23-24 Bruins Season Thread
- Thread starter cshea
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Grz and Looch both skated today so they appear to be progressing but probably a few weeks away from game action. They are both on LTIR too so there's minimums they have to miss before being eligible to return. Not sure exactly when that is but Looch went on first and I suspect he can come back around Thanksgiving, maybe a little earlier.
For a team that (headed into last offseason) looked like it was going to be thin, they sure have a lot of depth.
Lauko's description of things is frightening. Getting back into the fray requires more fortitude than I have.
(Link title notwithstanding, there's more to the linked piece than Lauko, so I dont think I cut-and-pasted too much)/
Jakub Lauko returns to Bruins practice, recounts injury near eye (bostonglobe.com)
Lysell has put up 8 points in his last 5 games for Providence. Supposedly doing things he wasn't doing in the pre-season like battling for pucks along the board and getting to the inside areas.
View: https://twitter.com/MarkDivver/status/1723813813470818645?s=20
I'm not sure if two weekends and 5 games is enough to erase a bad exhibition season and warrant a call up but I think it is something to keep an eye on. I think these guys have all generally played well but Heinen, Brown, Lauko and Steen have combined for a single point this year. If they want to try and deepen the lineup, maybe Lysell gets a look. Especially with Geekie out.
View: https://twitter.com/MarkDivver/status/1723813813470818645?s=20
I'm not sure if two weekends and 5 games is enough to erase a bad exhibition season and warrant a call up but I think it is something to keep an eye on. I think these guys have all generally played well but Heinen, Brown, Lauko and Steen have combined for a single point this year. If they want to try and deepen the lineup, maybe Lysell gets a look. Especially with Geekie out.
You've gotta reward guys for putting in effort and improving. I'd say if it continues for a few weeks, bring him up.
Reflects the take in this morning's Athletic article, "Bruins’ Jim Montgomery critical of individual, team performance: ‘It’s inexcusable’"
https://theathletic.com/5055175/2023/11/11/bruins-canadiens-brad-marchand-penalty/?source=dailyemail&campaign=601983
https://theathletic.com/5055175/2023/11/11/bruins-canadiens-brad-marchand-penalty/?source=dailyemail&campaign=601983
6 games in for Lohrei, 2 with McAvoy, and he's still struggling pretty badly defensively.
Shot attempts: 119-85 opponents
Shots on goal: 66-46 opponents
Scoring chances: 57-44 opponents
High Danger chances: 23-13 opponents
Goals: 6-5 opponents
xG: 5.57-3.80 opponents
Basically all the defensive numbers are worst on the team, some by a significant margin. His goals against per 60 is almost a goal higher than the next closest, Shattenkirk. Not great, especially since he's getting cratered even with McAvoy as a partner (39% xGF% in 30 minutes TOI).
I think we can push pause on the "trade Forbort or Grzelyck so we can play Lohrei" chatter. He's impactful offensively but the defense is nowhere near ready. I'm guessing he gets to stay in the lineup until Grzelyck is healthy but I'm almost ready to play Mitchell.
Shot attempts: 119-85 opponents
Shots on goal: 66-46 opponents
Scoring chances: 57-44 opponents
High Danger chances: 23-13 opponents
Goals: 6-5 opponents
xG: 5.57-3.80 opponents
Basically all the defensive numbers are worst on the team, some by a significant margin. His goals against per 60 is almost a goal higher than the next closest, Shattenkirk. Not great, especially since he's getting cratered even with McAvoy as a partner (39% xGF% in 30 minutes TOI).
I think we can push pause on the "trade Forbort or Grzelyck so we can play Lohrei" chatter. He's impactful offensively but the defense is nowhere near ready. I'm guessing he gets to stay in the lineup until Grzelyck is healthy but I'm almost ready to play Mitchell.
I haven’t been able to watch a ton of the last few games. Is it more related to decision-making or physical ability?
I think both?
The game seems to be moving too fast for him sometimes. Also, sometimes he makes plays that I imagine were successful against college players - but just don't work at the NHL level for him (yet).
All this is to say - the talent is definitely there. The kids vision is unreal, his instincts too. He just needs his play and his body to catch up the NHL level.
Yeah, I think it's both. The 2nd Bruins goal last night was an example of his struggles, even if it ended up in the back of Buffalo's net. The play essentially started when Lohrei whiffed on a pinch at the left point. McAvoy did McAvoy things and came over from the right D to steal the puck back at the Bruins blue line and transition back the other way, resulting in a goal. There's also been times where it seems Lohrei tries things that he probably could get away with at lower levels but can't at the NHL level.
I don't mean to be negative on him or imply that he's a bust. The tool kit is there. He's big, he can skate and his offensive talents can play in the NHL. The defense instincts are clearly not there yet and needs more work in the AHL.
I don't mean to be negative on him or imply that he's a bust. The tool kit is there. He's big, he can skate and his offensive talents can play in the NHL. The defense instincts are clearly not there yet and needs more work in the AHL.
Also, we did this last year, but any interest in Pat Kane? He's coming off hip surgery and is reportedly starting to talk to teams this week and could sign next week. Reports state that there's anywhere from 8-10 interested teams, with Buffalo, Florida and Toronto the only teams named with interest. Apparently he's looking for a contender. Buffalo is his hometown team and has the most cap space but contender is a stretch, particularly with Tage Thompson going down last night.
There'd be cap gymnastics but I think there's more of a need this time around than last year.
There'd be cap gymnastics but I think there's more of a need this time around than last year.
Do we think the AHL quality is enough to develop NHL quality or are you saying his quality isn’t even up to AHL standards?
I don’t see how he develops NHL quality in the AHL, but might just me not fully understanding AHL vs NHL quality level jumps.
Isn't it likely that at his best Lohrei is going to be a below average D in his defensive zone but you hope he makes up the delta in the other end like a Shane Gostisbehere for example? He was barely a defenseman in college playing what was considered more of a rover position after being converted from FW.
Perhaps there is some untapped potential in the other end but occam's razor tells us that is unlikely. My hope for him is that he becomes a PP weapon and you can live with his D while he gets a 65/35 oZS start %.
Perhaps there is some untapped potential in the other end but occam's razor tells us that is unlikely. My hope for him is that he becomes a PP weapon and you can live with his D while he gets a 65/35 oZS start %.
Quality of opposition could be a concern, but maybe in an odd sense, remaining a disciplined defenseman in the AHL (where loss of discipline -- like those offensive blue line plays -- isn't as punitive as in the NHL) is a bit more difficult and will sharpen him some. I would think there's some internal metric in Providence that loosely translates to "that would have been a 3-on-1 the other way if you did that in the NHL."
That may work but also one of the reasons they moved on from Chara and Krug was because the defense was too specialized. They had penalty killers (Chara, Carlo, Lauzon) and power play guys (Krug) but not enough 2-way, 5x5 players.
I also think there's improvement to be made, he just needs experience.
I guess this could go in V&N as well but I'll post here.
My coworker was involved in the shooting in Lewiston, ME, and tragically her boyfriend was among the victims. Said coworker and her deceased boyfriend are huge Bruins fans, so in one her many sleepless nights, she reached out to some players and the team on Instagram and asked if there was any way she could fulfill one of his lifelong dreams of sitting in a luxury box for a game.
Jeremy Swayman - UMaine grad - replied with basically "Oh my god yes!" The Bruins management apparently caught wind of it and now they're planning a full "family night" for victims in December. I'm not sure it's been announced yet, or if they even plan to make it a public thing. But I think this is amazing. In a league filled with hateful cretins and abuse-cover-uppers, I'm glad that "my" team will do things like this.
My coworker was involved in the shooting in Lewiston, ME, and tragically her boyfriend was among the victims. Said coworker and her deceased boyfriend are huge Bruins fans, so in one her many sleepless nights, she reached out to some players and the team on Instagram and asked if there was any way she could fulfill one of his lifelong dreams of sitting in a luxury box for a game.
Jeremy Swayman - UMaine grad - replied with basically "Oh my god yes!" The Bruins management apparently caught wind of it and now they're planning a full "family night" for victims in December. I'm not sure it's been announced yet, or if they even plan to make it a public thing. But I think this is amazing. In a league filled with hateful cretins and abuse-cover-uppers, I'm glad that "my" team will do things like this.
Despite all the headlines about the bad stuff, there are a LOT of good people and players in the NHL and hockey in general. Easy to lose sight of because the small generous acts get almost no publicity, but the good definitely outweighs the bad.
Thanks for sharing.
Through 15 games:
2022-23: 13-2-0, 26 points, 60 GF (4.0/g), 33 GA (2.2/g)
2023-24: 12-1-2, 26 points, 51 GF (3.4/g), 30 GA (2.0/g)
2022-23: 13-2-0, 26 points, 60 GF (4.0/g), 33 GA (2.2/g)
2023-24: 12-1-2, 26 points, 51 GF (3.4/g), 30 GA (2.0/g)
That's fantastic! Thanks for letting us know, and I hope you and your coworker are doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances.
And yes, I agree with TFP, most hockey people are good people. The league isn't "full of" bad apples.
If you trade Ullmark at the deadline, as some have suggested, you wonder how much of a negative impact it would have on Swayman. For that reason, I can't see it happening. Goaltending is the backbone of this team.
I agree.
I'd like the Bruins to win the Stanley Cup.
I don't see them navigating the playoffs without both of them rising to the occasion and so placing the responsibility fully on Swayman seems like a foolish unforced error, turning one of their strengths into ... not that.
Indeed, I thought one of the main lessons from the loss to FLA last spring was that it was a mistake to lean into the idea of their "#1" goalie carrying the whole load as running out an injured Ullmark mightily contributed to their demise.
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I think a goalie trade probably happens in the offseason. This summer is extension time for Swayman. He got $3.475 in arbitration last summer and if he keeps performing the way he has, he's getting the bag. The cap is going up but I don't think you can have 2 goalies making north of $5 million AAV.
I had no idea there was a guy in the league whose name was this close to "cake-eater".
Circling back to Lohrei, something to consider is he’s played 18 pro games, 12 in the A and 6 with the big club. The kid is extremely early on the development curve, so much so that AHL time is probably the best thing for him.
Minor (hopefully) concern, that highlights the importance of the goaltending to me. I think they're a bit short on defense.
Someone better versed in advanced numbers can correct me, but Shattenkirk just seems mostly ineffective, play to play. With Lohrei learning, Gryz out and Frobot's best being kind of narrowly limited, that's a lot riding on McAvoy, Lindholm and Carlo.
Someone better versed in advanced numbers can correct me, but Shattenkirk just seems mostly ineffective, play to play. With Lohrei learning, Gryz out and Frobot's best being kind of narrowly limited, that's a lot riding on McAvoy, Lindholm and Carlo.
I completely agree when (hopefully) everyone is healthy he goes down, but I think getting a couple weeks with the big club helps him even more since he's so new to the position. He can go down knowing exactly what it's like to play in the NHL and what he needs to work on. Without having a lifetime of playing the position it might be harder to understand why certain things they are trying to have him work on are so important, now he's going to have the experience.
Man all this goalie talk is already getting me worried about the playoffs. I hope Monty adjusts this year.
BOS is +8 pts on DET/TOR after 15 games. I'd rather force-feed Lohrei NHL minutes & NHL practices until Grz is back and then let him get 25+ min/gm in Providence when all the LHDs are healthy, at least until the trade deadline. He needs experience, NHL over AHL preferred, so long as it doesn't impact his development or the team. Wotherspoon can come up in a pinch for 1-off games when Grz/Forbort cannot play.
Whatever one thinks of Lohrei -- right now and for the future -- Gryz's absence and the team doing well is the *perfect* time to get some serious NHL experience. He will either demonstrate that, like Beecher and Poitras, he is ready to play NHL minutes now; or he'll have a handy list of things he still needs to work on in the AHL. Right now, it's looking more like the latter. Which is perfectly fine.
With Lucic potentially being done for the season - I've started thinking about who the Bruins could target at the deadline to replace some of his snarl, while also not being completely useless.
Enter Luke Kunin.
In the final year of a 2 year / 5.75 million contract. Playing for a team that has NO hope (San Jose). 25 years old, former 1st round pick. 112pts in 299 games.
And the dude is not afraid to throw them.
https://www.hockeyfights.com/players/20891
Best part? He is an RFA at the end of the season. He'll probably be looking for a raise, but the Bruins cap situation is in pretty good shape and he's someone worth keeping.
Enter Luke Kunin.
In the final year of a 2 year / 5.75 million contract. Playing for a team that has NO hope (San Jose). 25 years old, former 1st round pick. 112pts in 299 games.
And the dude is not afraid to throw them.
https://www.hockeyfights.com/players/20891
Best part? He is an RFA at the end of the season. He'll probably be looking for a raise, but the Bruins cap situation is in pretty good shape and he's someone worth keeping.
Listen. I never said he was GOOD at fighting, just that he wasn’t AFRAID to fight.I just watched like eight of his fights and I don’t know if he landed three punches.
Come on lawyer boy, words are supposed to be your thing.
I don't know that the really need to replace Lucic or snarl or fighting. At this stage of his career he's the very definition of replaceable. They've won almost 80 of their last 100 regular season games in the past 2 years and he only played in 4 of them. They tried the add sandpaper thing at the deadline last year and it basically had no impact on the final result and people were still complaining that they got shoved around. Steen's been fine as the replacement and Geekie is due back fairly soon. I'd stick with them. The Bruins have limited trade resources so A) don't think I'd spend and B) if I do, it'd be focused more on adding scoring. Don't think Kunin does enough of that to justify acquiring him.
If his dad has some juice with the league office, we could definitely use that!
So I’m abroad and not watching the games. By my count this is the 2nd out of 17 games where the B’s have given up the tying goal in the final minute and then lost in OT. SSS and all but that projects to like 9 times in a season. Is that a lot, or is it a “normal” rate? When it happened the first time I figured it was a good learning lesson. Was last night more of the same?
2 more goals against with Lohrei on the ice last night, which led to as a much of a benching as can happen with a defenseman (he only played 12:46). He's up to 9 goals against in 8 games and ranks 197 out of 203 NHL defenseman with over 100+ minutes played in goals against per 60 at a ghastly 4.15.
He'll probably stay in the lineup for 2-3 more games until Grz is ready but I don't think they can afford to let him develop at the NHL level. Send him down, give him 20+ a night in all siutations at Providence with a focus on defending.
He'll probably stay in the lineup for 2-3 more games until Grz is ready but I don't think they can afford to let him develop at the NHL level. Send him down, give him 20+ a night in all siutations at Providence with a focus on defending.
They gave up 5 goals last year playing against an empty net. They've actually already given up 5 goals in such situations this year, though 2 of them came in wins where they were up multiple goals (LA they were up 4-1 and DAL 3-1).
A lot of it is volume. They face the empty net far more than anyone else in the league because they are winning so much. Since the start of last season, 99 games, the Bruins have played 99 minutes against an empty net. The next closest is Florida at 74 minutes. By rates, they are basically top 10 in every category in supressing shots, chances and high danger chances. Their expected goals against facing an empty net is 7th best in the league.
I thought last night they did pretty well limiting the chances against considering it was a 6 on 4. They were a millimeter away from the game ending clear and then Hedman, Kucherov and Stamkos did their thing.
Thanks for this. I didn’t realize they were also down a man. 5 goals in 99 minutes actually seems great. If you equate it to a power play then that is the equivalent of 5 goals in 50 power plays or 10%, which would lead the league, right?
It was technically a 6 on 5 goal but Beecher took a (questionable) high sticking penalty with 2:20 left and pulled the goalie. It's also actually 10 goals against when the other team has the goalie pulled. The 99 minutes is from the start of last season. They gave up 5 all of last year and 5 so far this year (LAK, DAL, ANA x2, TB).
I don't really like to use percentages for PP/PK success rate. I like to use rates, goals against per 60 and expected goals against per 60. From the start of last seson the Bruins allow 4.3 actual goals against per 60 shorthanded and 6.43 expected goals against per 60 shorthanded. Both lead the league. In the same time frame against an empty net it's 6.08 actual goals against per 60 and 5.72 goals against per 60. So the expected goals against is basically the best PK in the league, but the actual is lagging behind. The empty net scenario is also a much smaller sample compared to the penalty kill (100 minutes vs. 580 minutes).
Long story short, the defending doesn't seem to be an issue in these situations. They aren't leaking chances and high quality chances against, they are defending about as well, if not better, as they do on the penalty kill which is best in the league. I think the culprit is probably failed clears. I'd have to watch a replay but I'm not sure if Zacha had another lane last night to get the puck out instead of putting it in the vicinity of Hedman (who made a ridiculous play in his own right to keep it in). I think sometimes in the situation their mindset is just "get the puck the fuck out" so they try and get rid of it as quick as they can and send it around the wall when the middle is open or just unluckily send it in the area of an opponent who can keep it in.
Lohrei and Brown down. Grzy activated.
https://x.com/markdivver/status/1728448309977813011?s=46&t=OXP-P0l2aEBrD1Q_l9zjsg
https://x.com/markdivver/status/1728448309977813011?s=46&t=OXP-P0l2aEBrD1Q_l9zjsg