Author Archives: @JamieGatlin1217

Making The Case: Bergeron Line The Best In Hockey

Last season, the Bruins top line of Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and David Pastrnak was one of the best lines in hockey. As the season progressed the Bruins trio became more dominate. If they can all remain healthy next season then they will be the best line in hockey. What makes this line so special is how they are dominant offensively and in their own zone. In the playoffs, they did not slow down and proved to be a matchup nightmare.

Where The Bergeron Line Ranks

Last season Marchand missed 14 games and Bergeron missed 18. Pastrnak was the only one to play in all 82 games, but when this trio was full healthy they were special. The line appeared in 51 regular season games together scoring 27 goals. They were even more impressive defensively as the trio allowed only 16 goals. Even with Marchand and Bergeron missing 32 games combined, they still had the 14th most goals as a line. The trio didn’t allow an even strength goal until January. What makes that streak more impressive is that they played over 220 minutes together without allowing a goal.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Playoff Dominance

In the playoffs this line did not slow down. In Boston’s five postseason wins, they scored 12 goals while combining for 41 points. For the Lighting to slow them down, the Bruins forced Tampa to play out of their comfort zone. That was not an easy task because of this line’s skills.

Pastrnak is a gifted goal scorer and becoming one of the most creative passers in the league. Marchand continues to improve his all around game and has a talent for getting in peoples’ heads. That leaves Bergeron, who may be arguably the best two way center in the league. They are so dangerous because they can each hurt opponents in different ways.

Photo Credit: Associated Press/ Winslow Townson

Their Competition

The Bruins top line will have competition next season. With the addition of Tavares, the already dangerous top line of Toronto becomes better. The Avalanche also have a impressive first line, with young star Nathan Mackinnon and Mikko Rantanen, who had 84 points in his sophomore season. The Golden Knights top trio that included William Karlsson and Reilly Smith will be out to prove last year was no fluke. They were tied for the most goals at even strength. The Bruins top line gets the edge because of what they did in limited time.

Photo Credit: Joe McDonald

Final Thoughts

Next season, the expectations will be even higher. The Bruins will be carried by their top line which will begin the season healthy. Last year, they showed that their chemistry is something truely special. What makes them even scarier is that Pastrnak is only 22 years old and still getting better. If they can remain healthy, then the best line in hockey will undoubtedly reside in Boston.

Bruins 2018-2019 Goalie Outlook ( JamieGatlin1217)

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With the signing of Jaroslav Halak, the Bruins goalie situation is set for next season. Barring any unforeseen injury, Halak will be the Bruins backup goalie. The Bruins also have prospects, Zane Mcintrye and Dan Vladar, waiting in the wings. Rask will be 31 when next season starts and entering his 11th season in the NHL, all with the Bruins. He and Halak will be key for the Bruins next season as they will be looking to make a deep postseason run.

What To Expect from New Bruins Goalie Jaroslav Halak

Last season Halak did not have the best numbers. He appeared in fifty plus games for the first time since the 2014-2015 season. He had a goals-against average of 3.19 and save percentage of .908. Those numbers should improve in Boston as he will have a better defensive unit in front of him. Halak will not have such a heavy workload as he will not be expected to appear in fifty games. Last season, Anton Khudobin appeared in 31 games while backing up Rask, which is what will be expected of Halak. With a smaller workload, Halak has been better. During the 2015-2016 season, he appeared in 36 games recording a 2.30 Goals Against average and .919 save percentage. His six shutouts last season were his most since the 2011-2012 season when he had seven.

Photo Credit: Jim Mclsaac

The Incumbent

Rask will be the starter barring any dramatic changes. During his tenure in Boston, Rask has received heavy criticism for a lack of postseason success. After struggling at beginning of last season he went on an incredible streak. Rask helped the Bruins earn a point in at least 21 straight games. He finished with a save percentage of .917, his highest since the 2014-2015 season. His 34 wins last season made him the first Bruins goaltender to win 30 or more games in five seasons. In the postseason, Rask was not dominant as he allowed 33 goals but it was not entirely his fault. The Bruins struggled to prevent the stretch pass and were prone to turnovers leaving Rask in tough situations.

Photo Credit: Winslow Townson/ USA TODAY SPORTS

What To Expect From the Bruins Netminders

Last season, Rask’s goals-against average rose from 2.23 the season before to 2.36. Rask was still solid and carried the Bruins at times throughout the season. He is at his best when he is not overworked like last season when he appeared in 54 games. The three seasons prior Rask had appeared in at least sixty plus games during the regular season. Halak will have to be solid to give Rask rest and, like Khudobin, push him at times. Trading Rask is unlikely to happen and keeping him fresh for the postseason will be a priority.

What Panarin Can Bring to Boston (@JamieGatlin1217)

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This offseason the Boston Bruins have been involved in many rumors, and one name they are linked to is Artemi Panarin. The Blue Jackets left winger is in the final year of his deal and has not committed to re-signing with Columbus. He can give the Bruins a major boost offensively, as his lowest point total in his first three seasons is 74. He is also only 26, meaning the Bruins would be adding a young impactful forward. Acquiring him would not be cheap, but he would make the Bruins a more dangerous team.

Panarin’s Rookie Season

Panarin was signed by the Blackhawks to a two-year-entry level contract in the 2015 offseason. He was passed over in the 2010 NHL Draft, but Panarin made a name for himself in his rookie season. The young forward made his debut during the 2015-2016 season. He appeared in 80 games, scoring 30 goals while adding 47 assists. Panarin won the Calder trophy which is awarded to the NHL’s best rookie. He surprised everyone in the NHL including his own team who had high expectations, but were not expecting a 77 point rookie season. He followed up his rookie year with an even more impressive sophomore campaign.

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Panarin Continues To Flourish

Panarin was impressive in second season as he did not endure a sophomore slump. He had 74 points for Chicago but last year had a career year. In 81 games after being traded to Columbus Panarin set new career highs in points with 82 and assists with 55. He was key on the powerplay as he had 28 points. In each of Panarin’s first three seasons he has never had less than 26 points on the man advantage. He is durable as he has played in at least 80 games the last two years. Acquiring the young forward would mean parting with some impactful pieces.

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Can Sweeny Pull it Off?

The Bruins are a team that could have the pieces to acquire the young forward. They have a plethora of prospects that could interest Columbus. They also have NHL proven pieces such as David Krejci, Torey Krug, and Danton Heinen. The Bruins would need to be sure they could re-sign Panarin as the cost would be too great for just a one year rental. If they could sign Panarin then they would have Marchand, Pastrnak, and Panarin under control for at least the next five years. Acquiring Panarin would improve this team, and he is a key player to watch as the offseason continues.

Making The Case: Heinen, Prospects On The Trade Block

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The Bruins may have missed out on the John Tavares sweepstakes, but they boast one of the deepest rosters in the NHL. In recent years, highly rated prospects such as Ryan Donato, Charlie McAvoy, David Pastrnak, and others have made their NHL debuts in Boston. As the Bruins roster for next season takes shape, many Bruins prospects will be looking to make their mark. There is not enough space for all of them, leaving Don Sweeney in a tough spot that many general managers wouldn’t mind being in. As the offseason progress, Sweeney may use some of these prospects to improve the roster.

Young Players To Deal

As the Bruins look to improve their roster, one player they should consider is Danton Heinen. He is coming off a solid rookie season in which he had 16 goals and 31 assists. He was very effective on the powerplay, as he had 12 points on the man advantage. Heinen is a good playe,r but his skill set is not overwhelming. If the Bruins were to deal him, they have prospects in Providence who could step up and fill the void. Three centers in particular who have high potential are Ryan Fitzgerald, Trent Frederic, and Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson. The Bruins could also look to move one of these three depending on what trades come along.

Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Bruins Prospects To Deal

Unlike Heinen, Peter Cehlarik has yet to stick on the Bruins roster. Over the last two seasons, the Bruins prospect has appeared in 17 games for Boston. In his limited time, he has scored one goal and recorded three assists. Cehlarik is one of the Bruins highly touted young players but depth has prevented him from gaining a permanent spot. Involving him in a trade package would be beneficial for the Bruins; he has yet to make a significant impact but still holds some value on the trade market.

Jeremy Lauzon, the twenty-one year old defenseman, is one of the most highly touted prospects in the Bruins system. He was selected by Boston in the second round of the 2015 NHL draft. He was seen as a puck moving defenseman, which would be a perfect fit for the Bruins roster. In 52 games for Providence last year, he had only one goal and six assists. While he still needs to improve his overall game, he is still one of the Bruins top prospects. The Bruins also have Urho Vaakanainen and Jakub Zboril in Providence, meaning the Bruins could deal from a position of strength.

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How Sweeney Will Handle These Prospects

So far this offseason, it seems as if general manager Don Sweeney is preparing for a deal. The Bruins will have 11 defenseman competing for six spots, among whom are Lauzon and Vaakanainen. If the Bruins want to acquire an impact piece, many of their young prospects could entice other teams into a blockbuster agreement. The offseason is young and these three Bruins prospects, among others, are likely to be in another organization by the time season begins.

Follow me for more ( @JamieGatlin1217) and look out for next week’s Making The Case

Bruins Extend Sean Kuraly

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So far this offseason the Bruins have lost three key players from last years team. Those players are Riley Nash, Tim Schaller, and Anton Khudobin. Yesterday the Bruins were able to resign one of their key pieces on the fourth line. The Bruins and Sean Kuraly agreed on a three year extension worth 1.25 million annually. Kuraly showed his value last year in his first full NHL season. He is not a thirty goal scorer but his gritty play makes him invaluable to the Bruins on the bottom lines.

How The Bruins Got Kuraly

The Bruins acquired Kuraly in the 2015 offseason from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Martin Jones. Boston had acquired Jones hoping he would backup Rask but he wanted to be the starter. The Sharks also sent Boston a first round pick which would turn into Trent Frederic who is one of Boston’s highly touted prospects. This trade has worked out well for both sides and could end up being better for the Bruins depending on Frederic’s impact.

Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Kuraly’s Makes His Debut

Kuraly made his NHL debut during the 2016-2017 season appearing in eight regular season games. He had only one point in the regular season but in the playoffs had a significant impact. In Game 5 with the Bruins facing elimination Kuraly had two goals including the game winner. Kuraly’s heroics would force a game six which the Bruins would lose eliminating them from the playoffs. The former fifth round pick would carry that disappoint into this past season.

Photo Credit: Matt Kalman, CBS Boston

A Solid Rookie Season

During the 2017-2018 season Kuraly appeared in 75 games mostly appearing on the fourth line. He had six goals along with nine assists as the Bruins fourth line became a fan favorite. He was not afraid of taking the body and his style of play was perfect for the Bruins fourth line. In the playoffs he was again productive as he had two goals and two assists. In game one against Toronto he had a truly unbelievable goal in which he batted a puck out of the air into the net. Next season the expectations will be even higher for the former fifth round pick.

Photo Credit:Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

What To Expect Next Season

With the departure of Riley Nash to Columbus Kuraly is a candidate to take his spot on the third line. The Bruins showed faith the center by extending him to a reasonable contract. So far this offseason the Bruins have prioritized depth which was reflected in extending Kuraly. He will never score 30 goals but he could see a boast in points if he does end up on the third line. Kuraly has shown that he will leave it all on the ice and next year will be no different.

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Where the Bruins Stand After Free Agency

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The Boston Bruins were very active at the beginning of free agency this past Sunday. They signed four players to NHL contracts as some fan favorites departed for other teams. Their additions included Jaroslav Halak, John Moore, Chris Wagner, and Joakim Nordstrom. The Bruins were able to fill most of their holes, but missed out on prized free agent John Tavares as he choose to sign with his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs. The NHL offseason is young and the Bruins roster will undergo more changes before the season begins.

Will They Trade a Defenseman?

With the addition of John Moore, the Bruins now have nine defensemen on the roster. Moore will be a big part of the Bruins future after signing him to a five-year deal. If The Bruins make a trade to improve their second line then one of their defenseman may get dealt. Torey Krug has been mentioned in trade rumors and could help net the Bruins an impactful piece. Adam McQuaid and Kevin Miller are also possible trade targets for other teams.

Photo Credit: Charles Krupa/ AP Photo

Bruins Find Their Backup Goalie in Free Agency

Anton Khudobin had a breakout year for the Black and Gold last season. The Bruins were unable to keep him, however, as the Dallas Stars signed him to a two-year deal worth $2.5 million a year. Khudobin’s replacement will be former Islanders goaltender Jaroslav Halak, who the Bruins signed to a two-year deal. Although Halak is a capable goalie, his number were not impressive last season. In Boston those numbers should improve as he will have a better defensive group in front of him.

Photo Credit: Brett Cyrgalis/ New York Post

Bruins Add a Physical Presence

Halak was not the only former Islander the Bruins signed. Halak’s teammate forward Chris Wagner will join him as well. Wagner is only 27 years old and is a Massachusetts native. Wagner will provide the Bruins with a physical presence on the third line. He was second among forwards in hits last season with Anaheim and New York. Wagner is coming off his best offensive season as last year he had a career high seven goals and nine assists.

Photo Credit: Christopher Pasatierie/ Getty Images North America

Where Does This Leave the Bruins?

Sweeney prioritized depth over making a huge signing. He has set the Bruins up well to compete next season. He has put them in a good position to make a trade if the Bruins can find the right match. The Bruins will be connected to players like Wayne Simmons and Artemi Panarin until a deal is actually made. This will be a very interesting offseason for the Black and gold, free agency is just the beginning.

Making The Case: Jake DeBrusk To Lead Bruins In Points This Season

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Jake DeBrusk showed that he was a star in the making during his rookie season. As the season progressed, his game evolved and his impact was felt almost every night. He proved to mesh well with David Krejci and was not afraid of sacrificing his body. In the playoffs, the former first round pick brought his game to the next level. Next season, the expectations will be higher for the second line winger. DeBrusk has the talent to be an elite scorer and will lead the Bruins in points next season. You heard it here first.

Offensive ability

In his first season, DeBrusk had 16 goals and 23 assists. He finished sixth in points on the team – only one point behind Krejci and four behind fellow rookie Danton Heinen. However, DeBrusk played in seven games fewer than Heinen due to injuries and there’s no debating that he has more offensive upside.

There are multiple reasons why the former first-round pick can lead this team in scoring. Last season, he played in nine games in which he amassed more than one point. On the powerplay, DeBrusk was as efficient as they come, netting two goals and collecting nine points. He also possesses a tremendous shot and displayed the ability to create his own scoring chances.

But it’s the things that don’t show up on the stat sheet that really set DeBrusk apart. The film doesn’t lie; he is always looking for the puck and when he doesn’t have it, he is viciously fighting for it. It’s all heart with this kid, a rare and unteachable trait in many rookies.

Boston Bruins Jake DeBrusk . (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Excellence in The Playoffs

The former first-round pick truly broke out in the playoffs. In the first round, he torched the opposition with five goals and seven total points. DeBrusk continued to impress on the powerplay, as four of his seven points came on the man advantage. In Game Seven against Toronto, DeBrusk showed just how far he had come. The left winger scored two goals, including the game-winning wrister in which he took advantage of an out-of-position Toronto defenseman and beat Frederik Andersen through the five-hole.

In six of those seven games, he recorded at least one point. He was one of the main reasons the Bruins advanced to the second round.

Photo Credit: Greg M. Cooper- USA TODAY Sports

The Future is Only Brighter

In the second round, the Bruins were eliminated by Tampa Bay in disappointing fashion. Their playoff exit will serve as motivation for next season, and DeBrusk will be ready to roll. He went from being a rookie to arguably one of the Bruins most important pieces in less than a full season.

Next year, he will surprise everybody and lead the team in points. With a year of experience under his belt, the sophomore campaign will be an exciting sequel. This past season, Brad Marchand had the most points on the team. In the 2018-2019 season, look for the second line winger to rise up among the ranks.

What to Expect from Ryan Donato in Year Two

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Toward the end of the 2017-2018 season, Bruins prized prospect Ryan Donato fulfilled his dream. The highly regarded Harvard product made his NHL debut last season for the Bruins, appearing in twelve games. In those twelve games he showed all the skills that have NHL scouts high on the Massachusetts native. Next season will be a big test for the young center as he will experience the grind of a full NHL season. If Donato can continue to play like he did during his first NHL stint, then next year could be a big season for the Harvard product.

The Rise of Ryan Donato

Donato played on team USA in the 2018 Winter Olympics and showcased his skills. He displayed elite scoring ability as he tallied six points, including five goals, in five games. He showed excellent hockey instinct and poise beyond his age. Donato impressed his teammates and the USA coach, Tony Granato, who raved about the maturity of the young center. When asked about Donato, Granato said, “He’s grown up in NHL locker rooms, he’s seen everything about it. He gets it.”

After the Olympics, Donato continued to impressive at Harvard amid a stellar season. When the Bruins were hit with the injury bug Donato’s play forced the Bruins to give the Massachusetts native a chance. Donato finally got is opportunity when Rick Nash went down with a lower body injury.

Photo Credit: Matt West

Injuries Force the Bruins Hand

Donato made his NHL debut on March 19th against the Columbus Blue Jackets, and made it one to be remembered. The Harvard product did not look like a rookie as he had a goal and two assists. Donato was impressive on the power play as he stood in front of the net with no fear. On the man advantage Donato had two goals and two assists in twelve games. The Harvard product finished the regular season with five goals and four assists, justifying the hype surrounding him.

Photo Credit: Sports Field

Expectations for Ryan Donato in Year Two

In the playoffs Donato did not see much ice time as he only played in three of the Bruins’ twelve games. That will motivate the young center next season. Donato will possibly play on the Bruins second or third line, depending on the offseason moves the Bruins make. The expectations next year will be higher as he gains more NHL experience. Donato has the skill set and maturity to be a very productive NHL player and proved last year that he is ready. He will be a threat on the power play due to his hockey instinct. Over twelve games Donato showed his offensive potential leaving fans imagining what he can do over the course of a full season.

What J.G. Pageau Would Bring to Boston

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With the Stanley Cup Playoffs over the NHL offseason is in full swing for all NHL teams. The Bruins show up in many trade rumors as the NHL draft is only two days away. Most of the talk has centered around them improving their defense or moving veteran pieces such as David Backes and David Krejci. General Manager Don Sweeney has no first round pick and it there are rumors that he is trying to acquire one. One name connected to the Bruins is Senators center J. G. Pageau.

Who Is J.G. Pageau?

Pageau had a productive 2017- 2018 season in which he scored fourteen goals along with fifteen assists. He centered Ottawa’s third line and appeared in 78 games. The Senators drafted him in the fourth round of the 2011 NHL draft. Pageau’s best season was the 2015-2016 season when he scored a career high 19 goals and had 24 assists. The former fourth round pick is an above average skater who has a low cap hit of $3.1 million. He could an under the radar move for the Bruins that could make a significant impact.

Photo Credit: Jean Levac/ Ottowa Citizen

Where Would Pageau Fit in Boston?

The Bruins first two lines barring any trade are already seem set for the upcoming season. The top line of Bergeron, Marchand, and Pastrnak was the deadliest in hockey last season. Assuming David Krejci is not traded, he will center the second line with Jake DeBrusk, Ryan Donato or David Backes. Pageau would fit into the Bruins third or fourth line as Sean Kuraly has yet to sign a new contract. The B’s do have some promising centers in Providence, however, Pageau could serve as a veteran presence as they continue to develop. To acquire Pageau the Bruins would not have to part with a key piece like Jake DeBrusk.

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What Would He Bring to the Table?

During the playoffs, the Bruins struggled to get production from their bottom lines which exposed their depth. Pageau would be a veteran piece to help improve the Bruins bottom lines. Pageau was impressive in this years playoffs as he had ten goals in 19 games. He has a flare for the dramatics as he has two game winning goals in the playoffs. Acquiring him would not be the big trade many Bruins fans are looking for, but it would be an under the radar move that would improve the Bruins depth for the upcoming season.

Brandon Carlo Primed to Rebound

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For two straight seasons the Boston Bruins have made the playoffs. Unfortunately, top-four defenseman Brandon Carlo was injured during both of those appearances. Carlo appeared in 82 games during the 2016-2017 season before a concussion ended his season. This past season he appeared in 76 games before fracturing his ankle. After a solid rookie campaign, Carlo struggled at times throughout the 2017- 2018 season. Before his injury it seemed that he was turning it around as the Bruins made their playoff push.

Brandon Carlo’s Rookie Season

In Brandon Carlo’s rookie season he was usually paired with Zdeno Chara. The former second round pick performed well, as in 82 games he scored six goals along with ten assists. Before making his NHL debut, Carlo had appeared in only seven games for the Providence Bruins. He surpassed everyone’s expectations and gave the Bruins the stability they had lacked. He has a strong skating ability and also does very well moving the puck. The 2017-2018 season did not go as well for the former second round pick.

Photo Credit: Emily Sadler

Carlo Struggles in His Sophomore Campaign

Offensively, Carlo took a step back in the 2017-2018 season. He did not score a goal and had only six assists. He took only 76 shots, which was twelve less than he took in his rookie season. Carlo was not as impactful offensively as he was during his rookie season but he was still valuable to the Bruins. His plus minus improved this past season despite not being paired with his mentor, Zdeno Chara. The former second round pick will never put up offensive numbers like his fellow defensemen Torey Krug and Charlie McAvoy. Carlo does not have their offensive upside or power play opportunities. The Bruins do not need him or expect to make that type of offensive impact.

Photo Credit: Fluto Shinzawa/ Boston Globe

Can He Rebound?

Like many young players Carlo still has some growing pains to go through. This is also due to the fact that he has virtually no AHL experience. Carlo possesses a very good skating ability and an offensive game that can improve. He needs to improve his decision-making and handling of the puck. His injury prevented him from a strong finish as he had looked better as the season was winding down. Next season will be an important one for the former second round pick and he will be more motivated than ever. Staying healthy for the playoffs will be key and Bruins fans may finally get to see what he can do in the postseason.