Anthony Travalgia: 64 years to the day Exactly 64 years after breaking the NHL's color barrier, Willie O'Ree's No. 22 was retired by the Bruins and raised to the rafters at TD Garden.

Points streak had to end. But that was FUGLY.

Points streak had to end. But that was FUGLY.
- Nasty_Duck

That was quite possibly the ugliest game i have seen them play in a very long time. Carolina had a stick on everything

Was a good run of points. Carolina flat outplayed the B's in this one. Not much else to say. Hopefully they can get another streak going.

That was gross

Happy for Willie breaking barriers. Too bad he wasn't there to get the crowds affection.
But, it was good that he wasn't there to see that garbage effort.
A loss is a loss though...on to the next game.

Like I have been saying ,this bruin team is good but if you think they are serious contenders I don't see it. Fans got a little carried away when the Pats went on their streak don't make the same mistake here. They need to shore up the defense. They need physical hard left side dmen. And if Haula is the solution at the 2nd center spot I don't agree. They won against the Preds the other night but if they play a team like that in the playoffs [hard, physical ] we are not ready. Got to turn Debrusk and other pieces into something. The goaltending situation was handled wrong but it shouldn't really hurt because all 3 can play. Wasted cap space but the on ice product should be OK. Its the ability to play physical hard defensive hockey against big strong teams that is the problem. A couple of moves could really make a difference because there is talent . They do work hard most of the time but you need players who can handle the bigger more physical teams in the playoffs.

Like I have been saying ,this bruin team is good but if you think they are serious contenders I don't see it. Fans got a little carried away when the Pats went on their streak don't make the same mistake here. They need to shore up the defense. They need physical hard left side dmen. And if Haula is the solution at the 2nd center spot I don't agree. They won against the Preds the other night but if they play a team like that in the playoffs
- johnnypie[hard, physical ] we are not ready. Got to turn Debrusk and other pieces into something. The goaltending situation was handled wrong but it shouldn't really hurt because all 3 can play. Wasted cap space but the on ice product should be OK. Its the ability to play physical hard defensive hockey against big strong teams that is the problem. A couple of moves could really make a difference because there is talent . They do work hard most of the time but you need players who can handle the bigger more physical teams in the playoffs.

Why is everyone so hung up on "Erik Haula isnt a 2nd line center"? Isn't the goal to have 4 lines that play well together. Haula has made Hall better. He plays well with Hall and Pasta so why are we stuck on this "2nd line center" bull poop. Yes, the Bruins have had two set centers for the last 15 years. That is not the only way.
It also allows Coyle to slot down to the third line. So now you have a 2A and 2B line. IMO.

I do agree that the Defense needs more grit.

Why is everyone so hung up on "Erik Haula isnt a 2nd line center"? Isn't the goal to have 4 lines that play well together. Haula has made Hall better. He plays well with Hall and Pasta so why are we stuck on this "2nd line center" bull poop. Yes, the Bruins have had two set centers for the last 15 years. That is not the only way.
It also allows Coyle to slot down to the third line. So now you have a 2A and 2B line. IMO.

I do agree that the Defense needs more grit.
- Mahewman

Haula got into a fight with Brind'amour about ice time that resulted in him being healthy scratched a couple times.

Curious if that hasn't been part of why he's played higher in the lineup in Boston than his numbers say he should.

Haula got into a fight with Brind'amour about ice time that resulted in him being healthy scratched a couple times.

Curious if that hasn't been part of why he's played higher in the lineup in Boston than his numbers say he should.
- BINGO!

I dont think so. This season has kind of been musical chairs trying to find the right fit for the lines and he seems to have found a landing spot.

Why is everyone so hung up on "Erik Haula isnt a 2nd line center"? Isn't the goal to have 4 lines that play well together. Haula has made Hall better. He plays well with Hall and Pasta so why are we stuck on this "2nd line center" bull poop. Yes, the Bruins have had two set centers for the last 15 years. That is not the only way.
It also allows Coyle to slot down to the third line. So now you have a 2A and 2B line. IMO.

I do agree that the Defense needs more grit.
- Mahewman

Sorry but Haula hasn’t made Hall better. Pasta and Hall are elite offensive talents. In my opinion Coyle is better than Haula. Having 4 lines that play well is obviously every teams goal, that doesn’t mean you don’t try to slot the right players together. I stand by what I stated ,to be a top contender you need better than Haula in the 2nd center slot. If your satisfied being good fine but just like the defensemen not
being the right mix same here. I mean Grzelyck is good so is Reilly. Forbert, Vak etc are nhl caliber but your not winning a cup with that D.

Why is everyone so hung up on "Erik Haula isnt a 2nd line center"? Isn't the goal to have 4 lines that play well together. Haula has made Hall better. He plays well with Hall and Pasta so why are we stuck on this "2nd line center" bull poop. Yes, the Bruins have had two set centers for the last 15 years. That is not the only way.
It also allows Coyle to slot down to the third line. So now you have a 2A and 2B line. IMO.

I do agree that the Defense needs more grit.
- Mahewman

Haula is fine there for now, but I think you mean Coyle and Haula are a 3A and 3B option. Its pasta who has improved Hall's game. Haula is just experiencing the benefit of two players making him look better. Coyle isnt the answer to completing that line either.

Would be nice to pick up a D man and a 2C at the deadline, but I'm not sure what Sweeney is looking at in terms of additions and am a little afraid of what he is going to throw away in the trades (if any).

Sorry but Haula hasn’t made Hall better. Pasta and Hall are elite offensive talents. In my opinion Coyle is better than Haula. Having 4 lines that play well is obviously every teams goal, that doesn’t mean you don’t try to slot the right players together. I stand by what I stated ,to be a top contender you need better than Haula in the 2nd center slot. If your satisfied being good fine but just like the defensemen not
being the right mix same here. I mean Grzelyck is good so is Reilly. Forbert, Vak etc are nhl caliber but your not winning a cup with that D.
- johnnypie

Sorry but Haula hasn’t made Hall better. Pasta and Hall are elite offensive talents. In my opinion Coyle is better than Haula. Having 4 lines that play well is obviously every teams goal, that doesn’t mean you don’t try to slot the right players together. I stand by what I stated ,to be a top contender you need better than Haula in the 2nd center slot. If your satisfied being good fine but just like the defensemen not
being the right mix same here. I mean Grzelyck is good so is Reilly. Forbert, Vak etc are nhl caliber but your not winning a cup with that D.
- johnnypie

Once every 10 games or so, sure. Coyle, like DeBrusk, is consistently inconsistent.

Sorry but Haula hasn’t made Hall better. Pasta and Hall are elite offensive talents. In my opinion Coyle is better than Haula. Having 4 lines that play well is obviously every teams goal, that doesn’t mean you don’t try to slot the right players together. I stand by what I stated ,to be a top contender you need better than Haula in the 2nd center slot. If your satisfied being good fine but just like the defensemen not
being the right mix same here. I mean Grzelyck is good so is Reilly. Forbert, Vak etc are nhl caliber but your not winning a cup with that D.
- johnnypie

Coyle might be better at some things but he's also slower, holds the puck too long and is not a great passer. He's also worse at faceoffs. Haula and Coyle have pretty similar stat lines throughout there careers.

That line needs to play fast and move the puck. Haula has been facilitating that.

Vegas made the Stanley Cup with Erik Haula playing where? 2nd line center.

Coyle might be better at some things but he's also slower, holds the puck too long and is not a great passer. He's also worse at faceoffs. Haula and Coyle have pretty similar stat lines throughout there careers.

That line needs to play fast and move the puck. Haula has been facilitating that.

Vegas made the Stanley Cup with Erik Haula playing where? 2nd line center.
- Mahewman

In a year where he scored twice the amount of points he usually does, sure. He played out of his mind under Gallant. Suffered nothing but regression since.

Not a bad stopgap for now, but not a 2C long term.

In a year where he scored twice the amount of points he usually does, sure. He played out of his mind under Gallant. Suffered nothing but regression since.

Not a bad stopgap for now, but not a 2C long term.
- dothedougie

Long term. Probably not the answer but that Vegas team played fast. Our 2nd line is playing fast. He is putting up pretty good numbers so i like him being there right now.

I am fine with Haula at 2C if that line is clicking, why not... You got more lines scoring now, and spread out offence. He doesn’t stand out as 2C on paper but what can you do. Need help on D!!


I think the common theme is the defensive makeup which has been long talked about and playoff exits have highlighted this no doubt. Absolutely right the D is filled with NHL caliber dmen but needs to improve.
This team would look exponentially better with another horse on D that could play heavy minutes in the top 4. This ultimately slots everyone appropriately to their skill set and would be built for the playoffs.

Don should get the Chychrun deal done. Love the fact he’s locked up and a reasonable cap hit. He would be worth it.

Either way in 3 years this team based on the horrible drafting is headed for dark days.

Marchand has never played better
You have Hall
Pasta is playing well now
Tuukka is back
McAvoy is playing well
Bergeron is still here for now


Push the chips in. All you have for prospects to deal is Swayman and Lysell. Trade them, trade your picks and maximize now. This team has no future as currently constituted. At least you can head to Hockey hell going all in rather than the typical Cam Neely led wet fart.

Either way in 3 years this team based on the horrible drafting is headed for dark days.

Marchand has never played better
You have Hall
Pasta is playing well now
Tuukka is back
McAvoy is playing well
Bergeron is still here for now


Push the chips in. All you have for prospects to deal is Swayman and Lysell. Trade them, trade your picks and maximize now. This team has no future as currently constituted. At least you can head to Hockey hell going all in rather than the typical Cam Neely led wet fart.
- glove_was_stuck

I dont think Sweeney has the ability to pull in the pieces necessary for a cup, but you know what (frank) it. Sell the farm and (frank) poop up.

Long term. Probably not the answer but that Vegas team played fast. Our 2nd line is playing fast. He is putting up pretty good numbers so i like him being there right now.
- Mahewman

He is the best option in a lack of options, that is for sure!

Either way in 3 years this team based on the horrible drafting is headed for dark days.

Marchand has never played better
You have Hall
Pasta is playing well now
Tuukka is back
McAvoy is playing well
Bergeron is still here for now


Push the chips in. All you have for prospects to deal is Swayman and Lysell. Trade them, trade your picks and maximize now. This team has no future as currently constituted. At least you can head to Hockey hell going all in rather than the typical Cam Neely led wet fart.
- glove_was_stuck

May i ask, what available player are you trading Swayman and Lysell for?

I dont think Sweeney has the ability to pull in the pieces necessary for a cup, but you know what (frank) it. Sell the farm and (frank) poop up.
- dothedougie

Yes and no... Last year it was looking bleak and brought in Hall. If it wasn’t for the injuries on the back end they should have beat the NYI and who knows what would have happened against TB. Probably would got bounced though by Tampa..

May i ask, what available player are you trading Swayman and Lysell for?
- Mahewman

Thats probably the starting asking price for Chychrun. Seems many are hot on him. Maybe you try and swing a huge package for Chychrun and Schmaltz? IDK man, I think he is just throwing the idea out there to go all in. Who for? Not sure

Thats probably the starting asking price for Chychrun. Seems many are hot on him. Maybe you try and swing a huge package for Chychrun and Schmaltz? IDK man, I think he is just throwing the idea out there to go all in. Who for? Not sure
- dothedougie

Chychrun is ideal (even though he has been dog poop this year). That is a move to bolster the future. Hes only 23.

I dont think Lysell or Swayman would need to be a part of that. They have a young goaltender already.
You could start with a first, Debrusk(have fun in Arizona Jake), Urho.

Arizona also dangled OEL for what felt like 10 years so the Chychrun trade rumors could be shenanigans.