Spare D will see some time as Bruins tune up for playoffs
Julien/By S. Bradley
WILMINGTON, Mass. — Far be it for me to expect Bruins head coach Claude Julien to take my advice.
But after practice today at Ristuccia Arena, Julien sounded like a coach ready to get his entire team, including the perennial scratches, game-ready for the playoffs over the final seven contests of the regular season.
That could mean rest for the weary and ice time for the seldom-used among the Bruins, who wrapped up their fourth straight playoff berth Sunday night.
“I think down the road, you’re going to see us moving some of those guys in there and we’re going to try to make sure we keep everybody more or less in the loop,” said Julien. “But at the same time, you want to make sure that you have a roster that you feel comfortable with. We’re going to try to balance that out – whether it’s goaltenders, whether it’s Ds or even forwards for that matter.”
Julien might not go to the extreme I suggested and rest every defenseman at least once over the final two weeks of the season. But he obviously has a plan in mind for rookie Steven Kampfer and veteran Shane Hnidy, who hasn’t played all season, to get into some game action. Michael Ryder, who Sunday was a healthy scratch for the second time in three weeks, should also expect some playing time and a chance to earn back his job among the top 12 forwards.
CJ needs to find a way to put Pevs in a position to get open. He has a wicked wrister that nobody really expects when they look at him. He burned Mike Smith earlier this year from about 50ft out, wide open, with a top corner shot… pretty nasty.
I think Peverly is a good pick up. I love his speed and he fights hard for the puck. Great penalty killing too. I think our penalty kill seems to be coming back into top form-for a while there our PK sucked almost as bad as our PP.
I am not sold on Kelly and I can’t help but wonder if Kelly wouldn’t be better on the 4th line (I do think he could fit there) and let Ryder on the third with Peverly and Seguin and let Paille take the press box.
Tom,
They are plans C and D for a reason. Totally agree about Peverly though, I think we are seeing why Chia made the deal to go out and get him.
You think Ryder is bad. Hamill and Caron didn’t do anything when they were called up. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
If anything, I want to see more Peverly. He might not have the raw skills like Blake Wheeler, but I love that guy.
well said Jay.
The reality is that someone on our front end is going to get hurt in the playoffs, if we decided to go far. This means that whetehr we like it or not, Paille and Ryder will probably play full time hockey for us as early as the second round (knock on wood).
That is why we should consider calling up Jordan Caron and Zach Hamil, soon. Soon meaning we still have points that we need to grabin order to stay away from the Canadiens and to maybe catch the Capitals, but when things cool in the final 2 or 3 games, I sit Recchi and others who need it at the time, and bring up these guys.
As far as Ryder is concerned, he wants to win the Stanley Cup, and he wants to be a factor. However, I don’t see him improving any of our lines right now. So, when there is an injury, our lines will be messed up already, that is when he comes in, when he is hungry and we actually need an extra man.
He needs to realize that this team is good and you can’t just “make” this line up and think you are safe.
I’m sick of reading these arm chair comments.Man there should be no room to get down on any player having a slump….top 12 forwards…we got a team this year that can go ALL THE WAY !!!Can we just enjoy it.
Go crap on the Hab site for $ and lack of performance.
GO BRUINS…ALL OF EM.
He has a 30 goal scorers shot and paycheck.
Ryder sucks, but the alternative is Daniel Paille. You want him over a 20 goal scorer?
I like the current lineup as it is for playoff time, i think ryder is not a bad option to plug in if seguin struggles. I dont foresee that happening and think it may be a coming out party for tyler. But, if paille or seguin dont play well, or an injury occurs, a 20 goal scorer who can skate and hit when he wants to isnt a bad insurance policy. I think we need to give the D some rest, especially mcquaid who seems to have leveled off a bit b/c of his playing style. Also, the bruins brass needs to decide who steps in if a D-man gets injured, kampfer for hnidy. Id look at it this way, if chara, mcquaid or boychuck (defensive D men) id go with hnidy, if kaberle, seidenberg or ference (no way!) get hurt, id give the puck mover kampfer a shot. Remember that before his poor play, kampfer had his nose broken and never really recovered, I think the kids got a future.
I’m just happy this will be the last we see of the $4 million “wasted” dollar man. Time to give some PVD guys a chance.
I disagree. Ryder’s issue seems to be with motivation. He excels in the play offs, but doesn’t earn the time during the season.
Anyone else sick of his triple moves that never result in a shot?
Ryder’s ineptitude will earn him a 1 way ticket to the press box in the playoffs no doubt. But a break for recchi could be a great thing.
Giving Ryder a chance is a waste of time. They should kick him to the side of the road and move on.
Time to see what Hnidy has.
good idea. af’s groin is a ticking time bomb.