Posted on

Why The Bruins Need To Restructure Their Defense For The 2018/19 Season

In, a span of three years, Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney has guided the team back into a serious playoff contender. Since the firing of longtime time coach Claude Julien, the Bruins have started drafting more skilled players. The organization has seemed to change its philosophy from physical to focusing on attributes such as players with more of a skill set.  In this post,  we’ll review three areas why the Bruins need to restructure the defensive department for the upcoming NHL season.

Why The Bruins Need To Restructure Their Defense For The 2018/19 Season

Redefine Chara’s Role;

At, forty years old the team continues to get excellent production from captain Zdeno Chara. But in, the playoffs particularly against Tampa Bay, Chara showed  signs of fatigue. Throughout the course of the season, Chara averaged 23 minutes per game. Not too bad for a  player neither young nor old.  As the  season progressed, Chara has paired with the teams  2016 number one draft pick, Charlie McAvoy. In, McAvoy the organization has one of the top young defensemen in the NHL. After the Tampa Bay series, many fans and media people feel that the club needs to cut down on his playing time and pair him with another partner.

Make A Decision On Adam McQuaid;

Veteran defenseman Adam McQuaid is in his last year of a four_year contract  At 31 years old many fans feel that the organization needs to get quicker on defense. In 2017/18 McQuaid missed several games. Considering his  3,000,000 dollar salary it may be time to think about dealing Mcquaid.

As the team continues to draft more skilful players, they can maintain their status as an elite NHL team. .McQuaid has a history of being injury prone by trading him the club can add another younger defenceman.                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Help In Providence;

Since General Manager Don Sweeney took over three years ago, the club has qualified for the playoffs two_ years in a row.   If the team wants to resume its quest to win another Stanley Cup, then the defense needs continue to get better. Goaltender Tuukka Rask has improved his playoff performance due to resting more during the regular season.

As it stands now, the Bruins have a young group of six or seven defensemen who are legitimate NHL players. Veteran Torey Krug had a spectacular collecting 14 goals and 45 assists for 69 points. Kevan Miller continues to make progress. Young Matt Grzelcyk who split time with Providence is only getting better. Third _year player Brandon Carlo who suffered an injury at the end of the season be ready at the start of training camp.                                                                                                                                                                                                                      In,  Providence, two Bruins who could be prepared for full _time duty are defensemen Jeremy Lauzon and 2015  number one pick Jakub Zboril. Out, of the two Lauzon is the one most likely one to make the squad. As for Zboril,  he needs to continue to work on his game.

Posted on

Survival Of The Fittest How The Red Sox Compare To The Rest Of The League Going Forward In 2018

It’s another exciting summer of Baseball in Boston. The classic showdown against the Yankees is starting to eat up as the summer of 2018 begins. And wouldn’t you know it despite a first _place standing The Red Sox management drops a bombshell? Friday morning the club announced that they have designated first baseman Hanley Ramirez for assignment. In this post, we’ll review three areas that the Red Sox need to focus in going forward if they hope to reclaim the AL East crown                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Survival Of The Fittest How The Red Sox Compare To The Rest of The League Going Forward In 2018

Strong Bullpen;                                                                                                                                            Comparing the Red Sox bullpen to the rest of the American League teams the club has one of the best in the league, Closer Craig Kimbrel continues to dominate other closers with 14. Along with Joe Kelly, Matt Barnes Heath Hembree and Hector Velazquez have been lights out.                                                            Out of the three divisional teams, the Red Sox have the toughest bullpens with Kimbrel leading the way followed by the Yankees with ten saves, the Indians with nine saves and Houston with 12 saves. As long as Kimbrel is fresh and healthy the club can be a serious contender.                                                                                                 Starting Pitching;

So far in 2018 the Red Sox starting pitching of David Price, Chris Sale and Rick Porcello has been strong. Swingman Drew Pomeranz has been struggling while Eduardo Rodriguez has been splendid.   As for the Yankees, their starting pitching has also been solid led by Luis SeverinoOverall the Yankees are a game behind Boston with a 31-18 and a 3.18Only the Astros team ERA is better with a combined total of 2.39The Indians are 24-24 heading into Memorial Day weekend with a team ERA of 3.99

 

Posted on

What The Bruins Need To Do Going Forward In 2018/19

It’s safe to say that the 2018 Boston Bruins were overachievers. A club that finished with  112 points and witnessed the development of promising young players. In this post, we’ll examine what steps the Bruins need to make this offseason going forward.

What The Bruins Need To Do Going Forward In 2018/19           

  In all sports age and health is a major issue for every a group.  Veterans defended Zdeno Chara is signed for one more year. Adam McQuaid is also under contract for three more years. The club needs to redefine Charas role and come to terms with McQuaid status                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Rookie Charlie Mcavoy made great strides in 2018 and should be a strong candidate for NHL Rookie of the Year honours.  Second _year player Brandon Carlo despite being injured in the playoffs has also  NHL potential. Sweeney must also consider if Torey Krug and Kevan Miller will be a part of the team’s plans in the future. Krug who is excellent on offence is routinely criticized in Boston for his defensive style of play.                             

NHL Free Agents 2018;

As far as the 2018 free agent market does not expect the Bruins to be very active .. Currently, the club is already committed to veterans David Krejci and David Backes for the upcoming season                                                                                          Both players have the Bruins committed for 73 million dollars. Two quality defenseman on the market is Arizona’s Kevin ConnautonanPhiladelphia’s, Brandon Manning. Connauton played in 73 games and is only 27. Manning is 28 and played in 65 games. Both are young and durable and have a cap hit of 1,000,000 dollars each either one would be a nice centrepiece to add to your defensive pairings.

 

 

NHL Draft;

If the Bruins have been doing one thing right, it’s been drafting. Youngsters Jake DeBrusk, Danton Heinen, and Charlie Mcavoy are bona fide NHL players. Goalie Tuukka Rask had a fair playoff season in 2018. Do not be surprised if Sweeny selects a goaltender in the early rounds.  Some notable prospects to keep an eye on are  Michigan’s Hayden Lavigne, Notre Dame’s Cole Harris and Hunter Shepard of Minnesota. Out of the three, the prize is Harris who will have a lot of suitors on draft night.

Defensive players to watch are Quinn Hughes of Michigan, Brady Tkachuk of Boston University and Tarique Hammond of Denver. One thing is for certain no matter what direction the team goes in Bruin fans are thirsty for another cup.

Posted on

Patriots Capitalize On Controversies And Distractions

The Patriots are heading to there eighth SuperBowl under head coach Bill Belichick. This was at the hands of the Tennessee Titans. For New England, it will be their seventh straight title game with Brady as their quarterback. This is the result of a recent controversy involving ESPN and head coach Bill Belichick.

  Emphasis on Perfection;                                                                                                                    Since the arrival of, Bill Belichick eighteen years ago the emphasis has always been perfection. Belichick demands perfection from his players and coaches.  Fans may think that Brady and Gronkowski are the two _star players but in Belichick’s mind, everyone is equal.  In New England, there is a saying Do Your Job. This means that every player understands his role and doesn’t do too much. New England fans can attest to this motto and have seen good players get released or traded in the past. Recent examples are Jamie Collins and Chandler Jones.                                                                     ;

Stress Value;

  The Patriots as an organization believe in getting value. Over the years Patriot fans have witnessed Belichick trading his number one pick. This maneuvering results in extra mid_ round picks. This enables Belichick to not only add depth this year but start planning for future drafts.                 Currently, the Patriots have at least five starters on the roster that Belichick had never drafted.The most notable free agent was Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler. Tom Brady himself was a late seventh rounder eighteen years ago. This is what separates Belichick, from the rest of the coaches in the NFL

 
The Future;

   No one person can predict their future, but one thing is certain in New England Tom Brady will be the quarterback for the next four years. This comes after a recent controversy involving Brady and the Patriots. The long controversy whether to keep backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, or trade him came to an end. Garoppolo was traded to San Francisco which sent a clear message that Brady wasn’t going anywhere.

Posted on

In The End The Patriots Defense Not so super

With Super Bowl 52 officially it’s time to look ahead and see what may lie ahead for the New England Patriots already patriot defensive coordinator Matt Patricia has accepted a job as head coach of the Detroit Lions. In this article, we’ll examine three areas that the Patriots need to improve upon to achieve Super Bowl victory number six.                           ;

In The End The Patriots Defence Not So super

Free Agency;

    .

 On offense running backs Rex Burkhead and Mike Gillislee saw limited participation. This left the bulk of the running to veterans Dion Lewis and, James White. Receiver Brandin Cooks had an OK season but did not earn Brady’s trust in key situations.  One issue the Patriots face is the free agent status of Dion Lewis.  Lewis was the Patriots best back in 2017.  Lewis will take a lot of cash and a long_ term commitment to retain.                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Defensively
     From start to finish this was the weakest area of the Patriots this season.  After an opening 41-27 loss to the Chiefs, the  Patriot defense was horrendous. The front seven allowed 164 yards on the ground, which is totally unacceptable.  At one point in the season the, Patriots defense was ranked 29th overall in the NFL.  Compared too previous Patriot defences look for Belichick needs to overhaul the defence.
   Even though kicker Stephen Gostowski had a decent season he still botched a  field goal and point after kick which in the end didn’t matter the Patriots may consider drafting a kicker or punter in the draft.
                                                                                                                                                                            for the Patriots to have a very busy off-season Key free agents up for a new contract are Matthew Slater Nate Solder and Dion Lewis as the more notable players.  Most important is the Patriots need to revamp their pass rush. Hopefully, linebacker Donta Hightower can return to his old form and help the defence get back to being one of the best in the NFL.                                                                                                                                                                                                                            .                                                                                         ,
Posted on

Three Teams That Will Challenge Pittsburgh For The Stanley Cup

As NHL training camps officially underway it’s time for hockey fans to start making their predictions. Take into account a new expansion, team hockey should be better than ever this year. Welcome NAs, NHL training camps officially underway it’s time for hockey fans to start making their predictions. Take into account a new expansion, team hockey should be better than ever this year. Welcome NHL’s newest team the Las Vegas Knights. Let’s examine three teams that will give the Penguins a run for their money.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         A team to keep a close eye on is Edmonton. General manager Peter Chiarelli has developed the Oilers into a contender in just three years. He has two of the games elite Stars. Forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are two of the games best.                                                                                                                                                                                                             Both signed long _term deals over the summer. McDavid’s deal is for eight years one of the largest in team history. Defensively the Oilers are solid with veterans Kris Russell and Matt Benning protecting goalie Cam Talbot In other moves,  the team also added winger Ryan Strome from the Islanders. Strome is regarded as a depth move and brings a physical presence to the roster.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Dallas is a team that was very busy this past offseason. The First order of business was the firing of head coach Lindy Ruff. Ruff was replaced by longtime veteran Ken Hitchcock. Hitchcock previously coached the Stars ten years ago before moving on to  St Louis.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               They also added veteran goalie Ben Bishop. Bishop signed a six _year deal that should bring depth to the goalie department Last years goalie Kari Lehtonen struggled through most of the season. Defensively Dallas acquired Marc Methot from Las Vegas. Plus the team signed Martin Hanzal and Tyler Pitlick.                                                                                                                                               The new additions plus Hitchcock as the coach should mix in well with star players Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. Within time the Stars should be serious contenders.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             This leads us to the Bruins. With a new head coach and a nice mix of veterans and rookies the Bruins could be the surprise of the league. Veteran goalie Tuukka Rask is only thirty and still has plenty of upsides. Look for youngsters Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo to be the future elite defenseman. In time for the Bruins to challenge in the Stanley Cup finals.                                                                                                                                      A team to keep a close eye on is Edmonton. General manager Peter Chiarelli has developed the Oilers into a contender in just three years. He has two of the games elite Stars. Forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are two of the games best.                                                                                                                                                                                                             Both signed long _term deals over the summer. McDavid’s deal is for eight years one of the largest in team history. Defensively the Oilers are solid with veterans Kris Russell and Matt Benning protecting goalie Cam Talbot In other moves,  the team also added winger Ryan Strome from the Islanders. Strome is regarded as a depth move and brings a physical presence to the roster.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Dallas is a team that was very busy this past offseason. The First order of business was the firing of head coach Lindy Ruff. Ruff was replaced by longtime veteran Ken Hitchcock. Hitchcock previously coached the Stars ten years ago before moving on to  St Louis.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               They also added veteran goalie Ben Bishop. Bishop signed a six _year deal that should bring depth to the goalie department Last years goalie Kari Lehtonen struggled through most of the season. Defensively Dallas acquired Marc Methot from Las Vegas. Plus the team signed Martin Hanzal and Tyler Pitlick.                                                                                                                                               The new additions plus Hitchcock as the coach should mix in well with star players Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. Within time the Stars should be serious contenders.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             This leads us to the Bruins. With a new head coach and a nice mix of veterans and rookies the Bruins could be the surprise of the league. Veteran goalie Tuukka Rask is only thirty and still has plenty of upsides. Look for youngsters Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo to be the future elite defenseman. In time for the Bruins to challenge in the Stanley Cup finals.

Posted on

Is It Still To early To Trust Tuukka Rask Only Time Will Tell ?

So far the 2018 NHL playoffs have been pretty impressive for Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask. With a game seven win under his belt over Toronto, Rask is enjoying early success over the Eastern Conference leaders Tampa Bay Lightning. In this post, we’ll discuss three areas the Bruins and Rask need to focus on in order to advance to the next round.

 Is It Still To early To Trust Tuukka Rask Only Time Will Tell?
                                                                                                                                                                            Previous  Playoff Experience;
 If history is any indicator of how players or teams are then Bruins have time against them. Bruins fans share painful memories of the 2010 collapse against Philadelphia. The sad part of that series was that the Bruins were up 3-0 only to have Rask give up fifteen goals in four periods for an 839 save percentage.
  And who could forget the 2012 catastrophe against Chicago? The Bruins were up 3-2 only to lose to the Black Hawks in seven. in that series, Rask was responsible for six goals in the last two games. Considering Rask had a fairly good game five the end was in Chicago’s favour.
                                                                                                                                                                                              In 2013 against the Canadiens Rask did not fare any better. Boston had a 3-2 series lead where Rask let in four goals on thirteen shots simply to send the Bruins home for a lengthy vacation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 The succeeding season had the Bruins facing the Canadiens for the second _season in a row. With an experienced Rask in the net, the result was a triumph for Montreal in game seven at Boston.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Rotating Goalies;
                                                                                                                                                                             Early in the 2017/18 season, 1st _year coach Bruce Cassidy decided to rotate Rask with backup goalie Anton Khudobin.  Khudobin filled in brilliantly when called upon with a 16-6 record and 2.47 Goals Against. The only drawback on Khudobin is he only has one playoff game under his belt and no record to show for it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          This method seemed to work for the Bruins as Cassidy pulled Rask in game five against Toronto and the Bruins collecting their first playoff series win since their Stanley Cup year in 2011.
                                                                                                                                                             Boston vs. Tampa Bay;

                                                                                                                                                                             Bruce Cassidy’s system of rotating goalies has so far worked in the Bruins favour, The question is how will Khudobin respond to pressure cookers as the playoffs go deeper and deeper. Many Bruins fans feel that Cassidy is pressing the right buttons and continue rotating the two netminders. The difference between this year and previous years is Rask is well rested not So far the 2018 NHL playoffs have been pretty impressive for Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask. With a game seven win under his belt over Toronto, Rask is enjoying early success over the Eastern Conference leaders Tampa Bay Lightning.

 If the Bruins and captain Zdeno Chara Expect to carry the Stanley Cup around the TD Garden ice then Rask and teammates will have to learn how to win under playoff pressure.