Tag Archives: NHL Draft

2019 World Junior Summer Showcase recap: Beecher boosts Team USA

Early last week the 2019 World Junior Summer Showcase came to a close. Two Boston Bruins prospects took part this year. John Beecher and Curtis Hall. John Beecher managed to outshine Hall, as well as most other tournament players, including the rest of Team USA.

Friendly Competition

In July, the Bruins selected Michigan commit and center, John Beecher in the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft. Still playing for Yale, Hall was selected in the fourth round in 2018. Over the course of the last month, Beecher and Hall competed in the 2019 World Junior Summer Showcase. Hall managed to play a key role for Team USAW (Team USA White). The score sheet doesn’t exactly say that, but those who watched the games will be able to tell you that Hall did a lot of dirty work for the team.

John Beecher on the other hand did lots of dirty work, but lit up the score sheet as well. Beecher, like Hall, played for two teams. Team USAB (Team USA Blue), and the two teams of Hall and Beecher combined to play as Team USA. Beecher managed to score points for both Team USAB and Team USA. In fact, Beecher lead Team USAB in goals and points. Hall managed to score one goal for Team USA. That was Hall’s only point of the Showcase. John Beechers performance with Team USAB managed to get him tied for the second most points, and tied for the fourth most goals in the tournament. You can see all team and player stats from the showcase here.

Bruins have a gem in Beecher

John Beecher not only managed to light up the score sheet, but also managed to light up the highlight reel as well. His biggest highlight coming against Finland, when Beecher managed to steal the puck in the defensive zone, pass up to teammate Jon Gruden in the neutral zone, fly passed defenders and go top shelf on the Swedish goalie. Beechers three other goals came from a great deflect in front of the net from a shot at the top of the key, and two goals from the faceoff circle that needed excellent skating off of the puck to be possible.

Thoughts to take away

John Beecher was a pick that a lot of Boston Bruins fans liked. On the other hand, the selection of Beecher was not liked by some fans. In most cases that I’ve seen, the fans who didn’t like the pick thought Beecher fell under the typical Bruin category. Big, physical, and a guy who can make a play every now and then. I think the Summer Showcase provided a lot of evidence that Beecher is indeed much more than a guy who can make a play every now and then. Beecher showed to be very versatile, and a very dangerous weapon in both the offensive and defensive zone.

Beecher’s playmaking abilities should prove to be his biggest weapon. Especially when he manages to make the transition from the college game to the pros. Making plays is always one thing that will get prospects an extra look from NHL organizations. Especially one like the Bruins who are looking for extra depth at the NHL level.

Featured image via https://flamesnation.ca/2019/05/30/flames-2019-first-round-targets-john-beecher/

Boston Bruins newest prospect Pavel Shen: What you need to know

Leave a reply

As Paul of Online-Casinos.co.uk predicted, on Monday the Bruins announced that the team has come to terms with 2018 seventh round pick forward Pavel Schen.

Where’s he been?

After being drafted in the seventh round in June of 2018, Shen decided to stay in Russia and continue playing Russian junior hockey (MHL). He totaled 12 goals and 15 assists in 34 games, while managing a plus 11 rating in juniors. Shen played in Russia’s second highest league (VHL) during the 2018-2019 season, totaling two assists in 13 games. Shen also played 49 games in the KHL. In those 49 games he had two goals and one assist. You can see a full history of Shen’s Junior and professional career here

Offensive upside

Schen’s offensive game has carried him so far in his career. Before being drafted by the Bruins, Shen was named to the MHL All Star team in the 2016-2017 season. During that season he lead the Mamonty Yugry in total points, with 45 in only 46 games played. In those 46 games, Schen scored 16 goals and had a team high 29 assists. Of the players who played only 46 games that year, Schen had the most goals, assists, and points. A plus minus of 16 also put him fourth in that category. Those numbers didn’t exactly translate for Schen as he moved leagues however. Much like Bruins first round pick John Beecher’s situation, once Pavel moved up leagues, he became buried by talent.

Where does he go from here?

Given the forward depth in Providence, Shen will likely see the bottom side of the top nine at best. Shen is a natural center that can move over to the wing spot if needed. Shen can join the top six, but he’ll have to show improvement in his overall game. If he can prove to make plays on a regular basis, Shen could find himself being plugged into the top six because of injuries or call ups. If he can play with the top six, he’ll really be able to show off his talent in the AHL.

Perhaps a move to the right wing would work for Schen. The stacked center depth might prove to difficult to crack for any future Bruins prospect. With a move to the wing, it’ll be easier for Schen to play with the more talented prospects, seeing as how the Bruins are so shallow on the wings.

Whatever the case may be, don’t count Schen out just because he was a seventh round pick. He has some very raw talent, but talent that could be enough to get him to the NHL level some day. Only time will tell.

Featured Image via nbcsports.com.

Bruins First Round draft pick John Beecher: What You Need To Know

Leave a reply

On Friday night the Boston Bruins selected 18 year old Center John Beecher of the US NTDP. Beecher is committed to play for the University of Michigan come fall.

I mentioned Beecher as a potential prospect for the Bruins to select in the second part of my Bruins offseason outlook.

The Rundown

The numbers for John Beecher throughout his US NDTP career don’t exactly jump out at you in the stat book. But don’t be alarmed, he was on the team for a reason. Beecher has good skating and scoring abilities, but not quite as good as the other centers on the team. Never getting to play the role of more than a third line center, Bleecher still had a stellar career. Bleecher was stuck in the shadows of other elite center prospects Trevor Zegras, Alex Turcotte, and the first overall pick in the 2019 NHL draft Jack Hughes. Hughes, Zegras, and Turcotte all tend to be more along the lines of the scoring and playmaking type. Beecher can do a little bit of everything, but he also brings something to the table that most players at his age and position cant: Size.

Tale of the tape

Beecher weighs in at an impressive 200 pounds while standing 6’3. At the young age of 18, he’s already got a leg up on the competition. Size isn’t something you can teach, but skating, shooting, and defending all are things you can. Beecher’s size has already become something that he uses to his advantage. The ability to shake off defenders, stride passed defenders, and bully defenders in front of the net have all become a part of Beecher’s offensive game. Beecher’s size helps on both ends of the ice however. Paired with his good skating skills, his size also tends to be a nightmare for opposing teams while he’s on the forecheck. A large body that isn’t afraid to bang on the boards, Beecher could someday become a key part in the Bruins forecheck game. Beecher is also known for his willingness to block shots.

Offense

One thing that comes as a surprise to many when looking at the size of John Beecher is his playmaking ability. His height, wingspan, as well as his skating abilities make it easier for him to make a play. The ability to shake off defenders makes it easier for Beecher to cycle the puck. Beecher’s ability to cycle the puck could eventually find him on the power play at the NHL level. The speed and footwork for Beecher are very good for his size. He can keep up with most guys at the NHL level when fully developed. While being able to out skate some players, he can also out battle players as well. Beecher has a good sense of control with the puck around the goalie. His puck control, combined with size, and good hands could someday be a nightmare for opposing teams.

In Conclusion

PATIENCE. We already know that John Beecher’s size is NHL ready. But given his young age of 18, his skills might not quite be there yet. Skating D-1 college hockey, and eventually skating with Providence in the AHL will provide excellent learning opportunities for Beecher. Going back to the point that Beecher was in the shadow of other centers, it will help if he can center a top or second line. Seeing him with top line talent could show off his playmaking abilities, as well as his scoring ability. All in all I think the Boston Bruins made a very solid pick tonight. Being able to land a talent like Beecher should have the Bruins very happy with their 30th overall selection.

The second through seventh rounds of the 2019 NHL draft will take place on Saturday afternoon. The Bruins will pick four times on Saturday as of Friday night.

Boston Bruins offseason outlook part two; Free agents and more

Leave a reply

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 2019 Offseason outlook Part one; Current Roster

Leave a reply

The 2018-2019 Boston Bruins season has come and gone. The season might not have ended in the exact way that the team and fans may have hoped, but it was still undoubtedly a success. Next year’s success starts in the offseason.

Buyout for Backes?

First big date in the NHL offseason is June 15th. This marks the beginning of the buyout period for NHL teams. The big name that comes up for Bruins fans when they hear buyout is David Backes. Backes’s play didn’t sit well with fans this season, especially because Backes is due $6 million next season. Given the buyout rules, if the Bruins choose to buyout David Backes, the team will only save $333,333. For what Backes brings to the table still, I think its highly unlikely that the Bruins buy him out. Look for Boston to package a pick or prospect with Backes in a trade if they do look to unload his contract.

Boston Bruins 2019-2020 Schedule

Line em up

The Bruins have 14 pending free agents, and roughly $14 million to spend. Some restricted and some unrestricted. Given that young potential core, players like Brandon Carolo and Charlie McAvoy are both due big extensions, the Bruins will likely spend every bit of the initial $14 million before the offseason ends. In addition to Carlo and McAvoy, that leaves little money to spend for other key roster member on the list of free agents like Danton Heinen, Marcus Johannsson, and Noel Acciari. Given the current cap situation for the Bruins I think the fate of David Backes will be very telling for the Boston roster. If the Bruins want to bring back Marcus Johansson to help fix their right wing depth issue, something has to give. After Johansson’s play this season he will get money if he wants it. Money that the Bruins don’t exactly have as the offseason starts.

The time is now

This is quite possibly one of the best rosters that the Bruins have had in a while. A lot of talent in a lot of different places. But do they have talent in the right places? The Bruins have had an issue with depth on the wings for a couple seasons now. They have a lot of upcoming talent in the minor leagues, but it’s talent that isn’t quite NHL ready. With the depth that the Bruins have, they could go out and trade for players to fit their needs. A guy like David Krejci could be the cost if the Bruins want to create cap room for free agency. Krejci has been a consistent locker room presence for the Bruins. With the acquisition of Charlie Coyle at the trade deadline, though, the Bruins could afford to move a center.

Moves for the future

Torey Krug has been a very popular name in Boston as of late. Not only for his stellar play in the postseason, but also because he’s coming up on the final year of his contract. Krug is currently taking up nearly $5.5 million on the Bruins payroll. Again, the Bruins have some depth at the NHL level and could trade a defenseman if they choose to do so. A lot of the Bruins talent in the minors is talent that plays the blue line. So a veteran on a one year deal could give the Bruins prospects some time to progress into the 20-21 season.

In conclusion, the Bruins have a lot of options and a lot of crucial decisions to make. Some could come quick as the NHL draft is not far away. Some could come later in the offseason if the Bruins are not confident in their roster.

The Bruins Are Making Some Moves

Leave a reply

The Bruins look to make a playoff push with the NHL trade deadline quickly approaching

Early Sunday morning, Don Sweeney made his move- a somewhat aggressive one. The Boston Bruins signed Rangers Rick Nash in exchange for Ryan Spooner, Matt Beleskey, Ryan Lindgren, a 1st round draft pick and a 7th round pick in 2019.

For some fans, this move is either great or terrible and judging from comments online, fans are split. I want to hate this trade, but in truth, I think it’s smart. Believe me, I’ve haven’t always been a Sweeney fan, but you have to give him credit. After all, he’s a big reason why the Bruins have so many young prospects. And in the NHL, that’s what you need in order to be competitive. The big thing for me is that he found a team willing to take on Belesky’s contract and letting Spooner go means that the Bruins will have some wiggle room in their salary cap, which is good news for Boston.

THE PRICE IS RIGHT

(AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

It’s no secret that the Boston Bruins look like serious contenders for the Stanley Cup (even though a recent road trip is leaving a sour taste in their mouths). As we’re nearing the end of the NHL regular season, Sweeney and Co. had to add some missing pieces to help bolster their defense and give David Krejci what he needs: a big forward. The Bruins needed a power forward player and they now have that with Nash (along with David Backes). And in a post season run, Boston will absolutely need to be physical. At 6’4, 211 lbs, Nash can certainly make a big impact on the Krejci line. Coach Cassidy had this to say:

“Very dynamic. He’s hard to stop, contain one-on-one,” Cassidy said. “He’s got good speed. Protects the puck well. Gets to the net. Knows how to get to the net. Good hands around the net.”

BY THE NUMBERS

In addition, the Bruins would only have to retain 50% of Belesky’s contract. And yes, there are many fans who think trading Spooner and giving up a top prospect like Lindgren was too high of a price to pay. But think of it this way: realistically, Ryan Spooner didn’t have much time left on his contract and the Bruins more than likely wouldn’t resign him after he becomes a free agent. In all fairness, Spooner had started to play really well this season and put up some good numbers.

But let’s face some tough truths here- his career wasn’t really going anywhere in Boston. For the past few seasons, Matt Beleskey hasn’t exactly been stellar. However, finding a team to absorb his contract was a challenge. Luckily, the Rangers answered that call, which leads back to my original point of the Bruins now having some good wiggle room in their salary cap.

RETAINING THE YOUTH

Throughout this season, the message was clear. This Boston Bruins team is exceeding all expectations, despite some recent tough losses. In order to rebuild your team, you need to get some young players along with a coach that’s going to lead them to the playoffs. The Bruins have a good amount of young prospects that are playing their first year in the NHL and plenty that are being developed in the AHL and college level.

Players like Jake Debrusk, Danton Heinen, Sean Kuraly, Matt Grzelcyk, and Charlie McAvoy. They’re good. Like really good. And if you want them to continue to wear the spoked B, you need to pay the price. So for those thinking these recent trades are not going to work to the Bruins advantage, you have to look at the big picture. As a fan, I would rather see someone like McAvoy here in Boston for many seasons, even if it means losing someone like Spooner.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Don Sweeney was able to do something amazing in these recent trades. He was able to make good moves without giving up a lot. And yes, there was some early worry that Jake Debrusk would be traded for Ryan McDonough. I do have to admit again that I was a bit relieved when reports indicated that Sweeney wasn’t too interested in changing up the chemistry that this team has built. Even President Cam Neeley had some thoughts on the dynamic of this team:

“It’s a great group of guys, it really is,” said Neely. “They’re all pulling on the same rope. The chemistry seems to be really strong right now. It’s another thing we talk about is the chemistry of this group. Historically, you’ve seen things happen at the deadline where, maybe teams after the fact, say ‘We made too many moves and it disrupted the chemistry’. So that’s something we’re cautious about.”

The Rangers also got a pretty good deal that will help rebuild their team and the Bruins got a proven veteran player that can score. A perfect mixture of veteran and flourishing youth is what the Bruins have now. And they wouldn’t want it any other way.

. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Follow Liz Rizzo on Twitter @pastagrll88

Looking to the Future

Leave a reply

Boston, MA–The 2017-2018 Boston Bruins are playing impressive hockey lately, especially in the last two months. This is a feat that the NHL can no longer ignore; they are the real deal. They continue to pummel through their opponents to extend their streak to sixteen points against Montreal. Their surging success is quietly carrying over to their “freshman” team: the Providence Bruins. Currently in second place in the Atlantic division, P-Bruins are racking up impressive numbers. Case in point, Providence is 10-0-1 when rookie player Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson scores.

Next Man Up

The future of this club, or any club, relies on the young prospects that are coming up the pipes. The P-Bruins have a healthy blend of rookies and those that have already played a few games for the Bruins. Down in Providence, the key focus has always been on the development of young players, paving the way for many future superstars so that they earn that spot on the Bruins roster. Former coach of the P-Bruins, Bruce Cassidy recently stated:

“We look at the growth of our players here I think it speaks for itself, the growth of Danton and Jake down there last year I understand that JFK and Zach are playing well down there right now too”.

And for some players, Providence is the place to regain confidence as they look to develop their play. Playing in the AHL is exactly what Anders Bjork needed when his game play started to suffer in the NHL. The young Michigan native had three goals and six assists while playing his first sixteen games for the Boston Bruins. Bjork was reassigned to Providence after taking a tough ice hit that sidelined him. In his first three games in the AHL he netted two goals and had two assists. Let’s take a look at some of the players making noise in their rookie year.

HOT TAKES

It’s all about speed and youth when it comes to competing at a high level. The truth is not every player will end up playing for the Bruins, nor will they stay in Providence. Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson, or JFK, has been making a name for himself. A former player for the BU Terriers, he made a brief debut with the Bruins against Washington last season, playing a little over eight minutes on the ice. The 24-year-old rookie has been racking up some impressive points for the P-Bruins: 25 points in 39 games.

First linesman Kenny Agostino, along with Austin Czarnik, lead the P-Bruins in points. Czarnik so far has tallied up 34 points in his last 33 games as he heads to the AHL All Star Classic. Right wing Jordan Szwarz is equally impressive. He recorded 24 points in 24 games for the AHL and garnered 3 assists in the ten games he played for in Boston. Rookie Zach Senyshyn has amounted 17 points with 11 assists in the 38 games he has played so far.

The Providence Bruins are sprinkled with young talent that have already made their first NHL appearance. Matt Grzelcyk highlights the list, earning fourteen minutes of ice time a game. There is no doubt the 23-year-old Charlestown native has been making his mark for the Bruins defensive blue line. Grzelcyk and fellow BU alum Charlie McAvoy reunited after Adam McQuaid was injured. Also like every line on the current Bruins roster, they continue to play on their toes.

PROSPECTS EVERYWHERE

As we look to Providence in developing the next wave of Bruins superstars, other upcoming prospects are showing their skills elsewhere. In his first few games playing for University of Maine, Bruins prospect Jeremy Swayman has posted an impressive record. He is 5-0 for the University of Maine and 8-3 in the NCAA. The first year goalie also recently won a bronze medal at the World Juniors and ranks fifth in the nation in save percentage. He recently recorded his first career shutout winning 3-0 against Boston University.

19-year-old Urho Vaakanainen is another key player to keep an eye on. The Finnish defenseman is quickly progressing into a skilled player. He is playing for SaiPa in the Finnish Liiga to ready himself to debut for the Bruins next season.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This has been an impressive year for the Bruins and as one continues to watch the progression of the many young prospects this team is currently developing, a thought remains. Out of all the talented players this organization has who will be the next Bruins superstar? The future is shining bright for the black and gold.

Follow Liz Rizzo on Twitter @pastagrl88

What Kind of Return Could Tuukka Rask Net?

Leave a reply

Claude overseeing the changing of the guard from Tim Thomas to Tuukka Rask is a move that Bruins fans to this day are still thankful for. While Rask delivered the Bruins to the promised land in 2013, a tough Blackhawks team stole Lord Stanley’s cup away. While since then the Bruins have experienced some regular season success, including a President’s Trophy win, quick trips to the playoffs and flat-out missing them are the norm.

This Season

Despite what the Bruins and the media might tell you, a goalie controversy is brewing in TD Garden. Tuukka Rask struggles continued at the start of the season. Anton Khudobin is flying high this season coming out with a 2.53 GAA and a .922 Save%. This season’s numbers are right on par with Khudobin’s career numbers of a 2.46GAA, and .917S% respectively. Although Rask’s play of late is an encouraging sign, as of writing this he’s won his last 4, including 30 stops in a 3-1 Bruins’ victory over the Islanders, his future in Boston seems up in the air.

Possible Suitors

Before us armchair GM’s pack Tuukka’s bags for him, we must first find a possible destination for him. Don Sweeney and the Bruins should be on the phones with, and that is the Calgary Flames. The Flames are floating along in the pacific division with 34 points. Mike Smith is currently giving adequate numbers with a 2.68GAA and .918Sv%. What could bring Calgary over the hump is a hype goalie like Tuukka Rask. The Bruins need to do something to complement our young forwards and defensemen to take the Bruins into the future.

Return

Jon Gillies, National Champion and former Providence College Friar, is an up and coming player in the Flames system. During the 2016-2017 season, Gillies played one game with the Flames and gave up 1 goal on 28 shots. This season he has only played in one game and gave up 3 goals on 9 shots. 2 games in the NHL is not enough to go on, his numbers in the AHL and Providence College are the most impressive. Gillies is set to become an unrestricted free agent soon so his value will diminish a small amount.

Rask’s commitment and sometimes long absences leave a bad taste in many, including myself and other Bruins fan’s mouths. Since the beginning of the season, Rask’s play has drastically turned a corner. Rask has a high value and Calgary should be willing to depart with at least a 2^nd round pick. Depending on how the goal tending does in Calgary for the rest of the season, Calgary could become desperate. This could give the Bruins the opportunity to ask for a first rounder.

Future

While Khudobin is playing great season, he is not the long-term solution for the Bruins. As we’ve seen from Malcolm Subban, the Bruins are not always the best at developing goalies. I believe it is too early to give up on Zane McIntyre. His stats in the NHL are awful, (3.93GAA and .858Sv%) his play in Providence is quite good. The former University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux was instrumental in helping bring the P-Bruins to the Calder Cup Finals. However, as we’ve seen with Matt Murray in Pittsburgh, a goalie could fall right in our laps.

Should The Bruins Tank The Rest of The Season?

Leave a reply

Okay, it’s time to take a serious look at the Boston Bruins. After getting completely outworked in Anaheim the Bruins currently have a 7-7-4 record, which ranks 26th in the NHL. The Bruins have lost 4 out of 5 games and both Brad Marchand and budding rookie Anders Bjork have been placed on injured reserve. Now the question becomes what do the Bruins do from here?

Push for a Playoff Spot

Now the Bruins as an organization have always made it quite clear that they want to be in the playoffs no matter what. It’s quite clear that was the goal entering this season before the injury bug ravished the roster. But even with the absurd amount of injuries, the Bruins could, and probably will, make a push for a playoff spot. This is mainly because the Bruins want to sell tickets and keep the TV ratings up.

The Bruins are attempting to rebuild on the fly while remaining relevant in the mind of sports fans. As a result, the Bruins have enough talent on the team, if they can get a few bodies back to make a push. A hot month or two could put the Bruins right back into the thick of things. There is value in making the playoffs for the Bruins this season. Its always good to get the young kids some experience in prime time.

Tank

Bruins fans are going to have a hard time swallowing this pill. But the best option for the Bruins is to tank. Let’s be realistic, the Bruins at full strength are a fringe playoff team. Let alone with half the roster out, the Bruins have dug themselves into a to steep a hole to make up. Now it’s time for Sweeney to make the tough call for the better of the team. It’s been proving on multiple occasions that building on the fly in the NHL is extremely difficult. On top of that Sweeney has done nothing to inspire confidence that he can build a capable team.

For Bruins fans on the fence about tanking, would you rather be the Maple Leafs or the Bruins right now? Its obviously the Maple Leafs for one reason: Austin Matthews. How did the Maple Leafs get him? Oh yeah, by tanking. That’s what makes the future bright for the Maple Leafs. While the Bruins have talent coming through the system, they don’t have a stud forward, especially at the center position. Brady Tkachuk is a 6-3, 194 pound center coming out of Boston College that the Bruins should target in the draft. He is ranked as the best center in the draft and the second best forward behind Andrei Svenchnikov.

Verdict

The Bruins need to tank and go get themselves a stud in the draft. Tkachuk is a gritty young center who has the mental makeup to play and thrive at the NHL level, and is expected to go fourth or fifth in the draft. Now Sweeney needs to realize his goal should be getting Tkachuk or maybe even Rasmus Dahlin, the highly touted defenseman. That’s why the Bruins need to sell off pieces such as Riley Nash, Zdeno Chara, Adam Mcquaid, and David Krejci (if anyone will take him). Go full tank mode get a stud forward into the system, allow the young players to grow at the NHL level and plan for the next three years not just this season.

This is a crucial time for the Sweeney/Neely era. Selling pieces off will put them under fire but holding onto them may cost a shot at a potential stud.