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BruinsFan35

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Forum: Boston BruinsDec. 19, 2022 at 8:15 p.m.
Thread: 5 BOLD predictions for the Bs this year
Alright, 30 games in, here we go:

1) the Bruins still have 3 ppg players in Marchand, Pastrnak, and McAvoy. They’ve also got three more players at .75 ppg right now (Krejci, Hall, and DeBrusk) who could all break ppg with a good streak in the coming weeks.

2) still nothing from Lysell or McLaughlin, but a killer few weeks from Lysell recently and a better, more consistent string of play from McLaughlin could earn either of them a look soon, especially with the current Craig Smith situation.

3) Swayman is coming off of a great performance last week, but Ullmark is a clear cut Vezina candidate so far. He should be the true #1, but the ability to rest both goalies is a nice thing to have.

4) Krejci is on pace for 29.52 goals and 75.44 points over 82 games. He’s been great, and has been far more consistent recently than he was earlier on in the season. Free Agency signing of the year imo.

5) the Bruins are still killing it in terms of standings, leading the NHL and the Atlantic division in both points and point %. I don’t know if I’ll continue to update this every ten games, but if the Bruins were to go 26-26 in the next 52 games to end the season, they’d have 102 points. If they were somehow able to maintain their current point % (.833) over all 82 games, that number jumps to roughly 132 points. Not bad
Forum: Armchair-GMDec. 15, 2022 at 5:01 p.m.
Forum: Armchair-GMDec. 13, 2022 at 1:38 p.m.
Thread: Bruins U26 Squad
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Dekes</b></div><div>Really like this post, something different then the norm we see here.

Would have to assume poitras would play RW, Lysell is on the left and Harrison due to his higher offensive/ goal scorer upside plays 1C his size also helps in that C area

Merkulov probably bumps locmelis down not sure where.

McLaughlin definitely would put up a solid fight for a bottom 6 role, has that hustle and all around game and possesses a strong shot.

I like ahcan and if it wasn’t for grzelcyk he’d probably be on the nhl squad but I feel brunet beats him out, kid has size speed an arsenal of weapons on how to score or help his teammates score. Potentially a future PP2 QB for Boston and everything I have read so far is that his defensive game is improving. Probably due to his size and speed.

Bussi another guy who I think will become the future back-up, younger then keyser yet is playing just aswell and has dominated in every league he has played in

B’s may not have this crazy high potential prospect pool outside of lysell and Lohrei but their is definitely a plethora of guys that could easily reach a solid middle 6 or 4-5 dman role or middle of the pack back-up goalie</div></div>

Someone hasn’t read my prospect updates lol.

Poitras is a center. He can play Wing but has been good down the middle. We’re weak at center and stronger on the wings so I figure keep him at C for this team build. Harrison needs to produce like he’s been for the past month longer to re-gain my full confidence. He was playing horribly to start the year, inconsistency always worries me with prospects.

McLaughlin is definitely another option. Like you mentioned, the Bs have a ton of guys that can slide into that bottom six role and be good.

No way with Brunet. Keep that kid and his trash IQ away from this squad. Again, read what I wrote up on him yesterday. And months past, but yesterdays most recent. Agreed on Ahcan tho

Yeah I like Bussi, Keyser was just the guy I settled on for this. Like I said, after Swayman it’s 3 guys with backup potential (Bussi, Keyser, and Dyck). Take your pick.
Forum: Armchair-GMDec. 12, 2022 at 2:19 p.m.
Thread: Hear Me Out
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Natebarrette</b></div><div>I think the bruins are going to do everything in their power to Re-Sign Pasta. No excuse to lose a home grown talent like that who is one of the best players in the entire league. The cap will be a problem but they will have to figure that one out.

Only the Boston Red Sox like to not pay their home grown talent in this city.</div></div>

I agree, and I hope you're right. Like I said at the beginning, ridiculous scenario.

However, should the Bruins win the cup and be without their top two centers, like I've addressed above, and Pasta wants to move on, I think it's best to part ways. He's in his prime and probably won't want to be on a team who's potentially going through a rebuild. In that case, the best-case scenario for Boston would be a sign-and-trade, to get value and still move him to a contender.
Forum: Boston BruinsDec. 12, 2022 at 10:29 a.m.
Thread: Bruins Prospect Update, Part 1 (Year 2)
This is the December installment of the 2022 Bruins Prospect Updates. The B's kids have been good in the past month-plus, so this'll be a fun one:

Jack Ahcan, Providence Bruins (AHL): Ahcan has been playing significantly better in the past 10 or so games since my previous update, and the points are starting to add up for him. In 23 games, Ahcan has 1 goal and 11 assists for 12 points, which is 9 points in 11 games since the previous update. Ahcan has been noticeably more confident with the puck than he had been in the previous couple of months. He's moving the puck extremely well, and is very effective in transition, both as a passer and as a skater. At 25 years old, I question Ahcan's ceiling to be much higher than what he's playing at right now. But, don't be too surprised if Ahcan gets an opportunity to be a power play QB and puck mover on an NHL third pair in the near future, even if it's not with the Boston Bruins.

John Beecher, Providence Bruins (AHL): Beecher's numbers won't instill much confidence, but his play definitely will. Beecher now has 3 goals and 4 assists for 7 points in 23 games, which is a goal and 3 assists in the 11 games since the previous update. Beecher is a strong, physical, 200-foot pivot who's also been playing the left wing a little bit this year in the AHL, which he hadn't done since his draft year on the USNTDP. He's a powerful skater, an elite forechecker, and has the ability to move the puck with ease. He reminds me a little of Charlie Coyle in how how he plays: details-oriented, good penalty killer, strong forechecker, can play center or wing. Beecher is the better skater, but Coyle has the better offensive output. Still, the move to wing is an interesting note, I think. That primes Beecher to have the flexibility to play in the NHL in the case of injuries, or a trade. He could slot into the bottom six right now and play very well. If the Bruins move someone (say, Craig Smith?), look for Beecher to be the replacement winger or center in the bottom six. (a Beecher-Nosek-Foligno fourth unit would be sick)

Frederic Brunet, Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL): Brunet has been struggling offensively and defensively in the past 10 games, and I'm not sure that I care enough about his game to continue writing these updates on him. Currently, Brunet has 4 goals and 25 points in 30 games, which is just a goal and 4 points in the 10 games since the last update. I've had the opportunity to watch the Oceanic quite a few times in the last couple of weeks, and I have made this conclusion: Frederic Brunet is not an NHL player. Not as a defender, anyway. His defensive game has reverted to early season form, and his offensive game, which was at least solid throughout the first quarter of the year, has suffered, too. His inconsistency, extremely raw all around game, and now lack of production, makes me think that Brunet has to undergo a serious course of development before getting a sniff of an ELC. In other words, write Brunet off for the year. We'll revisit this kid next year.

Michael Callahan, Providence Bruins (AHL): Callahan has finally put up some numbers this season, and his game has been decent. in 17 games, Callahan has a goal and 2 assists for 3 points, all of which in the 7 games since the previous update. Still, there has been no indication that Callahan's game is changing. He's a defense-first defender, and he's been playing more consistently in that way over the past little bit. He's been physical, poised, and all-around talented in his own end, and that's great for him. At 23 years old, I'm unsure of Callahan's ceiling to this point. I foresee Callahan as a decent third pair, stay-at-home defender in the future, but he could end up not being much better than he already is. This season is a big one for Callahan, and I'm interested to see what he's capable of.

Riley Duran, Providence College Friars (NCAA): Duran is playing great, and he's looking to smash his freshman-year point totals this year. Currently, Duran has 14 points (7 goals) in 17 games, a 31 point pace over the same 38 games which he played last year. And, that's 4 points in the six games since the November update. Duran has continued to be an elite force in all ends of the ice for the Friars, and the future seems pretty bright for this kid. I wouldn't expect an ELC for Duran this year; rather, I think he returns for at least his junior year. As a 20 year old, former 6th round pick, Duran looks like a potential steal. I look forward to seeing this kid continue to grow in his game with the Friars as the year continues.

Jackson Edward, London Knights (OHL): Edward has continued his excellent sophomore campaign with the Knights this year. Currently, Edward has 3 goals and 13 points in 26 games, which is 4 points in the 10 games since the previous update. Edward is an ultra physical defender who's game has come a long way in his own end from last year. Edward was considered a bit of a boom-or-bust kid in the draft, which made him fall pretty significantly. While I still don't see Edward as much more of a depth defender at the professional level, I appreciate how far his game has come in just the last few months. Keep an eye on this kid, he could surprise.

Ty Gallagher, Boston University Terriers (NCAA): Gallagher hasn't performed much differently this season than last year, but I don't think it's a bad thing. Currently, Gallagher has 8 assists in 16 games, which is a better point pace than he was on last year. But he's done it quietly, no goals is odd for a defender with the shot he's got. The Bruins should be very happy to have this kid as a prospect in their system, as he's just a well-rounded kid who seems to be moldable into pretty much whatever kind of player they need him to be. He plays in all situations, is good in all ends of the ice, and is just a poised, mature defenseman in every scenario. I would imagine Gallagher will stick around with the Terriers for at least the next season, if not both of his remaining NCAA eligibility years, before he receives an ELC. But, in time, I think that Gallagher will be a great addition to the P-Bruins, and hopefully the Big Bruins, in the future.

Brett Harrison, Oshawa Generals (OHL): Finally, I can say that Brett Harrison is playing up to his talent level this season, and he's burst onto the scene in all ends of the ice like I'd been hoping to see for the first two months. Currently, Harrison has 16 goals and 10 assists for 26 points in 22 games, which is a whopping 18 points in 11 games since the last update. Also, in his last five games, he's got 6 goals and 11 points. He's playing with confidence that you haven't seen from Harrison since last season, and his abilities and development are finally starting to show. He's a gritty player who plays hard in all ends of the ice. His shot is snappy and accurate, and his strength is one of his best assets. Also, his positioning is fantastic, and that's been the case for the majority of the year, even when the offense hasn't been there. The pucks are just starting to find him more, and he's making the best of his opportunities. I look forward to seeing what Harrison can do to end the season, an my expectations are high once again.

Oskar Jellvik, Boston College Eagles (NCAA): It's a crime that Jellvik isn't going to the WJC this season for Sweden. He's currently got 9 points (1 goals) in 13 games as a freshman in the NCAA, the Hockey East no less, which is 2 assists in the 4 games since the November update. What's more, is that Jellvik has played three games for the Swedish U20 team, with a goal and an assist in 3 games. He played well (9th among forwards, but tied for 6th in ppg), and Jellvik should get an opportunity to perform at the top level of U20 competition. Still, if he does not get the opportunity, Jellvik will continue to perform as well as he's been playing at the NCAA level this year.

Trevor Kuntar, Boston College Eagles (NCAA): Kuntar's been great for the Eagles since November, and my opinion on him is starting to improve in his junior year. He's currently at 6 goals and 8 assists for 14 points in 14 games, which is a consistent 6 points in his last five games, and up to 11 points in his last 10. His consistent offensive production, as well as his vastly improved defensive play, and his continued ability to be physical and powerful in all facets of the game, makes me think that he's got an ELC coming to him after this season, should be willing to move on from college hockey before his senior season. Kuntar has also been playing wing in college, likely to hide his defensive issues, but he's been much better as a center with these defensive improvements, and I wonder which position he'll play at the next level. Look for Kuntar to perform well to close out his junior campaign, and perhaps an AHL stint to close out 2022-23.

Dans Locmelis, Lulea HF J20 (J20 Nationell): Huge news for Locmelis this year, and it has nothing to do with the WJC, but he's a lock for team Latvia. Previously, I'd mentioned that Locmelis committed to Northern Michigan, which I was happy about for him to join the NCAA but wasn't overly impressed at the strength of school. Now, consider me impressed. UMass flipped Locmelis to their school, which will be HUGE for him to his own exposure. Currently, Locmelis is performing very well at the J20 level, with 12 goals and 33 points in 27 games, which is 13 points in the 10 games since the November update. It's time to consider Locmelis as a great pick in the 2022 draft (Locmelis was a 4th round pick), and I'm super excited to see this kid both at the WJC and in North America next year.

Mason Lohrei, Ohio State Buckeyes (NCAA): Mason Lohrei is just so good. I don't even know what to write about this kid anymore, other than that he's easily been the best Buckeye this season, and he's well on his way to earning his ELC after this year. He's currently got 13 assists in 18 games, and while no goals is odd, the fact that he's been so elite in every facet of his game, I don't mind the lack of goals. What more do I say? I've been covering Lohrei at-length over the past year and a half, there's not much new stuff to discuss. I'll say this: Lohrei is a top four NHL defender in the future. He plays a bit like Hampus Lindholm, with his size, skating, and well-rounded, high IQ game. A future top four of McAvoy, Carlo, Lindholm, and Lohrei will be so fun to watch in the near future. I'd expect to see him don a P-Bruins jersey by the end of the season, and I hope his game continues to flourish in the future.

Fabian Lysell, Providence Bruins (AHL): Fabian Lysell has continued to be an excellent player for the Baby Bruins, now with 7 goals and 17 points in 19 games, also going 5 points in the last five games and 6 points in the 8 games since the last update. Lysell is obviously the best Bruins prospect, and, like Lohrei, I'm out of topics to discuss about this kid. I'll say this, teams better watch out for this Swedish WJC squad. A line with Lekkerimaki and Lysell would easily be the most entertaining U20 hockey pair I've ever witnessed imo (obviously saying that as a huge fan of both of those prospects). An NHL stint looks likely for the kid at some point this year, but I doubt he'd stick this year due to the impressive play of the NHL Bruins and the fact that Lysell is far more valuable playing top minutes in the AHL, especially for development purposes, over playing depth roles in the NHL. Next year, lock Lysell into the big squad's top nine.

Ryan Mast, Sarnia Sting (OHL): The Bruins draft well in the late rounds. This seems to be a revelation worth making given the success of the last couple of draft classes the Bruins have pumped out. Ryan Mast is the defensive-defender of the year in the CHL, hands down. Shot blocking, positioning, physicality, poise, gap control agains the rush, stick usage. It's all there, and it's all at a high level. Ryan Mast looks like a professional hockey player. The points don't really matter: he'll never be more than a 5 goal, 20 point guy in the NHL, and that's okay. Think Derek Forbort. His point total is rough, but no one bats an eye at it. Mast is the next guy like that for the NHL, and it's no secret that the Bruins value those types of guys in their big club.

Georgii Merkulov, Providence Bruins (AHL): In a month where multiple Bruins prospects have been fantastic, we were due to have a bit of a let down. Merkulov has cooled down over the last month, now sporting a total of 5 goals and 16 points in 21 games, which is a goal and 4 points in 9 games since the November update. Not bad numbers, especially since he's an AHL rookie, but the production has been better for him in the past couple of months. No cause for concern, though. He's been playing as well as he had been, but the bounces haven't been going in for him. It happens. Give it time, and the points will start to rack up again. The Bruins may have found a gem in this kid, and I am very excited for his future.

Jonathan Myrenberg, Mora IK (HockeyAllsvenskan): Welcome to the Bruins system, Myrenberg. I've only been able to watch a single game of his since he's joined the Bruins prospect pool in the Studnicka trade, but after reading reports from others and matching them up with my own, limited viewing, here's what I've come up with: Myrenberg is a smooth skating, puck moving defender who's got good size and does most of his best work on the breakout as a passer. The numbers aren't great, but are okay for a 19-year-old defender in a men's league at 3 goals and 3 assists for 5 points in 22 games with Mora IK. He doesn't get a whole lot of ice time, but he makes do with what he's got. I'm probably won't continue posting updates about him unless he moves up to the SHL, which I'd say is unlikely, but not impossible. But I wanted to make a quick update on him, as he's a Bruins prospect.

Matthew Poitras, Guelph Storm (OHL): Every time I watch Matthew Poitras, I'm more impressed. His offensive toolkit is extensive, and he's easily been among the best OHL players this season. Poitras currently has 6 goals and 32 points in 25 games, which is 17 points in the 11 games since the November update. And let me tell you this: Poitras gets no help from the Storm squad, which, plainly, sucks. Still, he's 33rd in the OHL for points, 21 in ppg, and the best player on there Storm by a mile. And yes, he was better than Sasha Pastujov when he was on the Storm, too. His lack of talented teammates will stifle Poitras' numbers this season, especially since he's a pass-first player by trade, but it clearly hasn't stopped him so far. Watch him to be in the WJC mix next year, and in the ELC mix this year.
Forum: Armchair-GMNov. 26, 2022 at 7:52 a.m.
Forum: Boston BruinsNov. 24, 2022 at 8:04 a.m.
Thread: 5 BOLD predictions for the Bs this year
A quarter of the season in, and the Bruins (despite losing last night) are rolling at 17-3. Let’s see how the predictions are holding up:

1) the Bruins currently have exactly three ppg players, who are Pastrnak (30 points in 20 games), Marchand (16 points in 12 games), and McAvoy (10 points in 7 games). There are some players who are close, too, so potential for a couple of guys to get back over the ppg mark within the coming weeks.

2) no NHL games yet for McLaughlin or Lysell, and with how McLaughlin has played to start this year, it’s down to Lysell. He’s played well, but so has every NHL forward, so the competition is tight.

3) Ullmark has been a legitimate Vezina candidate, and Sway has been shaky. The gap between the two goalies seems to be wider after each game.

4) Krejci, over 82 games, is on pace for 28.94 goals (over 20) and 72.35 points (over 60). Krejci has played better than expected after seeming a step behind for the first couple of games.

5) The Bruins are still at the very top of the NHL and the Atlantic Division. They’ve played well, and I expect a playoff berth at this point (I read something that there’s like a 75% success rate for teams to make the playoffs if they’re in a playoff spot on Thanksgiving, it was on NHL.com but I don’t remember exactly which article). If the Bruins were to perfectly split the next 62 games, going 31-31 (impossible, but bear with me), they’d have 96 points, almost guaranteed a playoff berth.
Forum: Fauteuil - DGNov. 22, 2022 at 1:37 p.m.
Thread: Team North America 23 or under
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>ht42</b></div><div>100% a hot take.

Suzuki is more complete and way better defensively than Hughes and Zegras and he is more efficient to face against top lines. Also, he have better stats now than Hughes and Zegras, and he is the best leader of this team. He is 100% the next Bergeron.

I know, somes people will said that he is ''overated'' because he is not a flashy player like Hughes and Zegras, he is at the moment the 7th best North American player in the league, and 14th best in the league (in points).</div></div>

There is no “next Bergeron.” He’s one of those leaders on and off of the ice that makes him one-in-a-million. Not replicable, not really.

You could call me biased for that take, but I could call you for the same over-hyping Suzuki as a Habs fan.