The Fernandez 'issue'

Excellent news on Patrice, Milan, Shane, and Andy. Not so good on Manny. But its nice to see some faith in both of the P-Goalies.

Bergy skating is great news.

CJ stickhandling around the Lucic and Fernandez "issues" is frustrating to us, the great unwashed. Those two would be huge in the lineup if they could go Tuesday.

I wonder if this goes back to the last game Fernandez played when he had given up tha 4th goal in the last minute and he looked po'd about himself and the defenseman and skated off the ice without any celebration. Maybe a few words were said in the dressing room. Anyway, as long as he isn't injured and can play again soon.

Uh oh could this mean a move is coming?

I really hope this isn't a sign that Manny is about to be dealt. The B's are still doing pretty well, aren't they? Don't panic, PC – please.

KPD
the whole Fernandez thing sounds fishy to me... are you trying to insinuate that something other than an injury is going on here? is it going to be a long term/season ending injury? Or are you just tryign to get us all riled up?

I still would not be opposed to trading Fernandez. We still haven't made it to the All Star break and I have been thinking he is still an injury risk until that time. I know how strange that is with the standings and all but for the right return (young) I'm OK with a trade

is this truly an injury issue, or is possibly a result of him storming off the ice after the Ottawa game wanting nothing to do with the team. It appears that after he sped past Savard, Savard said "what the f---?" I trust Julien, but this whole thing seems a little strange, especially with his locker missing his nameplate and being used by Regan.

I am going to be honest here...Fernandez is being traded. There are so many signs here...possibly along with Ferrence...Hunwick is play excellent, you have to keep him up with Boston...so a trade (Fernandez, Ferrence?, and draft pick or minor players) for a big time scorer....Lecavelier? or a veteren like Tkachuk or Guerin...Its bound to happen!

I agree the Fernandez issue seems strange especially considering how he skated right off the ice w/out the customary congrats from teammates on the ice. He didn't appear to be injured any time during the game. Also, Thomas makes the All Star team & he doesn't, and he's stuck in a platoon situation ... he can't be happy about either of those things. #1 goalies want to play every game & he's played like a #1 so far this year.

If the Bruins make a trade they aren't going to touch Kessel, Krejci, Lucic, or Wheeler. That doesn't leave much ... #1 goalies are always in demand.

Regan is likely using Manny's locker because there aren't any others. However, the nameplate thing is weird. Manny didn't blast anyone but himself during the post-game interview (see bruin video on bruins.com) regarding the last goal. They got the win and that was all that mattered -- he said as much. He also must have been at Friday's practice or there wouldn't have been a mad dash to track down Rask Saturday morning right before the Canes game. And then Rask got returned to Providence right afterwards. The other call-ups have not been here on an emergency basis. The problem with all of the secrecey is it actually draws more attention to the injury than if they simply said he suffered a "name-the-body area" injury. Here's hoping all will be ok soon. He believes too much in this team and I think they and we fans know he plays an important role along side Thomas. If it were a trade issue, wouldn't it just be done rather than calling it a "minor issue?"

I agree....this is weird. It is NOT an ijury, all others have been clarified as being an injury even without revealing what it is.
This must be locker room fight/ team suspension although this is just a guess. And if he did argue for getting that last goal against Ottawa, trade the baby, we dont need distractions when were first.
Im really hoping it is just a minor injury or whatever. I dont think its a long term injury, from what? why would Julien sound like he will be back any day?

If Manny is going he is going now. Nobody needs a goalie in March. I got to believe he is sick. I wouldn't trade him.

If you've never seen a goalie storm off the ice after giving up a crap goal, you haven't watched much hockey.

get rid of that injury prone baby now while his record is hot, Don't let one person disrupt a good dressing room. (if all this spec. is true)

Hey KDP, Thanks for the info and also for not giving an opinion ( a positive). I read Spector's blogg everyday which is filled with opinions debunked by Spector. He does a good job. I do believe it was strange to have Fernandez skating off the ice after the Ottawa game. The name tag thing is just crap who knows. I will say this, the Lucic injury or illness is beyong Belichick. No lower body or upper body just not there. The Bruins are operating on a different level. No reason to panic... I did think Fernandez would be gone before the deadline but that was in October. He is playing awesome. The cap issue remains as a "spectre" in the future. So moves could be on the horizon.

Whether its an injury or a trade in the works, the Bs are smart to go into Belichick mode and not disclose too much information.

Clearly, they are not going to have Thomas, Fernandez and Rask next year- Fernandez is the likely man out, and they might as well get something for him, and his stock is very high now. And the Bs are in a strong position because they don't have to trade him- they can negotiate from strength and get, what, a third rounder?

Hmmm, third rounder (second?) or a veteran pair of goalies for the playoff run....

Interesting...
Fernandez has stormed off the ice a few times this year, not accepting any congratulations. Always struck me as strange...

I imagine he has been traded...if you read between the lines it would appear he is on his way out. The removed nameplate, and Julien saying it was an "issue" that he though "it could be RESOLVED by today". Sounds like a trade is in the works.

The only time I've ever seen Manny leave the ice quickly after a win was on Thursday -- and I've watched him play for nearly 8 years. That's not game suspension material. For all anyone knows, he might have been sick...He's had nothing but positive things to say about his teammates, so I doubt it's a "locker room" issue either. I also get the sense that if there are any locker room issues that's where they stay -- among the guys to work out.

Chara DID fall on him during the second period. That's grounds for damage right there. Whatever happened had to have happened Saturday morning -- at home maybe? Kessel practiced today and then the team announced he's on IR for mono. Rask didn't get called until the day after practice.

All of this doesn't sound quite so weird when you read the latest Inside the Den of the New England Hockey Journal at www.hockeyjournal.com. The article starts off with an update about Bergy skating today and then goes on to address the other injuries.

The only thing I worry about is if Fernandez does get traded I don't know how Thomas will do. Honestly I think he's been average lately and hopefully can bring it back up to the level of play in the beginning of the year.

Ok, take it easy people, he is most likely sick. There seems to be a flu bug or something going through the locker room, that is the sort of thing you wouldn't want to let an opponent know. No one's season is over, except Sturm's, and no one is getting traded right now.

After a quick survey of other area hockey coverage, it seems KDP is the only one making an 'issue" out of the Fernandez "issue." Other news outlets expanded a bit more on Julien's comments, leaving less room for speculation, and pointed out that Manny was indeed at practice after the Ottawa game.

Now with Kessel being out for a month, I see them moving Manny. I like 1-2 punch Bs got going right now in the net, but losing Bergy, Sturm and now Kessel (not even counting Lucic) might require to trade Manny.

Goalies, kickers, pitchers are all strange beasties.

I suspect it is a minor injury, CJ just isn't the best liar.

The odds of Vinny landing in Boston are probably less than that of Joe Thornton returning.

Unlikely trade idea of the day;

Manny for Semin.

I know Manny and his antics very well. I sat on the blue line 3 feet from the ice for every game when he played for the Wild in 05-06. He would only have been pissed at himself. There is more to this. Missing name plate? Please. Minor injury? To what area of the body? Like the other commentor said, name the injured area and be done with it. It's an insult to all the Fans. Now they are recurting from the AHL for another netminder? Give it up Julien. This looks like Minnesota (Fernandez trade) all over again. My hunch, they think Timmy is gonna get it done. Right. Timmy can't handle the pressure the way Manny does. It will be Boston's loss to give up an elite goalie like this.

Yes Nick ... lets trade Fernandez, Ference and a pick for Lecavalier. Why didn't Chiarelli think of this before?! I'm sure the management group in T-Bay would be all over that!
/sarcasm

// If you've never seen a goalie storm off the ice after giving up a crap goal, you haven't watched much hockey. //

It's about time someone doesn't make it sound like a goalie being upset after letting in to many goals is new or a big deal... I'm sure there are still crossbars out there that were dented by the mighty stick of Ron Hextall. His explosions were of epic proportions and made Manny storming off the ice look like a little kid upset at his parents.

And god forbid anyone show any competitive spirit or emotion on this team... Otherwise, it makes them all seem complacent.

Julien did say that they're taking special care now to keep people off the ice with small injuries so they don't evolve into big ones down the road. I suspect that's the case here. I know the inclination is to immediately speculate about trades. However, the majority of trades I've followed that have occurred mid-season seem to be with talented people who were underperforming on their current team or with talented players whose team doesn't have a prayer of making the play-offs. Neither is the case here. I realize the Bruins are down a few key guys, but all but Sturm will be back shortly. They have a winning team that really shouldn't be tinkered with -- at least from an outsiders point of view. They aren't at the top of the East by accident.

Fernandez isn't going to Tampa Bay any time soon, the Rays traded Richards for Smith last year to get a good young goalie, they need a couple of puck moving D-men. Smith's numbers are more than adequate and they have a vet in Kolzig to back him up.

Fernandez could end up in LA-LA Land, lots of talent there that could help, Kopitar and draft pick maybe?

Speaking of talented players gone missing, whatever happended to Ladislav Nagy?

here's a scoop ! Do NOT PANIC Manny is not going anywhere yet ,,, it's simply back spasm

Kopitar and a draft pick for Manny? Do you really think LA would have ANY interest in trading away a future star, now in his early 20's, for a 34-year-old, injury-prone goalie (let alone tossing in a draft pick)? Ain't no way that deal's hapennin'.