The day after the deadline

With all trades shelved until the draft, we can focus our attention back to hockey. In this edition of the mailbag, there are some questions about some underperforming Bruins, the toughest matchups the club might see in the playoffs, and even a query about college hockey.

Hey Fluto, I'm curious about Milan Lucic. When I read recently that the Bruins were trying him to get back to the physical style that has made him so effective, I couldn't help but wonder if perhaps his shoulder injury from earlier in the season has been lingering. I've paid more attention to his play of late and noticed that he seems a bit more hesitant to initiate contact -- certainly not a trait I would expect from a healthy Lucic. Any chance that the shoulder injury is lingering and no one is letting on? With the division all but locked up and a top-3 seed a near certainty, would it make sense to give the big guy some rest down the stretch in the hopes he can be fully healthy for the playoffs?
Jeff, Charlestown

A: That could be part of it, Jeff. The Bruins aren't going to say whether Lucic's shoulder is less than 100 percent. Lucic said it's OK. But wouldn't be surprised if it's not as sound as it was earlier. Lucic looked like this in training camp as well -- not as physical, timing a step off. Hard to say whether he's hurt or if it's human nature for a second-year pro to go through ups and downs as he learns what it takes to become a consistent NHLer.

Fluto, I'm a BU follower and I wanted to know if the Bruins are one of the teams that has at least some interest in signing Matt Gilroy, not so much for immediate help but as a future prospect.
Chris, Waltham

A: Chris, their interest in Gilroy was stronger last year than this season when he was still subject to entry-level restrictions. But given Boston's future cap crunch and Gilroy's unrestricted entry into the league, the Bruins won't have the bucks he can command. From what I understand, he'd like to stay in the Eastern Conference, so I could see him signing with teams like Toronto, Tampa Bay, or the Islanders and perhaps get a crack at the NHL roster right away in 2009-10.

Hi Fluto, So I was watching the game against Florida with Chuck [Kobasew's] fight against Keith Ballard and noticed that they both were wearing visors. I thought that if you get in a fight with a visor that was an extra penalty. Was it a penalty a few years back and then they revoked it? You can't really get into a hockey fight if you have half of your face covered by a plastic shield so what is the point in even attempting to? I know it's for the emotional lift/protecting your teammates but it's not really fighting with the visor.
Ryan, Watertown

A: Ryan, if you're wearing a shield and considered the aggressor, then you are given an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. In Kobasew's case, that fight with Ballard wasn't ruled to have an aggressor. It would have been different had Kobasew jumped Ballard and started the fight. But since there was intent from both players, there was no aggressor and no penalty despite both guys wearing shields. Junior players, who are required to wear visors, used to take off their helmets before fights. But I believe that's against the rules in the OHL now.

Fluto, Phil Kessel just seems like a different player this year than last. He looks bigger. He's obviously much stronger on his skates. What did Phil do in the offseason to turn his game around?
Paul, Bossier City, La.

A: Paul, a lot of it is Kessel growing into his body. He's still only 21. He's learning that being stronger, especially if it doesn't affect his speed, will only help his game.

i want to know why people in the B's dressing room are so high on Andrew Ference? He is the weakest of the top four defensemen and gets the third-most ice time of them. Our D was clicking well when Hunwick played with Wides, now it seems like every outlet pass in an icing, misses the mark and Ference gets burnt against every good forward in the league!!! Are you seeing this the same way I am? Thanks.
Josh, Lincoln, R.I.

A: Josh, I don't think Ference has been as good as he was before he got hurt. But I don't think he's played as poorly as you think. Probably somewhere in between. When he's playing at his best, he's making a good first pass, playing tough against other forwards, using his mobility to his advantage. He'll be fine.

Hey Fluto, What a great season for the Bruins so far! Unfortunately my love for the Bruins season went down the toilet today after dealing with the ticket office.

At the beginning of the season I got a partial season ticket package. (I live in Vermont so this is really the most reasonable package for me.) At the start of the season I made it clear that I wanted to be guaranteed playoff tickets throughout the playoffs if and when they made it (otherwise I just would have purchased single games). The policy explained to me was yes i was guaranteed tickets but I wasn't guaranteed my exact seats because i hadn't done a full season ticket package (fair enough and what I expected). So lately like everyone I've seen the commercials advertising playoff tickets for those that purchased 2009-2010 season tickets. So sure enough I e-mailed the Bruins today and now they are telling me the only way to guarantee playoff tickets for this postseason is to purchase season tickets for next year.

So much for believing in the team this year, eh? I guess it's own fault for doing business with anyone named Jacobs. I can't imagine I'm the only person in this boat but without hearing from anyone else I figured it was worth e-mailing you to see if anyone else mentioned it.
Bob, Burlington, Vt.

A: Tough deal Bob. Hadn't heard about this situation before.

Fluto, I enjoy reading your coverage of the Bruins, and appreciate your candid assessment of the team and its play. I have a ton of questions that I could ask on the team's recent play, but will ask a question about practices. My wife and I are coming to Boston from March 1-9 to take in three games. We are interested in watching a practice at Wilmington or a morning skate at the Garden. Is this possible, and could you provide any info on times? Thank you!
Ron, Lancaster, Pa.

A: Ron, morning skates at the Garden are closed to the public. They will most likely practice at Ristuccia Arena at 11:30 a.m. on off days. Those are free and wide open to anyone willing to brave the Ice Box's temps.

"During NESN's broadcast of the Bruins/Hurricanes game, Jack Edwards spent some time detailing how one of the draft picks the Bruins got for Glen Wesley eventually led to the Bruins drafting Milan Lucic. I missed part of it, and was wondering if you could trace out the lineage that gets us from Glen Wesley to Milan Lucic almost 15 years later.
Alex, Cambridge

A: From Jonathan in Fitchburg: Glen Wesley goes to Hartford for three picks that become Kyle McLaren, Johnathan Aitken, and Sergei Samsonov. On March 9, 2006, the Bruins trade Samsonov to Edmonton for Marty Reasoner, Yan Stastny, and a 2006 second-round pick. They draft Milan Lucic with that pick. To take it one more step, Stastny goes to St. Louis on Jan. 16, 2007, for a 2007 fifth-round pick that becomes Denis Reul.

Lets take it even a step further: McLaren is traded to San Jose for Jeff Jillson, who is traded back to San Jose (and forwarded to Buffalo) for Brad Boyes, who is then traded to St. Louis for Dennis Wideman. So, the Glen Wesley deal actually leads to Milan Lucic and Dennis Wideman. Not a bad management of picks/assets!

As GMs say, picks are an organization's lifeblood.

Do you think the Bruins will attempt to resign Phil Kessel?

I'm actually wondering if he would be better off signing with a team that plays more wide open hockey and showcases his offensive talent.
Kevin, Burlington, Vt.

A: Yes, they will try to re-sign Kessel. Practically unheard of to walk away from a player entering RFA. But I don't see negotiations being a slam dunk. So a trade wouldn't be a shock.

Great job with the mailbag Fluto, it's one of my favorite features on the site. I know I should not get ahead of myself, even with the amount of games left and the trading deadline next week. But which of the teams fighting for a playoff spot present the best matchup, and worst matchup for the B's?
Zach, Worcester

A: Zach, I would be concerned with Buffalo and Florida. They both have speed, good goaltending (if Miller is healthy), mobile defense, and a willingness to drive to the net. I think both clubs would be tough first-round matchups. Don't think the other possible early matchups are as dangerous as those two clubs.

Since this won't be viewed until after the trade deadline, it's more moot, but it's a point nonetheless. I've grown up watching almost all Boston sports teams make mistakes in not trading players when their value is high and the future is not likely. I think back on the likes of the Mo Vaughns and Roger Clemenses and think they could have gotten something in return. So, while I understand Manny Fernandez was valuable to Tim Thomas this year, I just don't see any reason not to trade him and try to get one of the two things the Bruins need in return (a lefthanded shooting scoring winger and/or a puck moving top-4 defenseman). Come playoff time, the Bruins would be fools not to start Thomas over Fernandez. Why wouldn't you trade Fernandez and improve the team? Also, do you think Claude Julien is the front runner for the Adams award for coach of the year? I think he didn't get enough credit last year when everyone predicted the Bruins wouldn't even make the playoffs (Boudreau did a good job with the Caps, but I think Julien did better). This year he has done exponentially better.

A: Jon, the Bruins determined that you don't mess with a good goaltending tandem. Look at Detroit last year. Hasek struggles against Nashville. Osgood takes over. Wings win Cup. Or Cam Ward taking over for Martin Gerber during Carolina's Cup run. Julien: I think he did a better job last season when he wasn't among the finalists. But yes, he will certainly be in the Jack Adams conversation this time around.
John, Lawrence

Mr. Fluto, I realize it is a little early to already be looking at the offseason, but I am curious to hear your thoughts on an idea that has been bouncing around in my head the past few weeks. This summer, the salary cap is expected to change little. The year after, it is expected to go down. It seems to me that teams should start worrying that this could be a trend, and those $10 million a year salaries could become one-fifth of payroll in a few years. That's a potential handicap for a team looking to sign anyone.

With a seeming glut of UFAs and young-stud RFAs (both on the Bruins and elsewhere) this summer and next, could this summer be the first where players really start to see the effect of the salary cap? Will Marian Hossa find himself looking at $6.5 million offer sheets? Or will there be more RFA movement than usual, as teams near the cap are forced to make tough decisions on who to keep and who to cut?
Brian, Wheaton, Md.

A: Brian, players will absolutely feel the hit of the cap crunch this offseason, and even more so in the summer of 2010. The dough that was available for players previously will not be there. Unfortunate for players like Tim Thomas who certainly deserve the salaries that comparables like Cristobal Huet got last summer. I doubt you'll see many offer sheets with so many teams trying to trim salary.