Wake up, but not crucify. I've been criticized because I do not believe that Claude's staff does anything but what Claude dictates. ok, he's the Coach, so maybe Claude needs to become more responsible for stimulating those on the team that need it. Certainly someone has to take ownership for how this team plays. The "system" is only one aspect; stimulation and preparedness are two necessary ingredients. Granted, some of these players, young or older, are making exceptional incomes, and may just tune the coach out. We've seen what it can do with the REd Sox, let's not see a repeat with the Bruins. They won last year because they were all together in their focus. A return to that is demanded, and should be a major portion of the entire coaching staff.buffalo replaced it's entire staff under Ruff, maybe that's a consideration.
Posted by bogie6

Bobforte, excellent post and topic. I have been told that sometimes my patience is short, but I have had it with Lucic's lack of energy and motivation. He can do alot better than that and we have the right to expect it. Another underperforming player (and please don't jump at me yet) is Bergeron. Aside from his defensive side, he's play shows no offense capability what so ever. He should have never been elected to be a shooter in the Chicago shoot-out (which we won by a miracle). If Bergeron is good in defense, then he should play defense and let other forwards take his place, who are willing and able to crush the net and screen the goalie. Last night the only one who dared screen Ward, was Marchand. Bruins Power Play, is everything except power. I don't know who's responsible for such long on-going failure; the problem is much too evident, their system extremely predictable and thus easy to defend against. Surprise element is totally lacking. If our PP units can't change or adjust to a new method, then change the unit. If there is no new method, then change the PP coach. I'am out of patience and the whole performance this season so far is just intollerable in every respect. Someone must take ownership and either shape up or shape out. Enough's enough.
Posted by Bruin1972

Sorry for the double post, but wanted to address the two separately.... Everybody wants to see Lucic be more physical and yes I think he can do better in that respect, but the rest that original post slamming him just doesn't add up.  He put up 62 points last year, and 30 goals as a 23 year old and you are complaining?  Show me some other players out there making under $4M that are doing more on a consistent basis.  If anything his passing game is under-rates because he at times makes looks that the average player would not.  And when his shot gets going he's going to net some goals.  He's one of the few guys on the team that can flat out beat the goalie with his shot (along with Seguin and Horton).  He may not score 30+ every year, but I think he is a lock for over 25 and at least that many assists, along with more of a physical presence than you give him credit for.   I think he is a little careless at times and makes some bad turnovers but other than that I don't see that he is a offensively deficient player by any means.  To even suggest trading him is lunacy. He basically put up the same numbers as Kessel (all star) did last year without being a total pu$$ --- for less money.  What exactly are you complaining about?
Posted by Chappy28

In Response to Re: The Lucic Issue : What am I complaining about? You fail to address his complete no show for the playoffs.  You fail to address that he's lacked any where near the level of intensity and desire to play physical since his 2nd full year in a Bruins uniform.  Comparing him to Phil Kessel is a joke.  Kessel was a top round pick with huge offensive upside that's underperforming.  We got a couple of players for him if I remember.  You want to compare Lucic to Kessel okay, find me the GM that would give you 2 first rounders and a 2nd for Lucic.  Please, the Bruins would get laughed at if they asked for that type of return on Lucic.   The Bruins didn't give Lucic $4M+to score 25 goals.  They gave it to him to score some goals but most importantly to be the dominant physical player he's shown he's capable of being that strikes fear into all the opponents he faces. If you think with his hands, his speed and now lack of physical intensity and what looks like lack of desire that he's a lock in for 25-35 goals a year you're nuts. I'd much rather take the Bruins $4M they are paying Lucic and go get a legit skating defensiveman. I certainly woulnd't resign him for that same figure and I doubt the Bruins would either.  Who''d you rather have Marchand or Lucic?  I think that answer is easy on a number of fronts.  The only area Lucic might have over Marchand is physical play but there's a big no on that one as Marchand has been much involved physically and in the intimidation/aggitator department than Lucic has.  Do we win the cup last year without Lucic, I say probably.  Do we win it without Marchand, no way. As for underrating his physical play please tell me the last time you saw him hit anyone?  Last night's game was the first game he's had more than one hit this year and let's not get into his complete physical no show the entire playoffs last year. A poorly skating physical player that doesn't create offense for his teamates that scores 40-55 points aint worth $4M a year and he certainly shouldn't be on the number one line and PP units they way he's currently playing. Get back to me at the end of the year when Lucic scores his 30 goals again (not happening) and when he is a physical intimadting force again in the regular season and the playoffs (again nothing suggest that part of his game is ever coming back either). Note, Lucic doesn't suck. That's not my point.  My point is to get him off the number one line and number one PP unit and try to work him out of his funk and lack of intensity.  If you can't do it than keeping him on the roster this year and next at $4M a whack to play the zero intensity game he's playing (and has been for years now) and to score 40-55 points is just too much. If he's so coveted and awesome than I guess we won't have any problems getting value for him if we seek to trade him.  The Bruins have plenty of talent  in the minors and in juniors at the wing position not to mention some cap space.  They would be better off getting assets for Lucic, getting rid of his bloated salary while they can, using the $4M to fix other problems and giving their younger players a shot at developing.
Posted by bobforte2002

Lucic           Krejci         Horton Marchand    Bergeron     Seguin Kelly           Peverley      Caron Paille          Campbell     Thornton Chara       Seidenberg Ference    Boychuk Kampfer    McQuaid Pouliot, Corvo That would be my lineup.
Posted by mattc355

In Response to Re: The Lucic Issue : I wouldn't sit Corvo. He's been solid from what I've seen. Playing much better than Ferrence...
Posted by lambda13

"Lucic needs the message sent to him by coaching and management that he is not Ovehcekin, Stamkos, etc..." And he isn't paid like them either so lets look at some players who scored around the same amount of points as Lucic last year... Havlat $5M for the same amount of points, Kovalchuk 60 points for $6M, Heatley $8M, Backstrom $6M, Datsyuk $6.7M all around the same points as Milan. I understand the frustration the way the Bruins are playing but overpaid ? Big contract ?    Ahh no...and no one I mentioned above (that also scores) can separate a player from the puck  or put fear into a player like Lucic can (that also scores) when he is not in a slump and he is in a slump right now.
Posted by SanDogBrewin

In Response to Re: The Lucic Issue : I wouldn't sit Corvo. He's been solid from what I've seen. Playing much better than Ferrence...
Posted by lambda13

If Lucic wasn't non-existant during the playoffs last year, would they have won more...Cups? Nothing to complain about so complain about nothing. Paid like a second liner, scores like a first liner, hits like a third liner and fights like a fourth liner. Every single team in the NHL wants Milan Lucic. This thread is downright stupid.
Posted by Not-A-Shot