Full disclosure: The Boston Bruins are my favorite team in all of sports.
Everyone with a favorite team – no matter the sport – knows how it works.
Regular-season win: “We’re back.”
Regular-season loss: “Blow it all up.”
Daily mood swings aside, let’s talk about the most iconic sports team that wears black and gold. (That was a shot at you, Steelers’ fans.)
I attended Thursday’s game against Anaheim (7-5 loss). As you would expect, watching seven goals scored by the opposition – especially with a team name like the Ducks – was no fun.
Sure. The third-period, two-goal comeback was a blast. As was the fight by Tanner Jeannot.
And, win or lose, I’ll never deny how fun a game is. I enjoyed the production, excitement, and passion from fellow fans.
The $17.99 drink (that I didn’t buy) was a bit much, though . . .
OK. Back to the point.
Let’s not talk about a random loss to the Duckies. Rather, my five-step idea for a rebuild.
Step 1 – Big three?
There are three players in the Bruins’ system who shouldn’t be moved – no matter the price or package. You have a top-five player in the world (David Pastrnak), top-10 defenseman (Charlie McAvoy), and top-tier prospect (Boston College’s James Hagens).
Don’t forget that. Please.
Step 2 – Don’t repeat the past
Tyler Seguin. Ryan Donato. Frank Vatrano. Reilly Smith. Dougie Hamilton. I could go all day when talking about players the Bruins shouldn’t have moved on from.
Through nine games, I’ve been impressed with 21-year-old Fraser Minten, whom we acquired from Toronto in the Brandon Carlo deal.
Sure, Boston could throw him in a package for an older player who’s more developed, but let’s see who Minten becomes first.
Step 3 – Reward those who have done their jobs
I wouldn’t move on from Morgan Geekie (30-goal scorer), Nikita Zadorov (hits leader, positive +/-, fighter, heart-and-soul), or Mark Kastelic (fighter, hitter, 54.4 percent face-off percentage last season).
They’ve done their jobs, and seem to have bought into the culture.
Step 4 – Don’t waste bodies
Maybe I shouldn’t use the word “waste,” but if you’re going to pack it up for a year and rebuild, don’t waste your time with lifelong AHLers (Riley Tufte, Jeffrey Viel, Johnny Beecher). Give high-potential players (Fabian Lysell, Matthew Poitras, Matěj Blümel) a chance and live with growing pains.
Step 5 – A new era
Unfortunately, Terry O’Reilly isn’t taking the ice (or climbing up the seats) any time soon. It’s also not 2011, when guys like Milan Lucic, Zdeno Chara, Shawn Thornton, Gregory Campbell, or Adam McQuaid could win you games via intimidation.
This doesn’t mean you abandon the Big Bad Bruins mindset, but it can’t be all you have in 2025. Boston needs to gravitate toward speed and skill.
Ever seen that guy in Edmonton play?
Well, that’s all I’ve got. I’m not sure Saturday’s matinee against Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and the Colorado Avalanche will be any different, but, as always . . .
Go B’s.
