What’s brewin’ with the Bruins?
As of right now, the No. 11 seed in the Eastern Conference and no playoff appearance.
I’m sorry to be so negative, but after watching Tuesday’s home-ice collapse against Toronto – a 3-0 lead turned into a 5-4 loss – I’m not convinced this team can crack the code.
Some things are obvious: David Pastrnak is the only elite player, Brad Marchand is getting old, Hampus Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy are sidelined, and Jeremy Swayman – at this moment in time – is having fans scratch their heads about that $66 million contract.
Seriously, the Black and Gold are 27-24-8 with 23 games remaining in the regular season. The roster has veterans, a playoff-proven netminder, and a top-five player in the world, yet can’t string together a decent winning streak.
Not good enough.
So, thinking long-term, what should be next?
I’m no general manager – that’s why I write about sports and don’t manage them – but here’s what’s on my mind.
First, let’s identify the untouchables. I vote Pastrnak, McAvoy, Matthew Poitras, and – dare I say it – Mason Lohrei, who has proven to be an elite puck-handler and can enter the offensive zone with ease.
Sure, his growing pains are there. The crafty left-hander sometimes gets, well, too crafty, which leads to odd-man rushes the other way.
As for everyone else – including one of my all-time favorites in Marchand – it’s not out of this world to (at least) listen to offers.
I know, I know. He’s the captain, an all-time great, and his No. 63 sweater can be seen all across Beantown bars.
To that, I say: Wasn’t it a similar situation with Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and the Celtics?
That 2013 day was a terrible one, but the C’s – most certainly – wouldn’t have captured last season’s championship without the trade (the draft picks resulted in Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.)
Who else?
Elias Lindholm (12 goals), Charlie Coyle (7 assists), Johnny Beecher (3 goals), Trent Frederic (-14 +/-), and Brandon Carlo (goal, 8 assists) have underperformed.
Again, I know. Some of those names have scored big goals and delivered unforgettable playoff moments, but accountability knocks on the door sometimes.
As for playstyle and identity, I’m not sure the “Big, Bad, Bruins” can win a Stanley Cup right now.
The game is always changing. It worked in 2011 with Milan Lucic, Zdeno Chara, Johnny Boychuck, Adam McQuaid, Shawn Thornton, and those boys. And in 10 years, maybe the NHL will transition back to that era.
But in 2025, as Goose and Maverick would say: “The need for speed.”
Just look at Connor McDavid. That guy blew past Team USA like it was nothing last week. His Oilers just went to The Stanley Cup final against Florida, another group that skated right by the Bruins in six games en route to a trophy hoist.
I digress…
Lastly, if you can’t score on the power play, you’ll never win the big games. As of now, the Bruins have the third-worst in the NHL.
From my eyes, the team needs more movement, a stronger net-front presence, and a true goal-scorer for the second unit. Pastrnak and his one-timers can carry the top unit.
All right. Twenty-three games to go. Talk soon.
