Ty Anderson: Five storylines as B's open camp

old time hockey

4. Joonas Kemppainen: the Next Soderberg?

There’s a lot of hype surrounding Kemppainen and his potential impact on the Bruins. It’s easy to compare the 6-foot-2 center to fellow Scandinavian import of 2013 and former Bruin, Carl Soderberg. But that might not be fair to Kemppainen. In fact, it’s not. Soderberg arrived at the perfect time for the Black and Gold -- and chimed in for two impressive 40-point seasons in two full seasons with Boston -- and found instant chemistry with a third-line opening alongside Loui Eriksson and Chris Kelly.

I don’t think that Kemppainen has that same opportunity, at least from a pure scoring aspect. Although he comes to the Hub after an impressive 32-point regular-season for Karpat and even more impressive 24-point playoff run (19 games) -- and nine points in eight games for Finland at the World Championships in the Czech Republic this past summer -- it seems as if Kemppainen would have to break in with the B’s on their fourth line. That’s merely because Bergeron, Krejci, and Ryan Spooner seem like absolute locks for the pivot spots on lines one through three given their play.

Talking to those that have watched Kemppainen play, they say that he can … well … play. And although he’s still in the midst of making the jump to the smaller, North American ice, he feels ready to jump in.

At $700,000, Kemppainen could and would be an absolute value steal for the B’s if he can find a fit within the NHL mix, and expect Julien and the Bruins to try anything and everything to make it work.

These arguments are spot on. Kemppainen can play, like, very well. He has talent, but as a 4th liner... In NHL. Uhh, I dont know.

Thank god we finally have actual hockey to talk about

This is the first season in a long time where I have no clue how this team is going to shake out. It wouldn't shock me to see them miss the playoffs again or make it comfortably.

My 3 storylines I'm going to be watching:

1. How the right wingers are slotted in the lineup. Hayes, Connolly, and Pastrnak.

2. Is Claude really going to stray from what he's comfortable with and run a more up tempo speed game

3.How is the defense going to shake out. A lot of question marks on the back end this year. I'm not sure where the speed is going to be coming from with Miller, McQuaid, Chara, and Seidenberg all penciled in for starting spots.

Should be an exciting camp can't wait to watch some real hockey

3 things I hope to see this season;

1) Seidenberg shows that last year was a result of still recovering from that knee injury (deep down knowing his best years are behind him and its wishful thinking)

2) Beleskey replaces Lucic's goal scoring and shows desire to play every game.

3) Rinaldo's stint in Boston lasts only the pre-season. Ferlin takes his spot on the 4th line.

3 things I hope to see this season;

1) Seidenberg shows that last year was a result of still recovering from that knee injury (deep down knowing his best years are behind him and its wishful thinking)

2) Beleskey replaces Lucic's goal scoring and shows desire to play every game.

3) Rinaldo's stint in Boston lasts only the pre-season. Ferlin takes his spot on the 4th line.
- CapeBruiner

I would like to see Subban stand on his head in camp and win the back up role. From there give the B's solid back up support for Rask for 20-25 games.

F.N. PK Subban..
donates 10 mil to childrens hospital... how can you hate on him after that. OK, he gets a free pass from me til his first dive.

3 things I hope to see this season;

1) Seidenberg shows that last year was a result of still recovering from that knee injury (deep down knowing his best years are behind him and its wishful thinking)

2) Beleskey replaces Lucic's goal scoring and shows desire to play every game.

3) Rinaldo's stint in Boston lasts only the pre-season. Ferlin takes his spot on the 4th line.
- CapeBruiner

i'm with you there, I think he'll be better, but right now out wiht upper body injury...

“The bottom line for all of us is to be a Bruin, you’d better goddamn hate to lose.”
- Don Sweeney

He may not know entirely what he's doing, but he's got some good motivational one-liners for sure.

Seems they are taking this evolution pretty serious!

Bean has a pretty good write up.....
http://www.weei.com/sport...ght-work-fixing-breakouts

I love the Krejci quote...
“Obviously I’m an offensive guy, so the more offense, the better for me, but I’m not a defensive coach,” he said. “There’s got to be some balance, so they can’t just unleash me. They’ve just got to release the leash a little bit, but keep me on it. I’m obviously welcoming that they want to kind of open things up, but at the same time, you have to take care of your own end because you’re playing against really good players in the NHL, so you also have to be smart.”

Kinda cool hearing his mindset and style and how his game has to play within the "system." He, along with Bergy, could be top ten in scoring if not for the "leash."


AND limiting the passes back and forth and back and forth behind the net!

What happened at the rookie tourney up in BUF?

Any stand outs? I saw that we win one and lost one in OT to BUF. Also saw in a Haggs piece that Frank Vatrano scored some goals and is a snipa?

What happened at the rookie tourney up in BUF?

Any stand outs? I saw that we win one and lost one in OT to BUF. Also saw in a Haggs piece that Frank Vatrano scored some goals and is a snipa?
- JIwasinskiJr

#1 takeaway from the prospect tourney is that Vatrano might be legit. I have a little "Matt Fraser phobia" when it comes to his game though. We'll have to wait and see.

Also, Vladar and McIntyre played very well. We probably have the best goalie depth in the league

#1 takeaway from the prospect tourney is that Vatrano might be legit. I have a little "Matt Fraser phobia" when it comes to his game though. We'll have to wait and see.

Also, Vladar and McIntyre played very well. We probably have the best goalie depth in the league
- Shaundre93

You are definitely right about the goalie depth, it is sweet for Boston. In fact we are not going to be able to keep all these guys.

When we trade one of them I hope we get it right and trade the less talented one, honestly have no idea who that is right now.

And my little brother's girlfriend goes to UMass and was telling me about this kid Vatrano a year or two ago. My thought was that he would need some time in the mionors, obviously, but I was assuming he was a depth fourth or third liner.

Cool to hear his name so soon and that maybe he is more than just a gritty fourth line grinder.

Seems we have a small problem already in camp!

“Boston should make a decision with me,” the 2011 second-round pick said on Saturday. “€œI’€™ve waited for my chance already. Two years. I’€™m just still waiting. We’€™ll see. They should make a decision. Give me a chance, or I don’€™t know. We’€™ll see [what] they’€™ll do.”€

Bean article about Koko..........
http://bigbadblog.weei.co...-of-patience-with-bruins/

He will be traded before the season starts. This is getting silly with "most" of Boston's high picks over the last few years............seems something needs to change.