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No changes expected

Email|Link|Comments (6) Posted by Fluto Shinzawa, Globe Staff April 15, 2008 11:59 AM

Claude Julien said he didn't anticipate any lineup changes tonight, meaning Phil Kessel will sit for a third straight game.

"It's really not about Phil Kessel not being able," Julien said. "I think Phil Kessel is a good player and will be a good player. He's a 20-year-old player right now that's gotten much better than he was as a 19-year-old. Right now, it's about putting a team on the ice that can compete against the kind of competition we've got. We needed more grit. I really don't think it's going to hurt his development, because he's made some huge strides this year."

Julien referenced Buffalo's Thomas Vanek, scratched for part of the playoffs in 2005-06.

"He got scratched for half the playoff games, comes back and scores 43 the next year," Julien said. "It's just part of the evolution and development of a young player. He's going to be fine. He's going to be fine. I've talked to him. Obviously it's a character-builder. Is he disappointed? Absolutely. If he wasn't, I'd be disappointed. He's got the right attitude, the right approach, which means we've got to help him along. That doesn't mean you won't see him again either."

tags Phil Kessel

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6 comments so far...

Its all about team T-E-A-M!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO BRUINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by mansfieldhornets April 15, 08 03:58 PM

I think the Bruins are headed back to the old Cam Neely days. The last 10 years or so here in Boston when the Bruins have lost they usually blame it on toughness..After the 2 loses,they went after mr. Kessel and have made an example of him..Young Kessel has got his work cut out for him here in Boston.He or any Bruin that does not measure up in that dept. will not see much ice.That has been made perfectly clear now.The management is under alot of pressure to bring back the "BIG BAD BRUINS" of the 70s and 80s.

Posted by nhl 1 April 15, 08 04:06 PM

Another good player with lots of potential going out of town.. That is the "Ruin" way and he will probably score 40- 50 goals like Boyes did for another team . And all we will hear is " we have a problem scoring goals " THAT is because they are scoring for other teams... That is why this team , until it gets someone who can teach offensive hockey, free wheeling hockey... hockey that puts bums in the seats instead of the dreadful trap minded team that this is.. we will be fighting for 8th place year in and year out...

Good Luck in San Jose next year Phil... you will be glad you got out of town...same like some guy named Joe Thorton.. There is life after the "RUINS"

Posted by carl April 15, 08 04:46 PM

Well nhl1.........the 'Ruins" are on the way back. They may not win anymore games this year, but they weren't even expected to make the playoffs.

As for Kessel, he needs to develop. If he goes in and the Bruins loose, you will blame him, if he is out and they loose, you will say, 'Shoulda had Kess in. No win either way. Kessel will be fine, Joe only had a few points in his first years and look at him now......ah yes look at Joe now......he still isn't showing up in the playoffs.

A player can be great in the regular season....but if he ain't there in the playoffs, whats the point. Good luck to Joe on San Jose, but if the Sharks win it all, Joe will have to play alot better.

Posted by Derek April 15, 08 05:29 PM

Sorrynhl1...I meant to direct the post to carl....not you. My apologies.:)

Posted by Derek April 15, 08 05:32 PM

they need glen wesley back for for the final and Mike Moffat

Posted by Brian April 15, 08 05:56 PM