Tag Archives: Marcus Johansson

Boston Bruins offseason outlook part two; Free agents and more

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After falling one game short of winning the Stanley Cup, the Boston Bruins can set themselves up for another run with some good additions.

As the team looks to win now, the future starts with the draft

The first round of the NHL draft is Friday night. The Bruins hold the 30th pick in this year’s draft. Now that the league has announced the salary cap will be $81.5 or $82.0 Million, however, it is more likely that we see a trade. A trade involving the Bruins first round pick Friday night could be one way for the team to clear some cap space. Assuming that the Bruins keep the pick, there are a lot of options on the board for them. Looking at the Bruins minor league system, there aren’t really any glaring holes that need to be addressed. The Bruins goalie depth is good enough for them to stay away from a goalie in the first round, and maybe in the 2019 draft as a whole. Given the young D core that the Bruins have assembled, I think we see Boston take a forward.

Whos caught the eye?

Forwards John Beecher, Bobby Brink, and Michal Teply are some realistic names for the Bruins to possibly take at 30. A play maker (Teply), a shooter (Brink), and a banger (Beecher). All three are well rounded, but the mentioned skills are the ones that stick out. All three players would certainly impact the Boston Bruins one day.

Money talks

As mentioned in my first offseason outlook article, the Boston Bruins have a good amount of money to spend on their own free agents before they look elsewhere. With key players like Carlo and McAvoy to bring back, the amount of money that the Bruins can shell out during free agency is limited. Marcus Johansson is a name that will be swirling around the Bruins until he is signed. Johansson will likely hit the free agent market and test the waters, as he should after a good year. Free agency will be very interesting for the Bruins. Their biggest need is a top six forward. The amount of money that the Bruins will be able to give a player capable of fitting a top six role might not be enough to seal the deal. Johannson is likely the most suitable player for the Bruins to target and ultimately bring back.

Outside help?

Another very interesting name that could be tied to the Bruins is former Anaheim Ducks star Corey Perry. After being bought out by the Ducks, Perry is now a free agent. Perry, a right wing, would fit well in the Bruins lineup, as well as the Bruins style of play. Perry is 6’3 and plays more of a power forward roll. Will he fit with the playmaking skills of David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk? I would certainly love to find out. Milan Lucic is another name that a lot of Bruins fans keep bringing up. Lucic was a crowd favorite who also played a top six power forward roll. Still under contract with Edmonton, it would take a buyout for the chance to come back to Boston. Similar to the Bruins situation with David Backes, it just doesn’t make much sense for the Oilers to buy him out.

Let the dominos fall

The NHL draft and free agency are both things that involve young players and money. Two things that the Boston Bruins have, kind of. With players lingering on the edge of the NHL, the Bruins have enough talent to ship out along side an undesirable contract like David Backes. The Bruins also have enough talent to go get a proven veteran on draft night in a trade that could involve the Bruins 30th overall pick. Don Sweeney and the rest of the Bruins front office will be VERY busy over the weekend.

Boston Bruins vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Boston Bruins Clinch Home Ice; Marchand Hits 100

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With two games left to the regular season, and a guaranteed spot in the Playoffs, the Boston Bruins brought some fire last night in Columbus as they defeated the Blue Jackets 6-4. In a win that certainly felt like a Playoff game, the boys in Black and Gold were back to form after dropping their last two games. And for one particular player, last night would be one to remember as teammates swarmed number 63.

HITTING 100

After scoring a goal and tallying up an assist, Marchand reached a personal milestone: he would become the 10th Bruin to net 100 points, joining a list with likes of:

Phil Esposito

Johnny Bucyk

Ken Hodge

Joe Juneau

Rick Middleton

Bobby Orr

Adam Oates

Barry Pederson

Joe Thornton

Fellow teammates as well as the coach had glowing remarks following Marchand hitting that record:

“Couldn’t be prouder..He’s a kid that came through Providence a long time ago-we were both much younger people. He’s worked really, really hard. I’m gonna guess he’s worked as hard as anyone in the National Hockey League to round his shot, his puck play. We’ve incorporate him more on the power play and he’s grabbed it…he’s bought into it, he’s done what we’ve asked…when he’s on the ice, he’s deadly.”

Coach Bruce Cassidy

“Any time you have a 100-point producer on our team, it’s pretty special..he’s an amazing player on the ice, he sees things that other guys don’t see. But off ice, his preparation-him and (Bergeron) ad all the leaders here are pretty similar in that. I think it’s something that as young guys you want to be like them…it’s a pretty special milestone and it was cool to be part of.”

Jake DeBrusk

STARTING AT HOME

With the win over the Jackets, the Boston Bruins have now clinched home ice in the First Round of the Playoffs when they face the Toronto Maple Leafs, who lost last night to Carolina 4-1.  Jake DeBrusk netted two goals, Marcus Johansson scored his first goal as a Bruins, David Pastrnak scored a goal and Marchand scored-leading to his 100th point of the season.  Torey Krug and David Krejci also had career highs in assists.

Boston Bruins vs Columbus Blue Jackets
(Photo: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports)

DeBrusk has scored four goals in his last four games, and has tallied up 27 goals so far this season. He also picked up an assist on Karson Kuhlman’s goal.  DeBrusk’s first goal was credited to him after a lucky bounce got past Sergei Bobrovsky. Johansson scored off a rebound that was set up by Charlie Coyle. Krejci notched his 52nd assist last night, while Krug accumulated his 47th assist. David Pastrnak scored off an assist by Patrice Bergeron.

SLOWING THE JACKETS

The Boston Bruins were able to snap Columbus’s five-game winning streak last night. Bobrovsky was pulled from goal after Boston scored their fourth goal. Joonas Korpisalo took over and allowed two goals. Oliver Bjorkstrand scored in the third, putting the Jackets on board with their first goal of the night. Matt Duchene scored a power-play goal off a pass by Artemi Panarin (who has eight points in his last six games).

The Bruins continue with their road trip as they face the Minnesota Wild on Thursday with an 8:00 pm. start time.

Columbus will look to clinch a Playoff berth when they face the New York Rangers this Friday.

Bruins vs Devils

Game Preview: Bruins vs Devils

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Despite the snowfall in Boston, the Bruins are looking hot as they face the New Jersey Devils tonight at TD Garden. Since the trade deadline, former Devils Marcus Johansson is set to face his old team. Tonight’s game will also mark the 666th career game for Brad Marchand, who has 18 points in his past 12 games. Tuukka Rask , who’s been playing red-hot (13-0-3), will get the start in net.

Bruins vs Devils
(Photo: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports)

HOT IN THE CITY

The Bruins are coming off a huge 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning this past Thursday. Boston is hoping to extend their amazing game point streak to 16 games. Forward Jake DeBrusk has 12 points in his last eight games. A big side note: Boston has gone the entire month of February without a regulation loss. During the Lightning game, Bruins forward Sean Kuraly took a nasty hit that saw him being bounced between Braydon Coburn and Erik Cernak. He has been placed in the NHL concussion protocol.

UPDATES

With Kuraly’s sidelined, Providence’s Peter Cehlarik is once again recalled on an emergency basis. He will be most likely slotted with Charlie Coyle and David Backes. Look for Joakim Nordstrom to play with Noel Acciari and Chris Wagner. Kevan Miller will miss tonight’s game as he is recovering from an upper-body injury. For new Bruins player Marcus Johansson, he was quoted that facing his old team will be a “little weird”:

“Obviously made a lot of good friendships. It’s gonna be weird, but I got to do it when I got to Jersey and played Washington, so I kind of know the feeling a little bit, but it’s gonna be a little odd at first.”

Patrice Bergeron was given another maintenance day on Friday. David Pastrnak continues to skate as he recuperates from his surgery. With the regular season coming to a close, expect more maintenance days for key veteran players:

“…weeks like this, we’d rather them not skate day of game. So if they go out today and do like a pregame skate for 15 minutes, sometimes the day after a game, as long as you get your sleep, its easier than going twice the day of a game…There may come a time when you might give them the whole day off and no morning skate but that kind of depends..how they feel, the fatigue level.”

Coach Bruce Cassidy
Bruins vs Devils
(Photo Credits: Steven Ryan | Getty Images)

OPPOSING TEAM

The New Jersey Devils will be facing the Bruins for the second time tonight with the Devils beating Boston 5-2 back on December 27th. New Jersey lost to the Flyers last night 6-3. They have lost two straight and are 5-8-1 in their last 14 games. Drew Stafford will play his 100th game for the Devils. Jersey are 1-5-1 when they play the Bruins in Boston.

Right-winger Kyle Palmieri leads the team in goals (26) and points (48). Nico Hischier leads the team with 27 assists. Their current record is 25-32-8 and they are last in the Metropolitan Division. The Bruins (38-17-9) are second in the Atlantic Division and third in the league. Mackenzie Blackwood will start in between the pipes for the Devils.

WHEN TO WATCH: Tonight with puck drop at 7:00 PM

WHERE TO WATCH: NESN, MSG+