A website dedicated to bring you the most accurate news and information about the Boston Bruins organization from a fans perspective. This site is not affiliated with the NHL club in any way.
It appears that the National Hockey Leagues Boston Bruins and former defensive prospect Cameron Clarke couldn’t come to an agreement on an entry-level contract after the blueliner recently finished his senior year playing for the NCAA Ferris State University. As reported below, the 23-year-old Michigan native has signed a contract with the ECHL Witchita Thunder an “AA” minor-pro affiliate of the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers.
🚨 ROSTER NEWS: We have signed defenseman Cam Clarke, who turns pro after a four-year career with @FerrisHockey.
Clarke a 6′-2″ 190-pound defenseman was originally drafted in the fifth round of the NHL Entry Draft in 2016 out of the Tier II Junior North American Hockey League where he spent one full season with the Lone Star Brahmas. His offensive numbers in the NAHL might’ve impressed the Bruins scouting staff prompting the NHL organization to select him after posting 9-41-50 numbers in 59 games played in the 2015-16 season. His numbers with the NCAA Bulldogs declined at the higher level where he produced 3-30-33 totals in 126 career games. Clarke was named the NAHL’s defenseman of the year in 2015-16 where he also received accolades with most assists by a defenseman (41) and most points (50) by a blueliner per the Elite Prospects website.
Now I’m not sure exactly why the Bruins and the Clarke camp couldn’t come to an agreement but it does bring me back to former Bruins defensive prospect that pretty much did the same thing not long ago. In a discussion with fellow Black N’ Gold Hockey Podcast writer Joe Chrzanowski, he brought up former prospect blueliner Matt Benning and him not signing with the Boston organization while he was still playing for the NCAA Northeastern Huskies in the NCAA Hockey East Conference. Benning might’ve seen the future outlook with so many defensive prospects in the pipeline and didn’t think he’d get a fair shot with the bottleneck ahead of him ultimately asking to be released from the NHL Bruins control to seek pro opportunities elsewhere.
Could this be the same instance for Clarke and the road that was in front of him in the Boston organization? Who knows but when you see the depth ahead, you can really gauge when your number is up and maybe Cameron didn’t see that in the cards moving forward. This isn’t a knock against the Bruins franchise when it comes to drafting talent but it seems like both sides were in the same boat mutually agreeing to drop the rights the team had with the player. Best of luck to Cameron and his goal of reaching the NHL which now seems like it could be an easier path.
Check out the new Black N’ Gold Hockey Podcast episode 168 that we recorded below! You can find our show on many worldwide platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, SoundCloud, and Stitcher.
Please subscribe to our new Black N’ Gold Hockey YouTube channel! We’d really appreciate the continued support. Click HERE for exciting Black N’ Gold online content!!
By: Patrick Donnelly | Follow me on Twitter @PatDonn12
Boston Bruins prospect Jakub Lauko appeared to have injured his right leg during his first shift for the Czech Republic at the 2020 World Junior Championship. The forward was trying to control the puck as he skated through center-ice, before being taken down by a trailing Russian forechecker and colliding with another Russian defender.
Lauko went down holding his knee, was slow to get up and had to be helped off the ice. As he went to the locker room, he did not put any weight on his right leg; he has been ruled out for the remainder of the contest.
The 19-year-old had just returned to action after suffering a concussion with the Providence Bruins, Boston’s AHL affiliate. The concussion came as a result of a scary incident, in which Lauko had to be stretchered off the ice, in the P-Bruins’ contest against the Utica Comets on Dec. 7.
Here’s the play which resulted in Jakub Lauko being stretchered off the ice tonight. Not really sure what happened, but looked like he just collapsed and went down hard. There was contact before this, but I’m still not sure what happened. He gave a thumbs up after. #NHLBruinspic.twitter.com/Qor8Lo264J
Lauko has suited up in 18 games for Providence this season, which is his first professional campaign. In that span, Lauko has four goals and four assists for eight points to go along with a plus-four rating and 20 penalty minutes.
Don Sweeney and the Bruins selected Lauko 77th-overall in the third round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Last season, the 6-foot, 170-pound skater posted 21-20-41 numbers in 44 games as well as 6-7-13 totals in 19 playoff contests with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the QMJHL in addition to a goal and an assist in five games with the Czech Republic at last year’s World Juniors.
Check out the new Black N’ Gold Hockey Podcast episode 159 that we recorded below! You can find our show on many worldwide platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, SoundCloud, and Stitcher.
Please subscribe to our new Black N’ Gold Hockey YouTube channel! We’d really appreciate the continued support. Click HERE for exciting Black N’ Gold online content!!
(LEFT: Curtis Hall. Photo: Boston Bruins. RIGHT: John Beecher. Photo: Rena Laverty / USA Hockey.)
By: Patrick Donnelly | Follow me on Twitter @PatDonn12
Wednesday morning, USA Hockey named the 26-player preliminary roster for the 2020 World Junior Championship, which will be held in the Czech Republic. Among the skaters named to the roster were Bruins prospects John Beecher and Curtis Hall.
Beecher was selected by the Bruins with the 30th-overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft in Vancouver last June. This season as a freshman at the University of Michigan (Big Ten), the Elmira, N.Y., native is the team-leader in points and goals with 5-4-9 totals through 16 games.
With the 30th overall pick in the 2019 #NHLDraft, we’ve selected forward John Beecher.
Beecher won a bronze medal with the United States at the 2019 Under-18 World Championship, posting three goals and an assist in seven games. During the 2018-19 campaign, the 18-year-old notched 15-28-43 numbers in 63 games with USA Hockey’s U-18 National Team Development Program.
John Beecher scores on the power play. He tips a shot from Will Lockwood and knocks it home. pic.twitter.com/1SuhyJUcEE
Boston selected Hall 119th-overall in the fourth round of the 2018 Draft in Dallas. The 19-year-old is in the midst of his sophomore season with the Yale Bulldogs (ECAC), posting six goals and an assist for seven points in nine games. Last season as a freshman, the Chagrin Falls, Ohio, native recording 5-6-11 numbers through 24 games.
Check out Curtis Hall's one-time finish assisted by Justin Pearson.
The WJC will mark just the third time Hall has skated with the U.S. on the national stage, highlighted by a second place finish at the 2017 World Junior A Challenge, where he registered a goal and an assist in five games. Hall also finished second in team scoring at the 2017 Hlinka Gretzky Cup with 3-1-4 in four games. In 113 games over four seasons with the Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League (USHL), Hall had 20-32-52 totals.
The tournament will be held from Dec. 26 through Jan. 5. Team USA will begin play on Thursday Dec. 26, squaring off against Canada at Ostravar Arena at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Check out the new Black N’ Gold Hockey Podcast episode 158 that we recorded below! You can find our show on many worldwide platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, SoundCloud, and Stitcher.
Please subscribe to our new Black N’ Gold Hockey YouTube channel! We’d really appreciate the continued support. Click HERE for exciting Black N’ Gold online content!!
The Bruins have taken a lot of slack on their draft picks over the years, but the fact of the matter is that the Bruins know how to draft. 10/14 of their top scorers have all been drafted by Boston and Don Sweeney has been able to rebuild a farm system that is now littered with talent.
It’s been just over five months since the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. While the Bruins missed out on a couple of rounds due to some trade deadline deals, they managed to pick up a solid group of players to add to their farm system, so let’s take a look at how they’ve been doing this season.
John Beecher – Round 1, 30th Overall
Unlike the previous year’s draft, the Bruins elected to hang onto their 1st round pick this year. With big offensive talents on the board like Arthur Kaliyev, Bobby Brink and Raphael Lavoie, the Bruins elected to go with a more well-rounded player in John Beecher. Last season, Beecher played with the US Developmental Program and put up 15 goals and 43 points while playing in a diminished role behind guys like Jack Hughes and Cole Caufield.
Now at the University of Michigan, Beecher has fit in well at the college level. He’s got wheels, a big frame and maybe most importantly, great hockey sense. The freshman has started to heat up as of late, collecting his first career multiple-goal game last weekend against UNH, and increasing his total to four on the season. He’s leading the Wolverines in points this season and with plenty of room to grow, the Bruins have a great player on the way.
The Bruins next pick wasn’t until the 3rd round, as they dealt their 2nd-rounder to the Devils in return for Marcus Johansson’s services last year. They used that pick on Calgary native and Minnesota Duluth commit, Quinn Olson.
Joining the reigning NCAA champion Bulldogs, Olson has looked solid to begin the season. After cracking a rib and chipping a vertebrate in his season opener against UMass-Lowell, the freshman has recovered quickly and is a big part of Duluth’s depth scoring. Playing primarily on the fourth line, Olson has three points in ten games. The winger’s play hasn’t gone without praise. His coach Scott Sandelin has said; “he’s competitive, he’s smart. He brings a lot. He’s a young, young kid but like I’ve said before, he plays the game with a lot of maturity. He’s going to help us a lot.” Good early signs from the 3rd rounder.
The Bruins went to Russia with their next pick when they selected Roman Bychkov. He’s a sound defender with good hands that isn’t afraid to get physical along the boards. At 5’11 he isn’t a big skater, but he’s been able to carve out two straight seasons of strong play in the Russian Junior League (MHL). Building off of last season’s 15 points, Bychkov has put up four goals, ten points and a +10 rating for the second place Loko Yaroslavl this season.
Matias Mantykivi – Round 6, 185th Overall
Matias Mantykivi was drafted out of the Finnish Junior League where he put up over a point-per-game pace through 34 games. This season, Mantykivi has made a full-time jump to the Finnish Pro League (Liiga). His stat-line of two goals in 16 games is far from impressive, but it’s important to remember that the Fin is an 18-year-old playing in a league with older, bigger and stronger players. Players like Joonas Donskoi, who had two goals in his first 18 games in Liiga, turned into very solid NHLers so there is no need to rush Mantykivi, he still has a lot of time to grow. With a name like that, I just hope we get to hear it in the NHL.
( Photo Credit: Chicago Steel )
Jake Schmaltz – Round 7, 192nd Overall
For the Bs final pick, they decided to go with an American with some NHL talent in his blood. Jake Schmaltz is the cousin of Nick and Jordan Schmaltz, who are both former 1st rounders and have over 250 games of NHL experience between the two. Jake spent last season in the USHL with the Chicago Steel but changed clubs to the Green Bay Gamblers this season.
The winger’s game is one that focuses on forechecking. His ten points through 19 games aren’t incredible, but his two-way ability still projects him to be a solid bottom-six option in the future. It will be interesting how Schmaltz’s game can translate to the NCAA when he goes to the University of Dakota next year.
Check out the new Black N’ Gold Hockey Podcast episode 155 that we recorded below! You can find our show on many worldwide platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, SoundCloud, and Stitcher.
Please subscribe to our new Black N’ Gold Hockey YouTube channel! We’d really appreciate the continued support. Click HERE for exciting Black N’ Gold online content!!
By: Max Mainville | Check me out on Twitter @tkdmaxbjj
For the second-consecutive game, the Boston Bruins take on the Toronto Maple Leafs. This time, however, the arena is different as the two teams make the move to the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins lost the last time out, 4-3 in overtime in Toronto, but was able to secure a point without second-line center David Krejci (upper-body) in the lineup.
Toronto has had a game since the win over Boston, losing 4-3 in overtime themselves against the Columbus Blue Jackets off of a penalty-shot winner in the OT session. The Maple Leafs are third in the Atlantic division with a record of 5-3-2.
Starting Goaltenders:
BOS: Tuukka Rask 3-0-1 1.72 GAA .946 SV% Last Game: 33 Saves in 4-3 loss vs TBL (SO)
TOR: Michael Hutchinson (Likely) 0-1-1 3.97 GAA .886 SV% Last Game: 28 Saves in 4-3 loss vs WSH
Who’s Hot:
Tuukka Rask is starting in his 500th career NHL game tonight against the franchise who drafted him 21st-overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs. Rask has been great for the Bruins this year, remaining undefeated in regulation with a record of 3-0-1. Tuukka has a 1.72 GAA (3rd in NHL*) and a .946 save percentage (3rd in NHL*) with one shutout back on October 12th against the Devils.
*minimum of four games started
Tuukka Rask will play in his 500th career game Tuesday night against the Maple Leafs:
Rask on the milestone: “It just goes to show how old I’m getting, that’s about it.” pic.twitter.com/bAzpSNHtdJ
Mitch Marner leads the Maple Leafs in points this season with 3-9-12 numbers in ten games so far, riding a two-game point streak coming into tonight’s contest as well. On Saturday, Marner finished the night with two assists against Boston – including the game-winning shot that hit Morgan Rielly in front, giving him a primary assist. Marner has been a force, as usual, and he seemingly thrives against the Bruins. Watch for that again tonight.
David Pastrnak was awarded the First Star of the Week according to the National Hockey League and rightly so. The 23-year-old Czech Republic native has dominated the NHL with nine points in three games last week – seven of them being goals. His nine goals on the 2019-20 season puts him tied for first in league and Pastrnak is also top-five in points with 15 in only eight games. Pastrnak put up a goal and an assist in Saturday’s loss to the Leafs.
Who’s Not:
With Frederik Andersen getting the start last night for the Blue and White, it is very likely that we see backup goaltender, Michael Hutchinson in between the pipes for the third time this season. So far, the 2008 3rd-round pick of the Boston Bruins has a win-less record of 0-1-1. Hutchinson has only started twice, but made five saves on five shots against the Lightning in replacement of Andersen who was pulled. With a GAA of 3.97 and a SV% of .886, Hutchinson has not be the best in net when he does get his chance.
Sean Kuraly is yet to find the back of the net in the 2019-2020 campaign, putting up only two assists in the opening eight games. Kuraly had a particularly poor game on Saturday, turning the puck over on numerous occasions with one breakout attempt directly leading to a Toronto goal. Kuraly is one of the better depth players in the NHL, but is starting off the year on a slower pace than expected from a Bruins team needing depth support.
Charlie McAvoy is atop the Bruins roster regarding the younger players, no doubt, but he has not performed at the peak of his potential this season so far. McAvoy has only one assist and is a -1 rating through eight games and against the Leafs last weekend, he made numerous turnovers and seemed out of position on a few rushes by Toronto. Boston needs him to be more consistent tonight and for the games to come.
Milestone Watch:
Boston Bruins:
G Tuukka Rask is playing in his 500th career NHL game
F Patrice Bergeron is two assists away (498) from 500 career NHL assists
F David Pastrnak is one point (299) from 300 career NHL points
Toronto Maple Leafs:
F Auston Matthews is three assists away (97) from 100 career NHL assists
Bruins vs Maple Leafs Outlook:
Saturday’s game was an entertaining game between these two teams with both teams getting chances on either end and both teams having solid goaltending throughout the course of the game. This time around, both teams will be putting out different starting goaltenders and will be playing in a different arena – bringing the possibility for another competitive game.
The Bruins managed to earn a point in the loss, keeping them tied in points with Toronto, but are ahead of the Canadian team due to their lack of total games played in comparison. Boston will be looking to win a regulation game on home-ice to take a full two points. Even early on in the season, these points are huge considering the level of competition in the NHL’s Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference.
Earlier today, the Bruins announced that forward David Krejci (upper-body) has been placed on the injured-reserve and will not play tonight. In response, the organization recalled forward Anders Bjork from the Providence Bruins in the American Hockey League to fill the vacant roster spot. Joakim Nordstrom was on the ice for practice, but no word on if he will return to the lineup. Karson Kuhlman did not practice and will likely miss tonight’s game after blocking a shot from DeBrusk in the last game.
The Bruins and Leafs are expected to have yet another strong game, even with the absence of Krejci and Tavares respectively. There are opportunities available for young players now, especially Bjork, to prove his worth in the depth charts and make a case for a top-six role.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00pm EST in the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
The above lines for the Maple Leafs are for their game last night against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Things may change, but expect Hutchinson to get the start.
Check out the new Black N’ Gold Hockey Podcast episode 150 that we recorded on 10-20-19 below! You can find our show on many worldwide platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, SoundCloud, and Stitcher.
Please subscribe to our new Black N’ Gold Hockey YouTube channel! We’d really appreciate the continued support. Click HERE for exciting Black N’ Gold online content!!
By: Max Mainville | Check me out on Twitter @tkdmaxbjj
Today, October 1st, veteran forward Lee Stempniak officially announced his retirement from the National Hockey League after spending the past thirteen seasons in the league for various franchises.
Congratulations to Lee Stempniak, who after 13 seasons and over 900 games played, has announced his retirement from the NHL!
Lee Stempniak was drafted in the in the fifth-round (148th overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the St. Louis Blues, but did not make his NHL debut until the 2005-06 season, accumulating 14-13-27 numbers in 57 games played with the Blues. Stempniak would play a full three seasons with St. Louis before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in November of 2008 in exchange for Alexander Steen and Carlo Colaiacovo.
In Toronto, Stempniak played a combined 123 games before being shipped off to the then-Phoenix Coyotes in a trade deadline move in 2010. Over the course of his career, Stempniak played for ten teams across the league and many of which were because of trades during the trade deadline period of the regular season. Below is the full list of teams the West Seneca, New York native played for.
St. Louis Blues (2005-2009) – 57-73-180
Toronto Maple Leafs (2009-2010) – 25-36-61
Phoenix Coyotes (2010-2011) – 33-23-56
Calgary Flames (2011-2014) – 31-52-83
Pittsburgh Penguins (2014-2014) – 4-7-11
New York Rangers (2014-2015) – 9-9-18
Winnipeg Jets (2015-2015) – 6-4-10
New Jersey Devils (2015-2016) – 16-25-41
Boston Bruins (2016, 2019) – 3-7-10
Carolina Hurricanes (2016-2018) – 19-30-49
During his NHL career, Lee Stempniak played in 911 regular season games, amassing a combined total of 203 goals, 266 assists for 469 points. The majority of his career was spent in St.Louis where he played a total of 233 games followed by the Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs.
Evidently, the 36-year-old was never a high-scoring player within the National Hockey League, but brought some decent depth scoring to teams that were trying to contend or needed an additional piece to their roster in the case of injuries. When it comes to the Boston Bruins, Stempniak did not have a long tenure with the B’s. He only played in a combined total of 21 games, scoring three goals and seven assists for ten points.
In an official press release, Lee Stempniak said the following regarding his decision to retire from the NHL. Quote comes from the NHLPA.
“I am honoured and privileged to have played in the NHL for 13 seasons and I am extremely grateful to have lived my dream every day throughout my career. I would like to thank each and every organization, all of my coaches and the staff members for your help over the years. A special thank you to all of my teammates. I will miss our friendships, laughter and camaraderie.
Thank you to my parents, Larry and Carla, for sacrificing so much to make my dreams a reality. I have learned from your example, and that is the standard for the father I aspire to be. My brother, Jay, thank you for your support and friendship. I am forever grateful to my wife, Lindsay and our three children, Reese, Lucy and Brooks. Without your love, extreme sacrifice and unwavering support throughout all the moves, I would not have enjoyed playing as long as I did.
After living in ten cities, I am looking forward to spending time with my family, settling in Boston and being a father.”
Lee Stempniak will always have roots in Boston, Massachusetts and we at the Black N’ Gold Hockey website wish him the best on all his future endeavours outside of hockey.
Check out the Black N’ Gold Hockey Podcast episode 147 that we recorded on 9-29-19 below! You can find our show on many worldwide platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, SoundCloud, and Stitcher.
Please subscribe to our new Black N’ Gold Hockey YouTube channel! We’d really appreciate the continued support. Click HERE for exciting Black N’ Gold online content!
By: Max Mainville | Check me out on Twitter @tkdmaxbjj
On September 24th, 2019, the Boston Bruins have confirmed that forward Anton Blidh will be forced to miss four months of playing time after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder.
The injury came in the Bruins’ first preseason meeting against the Philadelphia Flyers last week and it was rumored that the injury may require surgery. As news comes in today, it is now clear that Blidh underwent successful surgery to repair a ligament in his right shoulder at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) by Doctor Tom Holovacs.
The 24-year-old winger was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the 6th Round (180th Overall) in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft and has been a staple as a depth forward in the organization, playing 263 career regular-season games with the Providence Bruins in the American Hockey League, amassing a 41-38-79 numbers dating back to the 2015-16 season.
Last year, Blidh was named assistant captain of the P-Bruins, finishing the 2018-19 campaign with 10-13-23 totals in 74 games. Over the course of his professional career, Blidh has played in a combined twenty-one games in the National Hockey League with the Boston Bruins, scoring only one goal and one assist for two points. Elite Prospects’ Erik K. Piri said the following about Blidh back in 2014.
“Blidh is a gritty winger who plays with a lot of energy. Can kill penalties and is a terrific shot blocker. Also owns some offensive instincts and a willingness to go hard to the net. Loves to agitate and rile up opponents.”
Before joining Providence, Blidh spent his time with a variety of different teams in his home country of Sweden with his best point-producing season coming in the 2013-14 campaign where he scored 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points in 27 games for the Frölunda HC J20 in the SuperElit league.
Back in May of this year, the Boston Bruins re-signed the Mölnlycke, Sweden native to a two-year, two-way contract extension worth $700,000 per season. That deal is scheduled to expire at the conclusion of the 2020-21 season. For the Bruins, this is a tough injury as Blidh was a solid member of the Providence Bruins forward core and could have been a potential recall in the case of an injury to a forward in the big leagues.
If his recovery goes smoothly and efficiently, we should see Anton Blidh back in a sweater, likely for the Baby Bruins in the AHL in the early stages of the 2020 calendar year. For more information on Blidh, David Krejci, and other Boston Bruins injury reports, news, and updates, make sure to give me a follow on Twitter, (@tkdmaxbjj ), and check back frequently on the Black N’ Gold Hockey website.
Check out the Black N’ Gold Hockey Podcast episode 146 that we recorded on 9-22-19 below! You can find our show on many worldwide platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, SoundCloud, and Stitcher.
Please subscribe to our new Black N’ Gold Hockey YouTube channel! We’d really appreciate the continued support. Click HERE for exciting Black N’ Gold online content!
Well, folks. Here we are. The 2019-20 season is just around the corner and camps are underway. And here we are to meet your Bruins needs with the First Annual BNG Season Predictions! We throw some guesses out there, some educated and some not, on predicting the unpredictable. All questions based on regular-season unless otherwise stated. Assembled here for this is our five-person panel from http://www.blackngoldhockey.com, and without further ado, let’s get this underway and hope you enjoy!
With Brett Ritchie being added to the bottom 6 group of forwards, can he come in and make an impact?
Michael: Yes Joe: No Lucas: Yes Garrett: Yes Mike: Yes
How will the addition of Ritchie and Lindholm affect the lineup?
Michael: Bolster the bottom 6 depth. Joe: Won’t affect it. Lucas: If they get in the lineup, they will
contribute. Garrett: Won’t change much, as they
won’t get much ice time. Mike: Depth, but no real playing time.
How many starts will Rask get? Halak?
Michael: Rask 44. Halak 38. Joe: Rask 47. Halak 35. Lucas: Rask 47. Halak 35. Garrett: Rask 46. Halak 36. Mike: Rask 48. Halak 34.
How many wins for Rask? Halak?
Michael: Rask 28. Halak 22. Joe: Rask 30. Halak 19. Lucas: Rask 30. Halak 20. Garrett: Rask 29. Halak 23 Mike: Rask 29. Halak 21
If no, what round will they get beat out in and to who?
Michael: Conference finals loss to
New York Rangers Joe: Second round exit to Tampa Bay. Lucas: They’re winning the cup. Garrett: Conference finals loss to
Washington Mike: All the way for the cup win.
LEAGUE PICK EMS
Top 3 finishers in each division, in order.
Atlantic Division
Michael: Tampa, Boston, Toronto Joe: Tampa, Boston, Toronto Lucas: Tampa, Boston, Florida Garrett: Tampa, Boston, Toronto Mike: Boston, Tampa, Toronto
Metro Division
Michael: New York Rangers, Washington
Philadelphia Joe: Washington, Pittsburgh, New York
Islanders Lucas: Carolina, Washington,
Philadelphia Garrett: Washington, Pittsburgh, New
York Islanders Mike: New York Rangers, Washington,
Carolina
Central Division
Michael: Nashville, Colorado, Dallas Joe: Nashville, Dallas, Colorado Lucas: Colorado, Nashville, St. Louis Garrett: Nashville, Colorado, Winnipeg Mike: Nashville, St. Louis, Colorado
Pacific Division
Michael: Vegas, Calgary, San Jose Joe: Calgary, Vegas, San Jose Lucas: Calgary, San Jose, Arizona Garrett: Vegas, San Jose, Calgary Mike: Vegas, San Jose, Calgary
Eastern Conference finals matchup?Winner? How many games?
Michael: Boston v New York Rangers
New York Rangers in 7 Joe: Tampa Bay v Washington
Tampa Bay in 6 Lucas: Boston v Toronto (WC)
Boston in 7 Garrett: Boston v Washington
Washington in 7 Mike: Boston v New York Rangers
Boston in 6
Western Conference finals matchup?Winner? How many games?
Michael: Nashville v Vegas
Vegas in 6 Joe: Dallas v Vegas
Dallas in 7 Lucas: Nashville v San Jose
Nashville in 6 Garrett: Colorado v San Jose
San Jose in 6 Mike: Vegas v Colorado
Vegas in 7
Stanley Cup finals winner? How many games?
Michael: New York Rangers in 7 Joe: Tampa Bay in 6 Lucas: Boston in 7 Garrett: San Jose in 6 Mike: Boston in 7
Most likely exceed expectations?
Michael: New York Rangers Joe: Arizona Lucas: Arizona Garrett: New York Rangers Mike: New York Rangers
Most likely to underachieve?
Michael: St. Louis Joe: Columbus Lucas: Winnipeg Garrett: Carolina Mike: Dallas
Canadian team with the highest points?
Michael: Toronto Joe: Calgary Lucas: Calgary Garrett: Toronto Mike: Toronto
How many teams north of the border will make the playoffs?
Michael: Victor Hedman Joe: Roman Josi Lucas: Seth Jones Garrett: Victor Hedman Mike: Victor Hedman
Vezina Trophy
Michael: Henrik Lundqvist Joe: Ben Bishop Lucas: Andrei Vasilevskiy Garrett: Marc-Andre Fleury Mike: Andrei Vasilevskiy
Jack Adams Award
Michael: Jared Bednar Joe: Jim Montgomery Lucas: Rick Tocchet Garrett: Jared Bednar Mike: Bruce Cassidy
Coach on the bubble?
Michael: Mike Babcock Joe: Bruce Boudreau Lucas: Bruce Boudreau Garrett: Mike Babcock Mike: Mike Babcock
GM on the bubble?
Michael: Kevin Cheveldayoff Joe: Brad Treliving Lucas: Pierre Dorion Garrett: Kevin Cheveldayoff Mike: Kevin Cheveldayoff
Player drafted 1 to 3 at the 2020 draft?
Michael: Alexis LaFrenière, Quinton
Byfield, Lucas Raymond
Joe: Alexis LaFrenière, Lucas Raymond,
Quinton Byfield.
Lucas: Alexis LaFrenière, Lucas
Raymond, Quinton Byfield
Garrett: Alexis LaFrenière, Quinton
Byfield, Lucas Raymond
Mike: Alexis LaFrenière, Quinton Byfield,
Lucas Raymond
Check out the Black N’ Gold Hockey Podcast episode 145 that we recorded on 9-15-19 below! You can find our show on many worldwide platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, SoundCloud, and Stitcher.
Please subscribe to our new Black N’ Gold Hockey YouTube channel! We’d really appreciate the continued support. Click HERE For Link To Our YouTube Channel!
It’s back-to-school time again. Six Boston Bruins prospects are currently playing or committed to play NCAA hockey, this season including John Beecher, Jack Becker, Cam Clarke, Curtis Hall, Dustyn McFaul and Jeremy Swayman.
Beecher was selected by the Bruins in the first round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and will begin his collegiate hockey career at the University of Michigan this season. He will join Becker in Ann Arbor. Becker will be a junior in 2019-2020.
Beecher, a center/left wing, comes to Michigan after spending the 2018-2019 season moving from the United States National Team Development Program to the U.S. National Under 18 Team to the Under-18 World Junior Classic team. The now 18-year-old Beecher amassed a total of 67 points in a combined 97 games.
Becker is a 22-year-old Minnesota-born center who was selected by the Bruins in round seven of the 2015 Entry Draft. He has played in a total of 69 games during his first two seasons with the Wolverines, accounting for 15 points in each of his freshman and sophomore years.
Clarke is entering his fourth year at another Michigan school, Ferris State University, where he has seen game action each of his first three seasons with the Bulldogs. He is a 23-year-old defenseman from Tecumseh Michigan and was drafted by Boston in the fifth round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
Clarke posted a career high 11 points for Ferris State in 2016-2017, his freshman season, followed by seven points and eight points, respectively, the next two seasons. He has appeared in a total of 99 games so far in his collegiate career.
Ohio native Hall and Alaska product Swayman are two Bruins prospects who are playing their college hockey in New England. Hall is entering his sophomore year at Yale University, and goaltender Swayman will be playing in his third season at the University of Maine.
Hall is a 19-year-old center from Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Last season, his first with the Yale Bulldogs, he put up five goals and six assists in 24 games. Hall was drafted by the Bruins in the fourth round of the 2018 draft.
Swayman, the lone netminder of the group, is 20 years old and was selected by Boston in the fourth round of the 2017 draft. He has posted impressive numbers in his first two seasons with the Black Bears. He finished the 2017-2018 season with a 2.72 goals against average and a .921 save percentage. Last season, Swayman had a 2.77 GAA and a .919 save percentage.
According to McFaul’s profile on Elite Prospects, he is committed to play at Clarkson University and is expected to begin his freshman campaign there this year. McFaul is a 20-year-old Waterdown, Ontario-born defenseman. He has played the past two seasons for the Pickering Panthers of the Ontario Hockey League, posting a total of 35 points in 86 games. He was selected by Boston in the sixth round of the 2018 draft.
Incoming freshman Dustyn McFaul talking about his experience in Pickering and the bright future ahead in that organization, hopefully some more future Golden Knights coming from that organization as it seems on the up and up https://t.co/VlZ9qCJ4xi
By: Max Mainville | Check me out on Twitter @tkdmaxbjj
According to an article by NHL.com writer Mike Battalingo, Boston’s contract discussions involving restricted free-agent defensemen Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo “remain stalled” in the latest update.
Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo contract talks with Bruins remain stalled https://t.co/4TDAu246QE
The two defensemen have been the biggest talking points of the Bruins offseason, especially in the fanbase as both play a crucial role on the blueline of the defending Eastern Conference Champions. In an interview with BostonBruins.com, General Manager Don Sweeney gave some light to a topic largely filled with darkness in terms of details released on contract negotiations.
“But that’s just the nature of the business, and every negotiation has its own timeline,” Sweeney told the Bruins website Thursday. “We’ll find a finish line at some point in time, Brandon and Charlie will be part of our organization for a long time. We think really highly of them as players on and off the ice, we just have to find a common ground and we’re working to get there.” (quote was taken from NHL.com)
Following their Stanley Cup Finals run that ended just one game short of winning it all, the Bruins knew that the offseason was going to be an important one regarding the extensions of key RFAs in the system. On July 9th, GM Don Sweeney managed to lock up forward Danton Heinen to a two-year, $5.6 million contract ($2.8 million AAV), leaving only Carlo and McAvoy left to prioritize.
Charlie McAvoy was the 14th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by the Bruins and has since become a top-two defenceman alongside captain Zdeno Chara. McAvoy started his NHL career in the 2017-18 campaign, recording 7-25-32 numbers in 63 games played that season with another five points in 12 playoff games.
This past season, injuries kept McAvoy down to 54 regular-season games but the 21-year-old defender still managed to match a career-high in goals with seven to go along with his 21 assists to finish the season with 28 points. Charlie also led the entire Bruins roster in time on ice, averaging 22:10 over the course of the 2018-19 campaign. McAvoy added 2-6-8 totals in the 23 Stanley Cup Playoff games, playing a key role in the success the team found down the stretch.
Brandon Carlo is not as offensive as McAvoy, but he brings the type of defensive play that is needed in front of your goaltender. The 6-foot-5, 212-pound Carlo had the most hits among defenceman in 2018-2019 and was fourth on the team with 134 recorded hits. According to Hockey Reference, Carlo ended the season with 42 takeaways and 41 giveaways, a large improvement from the year prior. Improvements like that will only continue year-to-year.
The Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA native set a new career-high in minutes per game, averaging 20:55 on the ice in 72 games played. In addition, Carlo played in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in his young career due to untimely injuries that forced him out of the past two postseasons.
Sweeney went on to say that negotiations with both players are “not as fast as everybody would like”, but failed to provide any insight on the likelihood of the duo joining the rest of the roster for the official Boston Bruins Training Camp next month. Earlier in August, Boston offered a professional tryout contract to defenceman Alex Petrovic in the event that Carlo and McAvoy are absent from the camp.
Should fans of the Bruins be worried? Not yet. Sweeney made it clear that the organization wants the pair of blueliners to wear the Spoked-B on their chest for the long-term and he showed a level of confidence that the two will eventually be signed so there is no need to worry and stress, yet.
Check out the Black N’ Gold Hockey Podcast episode 141 that we recorded on 8-18-19 below! You can find our show on many worldwide platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, SoundCloud, and Stitcher.
