Pats Training Camp Observations

Posted by Mike Giardi August 5, 2008 (3 weeks ago) at 5:53 pm

Just got done with the Pats afternoon practice session. Another minus the big guns. No Tom Brady. No Randy Moss. I’d be surprised if either played Thursday night in the preseason opener. The good news is that Mike Vrabel has been activated from the PUP. He doubts that he’ll play against the Ravens either, but did say that’s not his decision (gee, I wonder who’s it is??)

Some observations:

- Rookie cornerback Terrence Wheatley made a nice play during the 7-on-7’s, deflecting a Matt Gutierrez pass that was intended for Jabar Gafney. Gafney had beaten Wheatley to the corner, but the ball needed a little more air underneath it.

- Gutierrez biggest mistake came right at the goal-line. He didn’t release the ball when he should have (his internal clock should have expired), then threw too late to the sideline. Whoops. Antwain Spann picked it off and would have taken that one to the house.

- Earlier in that same drill, another example of why Chad Jackson isn’t there. Matt Cassel was clearly eyeballing the wideout, but he did a poor job of finding a hole in the secondary, sliding into- coverage instead of toward a vast opening away from the goalpost. That’s where Cassel threw it. I think for emphasis.

- During 11-on-11’s, tight end Jonathan Stupor was all alone in the right flat. Cassell dumped it off to him, and Stupor turned his head before he caught the ball. That drew some “ughs” from a nice crowd.

- Cassell also had a chance to hook-up with Wes Welker on a deep ball. Welker was staying on the numbers, but Cassell led him into the hashes and - more importantly - into coverage. The pass went incomplete.

- We didn’t have to watch Chris Hanson punt the ball very much, but he put on a clinic. On consecutive punts, from 40-plus, he basically deadened the ball on the one-yard line. Impressive.

- Lastly, its important to note that whoever was in charge of music during stretch did a nice job getting in a little “Dissident” by Pearl Jam.

Wideman Signs Contract Extension

Posted by Morry Levine July 23, 2008 (5 weeks ago) at 4:14 pm

The Boston Bruins have signed defenseman Dennis Wideman to a multi-year contract extension today.  Wideman had 13 goals last season with 9 of them power play goals.

Clearing Cap Means Saying Goodbye

Posted by Mike Giardi July 23, 2008 (5 weeks ago) at 2:49 pm

I won’t have Glen Murray to kick around. His agent, the great Anton Thun, confirming to the Boston Heraldthat his client has been placed on waivers. Muzz has been a shell of his former self the last couple of seasons, dealing with some nasty foot and ankle injuries that slowed an average skater in his 30’s to a crawl. If this is “The End,” the 35-year old has had a very nice career. But you can’t bet its not over. How about a possible reunion with Jumbo Joe in San Jose? Or how about Murray ending up on a good, deep team, like say, the one that won the Stanley Cup? Or the one that got that far? 

This move had to be made after the B’s extended Dennis Wideman for 4 years and 15 million dollars and pushed the club over the salary cap.

That’ll Do Danny, That’ll Do

Posted by Mike Giardi July 21, 2008 at 9:27 am

Okay, so its not James Posey, and their impact wasn’t as great, but the Celtics have reportedly secured the right to a couple of players who contributed to their recent NBA title. According to the Boston Herald, both Eddie House and Tony Allen have inked two-year deals to remain in Boston.

The House move was a no-brainer. He did a creditable job as Rajon Rondo’s backup this past season, and when he lost his minutes to Sam Cassell late in the year and again at points in the playoffs, House did not sulk. Instead, he kept himself ready and stepped up in the Finals versus L.A.

On top of that, we learned that while House may not be a pure point guard, he was much better equipped to run that slot than the guy we pined for, Sam Cassell. Cassell could stop the world from turning, all in the name of an off-balance 18-footer.

As for Allen, this contract makes sense, now that Posey’s a Hornet. The C’s need someone athletic enough to cover 2 and 3’s, and while Allen doesn’t have Posey’s size, he’s can handle some of the smaller 3’s in the NBA. Plus, he’ll be another year removed from knee surgery, and this is when we’ll likely see if the explosiveness can return to his legs. If it does, you can’t count on Allen being a better, more aggressive player at both ends. If not, and you’re sitting in the first 10 rows, always keep your eye on the ball ’cause there’s a chance Tony may chuck it to you off the dribble.

Bruins Schedule Announced Today

Posted by Morry Levine July 17, 2008 at 12:26 pm

The National Hockey League announced the 2008-2009 official season schedule today. The Bruins 2008-2009 schedule will see the team play each Northeast Division opponent six times, each of the other Eastern Conference opponents four times, and every Western Conference opponent at least once, with the exception of Minnesota, Chicago and St. Louis from the West whom the Bruins will each play twice.

The Bruins start their 2008-2009 campaign with a four game road trip where they will visit Colorado, Minnesota, Montreal and Ottawa. The season opener will be against the Avalanche on Thursday, October 9 at 10:00 p.m. ET. The Bruins and Avs did not play each other this past season and their most recent meeting was on March 6, 2007, where the Bruins fell at home 2-0.

Boston’s home opener will take place Monday, October 20 at 7:00 p.m. ET against the Stanley Cup Finalist Pittsburgh Penguins. The teams split their four decisions last season, with the final meeting between the two clubs coming on February 28, 2008 in Boston, where the Bruins posted a 5-1 victory.

Boston’s first divisional home game falls on October 23 versus the Toronto Maple Leafs at 7:00 p.m. ET. Last year the two met a total of eight times, with Boston winning five of the contests.

The second divisional foe to visit TD Banknorth Garden will be the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday, November 8 at 7:00 p.m. ET. The two split their eight contests last season.

The Montreal Canadiens will visit Boston for the first time of the year on Thursday, November 13 at 7:00 p.m. ET. Despite Montreal sweeping the season-series last season, the Bruins and Canadiens met in the first round of the playoffs in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals last season. The series went all seven games and was finally won by the Habs in Montreal on April 21, 2008. Boston came back from a 3-1 deficit to force a game seven for the first time in franchise history.

Ottawa is the last division opponent to come to Boston when they do so on Thursday, January 8 at 7:00 p.m. ET. The two split their series last year.

Other season highlights include home contests versus the defending Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings on Saturday, November 29 at 7:00 p.m. ET, a New Year’s Day matchup versus the Pittsburgh Penguins at 7:00 p.m. ET and a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day matinee on Monday, January 19 against the St. Louis Blues at 1:00 p.m. ET.

The Western Conference teams slated to visit the TD Banknorth Garden this season are the Dallas Stars (11/1), Detroit Red Wings (11/29), Minnesota Wild (1/6), St. Louis Blues (1/19), San Jose Sharks (2/10), Anaheim Ducks (2/26), Phoenix Coyotes (3/5), Chicago Blackhawks (3/7) and the Los Angeles Kings (3/19).

Pap’s Got a Beef

Posted by Mike Giardi July 15, 2008 at 6:05 pm

So one of the New York tabloids tries to stir up a little something something with regards to Jon Papelbon’s thoughts a couple of days ago that he should close the All-Star game. When I read the quotes, I thought, “no big deal.” But considering the headline “Papelbum” and the obvious discomfort those comments may have caused Mariano Rivera, the story got a life of its own.

Today, the Sox’s closer fired back. You gotta read our friend Rob Bradford’s account. Hey, there’s a reason why I surround myself with people like Bradford. He’s damn good, and he got Paps in an extremely truthful mood. And you know what? I completely agree with Paps. The media screwed him on this one, and he should be mad. Besides, the thing that comes through in the piece that started this whole tete-a-tete is the man’s confidence in his own abilities. That is precisely why Pap has excelled in that role, to go along with his obvious physical gifts.

Don’t change kid. Keep doing what you do, and keep slamming the door on the opposition. You can close for my team any time, and I’m sure that’s what Terry Francona’s told him.

Quick Hitters: Video Edition

Posted by Adam Hart July 15, 2008 at 12:20 pm

So quick. So very quick…

– If the Revs don’t win the MLS Cup this year, they never will. I mean, they have God on their side. Just think of the vast amount of fans God’s message will reach by His intervening in divine fashion to make the Revs win the Cup. Millions of fans! Thousands of fans! ………Hundreds of fans?

– How is this not your home run derby winner?

It’s the single greatest display of hitting I’ve ever seen in my life. He took that 71-year-old deepstick time after time. But who’s the ESPN.com voice over guy? Did he really think it was a good idea to call the the centerfield portion of Yankee Stadium — littered with police and occupied by no fans — “the black area”? I know ESPN has battled bad drunks, drug smugglers and Boston haters within its ranks, but there is no turning back from a racist comment.

Yeah, I know it only sounds racist if you think of it that way, meaning it’s not racist at all. I just like busting ESPN’s chops, and having an excuse to link to a Chris Berman video.

Before we move on, does Josh Hamilton double as an Iron Chef?

I bet Hamilton is a natural on the grill.

– I want Eddie House back.

It’s as simple as that. His energy off the bench is great, he shoots lights out and he seems like a great guy.

****************

– A-Rod wasn’t there to talk about Madonna? Well, he definitely wasn’t there to hit home runs as part of Yankee Stadium’s final All-Star festivities, either. He’s got to give us one of the two.

I love how A-Rod slaps Yankees fans in the face during the close out of their fabled stadium by refusing to participate in the Home Run Derby. How does this fly in New York? Yankees fans are so insane about their players, they chant each one’s name in the Top of the 1st until they turn and wave to the bleachers. Yankees fans even want curtain calls for solo home runs in the 1st inning. They expect the world of their players. I just can’t believe they haven’t staged a sit-in at A-Rod’s Kabbalah house of worship to set him straight. Their World Series drought must be taking a huge toll on them. It’s kind of sad.
*****************
– Marisa Miller. Now there’s a girl who’d get the Aunt Jemima treatment from me. What’s that? She’s married? So is Maddona. That didn’t stop A-Rod. Wait, what? Hilgenbrink won’t tell God to make the Revs win the MLS Cup if I do? Dammit. My hands are tied. Sorry, self. We’ll have to make do without the Aunt Jemima treatment (sad face).

Bruins Sign Winger

Posted by Adam Hart July 1, 2008 at 10:17 pm

No, it’s not Marian Hossa. But it’s somebody, at least.

Michael Ryder — RW, 6′0, 190 lbs., 14 goals, 17 assists, 31 points

Reuters

The Bruins have signed Montreal Canadiens right winger Michael Ryder to a 3-year deal worth $12 million overall. He is 28 years old and entering the prime athletic years in his life. The Bruins still have slightly over $2 million to spend before reaching the salary cap. That money will be eaten up if the B’s agree to the arbitration figure for Denis Wideman, which is sure to surpass $3 million. This means no Marian Hossa, as expected. Ryder will be a good addition to the Bruins, but comes up short of what fans were hoping for. It is good to steal a player from a hated rival. Glen Murray has to be gone, right? I just wish Chiarelli had bought Muzz out already. He deserves a chance to use the entire free agency period to hook on with a team. Now he must wait until the 48 hour window opens for buyouts after the Bruins accept Wideman’s arbitration figure.

A day’s worth of waiting, for this. Oh well. I need to leave the house by 4am for work, so I’m hitting the hay.

NHL Free Agency: Be Disappointed

Posted by Adam Hart July 1, 2008 at 10:19 am

REFRESH THIS PAGE THROUGHOUT THE DAY… we will be adding updates as to the big signings and rumors (excluding the short time that I will be eating lunch at Papa Ginos, and the time I will be embarking on my afternoon 6 mile run). If today is anything like last season’s trade deadline, I will be very angry. At that time the Bruins were hot on the trail of Marian Hossa, but instead Peter Chiarelli made no moves — electing to nominally send Phil Kessel and a few others down to Providence for an hour so that they would be eligible for the AHL Playoffs.

Reuters/Jim Young

The Market opens at noon today. The Bruins did not buy out Glenn Murray by yesterday’s deadline, so his contract remains on the books, but could be bought out up to 48 hours after Denis Wideman’s arbitration hearing. To help straighten things out, The Globe’s Fluto Shinzawa breaks down the B’s salary situation for next season.

Some key observations:

– Check out my fallback options should Hossa and Brian Campbell sign elsewhere. To make it worth your while I include videos of each player and a killer Wayne’s World reference. Mike Giardi also tries to recover from the Tampa Bay signing of Ryan Malone. Hossa or Campbell would make him smile.

– I’m really glad Manny Fernandez is being paid 4.33 million dollars. He was great for us last year….

– As it stands the Bruins are roughly $6.3 million under the cap. Technically, the B’s salaries can go to $62.3 million, or $12 million above their current mark, so long as they duck under the cap of $56.7 million by the start of the season. Just so you know, buying out Muzz’s contract only reduces his 4.15 million dollar cap hit by 1/3. Basically, that mean the B’s have room for one max contract if they buy Muzz out. But that means no additional money can be spent, like on Wideman who could earn upward of 3 million dollars in arbitration. Peter Chiarelli must prioritize. And I must go shower. Don’t expect Hossa or Campbell to sign with the Bruins. See you after noon for some free agency disappointment via Causeway Street.

– The Globe’s Kevin Paul Dupont ruins anything fun about today, saying that the B’s will likely wait out the free agent rush and go after second tier free agents. He also says that nothing the Bruins do “today, tomorrow, or later this summer can equate the impact of getting both Patrice Bergeron and Manny Fernandez back under full-time employment.” That’s a tired point of view and, frankly, a cop out. Who even knows how Patrice will respond? Will he be more susceptible to another concussion? And Manny Fernandez is a pricey netminder for someone who was given away by Minnesota and played 4 games last season. Yeah, Brian Campbell’s 62 points and +8 rating is dog crap compared to Manny Fernandez and Patrice Bergeron.

—–

Marian Hossa

10:30 The Calgary Herald reports that the Edmonton Oilers are willing to pay Hossa $9 million per season to move to their bland, unattractive city. That is far out of the Bruins price range. But, the B’s have proven willing to overpay to get hockey players to the Hub.

11:36 The Oilers have now traded winger Raffi Torres to the Columbus Blue Jackets for center Gilbert Brule. This move save Edmonton about $2 million. They are definitely positioning themselves to make a big run at Hossa.

12:49 Or the Oilers simply wanted to bring Erik Cole to Edmonton. Joni Pitkanen goes to Carolina in the deal.

4:37 Little has been said about a true possible landing spot for Hossa. He is most likely fielding loads of offers, and is taking his time to sift through the best.

9:41 TSN.ca is reporting that Hossa is considering offers from the New York Rangers, Canadiens, Penguins, and aformentioned Oilers. I’d like the Bruins to get him, but I may be cheering more for the Canadiens not to get him. I hate the Habs. Hate them.

Brian Campbell

10:59 So far, according to assorted reports, the Devils, Rangers, Senators, Canadiens, and Bruins have been granted permission to talk contract with Campbell prior to the noon start of free agency. There are justifications as to why each team has a leg up. But one thing seems certain, Campbell wants to return to the Northeast to be closer to his home in Ontario. That logic would put Chicago down in the race for Campbell, except for the fact that they have $13 million to spend. The most a player can earn next season is $11.34 million.

4:38 Teams were allowed talk with Campbell before the start of free agency, and he still hasn’t signed a deal. Asante Samuel wasn’t able to discuss anything with teams before the NFL’s free agency, and he almost immediately had a contract drawn up with Philadelphia. And NFL teams follow tampering rules to the letter of the law….

5:58 The Brian Campbell sweepstakes are over. The Chicago Blackhawks are the winners, inking the defenceman to an 8-year, 56.8 million dollar contract. That averages out to $7.1 million per season. The long term commitment and big bucks were obviously what got this deal done. The Blackhawks finished 2 spots out of the Western Conference playoffs. With youngsters Patrick Kane and Martin Havlat, the addition of Campbell could mean that fortunes will finally turn around for the Blackhawks, who have suffered through poor personnel moves for far too long. Campbell will be 37 when this deal expires. The Bruins can still sign Denis Wideman to a contract before reaching arbitration, or they could accept the terms found deserved by the arbitrator. I still think free agent defenceman Brooks Orpik would fit in Claude (CLODE!) Julien’s system. He reminds me of a young Aaron Ward.

Brian Rolston

10:42 TSN.ca reporting that the The Tampa Bay Lightning didn’t sign every player whose rights they acquired via trade. Of Ryan Malone, Gary Roberts and Vaclav Prospal, Rolston is the only one willing to test the market. Would the former Bruin return to Boston? Not unless the deal is kind to his wallet, I’m thinking.

7:32 Rolston blew off the Lightning to sign with New Jersey. Nobody likes the devils. For years they have played the most boring style of hockey. Rolston gets $20.25 million over 4-years.

Brad Stuart

12:48 Former Bruin defenceman Brad Stuart has re-signed with the Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings. It is a 4-year deal averaging $3.75 million per year.

Evgeni Malkin

12:59 Those rumors that a Russian club was going hard after Malkin? Not happening. Malkin is going to re-sign with Pittsburgh, inking a deals similar to that of Sidney Crosby. First the Berlin Wall, now Malkin. What else do you want us to take from you, Russia?

Radim Vrbata

1:13 Is money really growing on trees in Tampa? First, they sign Vincent Lecavalier to a mega-deal. Then they sign Ryan Malone, Gary Roberts and Vinny Prospal. Now they sign winger Radim Vrbata to a 3-year, 9 million dollar contract. Wasn’t the NHL supposed to be limiting spending, you know, because the league is doing horribly across the board? For $3 million per year the Bruins could have signed Vrbata. I would be happy with his 27 goals and 29 assists. Really, I would.

BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!

1:22 The Bruins have signed University of Minnesota forward Blake Wheeler to an entry level contract. Oh wait, no. We knew about this a couple weeks ago. It just becomes official today. Sorry if I got you all excited there. My bad. Early reports are that Wheeler will start, and possibly finish, the season in Providence. Who’s making the trip to the Dunk to watch him in action? He was a first round pick of the Phoenix Coyotes, but never signed, making him an unrestricted free agent. He is big, and was successful in college.

YOU GO AWAY FOR A 45 MINUTE RUN AND…

Nothing happens. Nothing of consequence, at least. Here are the notable moves.

Andrei Kostitsyn

3:45 He re-signs with Montreal on a 3-year contract worth $3.25 million per season. Perfect. Now Milan Lucic can still beat up the Kostitsyn brothers in the same game.

Ty Conklin

3:47 Pittsburgh’s backup to Marc-Andre Fleury is now in Detroit on a 1-year deal worth $750,000. That’s relatively cheap.

Andrew Raycroft

3:48 This is more of a “Where are they now?” than an important signing. Raycroft joins Colorado for $800,000 on a 1-year deal. Raycroft deserves more than Ty Conklin? I guess. The good news for Toronto stemming from that whole Raycroft-for-Rask deal is that Tuukka is still not projected to play in the NHL. Even though he won a handful of starts last year in an emergency call up from Providence…

Jose Theodore

4:01 Remember the Bruins 10-2 loss to Washington late in the season? Remember Alexander Ovechkin’s hat-trick in the first period? Well, the Capitals have added Jose Theodore in net with a 2-year deal worth $4.5 million annually. He replaces Cristobal Huet, who signed with the Chicago Blackhawks today.

Darcy Tucker

4:04 Bruins fans will be happy to know this rough-housian is now out of Toronto and in the Western Conference, inking a deal to play for Colorado. It’s a 2-year deal worth $4.5 million over the life of the contract, or $2.25 million per year.

Jaromir Jagr

4:20 Who says you can’t go home? Homeless people. What a mean question to ask.

4:21 Pittsburgh reportedly has offered Jagr a contract to join Sid the Kid and Evgeni Malkin. They came up short in the Stanley Cup Finals and are losing Marian Hossa. Jagr would come full circle if he signs with the Penguins.

Mats Sundin

4:23 Desperation is a stinky cologne, and Vancouver stinks. Word out of Canada has the Canucks offering Sundin a 2-year deal at $10 million per season to leave Toronto for Vancouver. Sundin is 37 years old. He has questioned his own desire to play any longer. Sundin is still consistently hovering around 80 points per season. Are those $10 million dollar numbers? Not if the max contract is $11.34 million.

Alex Auld

4:29 It’s official. Auld is out of Boston. He has signed a 2-year deal with Ottawa worth $1 million dollars. I don’t get it. He is definitely worth more than Andrew Raycroft. Whatever, the Bruins will still dominate the Senators. They always do.

Glen Metropolit

7:34 The hated Philadelphia Flyers have signed the Bruins center to a 2-year deal for an undisclosed amount of money. Metropolit was easily my favorite name to say on the Bruins. Now I need a new favorite. I like Orpik…

Mark Streit

9:32 The Candiens defenceman joins the New York Islanders, which is good news for Bruins fans. The Islanders stink up the joint every year, and Streit caused headaches for the B’s in this year’s playoff series. His deal is for 5 years and $20.5 million over the life of the contract.

BRUINS

A conference call scheduled for 6pm has been postponed indefinitely for undisclosed reasons. Wonder what Peter Chiarelli could be doing that prohibits him from taking part in this conference call. Probably eating a nice pasta dinner. Those things get me so filled up, I can hardly do anything for, like, an hour — including talk on the phone. It’s true.

7:36 The Globe’s Fluto Shinzawa is now reporting that Chiarelli is awaiting word from a player on whether or not he will sign with Boston. So it wasn’t a pasta dinner. I thought I had it, too. And now I face a difficult decision… Do I go to the gym as planned, or do I sit and wait to hear what uninteresting free agent the Bruins sign? Gym it is. If Hossa signs in between that time, oh well.

9:34 No Hossa. No Chiarelli. I’m starting to worry about him. Maybe it was a tainted tomato that’s holding things up. Salmonella is no joke.

9:41 TSN.ca is reporting that Hossa is considering offers from the New York Rangers, Canadiens, Penguins, and aformentioned Oilers. No mention of the B’s. So, the tomato story — however baseless it may be — could soon grow legs. I’d like the Bruins to get him, but I may be cheering more for the Canadiens not to get him. I hate the Habs. Hate them.

9:45 The conference call is rescheduled for…. right now. Updates will come as I get them. But I am not sitting in on the call. I’m not “important” enough. Or, I’m not at work. Either way, I’m getting second hand knowledge, and that ain’t cool.

10:15

BRUINS SIGNEE:

Michael Ryder — RW, 6′0, 190 lbs., 14 goals, 17 assists, 31 points

The Bruins have signed Montreal Canadiens right winger Michael Ryder to a 3-year deal worth $12 million overall. The Bruins still have slightly over $2 million to spend before reaching the salary cap, but will assuredly use that money on Denis Wideman. This means no Hossa, and that I’ll be wearing a frown for the next few hours.

Hot Stove Melts Ice

Posted by Adam Hart June 30, 2008 at 4:08 pm

Sounds like a name of one of those Emo bands the kids rave about. Hot Stove Melts Ice opens for Panic At The Disco and Taking Back Sunday! Anyway, Mr. Mike Giardi already outlined a few free agent targets for the Boston Bruins. Here are my backup plans should things go awry.

Brooks Orpik D – 1 goal, 11 assists, +11 rating, 57 penalty minutes
A 2001 NCAA Champion with the BC Eagles, Orpik is more of a physical force than an offensive minded defenceman. He is expected to command upward of 3 million dollars on the open market. The Bruins should at the very least put feelers out there. Orpik, while playing a different style of hockey, could be a replacement for Denis Wideman should Peter Chiarelli believe Wideman’s arbitration number will come in higher than Chiarelli is comfortable with. Of course, there is that business of having traded Brad Boyes for Wideman. You know, the same Brad Boyes who scored 43 goals for St. Louis this season. It would be a shame to let Wideman walk after that. I wouldn’t mind having both defenceman on the B’s, because with Orpik around no opposing forward would be allowed a free skate behind the net.

Markus Naslund LW — 25 goals, 35 assists, 9 power play goals, 13 power play assists

Nas may not fit into Chiarelli’s plan to get young, but he is a veteran talent who served as captain for the Vancouver Canucks. And he is far more mobile than Glenn Murray. Heck, Bambi is more mobile on the ice at this point. Naslund has proven more capable of putting on sick moves in open ice. An unrestricted free agent, the Swede could be a backup plan should Marian Hossa sign elsewhere. Don’t get me wrong, I want Hossa — he scores even when playing for a team wearing clown jerseys. It’s just that teams with more money to offer, i.e. Montreal, also have Hossa on their wish list. But, you know, it’s like people only do things because they get paid, and that’s just really sad.

Radim Vrbata RW — 27 goals, 29 assists, +6 rating, 5 power play goals, 10 power play assists

Vrbata would bring size to the Bruins offense, a quicker size than the speed-of-molasses-size fans have seen in Glenn Murray the past two seasons. He is a threat in the shootout and a proven goal scorer. Vrbata is 27 and made 1.25 million last season. He will obviously be looking for an upgrade in salary. Aren’t we all? Hahahaha…… such a clever observation. Not.

The Rocky Mountain News also bills Ron Hainsey as a top unrestricted free agent. But I don’t see it. Any defenceman who makes a habit of losing fights to Tuomo Ruutu is not a Bruins caliber player. Claude (CLODE!) would not approve of his light hitting ways. Orpik or Brian Campbell would be a better fit.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN

Tuesday, July 1st, marks the opening of the free agent market. Tampa Bay has gotten aggressive, trading for the exclusive negotiating rights to forwards Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts, then signing both. The Lightning also traded for the rights to former Bruin Brian Rolston. The new ownership in Tampa Bay is going all out. There is no guarantee that Rolston signs, though. With three straight 30 goal seasons under his belt in Minnesota, he would be a good replacement for Glen Metropolit. Metropolit, known to do all the little things well, did not have near the goal production of Rolston.

That’s it. That’s my free agent wish list should Hossa and Campbell sign elsewhere. Let’s see if I’m as good at selecting Bruins free agent targets as I am at predicting Celtics draft picks.  The End.

Next Page »