Boston Bruins trade deadline

What the bruins really need at the trade deadline. It's no secret the

Bruins have had a ton of problems scoring goals this season with the

departure of Phil Kessel for greener pastures (as well as being a good

deal for the future of the team netting the B's two first round picks

and a second). It is clear that the player they really need who is

apparently available is Atlanta Thrashers LW Ilya Kovalchuk however

the price on this guy is going to be too high for a player who is just

going to be a rental. Even if they were able to acquire Kovi for a

reasonable cost of Wheeler Marchant and Boston's first round pick the

team is probably not good enough to win the Stanley Cup this season.

The lines would be:

Lucic Savard Kovalchuck

Sturm Bergeron Ryder

Satan Krejci Recchi

Thornton Begin Paille.

Sobatka Bitz

The move that will help the Bruins build for the future better while

still acquiring a player to help them this year would be to acquire

Dion Phanuf from Calgary. Unfortunately it has already been reported by

Eklund that they have prepared an offer to present to Calgary. This of

course means this has no chance of happening. I'd imagine that if a

deal for Phanuf was to happen Dennis Wideman would be part of the deal.

Chara Hunwick

Phanuf Morris

Boychuk Stuart

Ference

That would be a very solid defense core moving forward if Phanuf could

be acquired. Wideman and a first this year and next year would

probably be enough if the Bruins were willing to part with 2 firsts to

get the deal done. Another possibility would be Hunwick and Ference is

the deal in place of Wideman and possibly Marchant instead of one of

the first round picks. Last year big name defensemen were talked about

before the deadline but neither Pronger or Bowmeester ended up getting

traded until the offseason. J-Bo for substantally less than he would

have been at the deadline as he was moved as a free agent. The ducks

still did pretty good with the Pronger trade, however they could have

had Phil Kessel and more from Boston at the deadline, but I think they

were worried about the future of Scott Niedermayer with the team.

Another name that has been floated is The Finnish Flash Teemu

Sellanne. He is injured as of right now but he would not be a bad

moderate to low cost pick up for the Bruins and would probably play

pretty well with a center like Savard or Krejci.

Bobby Ryans name has been floated and he is a player I would truely

love to have if his pricetag is below Kovalchuk. I really don't know

what it would be at this point. A Krejci for Bobby Ryan trade would

definitly ruffle feathers though very unlikely. It's more likely

Sobatka a pick or two and maybe Hunwick would be what the Bruins offer

and honestly that probably won't get a deal done.

The Colorado Avalanche would like to clear some money off the books

for Marek Svatos. The rumor is that the Bruins are interested along

with about three other teams. I don't see how he really helps as I am

not a big fan of his and the Bruins don't really need another 3rd or

4th line player they already have more than enough that do the job

admirably but are not top 6 type forwards (Paille, Begin, Bitz,

Thornton, Sobatka, Recchi, Satan) and the supposed second line of

Wheeler Krejci and Ryder has underperformed all season so why bring in

another underperforming player.

I think it is very important that the Bruins to hold on to Toronto's #1 pick this next season. There is a good possibility that will be a lottery pick and the Bruins can wind up with a really good player. I think the pick is very important in the cap ages to have players playing on entry level deals performing on your roster in order to be a consistent contender. This is an opportunity the Bruins cannot pass up until the NHL Draft if they are not high on any player available then that would be the time to trade the pick. With the injuries this season

Bruins vs. Senators

Ottawa leads 4-0 after the second Dennis Wideman once again proves how capable he is in his own end leaving Kovalev wide open to get the goal. Tim Thomas allowed two goals on 3 shots in the first. Alfredsson has the other three goals (natural hat trick) Mike Fisher with 3 assists through 2 periods. Tim Thomas yanked after the 3rd goal. The game ended 5-1 Dan Paille got Boston's marker in the third. Jonathan Cheechoo got the goal for the Senators on a weird play where Wideman ran into the referee in yet another example of incompetent officiating displayed throughout the NHL over the past week.

The Bruins are in a tough spot right now waiting for people to get healthy Drew Larman made his Boston debut after being recalled from Providence. Patrice Bergeron made his return for Boston. As did Dennis Wideman and Derek Morris. Marco Sturm, Byron Bitz, Steve Begin, Marc Savard and Andrew Ference were out of action.

Word from Eklund and his dartboard is that Boston is going to make a strong push for Dion Phanuf.

NY Jets are going to AFC championship game. Awful kicking again as San Diego kicker Nate Kaeding went 0-3 on field goals and the Jets won 17-14. They will play the Colts.

New Orleans and Minnesota will play for the NFC Championship.

I will be at the AHL skills competition tonight in Portland Maine.

Dallas vs. Minnesota

***Side note RIP former Defensive End Gaines Adams who died at 26 from cardiac arrest/ an enlarged heart***

With Indianapolis and New Orleans already advancing Dallas and Minnesota play the day game while NYJ and San Diego will play the 4:40 start. Dallas vs. Minnesota will be the game I watch. Witten has a couple catches but for the most part Romo still sucks. Another blown field goal, seen way too much of that from Dallas this year. Favre looks ok 17-3 at halftime. Romo is the ultimate good until the playoffs performer, Dallas would do well to get rid of him if he doesn’t bring them back this game. Ray Edwards had three sacks in the first half, as Romo has taken a lot of hits. I am not a big Favre guy, in fact I really don’t like the guy, but I like Adrian Peterson and I hope they beat the Cowboys, a team I really can’t stand.

Another missed FG by Dallas after Minnesota’s 5^th sack of the day, injury to Flozell Adams is really hurting it looks like. Dumbest pick ever for Romo and he’s had plenty, leads to another 3 points Dallas’ kicking game has really hurt them this year. Another passing touchdown for Favre and it’s 27-3 Vikings and with 7 mins left in the 4^th quarter this one’s over. Minnesota @ New Orleans next week. Go Drew Brees.

Battle of New Hampshire

The Battle of New Hampshire or Riverstone Cup IX (how many people knew that) was held in Manchester, New Hampshire tonight, and I was lucky enough to be in attendance. Dartmouth and UNH (as always) played in the game. UNH was heavily favored to win as they are almost every year. Dartmouth entered the game 4-11-0 overall and 2-7 in ECAC. While UNH had a 9-7-4 record and 9-2-3 in Hockey East. Another factor that is in UNH's advantage is that the crowd, although at a neutral rink is a very pro-UNH crowd.

The first period was surprisingly even finishing at 2-2. Goals were scored by Phil DeSimone (Paul Thompson, Blake Kessel) and Paul Thompson (Blake Kessel) for UNH. Nick Walsh (Danny Markowitz) andMatt Reber (Doug Jones, Adam Estoclet) for Dartmouth. The shots on goal were even 12-12 in the first. The goal that might have been the turning point for this game was scored at 19:20 mark for UNH. Dartmouth tried to ice the puck, but it took a wild bounce off the corner boards and didn't cross the goal-line, the whole dartmouth team was gliding to the bench. Blake Kessel (who is probably the best prospect on either team got the puck and rifled the puck to Paul Thompson who was alone on that side of the ice. He was stopped on his half break away but was able to muscle the rebound home. To tie the game at 2. The outcome of this game could have been a lot different had Dartmouth gone in up 2-1.

The game was pretty even through the first part of the second period as well, but then UNH took the game away from Dartmouth. Or you might say Dartmouth beat itself. A bad penalty followed by a pretty weak call put UNH on a 5 on 3 advantage. Bobby Butler (Phil DeSimone, Blake Kessel) Scored on the 5 on 3 on a 1 timer. Then the back-breaker, Peter LeBlanc (Mike Sislo, Matt Campanale) fired a shot that broke the defenseman's stick and fluttered over the goalie's (Jodie O'Neill) shoulder and into the net, on the 5 on 4 that followed. 4-2 UNH after 2.

In the third play got a little chippy and about halfway through the period Paul Thompson (Blake Kessel, Brett Kostolansky) netted another powerplay goal. to make it 5-2 the eventual final.

The difference in the game Dartmouth 0-4 on the powerplay UNH 3-4.

The Riverstone Cup was pretty modest in size, to me it's kind of funny that this award is even given and they call it "the best team in New Hampshire"

Paul Thompson (2 goals, 1 assist) and Blake Kessel (4 assists) were named Co-players of the game.

Solid showing for UNH, as they won a game they were suppose to

Bruins vs. Kings Game

Bruins vs Kings Game,

As it turns out Marco Sturm and Dennis Wideman were out along with Bergeron, Savard, Ference, and Derek Morris while David Krejci Mark Stuart were back in action. Tumbling Timmy did indeed get the start in goal.

Random and not so Random plays/thoughts.

-Adam McQuaid and Brandon Segal fought McQuaid getting the decision.

http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/91279

Stuart pretty aggressive in his return (sternum). Wanted to fight Stoll after Stoll hit him from behind in the second.

Soft Bouncing goal in traffic for LA Jarret Stoll got the tally (from Parse and Richardson) Bad give away tough luck as Chara’s pass bounces past Lucic to the oncoming Kings player.

Shawn Thornton vs Raitis Ivanans Sort of Quickness vs. power not a lot of connecting for either Ivanans got the takedown.

http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/91281

Krejci save on wrap around, comical play that showed a good read by Krejci.

Jack sounding like an idiot as always.

Paille dinged up on a solid hustle play bringing it to the net.

Satan snipe off the post shooting the post in full stride the key on this goal had Quick moving. (from Lucic and Boychuck).

1-1 a1-1 after the first

Paille back to start the second, slightly restricted speedwise.

Big Save by Thomas on Frolov, Similar to the Satan goal earlier

McQuaid didn't look bad (Please trade Ference when he gets healthy)

Ref cut

Wheeler from Krejci 2-1 (actually bounced in off Ryder nice pass from Krejci.

11 seconds later Ryder from Wheeler and Boychuk (great pass by Wheeler).

Krejci made another big block in the 2nd.

Begin out with an injury (another center!)

A couple of questionable calls led to a 5-3 to end the period. Solid kill on the first part of it still :50 seconds left to start the third

3-1 after 2

Had to be on my way to Cactus Jacks and the UNH game so the rest of this is based on reports of the game/ Dave Goucher play by play

They killed off the 5-3.

The Game however would not go so smoothly the Kings got 2 goals in the third to tie it at 3 Dustin Brown (Frolov and Handzus) and Anze Kopitar (Simmonds and Richardson) got the goals.

3-3 after 3

In the shootout Kopitar and Brown scored. for LA and Satan and Krejci missed for Boston. Jack Johnson almost pulled off a highlight type goal but Thomas just got a piece of it.

The Bruins go 1-1-1 on the West coast swing. Honestly not that disappointing given the injuries.

Random Puck

Well since my first post was about college basketball for the most part. I had to make a hockey post. I have a little bit of time before The LA Kings vs. Boston Bruins game so I might as well preview it. The Kings are a team I like but don't get to see a lot Anze Kopitar (18-27-45) and Dustin Brown (11-20-31 )are players I truly enjoy watching. Dustin Brown I have watched since his first year with the Monarchs in 2004-2005. He combines a hard hitting style, creating space on the ice. He plays a little like Milan Lucic (when Lucic is healthy). Though Brown focuses more on scoring and dishing then banging and fighting than Lucic does when Lucic is at his best. Kopitar is a terrific passer and makes everyone around him better he already is a very good player and I wouldn't be surprised if he develops into a 100 point guy by the prim of his career (he is a 1987 birth year). The Kings future is bright as along with Kopitar and Brown they have Drew Doughty (second overall pick in 2008) who I think is the best young defenseman in the NHL with the brightest future. In goal they have United States Olympian Jonathan Quick (1986 birth year) who has pretty much been rock solid since he entered the league. As well as Jonathan Bernier (1988 birth year) who has been the best goalie in the AHL this season (17-10-4, 2.05, .938). The Kings are a decent team this year (8th in the stacked Western Conference), but they could be a really dangerous team moving forward into 2010-2011 and beyond.

The Bruins team (my hometown team) have suffered through a lot of adversity this season. Underperforming players and a rash of injuries hasn't helped at all. Tim Thomas has been pretty average in net, he will probably be the starter in net, he is continually challenged by Tuukka Rask who boasts much better numbers this season (10-5-2, 2.05, .930 vs. 13-11-5, 2.38, .920). Thomas played his best game of the season in his last start against the Sharks so it should be interesting to see how he does tonight. The Bruins who recently got Milan Lucic back in the line up only to lose Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci and Marc Savard (all centers who account for 13.5 million dollars of capspace) around the same time or just after may get some help back tonight. Solid D-man Mark Stuart is a question mark along with Bergeron. Krejci is still considered day to day. Andrew Ference (who no one misses) and Marc Savard will take a little longer.

A little bit about Milan Lucic. I urge Bruins fans to be patient with him. The ripping of Lucic from non Bruins fans, and some fair-weather/negative nancy Bruins fans will be there while he comes back from injury. (Worst contract ever, he's overrated etc.) He will be a good player in the upcoming seasons as long as he's healthy. The key the rest of the season for himself personally will be to get healthy and ready to contribute for the playoffs/next season. You probably wont see the "ass-kicking" Lucic seen last year for at least a couple of months. There is a lot of jealousy in the Canadian media as well as among non Bruins fans about Lucic, they are bound to pounce on every opportunity to rip the guy (do you really expect them to cut him a break?). I don't really blame them though he's a standout one of a kind player when healthy so take the opportunity to bash the guy, I know I don't miss a chance to say how I feel about a player I don't like whatever the reason for the underperformance might be. (No he's not Cam Neely, I can't really even remember any Bruins fans saying he is just jealous fans of other teams saying he isn't). He doesn't have to be Cam though. When healthy he needs to be a player to create space by banging bodies for his skilled line mates, who when healthy wont be Steve Begin and Byron Bitz.

Gametime.

A Completely Random Sprortsblog

Well here's what has to be known about me. I am a hockey fan first and a Boston sports fan second so all my posts will probably have that type of flair/bias in them. This is my first attempt at blogging so well see how it goes, or if anyone actually reads my posts. Pretty much when something happens in sports that I want to write about, I'll write about it and I'll see how it goes from there. If I attend a live sporting event I'll be sure to blog about it. Also anything I watch on TV I'll at least throw in a sentence about it.

I currently find myself watching college basketball, something I honestly have no real interest in until March Madness. I watched the end of the North Carolina State vs. Clemson game which was a turnover filled game and was able to keep my attention with NC State coming back from down by over 20 to cutting the lead to 1 (71-70). They had a chance to take the lead but Jerai Grant (whoever he is) made a fantastic block on Richard Howell the NC State Forward. They then had to foul Tanner Smith who sunk his 2 free throws to put Clemson up by three. Clemson's Trevor Booker led all scorers with 20 and Julius Mays led NC State with 17 (his desperation 3 came up short at the buzzer).

Oklahoma vs. Missouri is currently the College Basketball game I am half watching while I await The Boston Bruins vs. LA Kings game at 4 pm. (the Oklahoma/Missouri game finished with an Oklahoma victory 66-61, Oklahoma Forward Cade Davis was the best player on the floor).

I will be attending UNH vs Dartmouth hockey game tonight in Manchester, New Hampshire.