Seguin still staying right things despite potential scratch for Bruins
Seguin/By S. Bradley
WILMINGTON, Mass. — In light of Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli’s comments that the potential for Tyler Seguin to be a healthy scratch at the start of the playoffs is “trending” that way, you might expect the 19-year-old to be sulking.
However after practice today at Ristuccia Arena, the rookie didn’t sound like he had given up on getting a chance to play in the postseason.
“I think we’re always trying to make statements but I think I’ve got to get the chance to play to make that statement,” said Seguin, who was the healthy scratch Wednesday against the New York Islanders. “But I’m working hard in practice and still working on all the little things and developing as a player.”
Seguin said he hasn’t changed his approach to the game at all in order to better get in the coaching staff’s good graces.
“I’m just doing what I did before,” said Seguin, who has 11 goals and 11 assists in 72 games. “I’m going out there, trying to work my hardest and just trying to contribute to the team the best I can — whether it’s talking or anything like that if I’m not playing in the games. I just want to be a part of it as much as I can.”
As expected, head coach Claude Julien — who obviously wants to keep the kid focused for the last two games of the season — wouldn’t give into the speculation about Seguin, even if it was speculation that came from his GM.
“Guys are speculating he’s out, understandably. For me, those are tough questions to answer,” said Julien. “You guys are all looking for, ‘what is my possible scenario?’ I’m going back to the same thing again, we don’t know what’s going to happen until Monday. We’ll find out on Monday where he stands and the rest of the team stands.”
Paul I agree that it might be wise to let him sit and watch a few play off games before giving him a chance to dress.
I do have the impression that Seguin is coachable and willing to learn and apply it. He is just a little weak and lost at times, but I do think a little play off experience would do him well, but not if everyone else is playing better and scoring and winning.
That said I still have my doubts about Ryder-he skates around about as lost as Seguin does half the time, but have my hopes up that maybe he will click into gear and start scoring (Ryder can score and does have a nice shot).
I agree 100% that the second PP unit looks better with Seguin on it. That unit tends to move around more, cycle more and put more shots towards the net. The first unit still seems to most just stand around waiting for a pass.
The kid should get a chance. He’s got a lot to learn: we get that. To those saying he makes game changing mistakes, so do players on the team with plenty of experience under their belt. Some of the mistakes that the veteran players on the team commit make me cringe!! You can see he has got the drive and potential, and he’s gonna get there.
Seguin has played more physically recently, and his passing has been crisper but I would sit him for 1-2 play off games and then see what happens. Definitely want him to get some playoff experience in his first season though. When he plays on the 2nd power play unit they are much more effective.
This was an interesting year for Seguin and I am sure that he learned a lot and will, like many have mentioned, improve even more during the offseason.
However, now we are in the playoffs, attempting to win the Stanley Cup and as important as Seguin is to our franchise in the near future, he is just another player on the roster, and if he happens to be the least contributing player, being a future all-star isn’t going to help anything when you are under Claude Julien. Future means not now, and everyone else on froward, even Ryder, will have more overall impact on the team going into the playoffs.
Having said that, if one of our forwards gets hurt, I will be more than confident in Seguin’s ability to replace whatever player and help the team as best as he can. Coach Julien can only say that hard coaching choices and competiting for spots are good things so many times.
Tom your like a recording for sports hub get your own material.Phil kessel?you have no idea Seguin is not a physical why make him that way.Maybe you would sit crosby or even the gretsky .Wayne didn’t go into corners he had other people for that.would be nice to have a true sniper in the black and gold.Tom get an original opinion.Play seguin peverly and kelly are worthless.
If 3/4 of the team is playing like these games don’t count then give Seguin a game on the top 2 lines. He makes mistakes and is not physical, but there is no reason not to just let him off the leash. This is the best time for him to get some serious minutes and then if need be sit him for the playoffs. Give someone a rest with less minutes, maybe Recchi he deserves it the way he works every game.
Last I’d checked he was on the roster. If someone sucks than he should get a chance. If he didn’t have NHL skill he’d be in Plymouth. Right?
We better hope seguins the real deal, he’s our real hope for some offense, especially if the grind lovers clod and pc r here still
I think they should be playing him the next two games and giving him more minutes and maybe resting Recchi on Sunday and maybe putting him beside Bergeron and Marchand (probably won’t happen but I think it would be a good experience for him and I don’t think it is going to matter one way or the other-I think we are liking finishing third).
As for the actual play offs-I think they should let him play a few games-although I think who the bruins are playing and how they are playing will influence if he gets in. I hope the team stays healthy though-having healthy players to scratch is a good thing.
Krejci has been mediocre at best lately. Put Seguin between Horton and Lucic. Maybe he’ll feel a bit ore comfortable between REAL offensive players who just so happen to be in the 220′s. Krejci gets rest and punishment for gliding and Seguin gets a taste of the big line. Unless something crazy happens we aren’t going anywhere in the standings so who cares.
Tom he has recently started hitting and taking hits but you are right an offseason will help.
Tom – you’re on the money.
Are you guys blind or am I missing something? The kid is running away from contact and make mistakes that can cost a game. You can put him in there all you want, but it doesn’t help the team. He needs an offseason to work out more and clear his head, you can’t be playing in the NHL running away from contact. If he wasn’t a high draft pick, you guys would want him off the team.
Makes no sense to keep him out of these last two contests. Give him some PP, and why not throw him a bone and let him play half a contest with guys like Bergy and Horton.
I wonder where PC in his opinion of the kid. If he believes in him and is committed, doesn’t he have to find him a couple players more suited to his skills? What a difference its been seeing him skate opposite Peverley. I’d like to see him take a few shifts with Bergeron and Marchand just to see…
Play the kid. Seguin he’s no worse than Ryder right now with more upside. They have the same amount of goals in March/April. Ryders goal coming on a penalty shot. Tired of hearing that Ryder has playoff experience so he should skate instead of Seguin. He also has about 8 more years of professional hockey experience and that doesn’t seem to be helping him.
It’s time for the kid to toughen up, take a hit or throw a hit. You can’t be running around shying away from contacts, else you will be the next Phil Kessel.