! HahaI appreciate the additional insight. Tell him I’m willing to go halfsies on a pizza some time, if you think it would help.
I’ll chip in a domestic beer!I appreciate the additional insight. Tell him I’m willing to go halfsies on a pizza some time, if you think it would help.
It’s good to hear (and I appreciate you sharing that story with us, before, during, and after). You’d like to think that institutions you’re invested in are good ones, but it’s tough to actually believe it sometimes. Love watching the kid play, and great that he does good off the ice, too.After what he did for my coworker (the one from Lewiston), I hope he spends every single minute of his long and Vezina Trophy and Stanley Cup filled career in Boston.
The most recent Behind the B had some scenes of Swayman and others with a group from Lewiston.After what he did for my coworker (the one from Lewiston), I hope he spends every single minute of his long and Vezina Trophy and Stanley Cup filled career in Boston.
Agreed!It’s good to hear (and I appreciate you sharing that story with us, before, during, and after). You’d like to think that institutions you’re invested in are good ones, but it’s tough to actually believe it sometimes. Love watching the kid play, and great that he does good off the ice, too.
That's really neat, I'll have to tell my coworker. I'm fairly certain she would have been on it.Thye most recent Behind the B had some scenes of Swayman and others with a group from Lewiston.
Given the 25% ozone start, isn't 7 GF / 6 GA an excellent outcome / favorable metric?Wotherspoon is basically Carlo-lite. Burried in dzone starts (25% ozone start). Not much happens when he's on the ice. 7 goals for, 6 against in 225 minutes of 5x5 ice time.
Anytime you can pick up a defenseman as a group 6 UFA and he gives you 17 or 18 uneventful minutes a night, that’s a huge win in my book.Given the 25% ozone start, isn't 7 GF / 6 GA an excellent outcome / favorable metric?
Yes. It was posted as a complement.Given the 25% ozone start, isn't 7 GF / 6 GA an excellent outcome / favorable metric?
I realize that. It's just when you said that nothing much happens when he is on the ice (in terms of goals), that seems like a good thing too.Yes. It was posted as a complement.
I'm not going to hold my breath, but a couple games ago there was a clip of him announcing Hillary Knight as Boston PWHL captain. It immediately stuck out how physically fit he still is, like he could hop on the ice tomorrow and play. So he passes the eye test of maintaining the physical ability.... Damn it now I'm dreaming a littleI mean, it’s fun to think about…but…
View: https://twitter.com/spittinchiclets/status/1747665902059868225?s=46
Earlier this season, he looked to me like he was a good 15 lbs. below his playing weight.I'm not going to hold my breath, but a couple games ago there was a clip of him announcing Hillary Knight as Boston PWHL captain. It immediately stuck out how physically fit he still is, like he could hop on the ice tomorrow and play. So he passes the eye test of maintaining the physical ability.... Damn it now I'm dreaming a little