Maybe you’ve noticed the marked lack of game by game Bruins posts here lately. Maybe you’ve wondered, “Is Ken even still watching at this point?”
Well, of course I am. It’s just there isn’t a whole lot left to say about the B’s recent woes. What I see now is a team working like crazy to break a nasty slump and recover a season in danger of sliding right into the dumper. They shouldn’t be as bad as they are right now but, then again, maybe that’s not realistic. How many guys are playing with injuries? How many guys are trying desperately to get from, say, 80% up to 90% on ice functionality?
The poor seasons from various players are well documented. The Goalie Controversy just has not developed because, frankly, Tuukka Rask hasn’t pushed it with his play. Claude Julien is not being fired. Peter Chiarelli has made that clear in the media, no ifs ands or buts. He’s also not making any panic moves via trade that will hurt his team’s future and I can’t really argue with that.
So where does that leave us? In a holding pattern hoping this thing comes to an end soon.
Tonight seems like a good place to start, then, at home versus the Montreal Skating Men’s Choir.
A few notes in anticipation.
There’s a report that the Bruins are making the underperforming Michael Ryder available for trade. In other news, you can get a freaking great deal on a Toyota right now, too.
Kevin Paul Dupont tells us that, while the chances of Ilya Kovalchuk being traded by the Thrashers are increasing, the Bruins are not leaders amongst the 7-8 teams bidding for a deal. No real surprise there, Dupes. A more interesting story may have been telling us who is the frontrunner.
Apparently, Zdeno Chara has been playing for over two months with a dislocated pinkie finger. What the hell is with all the finger injuries on this team? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of so many players felled or slowed by digital issues. Patrice Bergeron’s thumb. Mark Stuart, surgery to repair a broken pinky.
Bruins can’t keep their pinkies safe, apparently. Someone needs to investigate the trainer to see if he’s got a proper Pinky Strength Regimen. If our boys are going out there without properly conditioned pinkies, then someone’s head needs to roll.
Lastly, and I’m sure Gonz will chime in on this at some point, the Columbus Blue Jackets have finally pulled the plug on Ken Hitchcock.
All employees at Chinese Food places within a ten mile radius of Nationwide Arena are wearing black arm bands today.
