Don't need to tell me twice, their severe lack of a top line center will hurt them badly. CoHo and Ennis do not fit that mold, at least not yet. I think it is the Bruins division to lose, especially in a shortened season. Really excited to watch Rask as a starter, and the continued development of Seguin. Not to mention where Dougie fits in the equation, i would love Top 4 paired with Seids.
- fudd1689

If the B's have a question mark in goal, I shudder to think what sort of punctuation the Caps have.
- Double_A

Holtby kicked our asses last year

I agree, Hamilton will be treated the same as Seguin was his rookie year. A lot of time in the pressbox and sheltered minutes.
- fudd1689

Worked out all right for Seguin

I still think the Bruins are good enough as long as Rask plays well. They were the team that no one wanted to face during the middle of last season. Their depth, skill and toughness is still a scary combination.

I could see any 2 of the Bruins, Rangers, Flyers(if they get goaltending) or Pens in the Eastern final.
- Nucker101

Unless you have John Scott. STANLEY CUP!

do some research before posting.
- Fountain-San

If GARTH was our blogger we would be elsewhere too.

Unless you have John Scott. STANLEY CUP!
- glove_was_stuck

possibly the only defencemen in the league slower than Hal Gill

If GARTH was our blogger we would be elsewhere too.
- glove_was_stuck

fair enough

I'd be surprised if Dougie sees the ice without Z or Seids next to him. Claude will shelter his minutes and double shift those 2 guys I think.
- Double_A

Even with a light workload there can't be a way that Hamilton stays in junior right? He has to be at the point where Seguin was in that there is no real benefit to him playing down there. I guess if Hamilton completely tanks it?

Ty, interested to know whether you think Chiarelli is going to make a move to add another d-man. Even with Hamilton penciled in for limited minutes per game, the blue line's depth seems perilously thin. Especially with a veteran group like the Bruins have, a condensed season seems more likely to yield injuries and missed games. Wouldn't the Bruins be served to get themselves another spare d-man in the mold of Greg Zanon who can serve as the 7th guy in the pressbox some nights and then not be a total defensive liability if pressed into action? I don't think Aaron Johnson is that guy. Who could Chiarelli target?

Two other things to consider with Hamilton, one is it worth burning a year of his ELC on a shortened season, two it's gonna be a break neck pace to the season so if they try limiting his minutes that means more work for the rest of the defensive corps which inevitably will wear them out quicker.

Eastern finals?? wow
I can see the Rangers there, the Bruins...I don't know!!
- Sabresfan88

Well we know it wont be Buffalo, that city prides itself on falling short of expectations.

Don't need to tell me twice, their severe lack of a top line center will hurt them badly. CoHo and Ennis do not fit that mold, at least not yet. I think it is the Bruins division to lose, especially in a shortened season. Really excited to watch Rask as a starter, and the continued development of Seguin. Not to mention where Dougie fits in the equation, i would love Top 4 paired with Seids.
- fudd1689

Their whole top line is a nervous issue, they've never had that "dominant" top line, krejki is not a number one center, though he tends to step it up in the playoffs, Looch is no Cam Neely yet, lacks the effort and the hands, and Horton is a huge mystery. That said, their 2nd line is one of the best in the league, and its the formula they won the cup with.

possibly the only defencemen in the league slower than Hal Gill
- Rayven

Rick Zombo

Ty, interested to know whether you think Chiarelli is going to make a move to add another d-man. Even with Hamilton penciled in for limited minutes per game, the blue line's depth seems perilously thin. Especially with a veteran group like the Bruins have, a condensed season seems more likely to yield injuries and missed games. Wouldn't the Bruins be served to get themselves another spare d-man in the mold of Greg Zanon who can serve as the 7th guy in the pressbox some nights and then not be a total defensive liability if pressed into action? I don't think Aaron Johnson is that guy. Who could Chiarelli target?
- TheGreatNumber8

Agreed. Johnson and Exelby are not the best options.

Agreed. Johnson and Exelby are not the best options.
- glove_was_stuck

Krug could be an option at 7.

Krug could be an option at 7.
- Fountain-San

I always forget about Krug! I hope he kicks ass and makes me regret that.

I always forget about Krug! I hope he kicks ass and makes me regret that.
- glove_was_stuck

me too. he is rather small though.

Two other things to consider with Hamilton, one is it worth burning a year of his ELC on a shortened season, two it's gonna be a break neck pace to the season so if they try limiting his minutes that means more work for the rest of the defensive corps which inevitably will wear them out quicker.
- Rayven

I think the reports are confirmed that Hamilton type ELC players will only have 5 games to play before it counts as a year on the contract. That is a lot less of a look than Seguin got two years ago (9 games?). I predict they roll the dice with him unless he completely cannot handle the NHL. Besides, they need the depth seeing what happened last year....it was nice to see a local guy on the team in Mattau but let us be honest in saying he was brought in out of desperation.

Ty, interested to know whether you think Chiarelli is going to make a move to add another d-man. Even with Hamilton penciled in for limited minutes per game, the blue line's depth seems perilously thin. Especially with a veteran group like the Bruins have, a condensed season seems more likely to yield injuries and missed games. Wouldn't the Bruins be served to get themselves another spare d-man in the mold of Greg Zanon who can serve as the 7th guy in the pressbox some nights and then not be a total defensive liability if pressed into action? I don't think Aaron Johnson is that guy. Who could Chiarelli target?
- TheGreatNumber8

Here's one of the major issues: With 23 guys on their roster, one year remaining on the nonsensical Patrick Eaves buyout of three years ago, and 26 others signed to contracts, the Bruins' roster is pretty much full with their 50 max. They'd essentially have to trade somebody for nothing to either free up the space to sign an extra insurance guy like Mike Commodore or Chris Campoli, and I don't think they'll do it. Sadly, I think that Aaron Johnson, and beyond him Garnet Exelby, Torey Krug, and David Warsofsky will be those guys.

I don't think Aaron Johnson would be bad in a Zanon-like role, but we'll have to see how he arrives to camp.

Two other things to consider with Hamilton, one is it worth burning a year of his ELC on a shortened season, two it's gonna be a break neck pace to the season so if they try limiting his minutes that means more work for the rest of the defensive corps which inevitably will wear them out quicker.
- Rayven

I'm OK with burning a year of the ELC. I really don't think he has anything more to gain by dominating the OHL. It hits a point where you wonder if it'd stunt his development. Give him the challenge of the NHL, I say.

what is with Sabres fans in Ty's threads lately?

annoying.
- Fountain-San

Just like the Bruins fans in Garth's threads lately.
Get it?? It is a free web site, and a free country!!

They feel that the additions of Ott and Scott will add to their overall team toughness, and push the Bruins around.
- fudd1689

Hey, I did not mention that, but you did!!!
So, obviously that is on your mind.

Buffalo. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.
- Double_A

I guarantee you that you were looking at yourself in the mirror, when you thought about that!
Scum bag!

They think Ott and Scott will get the revenge for Lucic hitting Miller. It doesn't make sense to me because those are the types of games the Bruins always win, it is when the opponent refuses to fight the Bruins have the most trouble.
Plus try following Garth for a day.
- GSDIV

Hey look, I never mentioned that, OK?!
It is pretty obvious that you Bruins fans are still thinking about that hit!
Let's be honest with each other in here, that was a dirty hit, and Lucic needs a nose job!! I am sure Scott can fix him up!
That ugly son of a !@#$!

I guarantee you that you were looking at yourself in the mirror, when you thought about that!
Scum bag!
- Sabresfan88

That's rather rude, I hate rude people, you're not gonna make any friends that way,