Julien is savoring team’s first serving of healthy choice
OTTAWA - Last night, for the first time this season, the Bruins had 20 relatively healthy players in uniform, plus three more in suits and ties watching the game from the Scotiabank Place press box. For coach Claude Julien, those are numbers he likes to see.
“It’s better than it was earlier on when we didn’t have a choice but to put on [the ice] whatever we had available,’’ Julien said before the Bruins’ 4-3 shootout win over the Senators. “We’re in a better position right now with having some healthy bodies around and a little bit of healthy competition. If that’s one of the reasons we’ve gotten better, then so be it. Hopefully that continues.’’
Shawn Thornton, missing the previous two games with an undisclosed injury, was back in the lineup, skating in his usual spot alongside Steve Begin and Byron Bitz. Trent Whitfield and Guillaume Lefebvre were the healthy scratches up front.
On the back end, with Dennis Wideman playing his third straight game after missing three because of a shoulder injury, Johnny Boychuk was out of the lineup for the third straight time.
Julien will gladly accept the surplus of bodies. The Bruins broke camp with Boychuk as the lone spare because of their proximity to the $56.8 million salary cap. Sobotka believed he’d open the season with the big club, but he was the last cut, informed that his assignment had more to do with cap relief than performance.
Eight days ago, the lineup situation became even more strained. The Bruins were in Phoenix, the second stop on a two-game road swing. Wideman was back in Boston, leaving them with only six defensemen. The night before against Dallas, Milan Lucic had broken his right index finger. The Bruins, down to 11 healthy forwards, recalled Lefebvre on an emergency basis.
For Julien, having the 20-player minimum was not a good thing in terms of health and competition. Last Sunday, general manager Peter Chiarelli addressed those issues by trading Chuck Kobasew and his $2.33 million salary to Minnesota. That way, even after acquiring Daniel Paille from Buffalo and placing Lucic and Marc Savard on long-term injured reserve, Chiarelli got enough cap relief to justify carrying extra bodies with the big club.
“It was tough the first little while here with almost the bare minimum of players,’’ said Julien. “You don’t have that competition. The last thing you want to do is let players get comfortable. It’s not good for them. It’s not good for your team.
“Competition is always good. Healthy competition, I call it.’’
“It’s something neat that I’ll look back on and really enjoy when I’m done playing, and realize that I’ve done some decent things,’’ Recchi said. “The most important thing is that I’ve won a couple of Cups. That, to me, is the ultimate thing. I’ve been lucky that way. Hopefully it can end on a high note.’’
Recchi scored a third-period goal last night to bring his career total to 547, second among active players behind Teemu Selanne (583). Recchi is the active leader in assists (899), 18th all time.
“Obviously I’m getting up there, but it’s all about how you feel,’’ Recchi said. “I still feel great. I’m proud to say I was able to play this long.
“I’m very fortunate to have won a couple Cups, which is ultimately what we play for. I think I just outlasted the other guys in terms of points. It’s been a great run. I hope it continues for a while.’’
Although this might be Recchi’s final season in uniform, he has committed to helping his fellow players. On Friday, Recchi was named to a four-man committee (Rob Blake, Chris Chelios, and Nicklas Lidstrom are the others) that will conduct a review of NHLPA operations.
Recchi, who has spoken out against the firing of former executive director Paul Kelly, has said he wants to make sure the league’s younger players will be in good shape upon the introduction of the next collective bargaining agreement.
“He’s been great in the dressing room,’’ said Julien. “He’s really helped our young guys along.’’
Recchi made it a 3-2 game at 18:32 of the third when he tipped home Derek Morris’s shot. But for Recchi, an ovation from the 20,164 Scotiabank Place fans at 13:32 of the first as acknowledgement of his 1,500th game was just as satisfying.
“It’s awesome,’’ said Recchi, who waved to the crowd several times. “To come into a rink and get an ovation like that, it’s pretty special. I appreciate it.
“I’ve played a lot of hockey here in Ottawa against some great teams. I really appreciate it and the fans.’’
