OffThePost.org

A season for the ages last year ended in a disappointing playoff thud. The other shoe has dropped in Boston and its time to see what's on the other side.

In.......Geekie, Lucic, JVR, The Shattenkirk, Boqvuist....Pasta's monster contract, other dudes.

Out.....Yikes...here we go......Bergeron, Krejci, Bertuzzi, Foligno, Hall, Hathaway, Orlov, Reilly and Cliffy.

The inevitable has come to pass and one of the best players in Bruins history has left the game, Bergeron. Right behind him was Krejci.

Unfortunately, the Bruins are severely handicapped by their cap room and couldn't do much to retain any FAs of significance. Even with the great list of departures the Bruins are still against the limit and were forced to look into the bargain bin. I don't expect much out of Lucic, JVR or the Shattenkirk but maybe that's a good thing.

Chiasson and Heinen are currently on PTOs.

Swayman got a significant raise in arbitration...I am actually surprised they didn't consider walking away as they opted for only the 1 year...but I would guess that means they aren't sold on who can be the number 1 in Boston. It could also mean they are just happy in general with the tandem...even though 8 Mil for the pair is at the top of the league now.

Like it or not its all on Pasta.

I would expect Marchand or CMac to pick up the C. No offense to Brad but Charlie is probably the right choice.

So that leads us to the 2 issues of the season.....Pasta has a monstrous contract.........Can he perform with a center corps that doesn't look to be on his level? Or can he elevate someone like Geekie or Zacha to 1C status?

The playoffs might be a stretch this year but not unattainable. The East is full of up and comers and I don't expect this team to fall right off a cliff. But expecting anything like last year is a pipe dream.

_________________
No AI has been used in the making of this post

All preseason games are being offered on NESN or NESN Plus this year with the last one being a tnt tuneup. Kicks off this Sunday 9/24 at 5pm EST with the Rangers visiting.

Hopefully more entertaining than the Pats or Sox.

_________________
No AI has been used in the making of this post

The Bruins quickly name Brad Marchand as captain. Makes sense, he's 35....the last member of the old guard and only signed out to 24-25.....if he does stay to finish his career it will be for a lot less money.

I like the attitude it represents on the squad.

Can't complain. Congrats Brad!

_________________
No AI has been used in the making of this post

The 2023-24 Bruins are gonna be interesting, that's for sure.

_________________

https://twitter.com/NHLBruins/status/17 ... 4319160500

Video with Cam presenting and a little diddy from Brad!

Camp is open!

_________________
No AI has been used in the making of this post

Preseason game 1 in the books! Poitras looked good....I failed as a frenchman saying his name at first.....but I like saying it and can't wait for Jack to try. If Bussi is the goaltending depth the Bruins should feel great. I'd like to see him get some more time in the preseason....could free up some money in the tending department if necessary or at least provide options down the road.

Nice save

https://twitter.com/NHLBruins/status/17 ... 4045579667

_________________
No AI has been used in the making of this post

Don't know if this was posted yet but the B's are donning new threads this year, their centennial season.

https://www.nhl.com/bruins/news/bruins- ... -24-season

Eh, I don't love them, but for whatever reason the previous uniforms bored me. The Bourque-era jerseys with the Paddington Bear on the shoulder and stripe that went all the way down the sleeve remains their very best look IMHO.

Hopefully for Boston fans their century mark will go better than it did for their archrivals up in Montreal.

First look at Milan....and its still Milan.......2 now maybe even 3 skates behind. Admittedly, he is 35 and this is his first preseason game since a productive World Cup run. I just don't want him stealing spots from kids anymore as I had to watch him do it in Calgary for years. However, the prospect pool is thin in Boston so he may be in the right spot at this time in his career. He's also wearing the A so that shows the commitment Montgomery and the brass have made to him. Hopefully, both sides are able to have realistic conversations about the actual on ice contribution through the season and Montgomery isn't forced to give him time if it doesn't make sense to do so.

Here's hoping he finds success and can contribute effectively.

_________________
No AI has been used in the making of this post

I hope Poitras makes it! Best in show at camp.

_________________
No AI has been used in the making of this post

Alec Regula
Daniel Renouf
Anthony Richard
Reilly Walsh
Parker Wotherspoon

OUT and waived before tonights game

_________________
No AI has been used in the making of this post

The Bruins had no business being in that one last night without Ulmark.

Poitras scores in the 3rd....the Bruins are choosing wrong if he doesn't gain a spot to start the year. He is on an ELC so I could see where that would work against him. I see a lot of people saying he can't be top 6.....but I don't see what is wrong with trying. We already know the Bruins don't have legit top 6 centers anyway.



That seems like a silly thing to hold onto though.

Areas of concern....I am concerned about the reliance on pinching D this year...especially with Brandon Carlo.

I would rather see Mason Lohrei and Ian Mitchell make the team in place of Shattenkirk or Zboril (who I feel is first candidate to not make it).

Milan looked good....had a goofy goal and made a nice pass. He looks to be skating a bit better and seems to be maintaining his elevated offseason play.

This might be it for McLaughlin....I've liked what I have seen in the past but he is being outplayed by younger dudes in camp. I would rather have Poitras or Beecher at C.

I like Heinen better than Greer, Boqvist or Brown.

Final cuts coming before the final preseason game on Thursday at MSG for the TNT warmup.

_________________
No AI has been used in the making of this post

Oh yeah I suppose I forgot to add that Matthew Phillips scored the GWG last night for the caps............................ Thanks Daryl!

_________________
No AI has been used in the making of this post

Mitchell, Lohrei, Poitras and Beecher all in for the final pre-season game. Let's have a good showing boys!

_________________
No AI has been used in the making of this post

Poitras scores the GWG in the final preseason game. That should seal the deal and not only seal the deal but start discussion about top 2 line duty. I would think that Lohrei has also earned a spot.

_________________
No AI has been used in the making of this post

Beecher, eh? Interesting. I always wondered if/when he would make it to the big show. Was a bit overshadowed on Team USA by Messrs. Hughes, Turcotte, and Zegras, but absolutely held his own out there.

A good sign for Lohrei, Mitchell, Poitras and Beecher.


Jesper Bosqvist, Oskar Steen, Jakub Zboril to waivers

_________________
No AI has been used in the making of this post

AJ Greer and Patrick Brown waived. Looks good for the kids!

_________________
No AI has been used in the making of this post

Final practice lines:




Let's hope Poitras has taken that 2nd line C job by thanksgiving. Right now I don't like what Poitras has to work with...perhaps Geekie will surprise once the season kicks in. That's a let's toss it in the air and see what happens line.

_________________
No AI has been used in the making of this post

On paper this team looks a lot weaker for obvious reasons, but the Bs always seem to manage. Lindholm and McAvoy will probably carry this team.

_________________

Mason Lohrei did not make it. But Poitras, Beecher and Mitchell did.

Next up....Hawks on TNT.

_________________
No AI has been used in the making of this post