The Boston Bruins training camp is about two months away. The Bruins will be bringing back the Boston players, as well as bringing in AHL players and participants from their development camp. For some, it will be a great starting lesson as they begin to embark on their professional hockey careers. Some are all but assured a position for opening night.
The Bruins need to be motivated moving forward. The Bruins have failed to make the playoffs for the last two seasons, and it can’t happen again this time around. That means some of the current members of the Black and Gold need to understand that their job is a lock for next season. That means inviting players who could legitimately challenge other players for a position next season.
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This needs to happen, especially on the blueline. At the moment, the Bruins defensive corps is a near-exact match for the one last year. The only glaring difference is the loss of Dennis Seidenberg. Seidenberg’s performance was so transparent, he was nearly invisible. That’s why the Bruins bought out his contract, and it’s why the Bruins need to bring in players that could actually challenge the current roster for a job.
Players like Matt Bartkowski.
I’m sure you have some questions and reservations about this idea. Let’s start off with a few primers. No, I am not kidding. Yes, I’ve had two strokes in my life, and I’m nearly 100-percent sure I’m not having another one. Finally, the only thing I have been inhaling over the last hour is the nitrogen-oxygen mix we have in our atmosphere.
Why would I suggest this?
1.) This would be a message from the Bruins front office that there will be competition for the seven spots on the blueline. Comparing Bartkowski’s numbers he could honestly challenge a Bruin or two for their job.
I wasn't being 100% crazy when I suggested inviting Matt Bartkowski to camp. #NHLBruins https://t.co/opchEaER48 via @tableaupublic
— Andrew E Thompson (@Godwentwhoops) July 10, 2016
2.) The Bruins have new coaches and a hopefully a new focus on defensive minded hockey Doug Houda and Doug Jarvis were let go because they lost that focus. Jay Pandolfo and Bruce Cassidy will bring fresh approaches to the game. Bartkowski languished (albeit partially of his own making) under the old system, and he might rise to the occasion under the new one.
3.) Look at the current Bruins roster for defensemen. Most people are still confident about Zdeno Chara (even though they’ll need to cut a few minutes off his average game time this year). People feel good about Torey Krug. After that, the confidence level begins to decline. New blood (or the reintegration of some old blood) could be what the Bruins need to do here.
4.) Take another look at the Bruins lineup. Right now, the Black and Gold are paying $8 million a year for their middle defensive pair, and $4.5 million for their BOTTOM PAIR. It’s like watching the magic of Peter Chiarelli all over again. Bartkowski could be brought on board for less than Kevan Miller and Adam McQuaid and has the potential to be more useful to the Bruins than either of them.
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5.) Claude Julien. Claude Julien will be resistant to playing both Joe Morrow and Colin Miller (even though Colin Miller looked better than Kevan Miller most games he played). Julien never seemed to have a problem playing Bartkowski. Julien saw something in Bartkowski that most of the front office didn’t see.
6.) Finally, he’s a physical player that is more than willing to throw down. If the Boston Bruins are trying to reinvigorate their ‘Big Bad Bruins’ moniker, Bartkowski would be a better choice than the often injured Miller and McQuaid.