Your mid season grades for the Bruins

[Drury77]

So prior to the season, many of the "so called experts" felt that the Bruins would be at the bottom of the ladder and definitely not compete for the playoffs. There were many questions about our defense, and whether it was strong enough to stay competitive. The change in coaches, player pickups/releases.......


Bruins record after 41 games: 21-16-4, 46 pts


So here are mine:

Coaching: A - Under Julien the Bruins have become a much better team defensively but lack of forward talent is the biggest issue IMHO. Lewis suffocated this team and didn't allow players to play to their strengths. Though the trap leaves a bit to be desired, the players seem to have really embraced the focus on defense, and if they would be more agressive on offense, games might not be so boring.

Goaltending: B+ - Thomas has done nothing but continue to impress, and those that still question his ability to play the game, just arent' watching him enough. Fernandez was a joke of a pickup, and waste of cap space. Auld has been a solid pickup, and should hopefully be consistent enough to spell Thomas, so that he's not burnt out late in the season. Rask has major potential, but glad he is back in the minors, really worry about rushing the guy.

Defense: B- - Overall the defense has been much improved and keeping Chara's minutes down really seem to have enabled him to play more like we expected. Our defensive depth has been huge, considering the injuries we have sustained. But guys like Allen, and Hunwick just shouldn't be on the ice, and despite the pickup of Hnidy, something else is going to have to be done to stablize the defensive corp for the long haul.

Fowards: C- - Losing Bergeron for what looks like a season ending injury has really hurt he B's up front. And aside from a few like Savvy & Kobasew - the offense has been anemic at best. Sturm couldnt' hit an open net with a beach ball right now. Schaeffer has been a disappointment, and Murray is yet again injured. Kessel is still have growing pains, and is having more flashes of what he can be than not. But I think they really need to keep him on the Wing, I think he is more productive there, than at center, even if it's his natural position. Overall offensive talent is abysmal.

Team Toughness: B - The hitting has been better this year and Lucic has been a treat for old time bruin fans to watch. Nokie and Sobokta have provided a little more edge, Reich seems to be playing a more overall game this year.



My player grades are:

Manny Fernandez - F
Glen Murray - D
Mark Savard - A
PJ Axellson - B
Milan Lucic - A
Zdeno Chara - B+
Mark Stuart - A
Shawn Thornton - F
Petteri Nokelainen - B-
Vladimir Sobotka - B-
Jeremy Reich - C
Tim Thomas - A
Marco Sturm -C
Bobby Allen - D
Matt Hunwick - D
Chuck Kobasew - A
Glen Metropolit - B+
Denis Wideman - B+
Andrew Alberts - C
Phil Kessel - B
Andrew Ference - C
Aaron Ward - B
Matt Lashoff - B

Cant' give grades to Bergeron, Auld, Hnidy, or Rask due to lack of games.


So where do you stand on the Bruins performance after 41 games??

[Habsfan84]

Cant' give grades to Bergeron, Auld, Hnidy, or Rask due to lack of games.

I dont get how you can give an F to fenandez if he did not play really any games either.

[Drury77]

Originally Posted by Habsfan84

I dont get how you can give an F to fenandez if he did not play really any games either.

I suppose ur right, but he came with a wonky knee, portraying himself as healthy. He is a major bust for Chia, much like Zhamnov is/was.