Brass

Well, that was a frustrating end to the season. Mostly because this marks the ninth time since 2009 that the Bruins season has ended in a game 6 or game 7...at home. They're giving the Celtics a run for their money for who is worse at home in the playoffs.

Were the Panthers the better team? Obviously yes. But they didn't do anything that overwhelmed Boston, in my opinion. They weren't the ones making the Bruins make more passes instead of taking open, point-blank shots. They weren't the ones making the Bruins whiff on passes. They weren't the ones making the Bruins make the weakest breakout passes (up the boards, obviously) out of their own zone. The Bruins had plenty of chances to do more in this series, but made mind-boggling decisions to beat themselves.

First thing the Bruins need to do is see what they can get for Charlie McAvoy. You're not winning anything with him as your #1 defensemen, and it's shown the last few poseasons. He is a completely different player once the regular season ends. The organization needs to stop pretending he doesn't completely shut down in the playoffs. Mason Lohrei, a rookie, showed far more poise and confidence than McAvoy did at any point in the postseason.

On to next season...

22 hours ago, Sport said:

Speaking of Boston, I feel like I'm going insane on the reviewed Florida goal. What's the problem? Coyle skated into the crease himself and was barely touched and you all know it deep down. It feels like manufactured controversy to deflect from how uneven things are. I have this personal rule where if you get outshot by a hundred I can't feel bad that you lost a hockey game on an iffy call. 

The problem is that there was contact on Coyle by Bennett, and the rule is pretty clear.

Not trying to argue for a penalty on Bennett, but definitely arguing the should have been disallowed.

I honestly hate complaining about referees, and the Bruins are certainly shooting themselves in the foot enough, but the officials have to be Florida's MVPs these series. That was a terrible goal call. The rule doesn't set a level of inference deemed "enough" to call goaltender interference. Gross.

Again, the Bruins haven't been helping themselves, with their main problems being not being able to get the puck out their zone (not because of anything the Panthers are doing, but just not having strong clear out passes) and too muck stick handling and not enough shooting.

TNT’s insistence that there is just no way Marchand could have gotten hurt from Bennett’s punch to the face.

On 5/10/2024 at 11:05 PM, pmoehrin said:

 

I'd just assume tear down the XL Center and build a new arena in the same spot because, as you said, there's nowhere else to go, and I doubt you're beating the XL Center's location even if there was.

 

I know they've slapped a few band-aids on it over the years, but the design of the arena itself has been outdated for decades, which is why I wouldn't favor another renovation. There's no need for an indoor shopping mall in conjunction with an arena in 2024, which is now a giant atrium of mostly wasted space.

 

In the interim, the Wolf Pack could play in either Springfield or Bridgeport, maybe even splitting some time between both. And after 3-4 years, Hartford would have a new state-of-the-art arena to attract concerts, special events, and potentially an NHL team.

 

Regardless of what happens with the NHL, they're going to have to do something because that arena is about to turn 50, and it looks like it.

The problem is that the XL Center is in such a cramped spot. You can't really expand out beyond the footprint without causing a massive inconvenience to the surrounding area. A new arena would no doubt require a larger footprint to accommodate the things the XL Center needs.

On 5/10/2024 at 11:49 PM, The_Admiral said:

Hartford was artlessly and unintentionally ahead of the game: every arena in 2024 is a mall.

Which is funny, because there are no stores in the mall portion anymore. Just a bunch of empty rooms with Wolf Pack posters on them.

Anybody who expected the Bruins to not :censored: the bed at home in an important playoff game hasn't watched enough home Bruins playoff games.

An arena built smack-dab in the middle of Springfield and Hartford? Pardon me? I live smack-dab in the middle of Springfield and Hartford and there wasn't enough suitable infrastructure to handle a VERY SMALL CASINO (which had to move to Springfield, by the way) never mind an NBA-sized arena. Where the hell are they putting this thing? An industrial park in Suffield? Good luck with that.

The only place you're building a new arena in Hartford is the north end near Dunkin' Park or something. They are doing a great job of rebuilding the north end and chasing out the trouble, but a new arena? No. Hartford is a minor league town and it is currently doing a good job at that.

6 hours ago, TrueYankee26 said:

Bruins can't choke... to the Maple Leafs of all teams.. can they?

They can and probably will. Any Bruins fan who didn’t anticipate this going seven games was kidding themselves. And any Bruins fans who feels comfortable with this franchise at home in a game seven, despite the opponent, continues to kid themselves. They’ll probably go up 3-0 after the first period and end up losing 4-3.

The Bruins are so predictable. I’ll be shocked if they can pull off a win Saturday night. Yes, I know it’s the Leafs, but considering the Bruins had two golden chances to put this series away when the best goal scorer in the world was out, shows a lot about their character. Especially the first period of game 5.

This team needs a major retool in the offseason, starting with Cam Neely.

Chiefs MVP goes to Kyle Shanahan.

As I stated in the other thread, if Belichick was willing to relinquish personnel control, this is a terrible move for the franchise.

Schefter reporting the Patriots and Belichick are going to part ways today. If Bill was willing to give up personnel decision making (as reports claimed) and focus just on coaching, then letting him go is a terrible move.

Entertaining game despite who wins and loses and the Patriots can keep their draft position? Yes please!

1 minute ago, Cujo said:

 

No. My point being Belichick couldn't draft a WR to save his life.

Yeah. That's understood here. Not exactly a hot take.

1 minute ago, Cujo said:

 

Maybe their next GM can learn how to draft and sign WRs with actual talent

Yeah, we get it. You don't like the Patriots.

On 12/3/2023 at 5:30 PM, infrared41 said:

 

Edited for accuracy.

Zappe is 36 for 47 with 381 yards, 4 TDs (could have been 5 if not for a holding penalty) and 1 INT since this comment so I'd say he is doing pretty well in a small sample size...

My point was that the Patriots do not need a QB. They need people a QB can throw the ball to.

In New England. About 25 feet from the MA border. Patriots game isn't available on TV in my area.

Lovely.

Bailey Zappe actually looked like a capable NFL quarterback today. If he had any sort of capable wide receiver, and better play calling backing up him, he could be a great player.

On 11/10/2023 at 2:53 PM, cajunaggie08 said:

I think the UConn ones are weird because they have copies of their banners at the XL Center in Hartford where other pro teams play. So they wanted a banner that said UConn that also distinguished what sport it was for as well as if it was the men's or women's team.

Yeah, more or less.

I will say, the UConn banners are super consistent, and I appreciate that. (Not featured, the Whalers and Wolf Pack banners.)

I'm not one to really complain about the NFL's officiating, especially with the Patriots because they usually find a way to shoot themselves in the foot even IF things go their way this year, but no flag on a clear helmet-to-helmet versus a flag because JuJu Smith-Schuster looked down at a player he hit? This league.

Bills should be fine. The Patriots are making sure they shoot themselves in the foot by getting penalties at literally the absolute worst time.

EDIT: Or Kendrick Bourne fumbles the football at literally the absolute worst time. Jesus this team. TV announcers gonna play this up like nobody saw it coming either.

This first drive by the Patriots today versus the Bills was the perfect encapsulation of the season so far. Get off to a quick start with some young guys making moves, take them off the field for the remainder of the series after making said big play, call some dumb plays to bring it to 4th down, attempt a field goal.

11 minutes ago, SFGiants58 said:

 

Critical defensive injuries, stagnant offense, and the crippling realization that Bill needed Tom more than Tom needed Bill.

As well as atrocious play calling. 2nd and 15? HB draw for 3 yards. 3rd and 2? Air it out 20+ yards. It’s becoming painfully predictable and I don’t know how they aren’t losing games by more.

12 minutes ago, Cujo said:

Mac Jones won't be a starting NFL quarterback in 2024.

70% of the problem on this Patriots team is the play calling. They’re essentially running the same plays as last year.