It feels kind of funny to be cheering for the Bruins, but I like what I am seeing.

This is one of my concerns with Edler...he has chronic back issues and a long contract. Riding him as your "workhorse" at 25 mins a night probably isn't the best idea. Even now, game to game, Edler tends to play better when he stays between 20-24 mins, which I would rather see if he was brought here...play him in favorable situations, offensive faceoffs and on the PP etc...with his questionable back (combined with physical style game), limiting his minutes would probably help prolong his viability.
- exlund

With Grossman/Schenn, and not to mention that Coburn/Timonen are no slouches when it comes to physical play/shutting down players, his defensive short comings shouldn't be an issue.

It feels kind of funny to be cheering for the Bruins, but I like what I am seeing.
- ravishingone

i don't mind one bit as long as they are pounding the pens

3-0, beautiful, bring on fluery, so it can get to 6-0 fast.

i don't mind one bit as long as they are pounding the pens

3-0, beautiful, bring on fluery, so it can get to 6-0 fast.
- monty burns

I think we might see a 7-3 game here

i don't mind one bit as long as they are pounding the pens

3-0, beautiful, bring on fluery, so it can get to 6-0 fast.
- monty burns

Fluery has to be toast mentally. It is just amazing to see how far he has fallen during playoff time after I thought being their best player during their win over Detroit in the Finals.

Can you imagine how good Pittsburgh would be if they ever played defense in the playoffs?

Can you imagine how good Pittsburgh would be if they ever played defense in the playoffs?
- MBFlyerfan

If Boston puts a whooping on them, Is Bylsmom gone?

Can you imagine how good Pittsburgh would be if they ever played defense in the playoffs?
- MBFlyerfan

It be like the 80 's oilers and islanders combining to become an all powerful robot made up of various hockey players whose power is each greatly exponentially magnified to form.... Penguinotron

If Boston puts a whooping on them, Is Bylsmom gone?
- GirouxForTheShow

I think possibly him and two goalies as well

If Boston puts a whooping on them, Is Bylsmom gone?
- GirouxForTheShow

No, maybe another year.

No, maybe another year.
- ob18

I think the same thing, but I think the end all be all is how they respond the rest of this series. He can't get his team to play focused, disciplined hockey. Which if they did, they'd easily be favorites. But he can't seem to do it. And it cost them last year. Looks like it will again this year.

I think possibly him and two goalies as well
- JoeRussomanno

They have an interesting cap situation for next year, $61 million dedicated to 18 players. No Iginla, Morrow, Cooke, or Dupuis signed. Also, gotta figure they want to reup Malkin long-term, he won't be taking a pay cut.

At what point does it become "okay" to give up on a player? Do you wait till 23, 25? Maybe 30?
- youarewrong

I like to think in terms of NHL games played...I think giving a good/great prospect up to 300 games allows for the inevitable growing pains, the sophomore slumps and other such setbacks and hurdles a young player may have to to face...

Of course, there are exceptions, such as with players established to some extent in foreign leagues or when a player thought to be more of a role player might graduate or fall into a more featured role in his team after many years (Knuble), or when a player has a change of scenery and catches lightning in a bottle with his new team (LeClair...the Habs traded him a bit before he had played his 300th NHL game -- I wonder if they had held onto him for the 300 games, if they would have seen the sniper he would become...but then again, if they didn't trade him, it's not likely he would have scored 50 goals three yrs in a row as a Hab...ahem, Legion of Doom).

They have an interesting cap situation for next year, $61 million dedicated to 18 players. No Iginla, Morrow, Cooke, or Dupuis signed. Also, gotta figure they want to reup Malkin long-term, he won't be taking a pay cut.
- ravishingone

Interesting indeed.

Yes, Williams who consistently scores 20+ goals when he is healthy and has won two Stanley Cups, while being a key contributor on both teams. JvR and Lupul played solidly for their new teams. Steve Downie has played well when he's been healthy.

Even though they got younger in trading Carter and Richards doesn't mitigate the fact that they were closer to the Stanley Cup when those guys left than they are now-and both own Stanley Cup rings now.
- Jsaquella

I was watching an interview of Gabriel Landeskog on NHL network last week and he was asked to try and explain why the team struggled this season, despite loftier expectations. He paused and thought and said the loss of Steve Downie (torn ACL after a couple of games this season) was a really big factor, and how people underestimate his impact etc. I was pretty stunned...I mean he was only acquired by them late last season...that's quite an endorsement... but I can believe it. The kid plays hard and can make plays.

just started watching...were the BOS goals decent or squeegies that were vokuon's fault?

The thing is, McBain is a cheap reclamation project that shouldn't cost too much to acquire.

He's definitely coming off a rough year, no question. But If he can rebound, he could be a solid piece to the puzzle.
- Jsaquella

Yeah, that kid can flat out move the puck... he's supposedly a brain-fart per game kind of player, but he's only 25, so there's still time to improve on that.

A more realistic goal for this summer might be to add another top-4 puck-mover (like McBain), and then revisit the Pronger-replacement search when guys like Letang, Phaneuf and Bouwmeester hit UFA in summer 2014, and the COB picture is completely cleared up.

Yeah, that kid can flat out move the puck... he's supposedly a brain-fart per game kind of player, but he's only 25, so there's still time to improve on that.

A more realistic goal for this summer might be to add another top-4 puck-mover (like McBain), and then revisit the Pronger-replacement search when guys like Letang, Phaneuf and Bouwmeester hit UFA in summer 2014, and the COB picture is completely cleared up.
- Tomahawk

I dont think Letang or Phaneuf will even get close to FA.

just started watching...were the BOS goals decent or squeegies that were vokuon's fault?
- isaiah520

Marchand's was a partial breakaway, but he Bryz'd it. He didn't look great on other two, but the defense was awful on both

Marchand's was a partial breakaway, but he Bryz'd it. He didn't look great on other two, but the defense was awful on both
- Jsaquella

I know the Pens have phenomenal forwards, but that d core is horrendous. When Boston spends anytime time in the offensive zone, the coverage is non-existant.

Yeah, that kid can flat out move the puck... he's supposedly a brain-fart per game kind of player, but he's only 25, so there's still time to improve on that.

A more realistic goal for this summer might be to add another top-4 puck-mover (like McBain), and then revisit the Pronger-replacement search when guys like Letang, Phaneuf and Bouwmeester hit UFA in summer 2014, and the COB picture is completely cleared up.
- Tomahawk

this is what i'm rooting for

You see, Pittsburgh? Thats how it works. The train moves. Not the station.

I was watching an interview of Gabriel Landeskog on NHL network last week and he was asked to try and explain why the team struggled this season, despite loftier expectations. He paused and thought and said the loss of Steve Downie (torn ACL after a couple of games this season) was a really big factor, and how people underestimate his impact etc. I was pretty stunned...I mean he was only acquired by them late last season...that's quite an endorsement... but I can believe it. The kid plays hard and can make plays.
- exlund

this is what i'm rooting for
- FlyerMike18

i just want the guy because his name is mcbain

You see, Pittsburgh? Thats how it works. The train moves. Not the station.
- hereticpride

Quoting a baseball movie