Stanley Cup Of Chowder

They’re practicing soon. It is Wednesday, my dudes. We’re going to take a brief interlude from the player ratings today to have a good, ol’ fashioned Morning Skate, mainly as a way to catch up on some minor bits of information. First, in a sure sign that the new season is right around the corner, the Bruins announced their captains’ practices schedule on Tuesday, with the first … [Read more...] about Morning Skate: Captains

Photo by Gavin Napier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images A good find who played his role well enough. James van Riemsdyk’s 2024 rating: 5.8 In the thrifty summer of 2023, Don Sweeney made a number of smart, low-money signings that paid dividends for the Bruins. Danton Heinen likely takes the crown as “Biggest Bargain,” but James van Riemsdyk threw his hat into the … [Read more...] about 2024 Player Ratings: James van Riemsdyk was a good bargain signing

Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images Mason Lohrei’s inaugural season for the Bruins was a learning process that blossomed into a wonderful playoffs. Mason Lohrei’s Community Grade: 7.6 Well, I’ll just say it: If you were giving this out as a full season (plus playoffs) thing...then I completely agree with you; He beat my expectations by a country mile and he earned … [Read more...] about 2024 Player Ratings: Mason Lohrei’s season was Day and Night

Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images Not great, not horrible, just...yeah. Jake DeBrusk’s 2024 rating: 5.5 At long last, the 2015 NHL Draft can be buried. (Just kidding, Bruins fans will talk about it for the next decade anyways.) With Jake DeBrusk’s departure for Vancouver, the last piece of that ill-fated first round draft class has left the Bruins organization, … [Read more...] about 2024 Player Ratings: One last season of “fine” from Jake DeBrusk

Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images Big “who is this guy?” energy. Justin Brazeau’s 2024 rating: 7.7 To say he was completely unknown might be a little bit of a stretch, as Justin Brazeau was called up to the NHL Bruins on the back of a successful run of games over two-plus seasons with the Providence Bruins. However, when you consider that … [Read more...] about 2024 Player Ratings: Justin Brazeau came out of nowhere to make an impact

Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images Can’t ask for much more from a PTO guy. Danton Heinen’s 2024 rating: 7.7 Bruins GM Don Sweeney made plenty of bargain basement signings in the summer of 2023, attempting to balance a need for depth with salary cap constraints. It’s funny: the guy from that group who generated the most online angst ended up being the best … [Read more...] about 2024 Player Ratings: Danton Heinen was found money for the Bruins

Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images From out of nowhere to a pleasant surprise. Matt Poitras’ 2024 rating: 7 The Bruins had a few guys who kind of came out of nowhere (relatively speaking) to make an impact last season, including Mason Lohrei and Justin Brazeau. Neither of those guys came with the hype of Matt Poitras, however, as the campaign to … [Read more...] about 2024 Player Ratings: It was a breakout season cut short for Matt Poitras

Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images Au revoir, quadzilla. Oskar Steen’s 2024 rating: 3.6 I know that there’s always a guy like this, a Providence/Boston ‘tweener who always seems like he’s right on the cusp of NHL regularity. Ryan Spooner comes to mind, as does Jack Studnicka. Peter Cehlarik, Alex Khokhlachev...the list goes on. I start with this because there’s … [Read more...] about 2024 Player Ratings: It was “last call” for Oskar Steen

Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images Standings, rivalries, etc. Another weekday, another summer edition of the Morning Skate! I’m operating on an imaginary every-other-day schedule this week, where I pretend no one will notice that it’s actually been a two-Skate week. Thanks to all who continue to visit these parts during the summer doldrums, helping us discuss things … [Read more...] about Morning Skate: Peers