On this episode of Bruins Beat, Evan Marinofsky is joined by Belle Fraser of The Hockey News to discuss the Bruins' future and determine just how far the B's are form contending with a team like Florida. That, and much more!
- The Panthers are one win away from a Cup
- Could the Bruins shorten the gap between them and the Panthers this offseason?
- Evan has a new idea for what the Bruins can do at forward
- But will the Bruins do it?
- Would Linus Ullmark ever accept a trade to Ottawa?
This episode is brought to you by PrizePicks! Get in on the excitement with PrizePicks, America’s No. 1 Fantasy Sports App, where you can turn your hoops knowledge into serious cash. Download the app today and use code CLNS for a first deposit match up to $100! Pick more. Pick less. It’s that Easy! Football season may be over, but the action on the floor is heating up. Whether it’s Tournament Season or the fight for playoff homecourt, there’s no shortage of high stakes basketball moments this time of year. Quick withdrawals, easy gameplay and an enormous selection of players and stat types are what make PrizePicks the #1 daily fantasy sports app! Visit PrizePicks.com/CLNS
Take the guesswork out of buying NBA tickets with Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code CLNS for $20 off your first purchase. Download Gametime today. Last minute tickets. Lowest Price. Guaranteed. Terms apply
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to the #CLNS Media Network’s YouTube channel for Boston #Bruins hockey. CLNS Media is the leading online provider of audio/video coverage for the Boston sports. Get complete inside access to the Bruins at TD Garden, the game day skates at Warrior, and everywhere on the road. CLNS #NHLBruins' credentialed insiders Mike "Trags" Petraglia, Evan Marinofski, Conor Ryan, and Joe "Haggs" Haggerty. Providing instantaneous news and analysis all in real time, as well as full access to complete videos from the players, coaches, ownership and everyone else on Causeway Street.
For the CLNS award winning Celtics, Patriots, Red Sox, College hoops, NBA History, go here to featured channels- / @bruinsrinkside
- The Panthers are one win away from a Cup
- Could the Bruins shorten the gap between them and the Panthers this offseason?
- Evan has a new idea for what the Bruins can do at forward
- But will the Bruins do it?
- Would Linus Ullmark ever accept a trade to Ottawa?
This episode is brought to you by PrizePicks! Get in on the excitement with PrizePicks, America’s No. 1 Fantasy Sports App, where you can turn your hoops knowledge into serious cash. Download the app today and use code CLNS for a first deposit match up to $100! Pick more. Pick less. It’s that Easy! Football season may be over, but the action on the floor is heating up. Whether it’s Tournament Season or the fight for playoff homecourt, there’s no shortage of high stakes basketball moments this time of year. Quick withdrawals, easy gameplay and an enormous selection of players and stat types are what make PrizePicks the #1 daily fantasy sports app! Visit PrizePicks.com/CLNS
Take the guesswork out of buying NBA tickets with Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code CLNS for $20 off your first purchase. Download Gametime today. Last minute tickets. Lowest Price. Guaranteed. Terms apply
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to the #CLNS Media Network’s YouTube channel for Boston #Bruins hockey. CLNS Media is the leading online provider of audio/video coverage for the Boston sports. Get complete inside access to the Bruins at TD Garden, the game day skates at Warrior, and everywhere on the road. CLNS #NHLBruins' credentialed insiders Mike "Trags" Petraglia, Evan Marinofski, Conor Ryan, and Joe "Haggs" Haggerty. Providing instantaneous news and analysis all in real time, as well as full access to complete videos from the players, coaches, ownership and everyone else on Causeway Street.
For the CLNS award winning Celtics, Patriots, Red Sox, College hoops, NBA History, go here to featured channels- / @bruinsrinkside
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00And they broke Matthew Cuchuck's sternum.
00:02Like, you know, we're not advocating for guys to get injured out there, but as Brad Marchand
00:07said, like Marchand really outed the league.
00:11Like in terms of what everyone's looking to do, like the league was like, all of us standing
00:15there just looking.
00:16I remember like hearing that in live time and I was like, did he just like, this is
00:20going to blow up into ungodly proportions, like the newsworthiness bell went off in my
00:26head.
00:27I was like, oh boy.
00:29That's going to be a headline everywhere.
00:39And welcome into the Bruins Beat presented by PrizePix.
00:43Go use that promo code CLNS to get up to a hundred dollars cash back on that first deposit.
00:47And we're presented by Game Time.
00:49Go use that promo code CLNS to get $20 off your first purchase.
00:53Terms apply.
00:54Lots of great concerts this summer.
00:55The Red Sox.
00:57Maybe you listened in a different part of the country and you got a team there you want
01:00to go see.
01:01Go use that promo code CLNS over at Game Time.
01:04I am Evan Marinovsky joined today by Belle Frazier.
01:06Belle, what's up?
01:07Nothing much.
01:08I'm so happy to be on.
01:10It's so hard since the season ended.
01:12I just miss it so much, honestly.
01:15It is.
01:16You know, the daily grind of it, it definitely, you miss it.
01:21And your Rangers are out too.
01:22I really thought, I really did, like, I fully believed they were going to make the cup.
01:27I'm not trying to rub it in.
01:28Really?
01:29I did.
01:30I thought they were going to do it.
01:31Well, that's right.
01:32Because you watch them a hell of a lot more than I do.
01:35Game four, I was like, yeah, it's over, like, they're done.
01:39And that just tied the series at two, right?
01:41Yeah, but it was like, you're in overtime about to go up 3-1 and you make that blatant
01:45of a turnover to let them win the game.
01:47It's like, all right, pack it up.
01:49Like, yep.
01:50The series is over.
01:51That's what ended up, unfortunately, for you happening.
01:53And unfortunately for the country, I don't think anybody wants to see the Panthers pull
01:56this out.
01:57They're close.
01:58But just a little announcement, Belle got your first job after college at MassLive.
02:05So congratulations.
02:06Thank you.
02:07A big hand.
02:08Thanks, Evan.
02:09You were graduated for about 25 seconds before you got picked up.
02:13So it was that quick.
02:15No, I'm excited.
02:16Congratulations.
02:17Thank you.
02:18It's a big deal.
02:19That's a big deal.
02:21Congratulations.
02:22Congratulations.
02:23And that's the big thing.
02:24You're not going back to New York.
02:25You stay around here and in Boston and, you know, it's what a world it is when you're
02:30an adult in Boston.
02:31It's so expensive.
02:32It's great.
02:33Yeah.
02:34The apartment has been a joy.
02:37Oh, I can't imagine how bad that's been.
02:40Yeah, it's pretty bad.
02:41The house I'm in now, I kind of hopped on, like, they're my buddies from college.
02:47And last minute, they're like, hey, like, we're looking at houses, like, we need a fourth.
02:50Do you want to, like, do it?
02:51I was like, yeah, sure.
02:52And the first house I went and saw with them is the one we picked.
02:55So it's perfect.
02:56Like, it was I ended up working out great, but I'm sure to work out great for you, too.
03:02So this Bruins team or this this Panthers Oilers Stanley Cup, Panthers are up three
03:08nothing as we record.
03:09I think it's over.
03:10I think the Oilers look dead.
03:12The fact they couldn't pull one out in game three pretty much says it all for me.
03:17But I don't know.
03:18I've seen some other people tweet this, and I kind of think it like the Bruins that far
03:22off from Florida gave them a fight in the second round.
03:27Obviously, Florida was the better team.
03:29But are the Bruins that far away from where the Panthers are?
03:33Yeah, I think so.
03:35I think it's always nice, you know, when you lose to a team in the playoffs to kind of
03:42you don't want to see them win the national championship, not the national championship.
03:45I was thinking of Denver.
03:46You're thinking of Denver.
03:47You're thinking of Denver.
03:48I'm like, because I had to watch that happen.
03:49It's been a tough year for you.
03:50You've gone through a lot the past couple months.
03:54Only losses.
03:55But you don't necessarily you're not like rooting for them the rest of the playoffs,
03:58but it is almost a little bit validating if they're the ones to get it done where it's
04:02like, all right, they were going to win it all along.
04:04Like, you can't blame yourself too much.
04:07Like, whatever.
04:08And you know, that's not how professional athletes actually think.
04:12I do think it is interesting that the Bruins almost gave them their most competitive series.
04:16Like, albeit the Rangers were up 2-1 in that series, but that could have been a sweep.
04:20Like Igor Shostakovich completely kept them in.
04:22It's a storyline with the Bruins, too.
04:24It's like Swayman and Igor kind of kept those teams afloat in those series.
04:28But I think the Panthers are just a level above the Bruins, no matter how close, quote
04:35unquote, that series was.
04:37I think when the Bruins look at what they need to do and the problems that they kind
04:41of faced in that second round, they didn't suddenly appear when they played the Panthers.
04:46Those were things in the regular season, extending a lead, top six contributions, you know, scoring
04:51in general.
04:52And then, I mean, we'll talk about offseason moves, but you know, strength, left side defense,
04:57like those things were always apparent and they weren't something that came out in the
05:00playoffs.
05:01So I think, yes, you faced a really good Panthers team and evidently the best teams in the East
05:06haven't been able to handle them either.
05:09But at the same time, I don't think that kind of takes away from the issues that the Bruins
05:13had all regular season and bled into the playoffs.
05:16But I do think it's a valid point.
05:19Maybe it softens the blow a little knowing, you know, the president trophy winners put
05:23up less of a fight than you did, you know?
05:25So yeah, I think the Panthers are much better, at least now.
05:28I think the Panthers are a much better team.
05:29I thought that in the second round, I didn't have the Bruins winning that series.
05:34And I mean, Bob Ross, he's been outstanding, like he has just been insane.
05:38And then you've got, you know, the two headed monster with Barkoff, and then you've got
05:42the Verhagen line with or not the Verhagen line, Bennett line with Chuck.
05:49For next season, though, I do think there are some interesting things to think about
05:54with the gap, at least closing between the Bruins and Panthers.
05:58And again, this doesn't even take into account that like the lightning will be hungry to
06:01get back there.
06:02And the Maple Leafs could look a lot different.
06:04You know, we haven't even seen them make a big move yet.
06:08But just specifically the Bruins and the Panthers, I mean, the Panthers have, you know, gone
06:13to two straight Stanley Cup finals.
06:15You know, we see what that does to teams in the sense that your offseason is much shortened.
06:20Guys get tired, you know, that it's not at the beginning of the season, but around like
06:24that February, March, April time got, you know, teams that go to two straight finals
06:27start to show a little bit of fatigue.
06:30And then you also have the other end of it, which is the Panthers should lose some big
06:34pieces this offseason.
06:35Montour is a UFA, Reinhardt is a UFA, Ekman, Larson, like they've got a few guys there
06:42and I don't know if you can keep them all.
06:45They'll somehow find a way.
06:46Like I feel like they will totally somehow find a way to do it and good for them.
06:51And then I think you coincide that with what the Bruins could end up doing.
06:54They have a ton of money, you know, like they should fill some of those holes.
06:57Like you mentioned, they were, you know, not great at scoring this year and the power
07:01play wasn't great.
07:03I think those things are kind of fixable in the offseason with free agency.
07:07And I just wonder, like, is there, you know, are they putting up a better fight next year?
07:12Like if they got a guy like Elias Lindholm down the middle, is he able to better handle
07:17Florida's top six?
07:18Is he able to shut down a Bennett line?
07:22I think that's your best bet.
07:23That's the thing.
07:24You don't have many other options here.
07:27I think that's your best bet.
07:28And I don't think they're that, that far off.
07:30Like it's not going to take a rebuild for the Bruins to be competitive, more than competitive
07:34against the Panthers.
07:35And I think what's interesting too is like, obviously I covered the Bruins series against
07:40the Panthers and then painfully had to watch the Rangers series.
07:44But I think the Bruins, just in terms of identity and what you need to win in the playoffs right
07:49now are a lot closer than even the Rangers.
07:52And just in terms of toughness and like, I mean, the Rangers, Mika Zibanejad, they
07:59were soft.
08:00Like they were so soft the entire series.
08:03And I think the center position is going to change for the Bruins.
08:07Their lineup is going to change.
08:08But you know, Charlie Coyle was out there actually making hits, you know, not like looking
08:12for calls instead of getting back and just trying to play defense.
08:15You know, I think the Bruins are a little bit closer to that gritty do or die mentality,
08:21which has always been, no matter what era it is, that's been Bruins hockey.
08:25So I think that's in their favor and that's kind of in their DNA.
08:29And it's proven like everyone hates, you know, the Bennett hits and when it's against your
08:34team and the edge Kachux plays with, but like, that's what you need.
08:38And you've seen the refs this postseason.
08:40They're going to let them do it.
08:42Apparently that's NHL playoff hockey right now.
08:44And like you either complain about it or you adapt and you adjust your team to kind of
08:48fit that bill too, because you need someone to respond.
08:51And not to say the Bruins didn't respond, you know, Pat Maroon was like, I'm not going
08:55to take a stupid penalty just to whatever, but you need, you need to mirror that.
09:00You need that nastiness.
09:01And I think the Bruins can do that.
09:03You look at a guy like Trent Frederick, who maybe could have had a little more bite to
09:05him this postseason, and then we can talk about additions.
09:09But yeah, I think in terms of talent, the Bruins are going to have to make some moves.
09:13But I think just in terms of, I don't know, like an overall grinding identity, the Bruins
09:18are, I would say closer, who knows how the East comes out next year after everyone's
09:24seeing how Florida played.
09:25I think everyone's, you always try to change your team to kind of reflect, you know, whoever
09:30wins the cup.
09:33But yeah, I don't think it's a far off thing for the Bruins, but I don't think if you come
09:37in the same way you did last year, anything's really going to change against the Florida
09:41team that, you know, might look different and probably will, but you never know.
09:46Yeah, I, I agree with you.
09:48And I think the Bruins need to make additions.
09:51They do have some of that toughness though.
09:52And like, I think the bottom six for the Bruins next year is set.
09:55You don't need another bottom six piece.
09:57It's great.
09:58I don't need to, we don't need to cover any, you know, you know, bottom six signs, which,
10:01you know, respect to those guys, but the Bruins have done a lot of that over the last couple
10:05of years.
10:06I think you're, you're pretty much set with some of the guys in your bottom six.
10:09I mean, it was hilarious.
10:11They had like, what, 12 forwards for the bottom six at some points this year.
10:16It's like, well, yeah, he would be a great middle guy, but like, who are you going to
10:19put up?
10:20Like, well, that's the thing.
10:21And it's like, you know, people want, you know, what do you do with Danton Heinen?
10:24What do you do with Jameson Reamstake?
10:25And it's like, well, you thank them for their contributions and you move on.
10:28Like that's, you've got enough guys down there and like, you know, Danton Heinen's probably
10:33gonna get paid this off season, relatively speaking, as he should.
10:36Like we're all pro we're pro getting the bag podcast.
10:39So like, you know, want those guys to get paid.
10:42But I just, you know, not with you, not with you.
10:45You've got enough.
10:46You've got enough.
10:47You don't need another.
10:48And I get Heinen like, you know, slots in in different places in the lineup better than
10:51others can.
10:52But you're good with Frederick and Geeky and Breazeau and Lauco and Beecher.
10:56And if you re-sign Maroon, like you're good.
10:59Yeah, you're good.
11:00You've got your group to choose from for sure.
11:02It's time to upgrade the top six, which I want to get to in a second.
11:06But first, quick word from our friends over at Prizebase.
11:08The finals are right around the corner and it's time for you to get in on the playoff
11:11action and win up to a hundred times your cash on prize picks as you and the world's
11:15best players take the game to a new level with the title on the line.
11:19With prize picks, you can turn $10 into $1,000 in a single game watching your favorite sports
11:24this summer.
11:25With prize picks, you could turn $10 into $1,000 in a single game watching your favorite
11:29sports this summer.
11:30You can make a prize picks lineup in as little as 60 seconds.
11:33You just need to pick more or less on two to six player stat predictions and you're
11:37locked in.
11:38Prize picks is America's number one fantasy sports app with over 5 million active members.
11:43Get on the daily action with your friends and become part of the prize picks community
11:46today.
11:47The finals mean more on prize picks and so do the star players.
11:51You get boosted payouts on select basketball stars that you won't find anywhere else.
11:55Quick withdrawals, easy gameplay, and a huge selection of players and stat types are what
11:59makes prize picks the number one daily fantasy sports app.
12:03And with the Celtics season still in full swing, there's plenty of opportunity to participate
12:06in prize picks.
12:07This week on prize picks, I'm selecting Jalen Brown for more than 25 points and Derek White
12:12for more than seven assists.
12:14So download the prize picks app today and use code CLNS for a first deposit match of
12:19up to $100.
12:20Again, use code CLNS for a first deposit match of up to $100.
12:27Prize picks, pick more, pick less.
12:29It's that easy.
12:31Now, let's get back to the show.
12:32I feel like I could recite the prize picks ad.
12:35It's like playing and I'm like, I know exactly what Connor is going to say next.
12:40Yeah, I agree with you.
12:43I feel the same way.
12:44I hear it.
12:45I know it.
12:46It's in my head at this point, like I'll hear it in my sleep.
12:50It's just so like, it's so, yeah, pick more, pick less, it's that easy.
12:56It's great.
12:57Yeah.
12:58It's in my head like, like a song.
13:01You mentioned an interesting point about the Panthers and like, I, you know, I'll see people
13:05complaining on Twitter about some of the things the Panthers are doing and I get it.
13:09You know, Bennett, like choking someone out.
13:10I think that was him the other night.
13:12Not great.
13:13Not great.
13:14No, not maybe, maybe not the best thing you could do, but they're getting away with it.
13:20Like that's my thing.
13:21It's like, if you're getting away with it, why not also do that?
13:25You know what I mean?
13:26Like, yeah.
13:28Yeah.
13:29It's cool.
13:30The Knights figured this out last year.
13:31And they broke Matthew Cuchuck's sternum.
13:32Like, you know, we're not advocating for guys to get injured out there, but as Brad Marchand
13:37said, like Marchand really outed the league.
13:42Like in terms of what everyone's looking to do, like the league was like, all of us standing
13:46there just looking at him.
13:47I remember like hearing that in live time and I was like, did he just like, this is
13:51going to blow up into ungodly proportions, like the, the, the newsworthiness bell went
13:56off in my head.
13:57I was like, Oh boy.
13:58Like that's, that's going to be a headline everywhere.
14:01And, but he's right.
14:02He's not wrong.
14:03Like you are trying to do that.
14:04You're not trying to like, you know, be like Matt Cook and, you know, take a skate to Eric
14:07Carlson's Achilles, but you are like, who is it?
14:12And I, you know, was it, who was the big defenseman, Nikola something on the Panthers, a 77, I'm
14:18blanking on his last name, Nikola.
14:20I almost said Jokic, but Nikola, Nikola Jokic is just so physical out there.
14:25Nikola when it Filipino late in the game and people are like, Oh, this is ridiculous.
14:31Filipinos history concussions.
14:32It's like, well, yeah, he does.
14:36That's the point.
14:37Like, I'm sorry.
14:38It's the playoffs, man.
14:39Like that's, that's going to happen.
14:40And, and is it like, does it, you know, is it the best thing?
14:43No, but it's playoff hockey.
14:45Like, and again, we're not at, you know, again, I guess it does sound like we're advocating
14:47for guys to get injured, but you know, it's part of the game.
14:51It's part of playoffs.
14:52And it's part of the Panther system too.
14:55And what has allowed them to throw every single team off of their game.
14:59And it's funny, like you look at the last three, I feel like the first round, I don't
15:03even remember the first round anymore.
15:05That feels like 10 years ago, but like, I don't either, at least their last two series
15:09and they mirrored each other.
15:11Exactly.
15:12I was like, I feel like I'm watching the Bruins Panther series all over again.
15:16The Rangers have five shots on goal by the midway point of the second period.
15:20They're getting pushed out of the offensive zone.
15:22Rangers are commanding center ice.
15:23Their four check is the same as it was like, and they get in your head, like Mika Zibanejad
15:29can't break the puck out the top.
15:31The Rangers best players were the bottom six, arguably the same with the Bruins in the second
15:35round.
15:36So it's like, yep.
15:37They take the same formula of, you know, being a talented skilled hockey team, but also they're
15:42not afraid to just like shove the top paid player on your team.
15:46You know, David Poshnok didn't have a five on five goal.
15:49Nope.
15:50The Oilers power play has barely scored like they don't give the respect to the league's
15:55top players that, you know, maybe some are like, oh, maybe I shouldn't hit McDavid.
16:00Maybe I should like give pasta his space, but they don't.
16:03And it could be dirty.
16:04It could be not, but like it disrupts the way these teams are able to recollect themselves
16:09and go out and play.
16:10And evidently it's worked.
16:11You know, I'm bearing a miracle.
16:13They're about to hoist the cup in like five days.
16:15Yeah.
16:16I mean, I think it's over.
16:17I think it's done.
16:18Every time I say series is over.
16:20It's not.
16:21So I think that's a bad thing for you right now.
16:23Yeah.
16:24They're like, oh, thank God.
16:25Evan's saying that we're done.
16:26Yeah.
16:27You got to match it.
16:29You've got to find a way to match it.
16:30And I don't think the Bruins are far off from doing it.
16:31I mean, they have some guys who can do that.
16:35And I think the Panthers are a fascinating team.
16:36And I wonder how long you can last playing like that, because that can wear you down
16:41like that can.
16:42That's taxing.
16:43It's a taxing way to play.
16:45You look at just their penalty kill.
16:46I mean, they are.
16:47They're up top quick.
16:48They're down low quick.
16:49It's unreal.
16:50It's unreal.
16:51They're everywhere.
16:52They're everywhere.
16:53And so I think it's interesting when you look at what the Bruins could do this offseason,
16:55they have about they have roughly 22 million in cap space.
16:59If you trade Lena Solmar, it goes up to about 27.
17:03And going into the offseason, I was very much in favor of put Zaka on the left side as a
17:07winger and go Lindholm and Coyle, Elias Lindholm.
17:11We got to mention that we can't say Lindholm anymore.
17:12We got to say Elias Lindholm and Charlie Coyle down the middle.
17:17And your third line can be either Patra or Geeky down the middle.
17:20And in that situation, I assume Dabrusk is gone.
17:24So you have to go out and sign another winger.
17:27And then you probably have some money left over to sign like a Brendan Dillon for four
17:30million dollars on the side on D.
17:33The more I look at it, I don't know.
17:37I think Lindholm, Zaka, Coyle down the middle is intriguing because Lindholm, Zaka, Coyle
17:41down the middle makes you deeper down the middle and you probably have to go out and
17:45sign two wings.
17:46So you like I was doing the math on this as I was watching the game last night.
17:50That second scenario I just mentioned, let's say you give Lindholm eight million dollars
17:54because we're going to assume that he's going to double, he's going to make more than seven
17:59for sure.
18:00And then let's say you go out and get Anthony Duclair and Tyler Toffoli, Duclair for four
18:03point five million.
18:04I think Duclair would be a great addition.
18:08I think he fits exactly what they're trying to do.
18:10Yeah, 100 percent.
18:12I think it'd be great.
18:13I think you need a guy like that.
18:17And then Toffoli, five million goal score.
18:19I'm guessing he's making somewhere around that.
18:21And so that plus Swayman, I put Swayman at seven point five million, puts you I think
18:25at like twenty five million or so.
18:27And this is assuming Olmark is traded, which like better happen.
18:30You figured it out, Evan.
18:32I did it.
18:33I did it.
18:34I did it.
18:35Five years of plan.
18:36I said, Don, this is what you got to do.
18:38I figured it out.
18:40Screw the advanced analytics.
18:41We're doing this.
18:42I got my cap friendly up for the meantime.
18:44For the meantime.
18:45Not much longer.
18:46Unfortunately, I like it.
18:47They're like, oh, we're taking cap friendly away from everybody and then Puckpedia and
18:50other websites just exist as well.
18:52Yeah.
18:53Yeah.
18:54Like they're just gonna do the same thing.
18:56But you know, I guess we're pro getting the bag.
18:59So those cap friendly guys must have got the bag for that website.
19:05But that so that that scenario just mentioned, you score more.
19:12Now, defensively, like Wotherspoon is your third pairing defenseman, which I think you
19:15can get by with.
19:16I'm not like that's not my favorite thing.
19:18I'd still rather a guy like Brennan Dillon.
19:20And that's also hinging on Lowry fitting in as an everyday NHL or which, again, he was
19:24great in the playoffs.
19:25But we really won't know yet until games are played next year if he's going to be an everyday
19:29guy as a top pairing defenseman.
19:34That second one's growing on me a little bit, putting, you know, forcing yourself to sign
19:38two scoring wingers, Lindholm, like, I don't know, I think that gives you a big boost.
19:43No, I completely agree.
19:45I also like the DeBrusque thing will be really interesting because it sounds like the Bruins
19:50gave him an offer and he didn't want it just based on, you know, breakout day and what
19:55Sweeney said.
19:56He was like, listen, it's a two way street.
19:57Like, we're not just like closing the door for Jake DeBrusque in Boston.
20:01Like he said, like, we'd love to have Jake DeBrusque be a Boston Bruin.
20:04But I think DeBrusque values himself a bit higher and he had a good playoffs.
20:08But I do think for the Bruins, is it guaranteed he's going to come in and have a great season?
20:14Like, that was the whole conversation last year.
20:16Can he come in and score 30 goals and like, OK, you said he broke his hand, whatever,
20:20all that comes out, blah, blah, blah.
20:23But I don't know.
20:24I think you also might want a new look.
20:26And I think Jake DeBrusque needs a new a new environment, honestly.
20:29And maybe he doesn't fully think that.
20:32And like, you know, Jake DeBrusque, you know who he is as a player.
20:34He gets the system.
20:35But I think having two fresh new looks in the top six on the wing would do wonders for
20:40the Bruins.
20:41And, you know, Montgomery switched up the lineup more than almost any other coach in
20:45the NHL during the regular season, during the playoffs.
20:48But at some point it's like it's not the combinations, it's just the personnel.
20:52And that's no disrespect to the guys that the Bruins had.
20:55You know, Morgan Geeky stepped up as a number one, number two for stretches at a time down
21:00the middle.
21:01And I think at some point you literally just need the firepower and you need a boost of
21:06energy.
21:07You know, like I think someone like Duclair, not to just focus in on him, but he's, you
21:11know, he has that spark to him.
21:12He's not just a goal scorer.
21:13He has some snarl.
21:14Like he was Matthew Kachuk 2.0 last year, you know, like he was great on the Panthers.
21:20And I think when you're talking about that type of player, like kind of smart to pull
21:24someone who's been in that system, been in that room.
21:29But yeah.
21:30And I think defensively to like, I love what Parker Wotherspoon did this season.
21:34It was a great, you know, story and he also just played well.
21:37Like he was not blatantly bad.
21:40He filled a hole, but I'm blatantly bad.
21:43Like it could have been a lot worse.
21:45Yes, I know what you mean.
21:48He didn't fucking suck.
21:50He just kind of sucked.
21:51No, he was great.
21:52Like he never, he never did.
21:54I agree.
22:02No, it's not.
22:04I don't know who the seventh defenseman is these days.
22:24And in December and other points of the season, it was kind of not a non-issue, but they did
22:30their job.
22:31And luckily you had Swayman.
22:33Like I would rather know that the Bruins are going to score four to five goals a night
22:38that maybe that's high, but yeah, three, three to four.
22:45I think that would round it out more because like you look at again, their last series,
22:49it wasn't like the Panthers other than like one or two games were scoring more than two
22:53goals a night and like that was Jeremy Swayman.
22:56But at the same time, like that was partially you would hope a product of your defense.
23:03Yeah.
23:04And I think the Laurie thing is interesting too.
23:06Like, do you want to just give him the first pair?
23:09Like he did earn his stripes this season and he proved that he can play the NHL level.
23:13But like, do you want to give a second year defenseman just like, yep, like silver platter.
23:18Here's the first, you know, first pair of minutes and power play.
23:21And I think he should get power play time even if he's not first pair.
23:24But I think developmentally why developmentally development.
23:28Developmentally works.
23:29That's a nice word.
23:31It is like, I think that's something you have to think about too.
23:34Like maybe Laurie still just needs some room to like make mistakes and not be the next
23:39Charlie McAvoy, you know, so.
23:42I don't know.
23:43I agree with your plan.
23:44I would focus on wingers and obviously the center position.
23:49But I think if the Bruins can squeeze anything on the left side, it's only going to make
23:53them better.
23:54So, you know, it wouldn't hurt them.
23:56And you got to get rid of Omar.
23:58Sorry.
23:59Yes.
24:00No, you're right.
24:01And that's why I don't think they do my plan.
24:02I don't think they do that.
24:04I think they go replace the brusque with a wing, put Zaka on the wing, get Lindholm and
24:09get a defense, get a left shot.
24:12And it's a much safer Bruins fans and like the media, like if they don't address the
24:17left side defense, like that's going to be the first article at training camp or whatever
24:21this summer.
24:22It's like Bruins ignore like glaring issue and like how is it going to affect them in
24:26the regular season?
24:27So like they're going to do their checklist, which I think is responsible.
24:32But for a fun podcast topic, I do think it would be interesting if they just, you know,
24:37front loaded.
24:39Yeah, I think it would help them.
24:42I think it would really help them.
24:44I just I don't think they do that.
24:46And you also have to consider full marks gone.
24:48You don't have the goalie tandem.
24:49So Swayman's playing a lot more.
24:50You'd ideally like to be better defensively in front of him.
24:53I think that's also why they probably bolster the left side on defense.
24:56That's a great point.
24:57I actually, that didn't even cross my mind.
25:01It's so early in the morning.
25:04No, it's true though.
25:05Like, I mean, Swayman proved he could play what?
25:0812 games in a row, but who knows?
25:1060?
25:11Can he play 82?
25:12Can he play 82 games in a row?
25:13I mean, seriously.
25:14Yeah.
25:15And the waiver thing's interesting with Bussy too.
25:17Because they can't.
25:19They can't.
25:20Yeah.
25:21No.
25:22Because the team would pick him up in two seconds.
25:23Exactly.
25:24Two seconds.
25:25One more little thing I want to get to.
25:27There's a team in the top 10 in the NHL draft that is looking to trade their pick.
25:31I want to get to that in a second.
25:32But first, quick word from our friends over at Game Time.
25:35The NBA Finals are right around the corner.
25:37And if you're a Celtics fan, odds are the TD Garden is going to be packed in June as
25:41the Celtics go for Banner 18.
25:44And if you want to cheer on the Cs inside the Garden, you gotta go with Game Time Tickets.
25:48Game Time is an authorized ticket marketplace that makes getting NBA Finals tickets even
25:52faster and easier.
25:54Prices on the Game Time app actually go down the closer it gets to tip-off.
25:58With killer last-minute deals, all-in prices, views from your seat, and their lowest price
26:02guarantee, Game Time takes the guesswork out of buying NBA tickets.
26:06And the best part about Game Time Tickets?
26:08You can browse through the Game Time app to find great seats at affordable prices for
26:11all sorts of in-demand games, concerts, and other events.
26:15Want to snag last-minute tickets to a concert?
26:17Game Time Tickets has you covered.
26:19Maybe a Sunday matinee game at Fenway Park.
26:21Or one of those spur-of-the-moment Friday night games watching the Sox.
26:25And with the Patriots and Bruins season set to get started later on in the fall,
26:29you can't go wrong with going to the Game Time app to find tickets ahead of time.
26:33It's really that easy.
26:35And with flash deals and zone deals available, you can make it to some of the most in-demand
26:39events at the last second.
26:41With these last-minute deals, you can save up to 60% off buying seats for sporting events,
26:45concerts, comedy, theater shows, and a whole lot more.
26:49Some of my favorite features of the app include seat views, where you can get a panoramic view
26:53from your seat in the app before you buy, and the lowest price guarantee, or else
26:57Game Time will credit you 110% of the difference.
27:01So what are you waiting for?
27:03Take the guesswork out of buying NBA Finals tickets with Game Time.
27:05Download the Game Time app, create an account, and use code CLNS for $20 off your first purchase.
27:11Terms apply.
27:13Again, create an account and redeem code CLNS for $20 off your first purchase.
27:19Download Game Time today. Download Game Time today.
27:23Last-minute tickets. Lowest price. Guaranteed.
27:25Now, let's get back to the show.
27:27Just one last thing on DeBrusque.
27:29I completely see it. I get what you're saying about him.
27:33I agree. He's so inconsistent.
27:35And we've complained about it for years.
27:37I do wonder, though, with a guy like him.
27:39I do think the devil you know is better than the devil you don't in this case.
27:43Just because wingers can be hard to bring in.
27:45Now, Duclair and Toffoli seem like pretty sure bets.
27:47Duclair's play style is worth the money in general, and Toffoli has no problem scoring a bunch of goals, which is what you need.
27:53But DeBrusque does give you the defensive element.
27:57You can kill penalties.
27:59Is that worth more than $6.25 million?
28:01Probably not.
28:03I think that's where the Bruins are kind of putting their foot down.
28:05But I agree.
28:07I think he also probably needs a change of scenery for sure.
28:09Well, I think the price will dictate how much sense it makes for the Bruins, too.
28:13But I think it's like this league, the windows are shorter than they've ever been to have success.
28:19And it's always the risk of letting a guy walk or sign somewhere else and then,
28:25oh, he's going to go score 40 goals next season.
28:27I've watched it happen over and over again where you switch teams and sometimes it just jump starts you.
28:33And that could very well happen with DeBrusque.
28:35But how long are the Bruins going to stand pat and wait for something to click with him?
28:41And that's why I would never want to be the one making the decisions.
28:45I don't know how long you wait.
28:47That's fair.
28:49I do think there is something to say.
28:51I don't know how much more leash or grace the Bruins can give DeBrusque to figure it out.
28:57But at the same time, you're right.
28:59He's not just a winger.
29:01He had to be better.
29:03Had to have a two-way game this year.
29:05Had to be good on the penalty kill just to be of value when he wasn't scoring.
29:07And that is big.
29:09So, yeah, I don't think the Bruins are collapsing if they keep DeBrusque, if they lose him.
29:11But it will change, obviously, the look of their top six tremendously.
29:15It will.
29:17It will.
29:19Now, again, if a team gives him $6.5, $7 million, it's like, all right, well, see ya.
29:25That's pretty simple.
29:27Pretty simple as that.
29:29Yeah, exactly.
29:31Go get the bag, dude.
29:33I'm fine with that.
29:35The Ottawa Senators came out a couple days ago and mentioned they'd be open to trading the No. 7 pick.
29:39Senators are in a weird spot where they do have some current older guys who are looking for a cup, like Claude Giroux, who I always forget is on the Senators.
29:47I know.
29:49It is funny.
29:51Wild move to go there.
29:53But they also have a lot of young pieces.
29:55And you wonder if they're going to try to bridge that gap.
29:57Now, they have been interested in Linus Olmark in the past.
29:59There was that Ottawa Suns story that had, you know, the package for Olmark being like chikren of the 7th overall pick.
30:07Another first.
30:09Like, all right, well, I would do that like yesterday.
30:11Do it.
30:13I think I'll go to Ottawa and pick up those draft picks and bring them back.
30:15That's what the trade is.
30:17But realistically, you know, could Olmark go for the No. 7 pick?
30:23Sure.
30:25Like, I don't doubt that Ottawa is desperate enough to do that.
30:27Does Olmark want to go to Ottawa?
30:29Yeah, I don't think Olmark goes to Ottawa.
30:31Like, New Jersey, Carolina, I think you have a much better chance.
30:33Like, that No. 10 pick with New Jersey, I think that's the sweet spot.
30:37Is he going to Ottawa?
30:39Like, no, probably not.
30:41And like, as much as every team is saying our goal is to win the Stanley Cup.
30:45That's why you come into season.
30:47Ottawa, I don't know.
30:49Maybe watch me eat my words next year and they're going to have an insane season.
30:51I've been saying it for the past couple of years with Ottawa and Detroit and Buffalo.
30:55This is their year.
30:57They're going to push through the playoffs and then they don't.
30:59I was on the Detroit wagon and made a fool of myself.
31:01You were a believer in the Iser plan.
31:05I was.
31:07But I think for Olmark, it's like, he's not old, old.
31:09But he wants to be competitive.
31:11And like, you see it within his play with the Bruins.
31:13He's happy for Swayman.
31:15But like, he's chomping at the bits to get out there.
31:17I can't imagine how hard it was to watch that whole run and not play.
31:21You know?
31:23And he always is very balanced about it.
31:25He's like, Swayman's my guy.
31:27Like, all I want to see is him succeed.
31:29But like, I'm also a professional NHL athlete who's getting paid to be here.
31:31And who like, wants to make a difference.
31:33And I think for him, he doesn't want.
31:35He wants to be successful immediately.
31:37Like, he wants to be in a winning culture.
31:39And I don't know if Ottawa's the exact place for him.
31:41And not just that.
31:43Just like, where it is, too.
31:45When you look at, theoretically, what's on his list, you would assume
31:49Ottawa would probably be on it.
31:51Yeah.
31:53I can't imagine Ottawa as a destination.
31:55And you have to consider, like, and I've said this a couple times.
31:57He's up for a new contract after next year.
31:59He's going to want to be.
32:01He needs to have a good season.
32:03Yeah.
32:05And I don't think you're getting that in Ottawa.
32:07I just don't.
32:09I said this to Connor yesterday on Poke the Bear.
32:11Like, when was the last time a goalie had a great season in Ottawa?
32:13I honestly can't remember.
32:15Like, was it Craig Anderson?
32:17And it's likely the last big contract of his career.
32:19Like, it's actually a really good year for him.
32:21Yeah.
32:23It is.
32:25I think he makes the most sense.
32:27And like, okay, seven or ten.
32:29Like, the Bruins have a fourth, fifth, and sixth round pick.
32:31Like, if you can get into the first three rounds.
32:33Like, take it.
32:35I don't care if it's, like, three apart.
32:37Take what you can get.
32:39Yeah.
32:41Take what you can get.
32:43And again, like, I've said this all offseason.
32:45I think Lindholm is your, you know, number one center of the, you know,
32:47next couple years.
32:49I think you go for your franchise number one center with a pick like that.
32:51With the number ten pick.
32:53Or if you somehow get the number seven pick.
32:55That's how, in the first round.
32:57That's how you get those guys.
32:59You see it, like, you know, Wyatt Johnson with the stars.
33:01And David Pasternak.
33:03Like, you can.
33:05It's not guaranteed.
33:07It's not guaranteed if you're picking in the top ten either.
33:09But even if you just get a first round pick.
33:11You can stumble upon a really high-end guy.
33:13I mean, every guy who is considered for the first round is a high-end player.
33:15Yeah.
33:17Those are high-end franchise caliber players.
33:19And whether, you know, they're considered for.
33:21You know, you have that Trevor Connelly kid.
33:23From Providence.
33:25Who obviously has, you know, some.
33:27Past issues.
33:29You know, people can go read The Athletic Story.
33:31He's really.
33:33He's nasty, though.
33:35He's freaking nasty.
33:37And so, like, he's going to fall.
33:39And I'm not saying pick him.
33:41Because he's a winger.
33:43So, you need a center.
33:45But even, like, a team.
33:47Like, you know, The Athletic keeps doing those mock drafts.
33:49And, like, a team like the Dallas Stars.
33:51Who are picking, like, 29th.
33:53Could stumble upon a high-end player like Trevor Connelly.
33:55No doubt about that.
33:57I just don't think the Senator's number 7 pick is going to be.
33:59No.
34:01And I think, too, like, just.
34:03When you trade for a draft pick.
34:05It's like, oh, if we're giving up Olmark.
34:07We need something that's going to help us immediately.
34:09And it's like, you know, I think that's also a product of.
34:11That's Capspace.
34:13Yeah, that's Capspace.
34:15And it's also just who's a free agent this summer.
34:17Like, Linholm makes the most sense for the Bruins right now.
34:19But he's not a perfect fit.
34:21No, he's not.
34:23And I think that's kind of the frustrating part.
34:25Where, like, you're not going to get the perfect player.
34:27Who's going to fix all the Bruins problems.
34:29In the draft right now.
34:31Or in free agency.
34:33But you're going to get someone who pushes them a little bit further.
34:35And I think, yeah, the draft.
34:37It's hard because you're like, oh, we're not going to see this kid for what?
34:39Like, two to four years.
34:41But you need someone new.
34:43And no disrespect to the AHL.
34:45And the system in Providence.
34:47But, like, Beecher and Laurie were great.
34:49But you look at the depth there.
34:51You need someone young to be excited about.
34:53To feel, you know, like, we have this coming up.
34:55And, yeah.
34:57And I think that's what the Bruins need to do.
34:59And, you know, Amath and Celebrini.
35:01Watch him drop to 10.
35:03Oh, baby.
35:05Maybe it could happen.
35:07It could happen.
35:09He's like, I'm only going to play for the Bruins.
35:11I'm only going to do this.
35:13Jay Pandolfo calling my name.
35:15I need it.
35:17I can't be anywhere else.
35:19Yeah, I mean, I think the San Jose native.
35:21Or the kid whose dad works at San Jose.
35:23He's not going to want to go there.
35:25He's going to want to go elsewhere.
35:27Do you think he leaves BU?
35:29It's so funny.
35:31Because, like, on 32 Thoughts, Elliot and Jeff have opened,
35:33like, the last three episodes debating if
35:35Macklin's going to stay or not.
35:37And the whole BU student media were like,
35:39welcome to our brains.
35:41Like, the past, like, year.
35:43Like, now everyone's like, yeah, this is, like, the carousel.
35:45Like, does he, whatever.
35:47His quotes, I think he's being responsible about it.
35:49But you look at just, like,
35:51even the media circus the last week.
35:53Like, going to the games,
35:55meeting Gretzky, meeting McDavid.
35:57Like, how do you go back to, like,
35:5910-19 com av after that?
36:01Like, I don't know.
36:03I think once you get a taste of it
36:05and you get the excitement and, like,
36:07not to say he's going to go for the publicity,
36:09but, like, you're in it.
36:11You know, like, you are wanting.
36:13I don't know. I think it's hard.
36:15But I do think, beyond, you know,
36:17the optics of it, he could use,
36:19anyone could, any 17-year-old could use
36:21another year of development.
36:23Like, no matter how good you are.
36:25So I wouldn't, I'm not going to write it off.
36:27I obviously think the odds are that he leaves.
36:29But I don't think it's as
36:31obvious, maybe, as, like,
36:33other number one picks. I don't know.
36:35Well, so this is the thing.
36:37Any other, like, a Jack Eichel, for instance,
36:39100% chance he was leaving.
36:41And a lot of those, like, number one picks
36:43or guys as freshmen,
36:45you typically expect to leave. Like, Will Smith.
36:47I was like, alright, he's gone. I was surprised
36:49it took him as long as it did.
36:51But with Celebrini,
36:53I still give, like, a 10% chance that there's,
36:55like, a maybe he stays, mainly because
36:57he's 17.
36:59And, like, we had Jay Pandolfo.
37:01And Eiserman.
37:03They are best friends.
37:05And so, like, maybe you stick around for that.
37:07His brother's on the team.
37:09Like, he'll be 18 next year.
37:11They didn't win a single trophy
37:13his freshman year.
37:15Well, he did win the Hobey Baker, but, yeah, team trophy.
37:17This is true.
37:19No Auggies, championship, nothing.
37:21Regular season, yeah.
37:23The best roster to never win a thing.
37:25And that's the thing. And so, I just
37:27wonder if there is
37:29that desire to come back. And you have to consider his dad
37:31is very smart. He's a sport, you know,
37:33with the Golden State Warriors,
37:35he understands athletes. So, like,
37:37I don't know. It wouldn't shock me if he
37:39came back, but I do think, like, if I was betting
37:41on it, I think he's gone. But, there's
37:43that little part of me that holds out hope. Because it'd be really
37:45cool. There is. There has to be.
37:47The college hockey fans in us, it's like,
37:49you can't tell yourself that
37:51he's going to be gone. Exactly.
37:53We need it. We need it. Even though I think VU will
37:55still be alright without him next year.
37:57Belle, what can the people look forward to
37:59from you? When do you start?
38:01What's the latest?
38:03Start June 24th. So,
38:05I'm ready. It's so weird
38:07having time off. I'm like, I'm so
38:09uncomfortable. Like, I need to get back to work.
38:11You have, like,
38:13three weeks and you're like, I can't do this. I can't do it.
38:15I'm going crazy.
38:17Yeah, so, I mean, you can
38:19follow me on Twitter, bellefraser1. I'll have updates
38:21there. But, MassLive is expanding
38:23its coverage of high school sports into
38:25Boston. And I'm going to be on that team.
38:27Be a lot of hockey in the winter, but
38:29I'll kind of be all over the place
38:31this fall. So, yeah,
38:33follow along there. I'm excited for the new
38:35chapter. Yeah,
38:37that's basically it for now.
38:39Well, congratulations. People should
38:41look out for that. I'm sure I'll see you at different
38:43rinks all over the winter, which should be fun.
38:45I know. I was thinking about that. I was like,
38:47now Evan and I will, like,
38:49fully be at the same places
38:51all the time. Well, that's the thing. It won't
38:53be, like, a nice press box.
38:55It'll be, you know, up along the glass
38:57in Arlington, which is honestly better. I
38:59like it. I honestly, like,
39:01I like freezing and
39:03catching colds because I'm so cold.
39:05It's fun. It's the best.
39:07Reminds me of when I was playing
39:09hockey as a little kid.
39:11Anyways, Belle, thank you for joining.
39:13And that's been this week's Brewers Beat. I'm Evan Marinovsky.
39:15You Brewers Beat listeners have a great rest
39:17of your week.
39:33you