Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Bruins Beat Flyers, 5-2; Phantom Lose in OT,3-2

People want to blame the prior GM and current GM for this but in reality it’s the ownership. They weren’t willing to do a rebuild the right way. Hextall and the rebuild on the fly left them scraps, a good goalie and then middling talent. CF went win now, only thing ownership would accept, it was far too early. But in reality this team wasn’t 2 years away it was probably 5 at the least, we don’t have a single prospect worth mentioning. This organization has gone to sh!t and it isn’t changing anytime soon.

who is this Pat Nagle? Are Sandstrom, Ustamenko and Ersson all hurt?

People want to blame the prior GM and current GM for this but in reality it’s the ownership. They weren’t willing to do a rebuild the right way. Hextall and the rebuild on the fly left them scraps, a good goalie and then middling talent. CF went win now, only thing ownership would accept, it was far too early. But in reality this team wasn’t 2 years away it was probably 5 at the least, we don’t have a single prospect worth mentioning. This organization has gone to sh!t and it isn’t changing anytime soon.
- ClaudeFather

Dude, the culture was changed in the off season. All the problem players were moved out. The GM made all the right moves. Brought in a shoot first forward. Brought in a defenseman who filled a need and checked all the right boxes. Shame of all is that right now, a well past his prime Brassard is the best of the bunch and making the biggest impact.

who is this Pat Nagle? Are Sandstrom, Ustamenko and Ersson all hurt?
- backfire

Sandström needed an off day. He's played a lot lately and started on Friday. Ersson is injured (lower body) and has been out the last few weeks. Getting close.

Ustimenko got one AHL start this season and really struggled. He needs playing time and was sent back to Reading. Nagle is a veteran. ECHL/AHL goalie.

Sounds like frost is good pretty well in the AHL, do you think he is ready for A call up or do you think he needs more time in the minors?

This team needs leadership.

G is off to a great start, but is he really a leader?
I have to question that after the last few years.

This isn't a coaching, personnel, or front office problem. It's a problem on the ice.
I'm not saying get rid of G, but maybe give somebody else a shot with the "C" on their jersey, or have co-captains, something like that.

This team needs leadership.

G is off to a great start, but is he really a leader?
I have to question that after the last few years.

This isn't a coaching, personnel, or front office problem. It's a problem on the ice.
I'm not saying get rid of G, but maybe give somebody else a shot with the "C" on their jersey, or have co-captains, something like that.
- Nh_kong

So you honestly think taking a letter off of someone's jersey and giving it to another player is going to magically fix things?

It is a coaching and personnel issue. Front office blew it two years ago.

This team needs leadership.

G is off to a great start, but is he really a leader?
I have to question that after the last few years.

This isn't a coaching, personnel, or front office problem. It's a problem on the ice.
I'm not saying get rid of G, but maybe give somebody else a shot with the "C" on their jersey, or have co-captains, something like that.
- Nh_kong

JVR, Lindblom, Farabee, be nice if these guys ever showed up. It’s a team of dead weight, the issue is the team is dependent on G more than ever. Wasn’t the plan to have others pick up some slack? We’ve done a terrible job drafting forwards.

They haven't won 2 games in a row in their last 11 games.

They have averaged 1.81 goals per game over their last 11 games.

If the goaltending levels off, this team will be a bottom feeder again.

With Hayes and Ellis injured in their first games back, there is zero help on the horizon. Next 3 games are against arguably the top 3 teams in the conference. Things are about to get ugly.

Sounds like frost is good pretty well in the AHL, do you think he is ready for A call up or do you think he needs more time in the minors?
- consigrn

He's ready. Been very good the last few weeks with only the occasional hiccup.

So you honestly think taking a letter off of someone's jersey and giving it to another player is going to magically fix things?

It is a coaching and personnel issue. Front office blew it two years ago.
- MJL

It will change the culture !

They haven't won 2 games in a row in their last 11 games.

They have averaged 1.81 goals per game over their last 11 games.

If the goaltending levels off, this team will be a bottom feeder again.

With Hayes and Ellis injured in their first games back, there is zero help on the horizon. Next 3 games are against arguably the top 3 teams in the conference. Things are about to get ugly.
- PLindbergh31

Do we know what the issue is with Hayes?

JVR, Lindblom, Farabee, be nice if these guys ever showed up. It’s a team of dead weight, the issue is the team is dependent on G more than ever. Wasn’t the plan to have others pick up some slack? We’ve done a terrible job drafting forwards.
- ClaudeFather

I agree they need to pick it up. Laughton's play has fallen off lately also. No who the biggest culprit is lately though? Sean Couturier. He has been mediocre for a handful of games lately.

Do we know what the issue is with Hayes?
- Hextall271

Nothing definitive, but you can tell by the lack of updates it's probably not going to be a day to day situation.

The fact both these players were injured in their first games back from injury suggests they obviously weren't ready to play.

I think coots is playing with an injury.

I agree they need to pick it up. Laughton's play has fallen off lately also. No who the biggest culprit is lately though? Sean Couturier. He has been mediocre for a handful of games lately.
- MJL

Yea he looks off, He’s taken some big hits lately too. Pasternak flattened him behind the net. Bottom line is there is too many guys not pulling their weight

Yea he looks off, He’s taken some big hits lately too. Pasternak flattened him behind the net. Bottom line is there is too many guys not pulling their weight
- ClaudeFather

Honestly, what we saw last night wasn't anything different except for one factor. They didn't get great goaltending. They've been squeaking out wins or getting points in OT due to goaltending. Last night it couldn't overcome inconsistent play, playing well for one period. Certain match ups getting caved in and a poor PP. It's not new.

Yea he looks off, He’s taken some big hits lately too. Pasternak flattened him behind the net. Bottom line is there is too many guys not pulling their weight
- ClaudeFather

Derek Brassard has more points than Cam Atkinson, JVR, Konecny and Farabee. Only two less points than Couturier.

Nothing definitive, but you can tell by the lack of updates it's probably not going to be a day to day situation.

The fact both these players were injured in their first games back from injury suggests they obviously weren't ready to play.
- PLindbergh31

I would say you’re right. Very concerning that they received clearance to go and now are out again. I wonder if it’s a physics injury or something else with Hayes. Maybe he’s still dealing with his brothers death and needs time away which is perfectly understandable

Derek Brassard has more points than Cam Atkinson, JVR, Konecny and Farabee. Only two less points than Couturier.
- MJL

And if you told anyone that before the season you’d know we were in trouble lol

Watching this team play in front of good goaltending instead of great goaltending shows just how bad this team is and just how inept their coaches are.

Watching this team play in front of good goaltending instead of great goaltending shows just how bad this team is and just how inept their coaches are.
- BiggE

Coaching is part of it but I don't know if making a coaching change would do anything. Maybe if they brought in a coach who would tighten things up defensively and play more conservatively. This team has a major issue with defensive transition and center play. It's why they don't drive play. Have trouble scoring and spend too much time defending

This team has really only played 2 complete games all year. They were against Seattle(big whoop) and that Saturday night game against the Caps. Otherwise, they have been the second best team on the ice every other night. In other words, the same ole shyte. AV makes yet another bad decision by playing Jones instead of Hart. Hart is your #1 goalie and should have played last night. There will be plenty of back to backs for Jones to play. AV is really losing his marbles. This looks like a replay of last season so far and there is no help on the way from young players cause this team has done a terrible job of drafting the last few years or so. Tanks for nuttin!

This team has really only played 2 complete games all year. They were against Seattle(big whoop) and that Saturday night game against the Caps. Otherwise, they have been the second best team on the ice every other night. In other words, the same ole shyte. AV makes yet another bad decision by playing Jones instead of Hart. Hart is your #1 goalie and should have played last night. There will be plenty of back to backs for Jones to play. AV is really losing his marbles. This looks like a replay of last season so far and there is no help on the way from young players cause this team has done a terrible job of drafting the last few years or so. Tanks for nuttin!
- Phillywhiteout

I'm with you except on the starting Jones. The backup is going to have to play more games than just in back to backs. There is help on the way and they have to do a better job in helping the young players.