In 2014-2015 the Bruins looked like a team that was carrying too many passengers on far too many nights during the regular season. Unfortunately for the Bruins that lack of desperation cost them and they missed the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 2007. It cost Peter Chiarelli his job and the Bruins their status as an undisputed powerhouse in the Eastern Conference.
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The Bruins have thrived in the Claude Julien era in wearing their opponents down through heavy physical play and a philosophy of hard work and intensity. There were obvious leaks in that ideology last year as the team struggled to win small battles and got outworked as a whole for the first time in a long time. Even worse was watching certain players abandon that ship at times instead of grabbing their collective buckets and bailing water. The low point in the season was likely January 4 in Raleigh, Boston played like phantoms and lost 2-1 in a shootout to the last place Hurricanes. By the time the team made it to the final road trip in Florida with everything on the line they looked defeated. In fact besides Patrice Bergeron, Loui Eriksson, Brad Marchand and Zdeno Chara everyone went through periods where they lacked the ferocity required to compete at the NHL level. Chara, although having lost a step, gets honorable mention due to the leadership and heart he showed illustrated by the fractured leg which he played on as the Bruins were clawing to make the post season.
In essence, for the better part of last season Boston was nail more often than it was the hammer.
A glaring example of this was Milan Lucic. Although no longer a member of the Bruins after a draft day trade with the Kings, the former left winger was the definition of Bruin for eight seasons. At his best, Lucic was a dominant force and the embodiment of a power forward as he plowed through opposing defensemen. His unique combination of strength and top six offensive ability helped drive Boston’s success. Unlike his peers however, the hulking forward’s demise began prior to last season. His now infamous handshake with Dale Weise of the Canadiens sent him into a mental tailspin from which he never seemed to recover last year.
“At the start I was overly conscious about because there was a lot being said about me with how last year ended,” said Lucic. “I need to find that physicality, that presence and that force that I’m known to bring. When I talk about healing mentally, I think that’s the biggest area where I need it.”
Puck Prose
If hearing Lucic admit there was residual emotional damage wasn’t hard enough, his play on the ice made it worse. Unlike years previous, save perhaps 2013, Lucic went unnoticed during long stretches of the year. It appeared as if the once imposing veteran had lost his way. Lucic traded in his formidable north/south style of play, and on too many nights looked as if he was trying to emulate his long time centerman’s game rather than playing to his own strengths. When his teammates turned to him to create emotional energy there was none forthcoming and Bruins fans were left watching the one time seventeen train play on the periphery.
Unfortunately Lucic wasn’t alone in his lack of desire. Enter Don Sweeney.
Heavily chastised for his offseason moves, the new general manager has inserted new pieces into the lineup that at minimum will make Boston a harder team to play against. He also made sure these pieces were ones who were happy to be in Boston. Inconsistent Reilly Smith was sent packing for Sunrise in exchange for hometown boy Jimmy Hayes. Hayes’ boyhood exuberance in becoming a Bruin was evident immediately after being traded, and that alone will be positive for a group that had gotten a little to stale and comfortable for its own good. “I had a smile on my face. To come home to my parents and the rest of my family and the fans of Boston is just a dream come true. I’ve always dreamed of wearing the Bruins jersey.”
Nov 4, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Joe Morrow (45) knocks the helmet off of Florida Panthers right wing Jimmy Hayes (12) during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
His 6’6 frame and 19 goals on his resume from last year don’t hurt either.
Matt Beleskey who was signed as free agent on July 1 brings some much-needed sandpaper, and potential scoring to a lineup that was short of both last season. Beleskey is known for driving hard to the net and playing bigger than his 6’0 204lb frame. Like Hayes, Beleskey didn’t hide his excitement to be in Boston. “It’s the Boston Bruins. It’s an extremely attractive place to be”. The 27-year-old went on to say “It’s an Original Six team, the Big Bad Bruins, they play that physical style, they’ve always been a team I’ve liked watching. “Cam Neely in the front office, watching him play was exciting. It’s been a team that I’ve always been drawn to.”
The addition of Hayes and Beleskey coupled with a group of younger and hungrier players may bode well for the Bruins. Increased competition on the blue line, up front and for the number two job behind Tuukka Rask should have the internal fires burning right away. Even if Boston looks more like the 2008 underdog version of itself rather than the championship, or runner-up team it’ll be seen as an improvement. Last year’s team was on the wrong side of the effort scale too many times and a repeat will not be acceptable to the Boston fan base.
In Boston, all they expect is effort.