Gayle,

Can you ask Kevin why Mike Minard wasn't re-signed. He was such a good fit here in Lowell for a minor league deal. I can't see why the Devils wouldn't have had interest in this guy.

Ok, good to have you back! But, you've got to be kidding me that the Sox and Patriots aren't more important or exciting right now than the start of "another" boring 80+ game NHL schedule for a team that WON'T make the playoffs again!

MLF, I will ask Kevin if he knows why the organization didn't resign Chris Minard. Mike Minard is a goaltender, but he never played for the organization.

JW - I stick by my words, though I am a die hard Sox fan; I would still rather watch hockey everyday of the week and twice on Sunday - as I said in a column back in April.
As far as the Bruins not making the playoffs this year - I disagree.

I think the Black and Gold will make the playoffs this year with a definite upgrade in net (Manny Fernandez) and signing of players such as Shawn Thornton and Peter Schaefer; not too mention the team didn't lose any of their core players such as Chara, Savard, Murray, Bergeron, Kessel, etc...
Maybe I have my blinders on but we'll see who's right come April.

Oh, yes Chris Minard..lol Sorry, too early in the season..lol

It seems that Manchester is going to be strong in goal AGAIN this year..Dan Cloutier is coming down and because of his price tag - 3 million to play in the minors..he won't get a call up (see lababara last year) They say Clouts is washed up ..not for the minors I'll bet

I agree with Gayle on this one. Hockey is much more interesting than baseball. I think the bruins will keep a decent pace..squeek into the playoffs in a 7th seed position maybe.

I missed you Gayle! For a while there, I was afraid I'd have to talk hockey more often this year...LOL!

Thanks Teddy, it's good to know I was missed even though it's only because you don't want to talk hockey LOL!!!

MLF, Manchester is usually a tough team, we'll have to see what happens when all the rosters are set.

As far as the Bruins, I really do think they are going to surprise a lot of people this year and as I always say, be careful I may not let you back on the bandwagon. (that is not for MLF, just the other non-believers).

The B's have an awful lot of question marks in my book.

Should they get great (or even serviceable) production from most of them then, yes, I can see them in the playoffs but I think the hope should be to see some improvement and possibly the influx of some youngsters (like Rask) next year with the thought of being a good team in 08-09. If they make the playoffs it's going to be as a low seed that will be fodder for one of the better teams in the East in the 1st round.

Need to find themselves some takers for the likes of Glen Murray and get themselves a really good, dependable defenseman to pair with Chara or Ference. Kessel and Savard are fine centers but who do they have to pass to that will put the puck in the net consistently? Also who on the B's can be depended on to play well defensively and keep goals OUT of the B's net? Not seeing it for this year but maybe next season if they lay the foundation this year.

Just to get you all in the mood for old time hockey. Lets just hope "our" bear wins in the end.

http://www.topyoutubevideos.com/movie.php?go=B2

Gayle I am sorry to say even though the Black and Gold may have a better team this season with the C's GREAT offseason the Bruins will be Last in the Boston Sports scene for a While now....

Gayle,

Good to hear you've begged, borrowed, and/or stolen away some time to get back into the blogosphere.

Oh, and what is this "hockey" you speak of???

I'll have to forward you the memo. KG is in beantown now. Every season is hoop season.

-- Lynn

Welcome back! Will you have time for this??

Let's hope this is a good season for both Lowell teams!

DB, I don't think the Bs have as many holes as you think and I think they have a solid foundation for not only this year but the next couple of years.

The top three centers they have are Savard, Bergeron and Kessel; Wings they have Shaefer, Murray, Sturm, Bockenski and Kobasew; for other role players they have Thornton, Axelsson, Reich, Lucic and Krejci

On D: Chara, Alberts, Ward, Ference, Wideman, Allen and Stuart and others fighting for a spot with the big club

I just think this team is going to much better than last year - Murray, Sturm and Bergy will probably lead the team in goals with Kessel right behind them with Savard finally passing the 100 point mark.

Shappy and Lynn - I know that KG automatically puts the Cs on the map and I am not discrediting them; what I am saying is this winter both the teams that make their home on Causeway will be relevant - JMO. And Lynn - you have no idea what I had to do to get some time to get back into the blogosphere LOL!

Terri - I am going to do my best to make sure I have time to do this - I love the sport and it's my passion! See you at the rink.

I guess I look at the wingers they have as more complimentary wings that need to play with a big-time scorer either up the middle or on the other wing. I don't think the likes of Schaefer, Sturm, Bochenski are awful per-se but these are not guys to expect 30+ goals from. Could one or two of them get there if everything falls correctly? Sure- but I would pencil them in for an average of about 15-20 each. Especially Schaeffer. Loved him with the Sens but when you're playing with that crew the other team will pay you no attention...

I only see 2 real quality D from that list- Chara and Ference. Ward is getting old, Wideman, Allen, and Stuart haven't shown much in the NHL, and I think Alberts is highly overrated (like Hal Gill used to be). Again- is there hope they can improve and play well together? Sure- but it's no sure thing.

I agree they'll be better than last year (how can they not be?) but I think about a .500 record is all that can be expected from them. I see Savard with 100 pts but I think the others will be lucky to top 65-70. Bergeron will be the focus of the opposition whenever he's out there and he's been pretty beaten up the last 2 years. Hard to expect 80 games out of him.

Hey- I'm as big a Bruins fan as anyone but since the early 90's after being severely disappointed by them either in the regular season and or in the playoffs I am unable to wear my black-and-gold glasses when I look at this team. I hope they're better than I think they'll be but I don't see the moves they made as a quantum leap forward- more like a baby step in the right direction.

Gayle, could I have a little of what you're drinking?

I respect you're optimism and loyalty. However, I think there's a better chance the Bruins will have a new GM (maybe even coach) by next spring than a playoff berth.

That is a horrible hockey team on paper. As bad as they were last year, they barely addressed any weaknesses unless you county Manny Fernandez, and I'm not so sure about that one.

I gotta side with DB on this one.

Yes! It's finally time.

I don't remember where the phrase was coined, but I am "cautiously optimistic" about this year's Bruins.

Don't get me wrong, I bleed black and gold, but as usual, this season opening road trip is going to show us a lot about this team.

Everyone that says "this team is terrible on paper" or "they're a bunch of stiffs," lets examine the facts.

In goal: The Bruins used 5 different goalies last year: Thomas, Toivonen, McDonald, Sauve, and Finley. Any team that does that isn't doing it because they have talent. Teams are showing that its not about having a top goalie unless you have a guy whose name is either Luongo, Kiprussof, Miller or Broduer. A lot of teams are going with the "1A-1B" idea. I think they went out and go a great goalie in Manny. IMO, as good as he is, he shouldnt be named in the same breathe as the above, even though some people are saying he should shoulder a 60-65 game load. Manny is oft injured and streaky. I think the key to this team's success is implementing a tandem situation unless one goalie gets so hot, Juilen has to ride him.

On D: This is a good group, a good mix of experience and youth. Before everyone jumps all over me and says "this is the group that was together last year," keep in mind this was the group that was together for 15 games after the deadline after the team was riddled with injuries. It's universally that recognized that Dave Lewis had Z's huevos in a jar last year. I think you are going to see the "old" Z. He's already had a couple of fights this pre-season, and throwing his body around. I think if this group is given a chance to gel, they will do well. I think you have Chara, Alberts, Ference, and Ward, with Wideman, Allen, Stuart & Lashoff fighting for 2 spots. I think Wideman's offensive presences garners him a spot. I think Mark Stuart probably starts in the 6th spot because of his situation. He's in the last year of his entry level contract, and after showing so much promise, it's becoming a do or die situation for him, as to whether his promise rings true or he starts to toil as a journeyman. I think Lashoff has much more size and skill than Stuart, and the Bruins won't rush him.

Up front: Again, don't murder me, but this is a very talented group IF (a big IF) they stay healthy. Bergeron was hurt for most of last season. Murray spent the last 1/3 of the year on the shelf. Savard ran out of people to pass to at the end of the year. You had no backchecking or forechecking because Dave Lewis is an awful coach and emasculated his whole team along with never giving lines a chance to develop chemistry. Kessel never had a chance to take time to adjust fully to the NHL game because of his cancer. Not to take away from his talent, but he had to learn a lot on the fly. I think he's probably my pick to have a break out year. He will have time to really learn under a coach who really likes to let young guys go nuts, and wil flourish in the new system. We saw a glimmer of the talent this kid has, and now that Juilen will take some of the restraints off, we will really see him shine.

Toughness: I'd like to use a different word here, but Dave Lewis was a "wimp" last year. He didn't let anyone hit, forecheck or show any sort of energy or grit, unless your name was Jeremy Reich. Juilen's style will really help this team, and allow them to mesh. They went out and got Thornton, kept Reich, and have pretty much given Z back the jar that contained his testicles and let him play his style of hockey. That's going to make a huge difference on this team. They will come out, establish their presence, and wont let teams walk all over them like they did last year.

My predictions: here is a short list

- Milan Lucic is the next Bergeron, he will stick with this team, he's a pesky, energy guy with a lot of skill that can also jam things up in front and put the puck in the net.

- Manny Fernandez plays only 5-10 games more than Thomas.

- Marc Savard gets to 100 points ONLY if Glen Murray can stay healthy.

- Phil Kessel has between 60-70 points and 25 goals.

- Patrice Bergeron has 75-85 points

- Glen Murray has 40 goals ONLY IF he stays healthy

- Zdeno Chara has close to as many fights as he does goals.

- If this team is far out of the playoff race March 1, there is a new GM (They didn't make Cam the VP without some forethought) and perhaps a new coach. I also think if Juilen isn't the answer, the team may look to the rafters to find the replacement.

- FINALLY: This team will make the playoffs as the 7 or 8 seed. I'm not predicting a Stanley cup, but this team is almost there. Either way, its going to be an exciting year in the Hub of Hockey.

BTW, that's a great picture in the blog Gayle :-D