Debating the Goalie Tandem & Do the Bruins Have the Right Core? | Bruins Beat - video Dailymotion

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Bruins Beat w/ Evan Marinofsky Ep. 394  Debating the Goalie Tandem & Do the Bruins Have the Right Core?    Today, Evan Marinofsky is joined by radio legend Mike Felger of 98.5 The Sports Hub to debate Evan on the effectiveness and longevity of the goalie tandem, any potential additions to the Bruins' roster, how the core has performed thus far, and much more!    Topics:  Felger owes Evan some bad takes Is Felger surprised about this team’s success? Expectations Will the Bruins use a goalie tandem in the playoffs? The quest for a No. 1 center What to do with Jake DeBrusk     This episode of Bruins Beat is brought to you by Fanduel Sportsbook, the exclusive wagering partner of the CLNS Media Network. Visit FanDuel.com/BOSTON and start earning BONUS BETS with America’s #1 Sportsbook!     21+ and present in MA. First online real money wager only. $10 Deposit req. Refund issued as non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800)-327-5050 for 24/7 support. Play it smart from the start! GameSenseMA.com or call 1-800-GAM-1234    This episode is also brought to you by HelloFresh. Go to HelloFresh.com/50bruins and use code 50bruins for 50% off plus free shipping!

Transcript

00:00 You're not gonna platoon goalies in the playoffs.

00:02 It's stupid.

00:03 It's nonsensical.

00:05 They can, they say they're going to,

00:07 I know they say they're going to, but they won't.

00:10 They won't, Evan, and I don't need to explain it to you.

00:13 They got, the guy, you're in a nip and tuck

00:15 seven game series to go to the Stanley Cup final.

00:18 All mark pitches are shut out in game six on the road.

00:20 Now you come back game seven

00:22 and you bench him for the other guy.

00:23 You're not gonna do it.

00:24 (upbeat music)

00:27 (upbeat music)

00:29 And welcome into the Bruins Beat on CLNS Media.

00:36 My name is Evan Maranovsky.

00:38 And today I am joined by Michael Felger.

00:40 Mike, what's up?

00:41 - How you doing, Evan?

00:42 - I am great.

00:43 I am great.

00:44 I am happy you're here.

00:45 It's a fun time having you on.

00:48 I remember, I don't know if you remember this.

00:51 I was on BST with you back in April.

00:53 It was the last night of the regular season.

00:56 And I came on and you said,

00:57 "Evan, why is Patrice Bergeron playing

00:59 "in the final game of the regular season?"

01:00 And I said, "Felger, it's because

01:02 "you gotta keep him fresh.

01:04 "The family's watching.

01:05 "It's his final game.

01:06 "He's a veteran."

01:07 And then he was injured.

01:08 And then you said,

01:09 and then we were talking Eastern Conference,

01:11 we were talking playoffs 'cause that was the night

01:13 they got the Florida Panthers matchup.

01:15 And you said, "Evan, why aren't you talking

01:17 "about the Panthers at all?"

01:18 'Cause I think I was going on and on

01:20 about the conference final

01:22 and different teams they could face down the road.

01:23 And I said, "Why are you worried about the Panthers?

01:25 "What is the point in worrying about the Florida Panthers?"

01:28 And then obviously what happened happened.

01:30 So you need to return the favor.

01:32 You need to come on and you need to give

01:33 two horrible takes right off the jump.

01:36 We need to even it out because this is,

01:39 it is, it's unfair that that's how it started.

01:43 - Shame on you for not being skeptical of the Bruins.

01:45 You should always be skeptical of the Bruins.

01:47 That should be your default.

01:48 That's where you should start with this team.

01:50 I don't know how many times you have to get burned.

01:53 Bruins fans have to get burned before you realize.

01:57 Start with the thought that they're gonna choke

02:00 and gag and lose and go from there.

02:02 Don't go from the other direction, trust me.

02:04 - But you didn't think they would lose in the first round.

02:06 I mean- - No, it was entirely possible.

02:08 Didn't surprise me one bit. - Really?

02:10 Interesting.

02:11 - I mean, not that I picked it.

02:12 I don't remember what I picked.

02:12 I'm sure I picked the Bruins just to pick the Bruins

02:15 and not have to deal with it.

02:16 But it didn't surprise me one bit that they did that.

02:18 How could it surprise any of you?

02:21 - Yeah, I mean, historically it didn't surprise me.

02:23 I just thought the roster was too good

02:24 to lose in the first round.

02:26 I know it's last year and I know that it's...

02:29 I mean, I was shocked that they did it.

02:32 But I mean, again, you see some of the similar things

02:34 pop up this season and you sort of start to worry.

02:38 And I am with you.

02:39 I am on the more skeptical side.

02:40 I picked them this, going into this year,

02:42 I picked them out in the first round.

02:43 So I covered that base.

02:45 First of all, before we dive into this team,

02:48 it must feel good for you to talk Bruins.

02:50 'Cause as much as they do break people's hearts,

02:54 it must feel good right now with how bad the Patriots are

02:57 to talk about this for a little bit

02:59 instead of the Pats, right?

03:00 - It's always a change of pace.

03:01 It's always a night.

03:02 Whenever you talk about anything other than the Patriots,

03:03 it's a change of pace.

03:04 And I always enjoy hockey 'cause I am a fan of the sport

03:09 and the Bruins are really the only team in Boston

03:11 that I'm actually have fan instincts for that,

03:15 as a fan, like that thing, you want them to win,

03:18 pisses you off when they lose.

03:20 I hate the Canadians.

03:21 Like it's the only team in town

03:23 that I have those sort of base instincts for.

03:26 So that's, I don't know.

03:28 That's why I like talking Bruins.

03:29 - Well, yeah.

03:30 And 'cause in Wisconsin, what was the, did the Bruins,

03:32 growing up, were they the team that played

03:36 on TV in Wisconsin?

03:37 Was that how that worked?

03:38 - No, it's just going up in Wisconsin, being a hockey fan,

03:42 I had to pick a team, right?

03:44 And so that's just the team I picked.

03:46 And it was, I was growing up in the mid to late seventies

03:49 and always been an underdog, just I've always sort of

03:54 gravitate towards the underdog.

03:56 And those were the years they just got the bag beat out

03:58 of them every year by the Canadians.

04:00 But I remember it.

04:00 I remember those Sports Illustrated covers

04:03 in the late seventies and the Lunch Pale AC

04:06 and that group, it was, I thought it was just sort

04:08 of an ultimate underdog team versus the Canadians

04:10 who were so crazy talented.

04:14 And I don't know, it was just a cool team, cool team,

04:17 cool city.

04:18 And so I've always, since the day I was a little kid,

04:21 I've always been a Bruins fan.

04:22 So it's just, I had no team in Milwaukee.

04:24 So I sort of had to gravitate towards one

04:26 and that's the one that I gravitated towards.

04:28 - And it worked out 'cause you ended up working here

04:30 for your, basically your entire career.

04:31 So it actually obviously worked out pretty well.

04:35 That's interesting though.

04:36 'Cause again, I grew up in the Bruins of Patrice Bergeron

04:41 and Chara and like I grew up in a totally different time

04:44 where they won all the time and they had success.

04:46 I mean, they've obviously choked and gagged here and there

04:50 but they have had some success.

04:52 And I find that interesting, the juxtaposition

04:54 of the eras.

04:56 This team, how do you feel about this team?

04:58 Are you surprised at the start?

05:00 Are you, like, where are you at with this group?

05:02 - Definitely not surprised.

05:04 Like, so I've never been in the camp ever.

05:08 Have I felt the Bruins are the favorite,

05:10 the Bruins got this.

05:12 Honestly, the only time I felt they were gonna win

05:16 ahead of time was after, I wanna say game five

05:21 of the final against Vancouver.

05:22 Against game, after game five in Vancouver in 2011,

05:27 I changed my mind.

05:28 I said, you know what?

05:29 These guys are gonna F and win the cup.

05:30 And it was Luongo after that game.

05:34 - By the way, you can swear on this.

05:35 You can totally swear on this if you feel the need.

05:37 - Okay, that was the fucking game

05:38 where Luongo came out after the game and said,

05:41 well, you're always pumping his tires,

05:43 no one's pumping mine.

05:44 And why are you always talking about Tim Thomas

05:46 and not talking about me?

05:47 So that was after game five, they won in Vancouver.

05:49 Vancouver won in Vancouver.

05:51 Luongo did that thing after game five.

05:54 And after watching that, I said to myself,

05:56 that guy's not gonna win.

05:58 That guy's not gonna win.

06:00 And it was really more about Luongo

06:01 than it was about the Bruins.

06:03 But before the last two games against the Canucks,

06:06 that's the only time I have said,

06:09 and you can check the record,

06:10 it's the only time I've said they're gonna win the cup.

06:13 Before game seven against St. Louis,

06:16 I felt horrible about that game.

06:18 I may have predicted them to win, but I never felt it.

06:20 I never really said it.

06:21 So that's the only time I felt they were gonna win.

06:25 So this is a long answer, I'm sorry.

06:27 So I've never felt they were gonna win,

06:29 but I've never felt they were ever gonna suck.

06:31 Like the people who were saying before last year,

06:34 oh, this is it, they're gonna fall off the table,

06:36 they're gonna suck.

06:37 And now this year, oh, Bergeron's done, they're gonna suck.

06:40 I've never felt they were gonna suck,

06:43 and I never felt they were gonna win at all.

06:45 So I don't know why anyone would be surprised.

06:46 Why would anyone be surprised that a team

06:49 with one of the leading goal scorers in the league,

06:52 one of the best defensemen in the league,

06:54 and two of the best goalies in the league would ever suck?

06:57 Like what happened between Pasternak, Marchand,

07:01 McAvoy, Lindholm, Swayman, Allmark?

07:06 How is that team gonna suck?

07:07 They may not be great, but they're not gonna suck.

07:09 So I'm definitely not surprised

07:12 that they have a good record.

07:13 I'm not surprised that they might be overachieving

07:15 a little bit on that record,

07:17 'cause that's what they tend to do.

07:19 And so no, I'm not surprised one bit.

07:20 I thought they'd be good.

07:22 - Yeah, I'm in the same camp as you on this,

07:25 'cause I, like going into the season,

07:26 you'd see it on Twitter,

07:27 you'd see the national people saying,

07:30 oh, the Bruins are gonna fall off,

07:31 Bergeron, Cretier, gone, Bertuzzi, Hall, gone.

07:33 They're gonna be, they're gonna fall

07:35 to the bottom of the Atlantic.

07:36 All these other teams like Buffalo and Ottawa

07:39 and Detroit are gonna rise to the top finally.

07:42 And it's like, there's that winning culture,

07:44 which we'll get to in a bit,

07:45 that I always kind of go back to like,

07:47 yes, they have their playoff issues,

07:48 but the regular season's never a problem.

07:51 Marsh End is still there.

07:52 Like you still have those pieces, as you mentioned,

07:55 that have you competing every year.

07:57 And I'm with you, like I've heard you a lot

08:00 over the last couple of weeks,

08:01 ragging on the Sabres, which I think is hilarious,

08:04 because again, it is a loser franchise.

08:07 And I like their younger talent.

08:08 Like I do, Deline and Taige Thompson,

08:10 like they have a good young nucleus,

08:13 but I just don't know how it gets to that next level

08:16 because they can't play defense.

08:18 That's the problem, they don't know how to play defense.

08:20 So that's been one of the things this year.

08:22 And you also have to count on Toronto.

08:24 Toronto's a bunch of choke artists up there.

08:27 So like, I also look at them

08:29 and go look at the division around them.

08:31 So I do think there's a little bit of overachieving

08:33 and you saw that a bit last week

08:35 'cause they were sort of starting to struggle a bit.

08:38 And some of the same themes of last year popped up,

08:41 issues on the breakout, defensive zone lapses,

08:45 things like that.

08:46 So cup contender wise,

08:49 do you have them as Stanley Cup contenders?

08:51 - Yes, but I mean, like, what does that mean?

08:54 Does that mean I think they're gonna win the cup?

08:56 Fuck no, okay?

08:58 Does that mean that I think that they're one of the teams

09:00 that has a chance?

09:01 Yes, I absolutely think they're one of the teams

09:03 that have a chance.

09:05 And if their goaltending just stopped crapping itself,

09:07 that alone would give them a chance.

09:09 But again, on paper, they have two elite defensemen.

09:13 On paper, they should have two good lines.

09:16 Charlie Coyle's on your third line.

09:17 That's a good third line.

09:20 So, and again, the competition.

09:23 I don't trust Toronto to win a playoff series.

09:25 Tampa, I think the last couple of years

09:27 has backslid a little bit.

09:29 So I like them coming out of their division,

09:33 but which again, it's not gonna surprise me

09:36 when they gag in the first round,

09:37 but they should be right in that conversation.

09:39 I mean, they led the Panthers by a goal

09:41 with a minute left with the goalie pole, okay?

09:43 And of course, they gagged it,

09:45 which they ended up doing this year, obviously.

09:48 - Yeah, that's the top theme.

09:50 - Yeah. - It's a big theme,

09:51 not the top theme, but a good one.

09:52 - They were right there with the team

09:55 that came out of the East.

09:56 So they could have won that series.

09:58 They could have gotten a lucky bounce in overtime

10:00 and won that series.

10:01 And so, like, I sort of expect them back in the same spot.

10:04 They're not as good as they were last year,

10:06 but I don't know if they necessarily need to be.

10:08 - If they're 80% of the team they were last year,

10:12 but their goal tending is much better,

10:14 then they can win those series.

10:16 - It's interesting, you hit it there at the end.

10:19 Like, obviously on paper, they were way better last year,

10:21 but you look at this year's team

10:23 and defensively, they're older, they're more mature.

10:26 Obviously, there's no Dmitry Orlov,

10:27 but he was never a defensive zone stalwart.

10:30 It's not like that's a guy that,

10:31 you're losing a ton of defensive ability with him.

10:35 And in net, I just think, in net,

10:38 the Swayman and Olmark are a little bit better now

10:41 than they were last year.

10:42 I think Swayman's taken a huge step.

10:44 I mean, you could arguably make a case that they're,

10:46 'cause it's interesting, going into the season,

10:48 I didn't see them as a cup contender at all.

10:50 I thought they'd be good.

10:50 I thought they'd be third in the Atlantic, good.

10:53 Make the playoffs, have a good first round,

10:57 make it six or seven games and see what happens.

10:59 I don't know if that's changed.

11:02 I don't know if I put them in the true cup contender status,

11:05 'cause you're right, they should be.

11:06 They should be.

11:08 But maybe that's where that negativity

11:10 that you have wanted me to have is kicking in,

11:13 where I don't know.

11:14 - Cynicism.

11:15 - I don't know if-- - That's what I call cynicism.

11:17 - Cynicism, okay.

11:18 I don't know if I see them as, yet,

11:21 as true, true, like, top four or five teams,

11:24 'cause record-wise, they're top four or five

11:26 in the NHL right now.

11:27 They're the top Eastern Conference team.

11:29 But I don't know on paper if I put them

11:32 as top four or five in the,

11:34 and this is gonna get me more hate

11:36 than anything you say in this episode.

11:39 But I've said that, I've been consistent on that.

11:40 I don't know if I see them there quite yet.

11:44 But they are built for the playoffs.

11:47 They're a little bit bigger.

11:49 They're a little bit more physical.

11:50 They went through last year's debacle.

11:53 They're better in net.

11:54 They're fine on defense.

11:56 Like, if defense and goaltending

11:57 is their thing going into the playoffs,

11:58 and you're winning a ton of regular season games,

12:01 3-2, 2-1, you know, low-scoring, tight, physical games,

12:06 maybe you're better suited for the playoffs

12:08 than you were last year.

12:09 So I don't know how much better they are defensively.

12:12 I mean, I know the goals against are low,

12:13 but was that because of the goaltending,

12:15 or is that because of the quote-unquote defense?

12:17 I mean, now you gotta bring in a nerd

12:19 to tell me their high danger chances

12:21 and that kind of bullshit.

12:24 But, you know--

12:24 - You're lucky I can't search things up

12:27 and have my Wi-Fi not crap itself,

12:30 or else I would be the nerd telling you all the stats

12:32 right now if I don't have it in front of me.

12:33 - Well, but, you know, I'm sure someone, you know,

12:34 I'm sure you got nerds who are listening

12:36 who could tell me that in one second.

12:37 Well, their goals against are low, Felger,

12:39 because the goaltending is saving at, you know,

12:42 X amount above expected, blah, blah, blah,

12:45 that kind of thing.

12:46 - What is the goaltending this year?

12:47 - Yes, I don't think they've been great defensively

12:49 this year, is a long way of saying.

12:51 I think they've been okay defensively, not great.

12:53 Lindholm has not been good, you know, by his standards.

12:56 McAvoy obviously missed time and hasn't been great.

12:59 You know, that stretch where they gave,

13:00 lost three straight, McAvoy was a minus six,

13:03 you know, in that stretch.

13:04 So is it more goaltending, more defense?

13:06 I don't know.

13:07 But, you know, however you crack it,

13:10 I mean, if you get hot in net,

13:11 obviously we all know that story.

13:13 I just think, you know, if they're gonna fucking platoon

13:15 these guys like idiots, that's gonna prevent you

13:18 from having a hot goalie, but that's a whole nother story.

13:21 - That's a whole nother story.

13:21 I wanna get to that story.

13:23 But first, a quick word, Felger,

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14:03 - It's incredible, isn't it?

14:08 If that Gary Tangway, incredible voiceover for ads,

14:12 you have to admit, I mean, you worked for years.

14:15 Oh yeah.

14:16 There was a movie I watched.

14:18 I forget what movie it was, it was a couple of years ago.

14:20 And all of a sudden, like Gary Tangway is in the movie.

14:23 And I was just like,

14:24 but I didn't realize he acted.

14:26 - Oh yeah.

14:27 - So good for him.

14:28 Good for him.

14:29 The goalie tandem.

14:30 I've seen you and Ty Anderson,

14:32 obviously debate it quite a bit.

14:35 I think this is where we disagree.

14:37 This is where the,

14:38 I guess the cynicism hasn't quite hit me yet.

14:40 Or maybe it is a weird dosage of cynicism.

14:43 But explain your position on the goaltending tandem

14:46 and all that for the playoffs.

14:48 - Okay, well, it's,

14:50 you're not gonna platoon goalies in the playoffs.

14:52 It's stupid.

14:53 It's nonsensical.

14:55 They can, they say they're going to,

14:57 I know they say they're going to,

14:59 but they won't.

15:00 They won't, Evan, I don't need to explain it to you.

15:03 They got, the guy,

15:04 you're in a nip and tuck seven game series

15:06 to go to the Stanley Cup final.

15:08 All mark pitches a shutout in game six on the road.

15:11 Now you come back game seven

15:12 and you bench him for the other guy.

15:13 You're not gonna do it.

15:14 Like it's just-

15:15 - You don't have to,

15:16 but you don't have to for that, I don't think.

15:17 You can go for all mark two straight games.

15:19 - Okay, well, then what happens if it's in the second round?

15:23 And now it's game five

15:25 and you go up three to two in game five

15:27 in the second round,

15:28 the guy pitches a shutout.

15:29 Now you come back and you swap them out.

15:32 No, you stick with them.

15:33 - Yes, I agree with you.

15:35 - And now you're in game seven.

15:36 Are you gonna sit him?

15:37 No, you're gonna ride him in game seven.

15:38 Now you're in the Eastern Conference fucking finals.

15:41 Okay, let's bench the guy

15:43 who just pitched three straight shutouts.

15:45 You're not gonna do it.

15:46 It's stupid.

15:47 You know it's stupid.

15:48 It's not gonna happen.

15:49 Okay, so now that you know

15:51 it's not gonna happen in the postseason

15:52 and you know in your heart of hearts,

15:53 it's not gonna happen.

15:54 (laughing)

15:57 Going back and forth in the regular season,

16:00 it doesn't battle test anyone.

16:03 It doesn't harden,

16:04 it doesn't get either guy ready

16:06 for what's ultimately gonna come,

16:08 which is every night your ass is in net.

16:10 And it gives these guys, it softens them up.

16:13 I mean, it's kind of easy on these guys.

16:15 They're always fresh.

16:17 They know when they're gonna play.

16:19 Every other game they get to rest

16:21 and rejuvenate.

16:23 Then they come out fresh, ready to go.

16:25 They have a great relationship obviously.

16:27 So there's no jealousy, there's no infighting.

16:29 It's happy, everyone's hugging each other.

16:32 But when you get into the playoffs,

16:34 it's your night, it's your net,

16:37 you're expected to carry it.

16:39 It's not all freaking grabbing each other.

16:43 It's not all happy unicorns, hugs and show ponies.

16:47 You're expected to win.

16:48 You're expected to get up the next night

16:50 and do it again.

16:51 And what goes on in the regular season,

16:53 I think softens these guys up.

16:55 And now they're not ready to go

16:57 when it really matters.

16:58 They gotta pick a guy in the second half.

17:00 They gotta give them the majority of the nights.

17:02 They've gotta get him,

17:03 they gotta get his pitch count up, if you will.

17:05 Stretch him out, use baseball analogies.

17:07 And he's gotta be the guy.

17:09 And doing anything else is doing a disservice to the team.

17:12 And trade the other guy, how's that?

17:14 Trade the other defenseman.

17:16 - So I agree with you in the sense that

17:18 I think the myth or the whole thing pitched last year

17:21 was if they do a tandem,

17:23 one of them's gonna be fresh for the postseason.

17:25 I agree with you.

17:26 It was proven that when they do that

17:28 and then go into the playoffs and try to ride a guy,

17:30 that that guy's just not ready.

17:32 He has not been playing every other night

17:33 or every game for most of the season.

17:36 So it's gonna be hard to just ramp that up in the playoffs.

17:40 But the tandem,

17:41 they're gonna stick with it throughout the season.

17:43 It is what they are doing during the regular season.

17:45 And I don't think it's the worst idea

17:46 because I disagree.

17:48 I don't think the tandem's a bad idea in the playoffs

17:50 because it just didn't work at all.

17:53 Riding one guy did not work last year.

17:56 So to me, let's say Omar has a great game one.

18:01 Right, they go up one nothing.

18:03 Swainman comes in game two, bad, one to one.

18:06 Omar comes in game three, they're up two, one.

18:09 Swainman comes in game four, bad again.

18:12 They're two, two.

18:13 You can go with Omar in games five, six, and seven.

18:16 To me, I think it's the rest in between there.

18:18 I don't think it has to be a strict every other night.

18:21 - What is it about benching a guy

18:21 and going with the other guy, which is fine.

18:24 Okay, like a lot of teams have done that.

18:26 Everyone does that.

18:26 No problem.

18:27 One guy sucks, go to the other guy.

18:29 I'm fine with that.

18:30 That's not a platoon.

18:31 And you don't need to have two number ones to do that.

18:35 You know, the Stanley Cup champion did.

18:37 Is Aiden Hill even a fucking NHL goalie?

18:40 - I haven't checked up on him this year yet.

18:42 - Yeah, right, he's a nothing.

18:44 So it's like, you know, Jordan Bennington's a nothing.

18:47 You know, it's like, you don't need two number ones.

18:50 I'd much rather, much swap out the backup,

18:54 have that be a top four defenseman or a top six forward.

18:57 If you can swing that,

18:59 and you get much more value out of that,

19:01 and have the Boosie kid be the backup.

19:03 How's he been in Providence this year?

19:04 I don't even know.

19:05 - He's been good.

19:06 - Last year in the NHL.

19:07 If you're an all-star in the NHL,

19:08 it can be a backup in the NHL.

19:10 Well, again, what's Aiden Hill?

19:12 I just think you need good goaltending.

19:15 I'm not telling you you don't need goaltending.

19:16 Of course you do.

19:17 I think it's a waste to have,

19:18 especially if I think,

19:20 I think it should be Swainman this year.

19:21 You know, $5 million sitting on the bench every night

19:23 in the postseason when that could be a defenseman or a forward

19:26 or someone who could really help you.

19:28 Don't do that.

19:30 - See, I just, I think such an advantage

19:33 having two legit number one goalies.

19:35 I know, I see your point.

19:36 Like, in the past in playoffs,

19:38 you can win a Stanley Cup with, you know,

19:40 with Aiden Hill last year was a number five goalie

19:42 for Vegas.

19:43 I get it.

19:44 But that's luck.

19:46 That's luck.

19:47 And I do think you have the two guys.

19:50 I think it's luck.

19:51 I do think there's a,

19:52 I mean, there's the Cassidy defensive system in there too.

19:54 I'll give, you know,

19:55 - You don't think Vegas was an excellent, worthy team?

19:57 - No, no, no, I do.

19:58 I'm saying having a starting goalie.

20:00 Yes, it was a compliment,

20:03 but I do think having two number one goalies is a good thing,

20:06 especially if you can platoon in the playoffs.

20:08 And, but to add to my point from earlier,

20:10 having, let's say in my situation,

20:12 Ole Mark goes games five, six, and seven.

20:14 I think you can come back with Swayman in game one

20:16 to give Ole Mark a bit of rest to kick up again.

20:18 And I know you think it's stupid,

20:19 but to me, that's, to me, that's your strength.

20:23 It's the Bruins strength.

20:23 And like the whole idea,

20:24 Ole Mark has a ton of trade value.

20:26 I agree.

20:27 I would love to get a top six forward for him.

20:30 I'd love to get a top four defense,

20:31 but I'd love to get a first round pick,

20:32 picking the first round again.

20:34 That's the biggest thing I think they need,

20:36 but not till, wait till the end of the season.

20:39 I, I, this is, again,

20:41 I want to see them try the tandem in the playoffs.

20:43 I do.

20:44 I want to see them give it a shot.

20:46 And I know you roll your eyes.

20:47 I know you think it's stupid,

20:48 but I want to see them try it.

20:49 You have, it's, it's,

20:51 you have that strength over every other team.

20:53 No other team has that.

20:55 And I think, again, if you trade Ole Mark to, you know,

20:58 I don't know how he waves his 16 team,

21:00 no trade clause to Edmonton,

21:02 but in the event that he does,

21:04 and you add like a Ryan Newton Hopkins,

21:06 let's just say,

21:07 so you become a little bit better up front

21:09 and you become worse in net.

21:11 Like I, to me, you're just moving.

21:14 You're, you're taking away from your strength.

21:16 And that's what I think.

21:17 - How do you become worse in net

21:17 if Swayman's playing every night in the post season

21:20 and, and you're playing well in front of him.

21:22 You're the same in net.

21:23 You're not using Ole Mark on the bench,

21:25 but we go round and round on this.

21:27 If, if, look, at this point, I'm, you know,

21:31 I just want to see it from a talk show standpoint,

21:33 because I'll be able to fucking rip it every night.

21:36 So let's just go ahead and do it.

21:37 - It does, I should say,

21:38 it does help with four hours of programming.

21:41 But I just, to me, I go back to,

21:43 you have it in the regular season

21:45 and then you try it in the playoffs.

21:46 I go for the perspective of I want to see it.

21:47 I want to see the tandem in the playoffs.

21:50 And I want to see if it works.

21:52 If it doesn't work,

21:53 you're three, you're up three, nothing on me.

21:55 So that's, I guess that's the big one.

21:57 Yeah, run up the score.

22:01 But if I get it right, that counts as two

22:03 because there's two goalies.

22:04 So I think that, I think that works its way.

22:06 An interesting thing, you know, bigger picture,

22:11 'cause you're a big picture guy.

22:12 You're the king of, you know, looking ahead,

22:14 being ahead of everybody else on points.

22:17 Do you think the Bruins have the right core

22:19 for the next 10 years?

22:21 Like this core of younger kids like Patra,

22:23 Lowri, plus your McAvoys, your Pasternak,

22:27 Coyle, Zaka, Swayman, like,

22:29 do you think the right core is building

22:32 to match what they've had the last 20 years?

22:34 I'm curious your take on this.

22:35 Yeah, I do.

22:37 I mean, again, is that gonna be an elite?

22:40 You know, does that match what this lightning cord,

22:44 what it just was or the current Colorado core?

22:47 No, but it's pretty good.

22:49 You know, that that's gonna keep you in the mix, I think.

22:51 That's gonna keep you, and Lin,

22:53 you put Lindholm on your list?

22:54 He's only 30.

22:54 I didn't, but Lindholm's another one.

22:56 I forgot. 29, 30, whatever.

22:57 You know, like he's--

22:58 Long term.

22:59 He's right, and he's prime.

23:01 So, no, I do.

23:05 Again, we're not talking about the '90s Red Wings

23:09 or this Blackhawks team, but what?

23:12 All of a sudden you're gonna turn around

23:13 and draft Kane and Taves and back-to-back Kira?

23:15 I just don't know how you really improve that core.

23:19 So I think it's pretty good.

23:20 Like, if you build around it

23:22 and make smart moves around it,

23:24 that can be a good team and a contending team for a while.

23:27 I don't think they're going anywhere for a while, frankly.

23:29 Yeah, it's interesting.

23:30 I remember a couple of years ago thinking,

23:32 oh, you know, the Bergeron years are ending.

23:34 They have no number one center coming down the pipeline.

23:37 The Stadnika thing really didn't work.

23:39 I remember thinking, oh, they got Postnack and McAvoy,

23:41 but not quite sure what you have else there.

23:45 Like, you're hoping Coyle makes the jump.

23:47 Zaka wasn't here at that point, Lindholm.

23:49 And credit to Sweeney and them.

23:51 They made some smart trades.

23:52 The Lindholm one, I mean, you gave up a first,

23:55 but I always say, and I've heard you say this before,

23:58 if you're gonna deal a first-round pick,

24:00 deal it for someone you would hope to develop

24:02 with a first-round pick, right?

24:03 Like, you would hope to develop a defenseman

24:05 like a Hampus Lindholm with a first-round pick.

24:07 So I'm fine with that.

24:08 I'm fine with the Zaka thing.

24:10 Do you think they need a legit,

24:13 do you think they need to go out

24:14 and get a legit number one center?

24:16 Like, has Patra shifted your viewpoint on that at all?

24:19 No, he's not a number one center, I don't think.

24:22 Nice player, pleasant surprise.

24:24 Like, a huge boon for the Bruins

24:29 if this kid came along and he should be playing,

24:31 you know, what equates to a top six role,

24:34 he should be playing with either Marshan or Pasternak,

24:36 and Charlie Coyle should be more

24:37 in a third line kind of thing.

24:39 It's a huge win for the Bruins.

24:41 I never saw that coming, maybe again,

24:43 a lot of your hardcores knew he was coming, I didn't.

24:45 So, but, but, he's a number two, Zaka's a number two.

24:50 All right, so somewhere in there,

24:54 do you need a number one center?

24:56 Do you need a true elite number one center to win it all?

25:00 I mean, maybe you do, and if you do,

25:03 that's the one shoe that has to drop,

25:05 and that's the one move that has to be made.

25:07 And so, you know, that puts him short of being,

25:11 like, the elite kind of team that I think, you know,

25:14 you'd want them to be going forward,

25:16 and it's a fair second guess.

25:17 Yeah, they probably need that guy.

25:19 - Yeah, it's interesting, I remember thinking

25:21 in training camp, the way Patra was developing,

25:23 and it's like, oh, maybe, you know,

25:24 'cause I think he's a top six center in the future,

25:26 I agree with you, I think he's a number two guy.

25:29 I think he does all the right things.

25:30 I think he's sort of Bergeron, Creechy-esque,

25:33 he has similar traits and characteristics.

25:36 Small stuff, does that well, like, good defensively,

25:38 good in his own, you know, good with that stuff,

25:40 and can also produce a little bit,

25:42 I think he's on pace for like 38 points this year,

25:44 which again, he's 19, I mean, that's fine,

25:46 you take that every time.

25:48 And what's interesting is,

25:50 Coyle's third on the team in points.

25:52 Like, he's produced, I've been pleasantly surprised

25:56 with his usage, the way that he's produced in that usage,

26:00 'cause again, the issue with Coyle

26:02 for the last couple of years has never been,

26:04 oh, he's, you know, he's low IQ.

26:05 He's a high IQ player, he plays the game--

26:07 - I've always liked this player, I've always liked him.

26:09 I was looking to say he should be more, you know,

26:11 if he could just, if the puck would go in the net more

26:14 when he's on the ice, he could be a top six guy,

26:16 but I'm just, I've sort of given up on that,

26:18 but I've always liked his game.

26:20 - Yeah, great game, and in this season,

26:22 the way it's gone and his fit with Frederick

26:23 and Van Riemsen, I kind of say, you know,

26:25 maybe he has ascended into being a top six center.

26:29 Again, that's a small sample size,

26:30 but I think he's on the way.

26:32 I don't know if it's, I'm not saying it's a definite,

26:35 but I agree with you, you probably do need

26:37 to add a number one center.

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28:04 Now, back to the show.

28:06 Jake Dabrowski this season,

28:08 and the idea of him as a trade piece,

28:11 in a trade ship.

28:12 Do you, do you resign him,

28:14 or do you send him packing?

28:16 Bye-bye.

28:17 I'm thumbs down on Jake Dabrowski.

28:19 Yeah, I would not resign him.

28:22 And if you could,

28:24 if you could somehow parlay,

28:26 look, I mean, let me give you the guys

28:27 that I think are expendable.

28:29 And if you can spin this into a hockey trade,

28:32 that gets you, I don't know how this gets you

28:33 a number one center, but, okay, but,

28:36 Olnark, some combination of Carlo Grzlik,

28:40 one of those two, if not both.

28:42 I mean, I think-

28:43 - You don't like Brandon Carlo much, right?

28:44 That's not- - Not a lot.

28:45 - Yeah.

28:47 - And I think the Brandon, you know,

28:48 the Carlo Grzlik thing, I mean,

28:49 how long are we gonna be at this now?

28:51 Like, that's just not,

28:52 it's just not good enough.

28:54 And with Laurie, Grzlik should be expendable.

28:58 But, so, Olnark, some combination of Carlo Grzlik,

29:03 if not both, Dabrowski.

29:05 Okay, so those are four younger players,

29:07 Olnark's not really that out of it,

29:09 but he's a Vezina Trophy winning goalie.

29:11 Three young players, top four defensemen,

29:14 top six forward.

29:16 You're gonna have to sign those guys,

29:18 so they don't have terms,

29:19 so I know that's gonna weaken the return.

29:21 But those are real players.

29:22 And I think some combination of that,

29:24 can I get a real hockey trade in there?

29:26 Can I get a real,

29:28 feels like they don't exist anymore.

29:29 Player for player, this for that,

29:31 the kind of Harry Sinden thing that he did all the time.

29:34 But that's what I think they need.

29:35 And, you know, that's why I would start with those players.

29:37 I would start with those players.

29:38 And Dabrowski might be,

29:40 I think Grzlik's number one on my list,

29:41 but Grzlik-Carlo's number one on my list.

29:44 Goalie's number one on my list.

29:45 What am I saying?

29:46 They all can go.

29:47 Dabrowski can go, bye-bye.

29:49 I don't trust him.

29:50 He got Cassidy fired.

29:51 He's already screwing around this year to begin the year.

29:54 The production's not there.

29:56 You know, fine, when he was with Bergeron and Marchand,

29:58 of course he put up points.

29:59 Everyone puts up points.

30:00 You'd put up points.

30:01 But without that-

30:02 - I think I'd have some success with Bergeron and Marchand.

30:04 I'll admit it.

30:05 I think I would.

30:06 - You know, pounded in the open net.

30:07 But short of that, he just doesn't produce on his own.

30:11 Bye, bye.

30:12 Enough of Jay Dabrowski.

30:14 - Yeah, I think the worst case,

30:16 this season's been worst case scenario

30:18 because he's not producing.

30:20 So A, you know, I guess you could maybe get him back

30:24 on the relatively cheap,

30:26 but also if you wanted to trade him,

30:27 which again, it's looking more and more like

30:30 that might have to be the case,

30:31 his value has gone down.

30:33 That's the real bad part of this is,

30:35 I mean, in the off season, if you really were to trade him,

30:37 he would be worth a first round pick.

30:39 He's a potential 30 goal score.

30:41 A team would bite on that.

30:43 A guy you can put in your top six

30:44 and just the inconsistency here

30:46 and sort of what's taken place this year.

30:48 And you know what's funny?

30:49 Like I haven't hated his game away from scoring.

30:51 Like he's fine in his own zone.

30:52 He's responsible.

30:54 I'm all for that.

30:55 But the production is what matters with a guy like him.

30:57 You drafted him to produce.

30:59 And my worry right now is what are you getting in a deal?

31:03 Like are you selling so low on him?

31:06 And again, you might have to,

31:08 because if you're gonna let him walk in free agency,

31:09 you might as well get something for him.

31:11 So that is my worry.

31:13 In terms of hockey trades, I would love that.

31:16 My only worry with some of that,

31:18 and I hate to be Mr. Warrior

31:19 with all the things I have against these things,

31:22 but a lot of people point out the Pavel Zaka trade, right?

31:25 And how they traded Zaka, who was a high ceiling player

31:28 who hadn't panned out, kind of like a Jake Dubrask,

31:30 for a proven, you know what you're gonna get,

31:33 but he's a lower ceiling guy like Eric Halla,

31:35 which is just kind of what New Jersey did.

31:37 My worry would be if you're to trade Jake Dubrask

31:39 in a hockey trade, a one for one,

31:41 not like package, but a one for one,

31:43 you would be getting someone back who, yes, you're sure of,

31:47 but there's not much potential there.

31:50 I don't know.

31:50 Maybe it's just not a shiny enough new toy for me,

31:54 but that's sort of a worry I have with that.

31:56 So, but I agree.

31:57 I do think you need to find a way

31:58 to get a number one center at some point.

32:02 Again, I don't know if you have the assets

32:04 to really do it though,

32:05 'cause other teams have better draft picks,

32:08 better prospects to trade,

32:09 and the Bruins really just don't have that.

32:11 So I don't know how you go about that.

32:13 - Yeah, someone who knows the league better than me

32:15 would have to look at it

32:16 and see a highly touted number one center kind of prospect

32:21 who has been drafted high in the last couple of years.

32:24 His existing team is a little frustrated with him,

32:26 or he hasn't quite-

32:27 - Lynch, Holman, Calgary is the one.

32:29 I think that's the one everybody has.

32:30 - That's the one people bring up.

32:31 So again, I don't watch a ton of his games.

32:33 So someone who knows the league better than me

32:35 is gonna have to fill in that blank,

32:37 'cause you're right, you're not gonna draft a guy,

32:38 I don't know how you get a top 10 pick.

32:40 That's not gonna happen.

32:41 So it's gotta be someone who was projected as that,

32:44 hasn't quite panned out early in his career,

32:47 and you can somehow unlock him,

32:48 and that's just what it's gonna have to be.

32:50 I don't wanna trade Jake Dubrusk for Eric Howler.

32:53 You know? - No.

32:53 - No, that's not the idea.

32:54 It's for another young prospect who's got upside.

32:57 - Yes, no, I'm in complete agreement with you on that.

33:00 One last thing, 'cause I'm open this with Patriots,

33:03 and I think it's an interesting thing,

33:04 and you have a more well-rounded perspective on this.

33:08 I don't cover the Patriots,

33:10 I don't opine about the Patriots or anything,

33:12 but do you think there's ever a world,

33:16 and I feel like I know the answer here,

33:19 but I kinda wanted to just ask the question,

33:21 do you think there's a world

33:22 in which the Bruins ever surpassed the Patriots

33:24 in attention in this market, or no?

33:26 Those days are over. - No.

33:27 - Yeah. - No, no, no, no, no, no.

33:29 I mean, let's be real about what we are

33:31 here as hockey people.

33:32 It's still a niche sport, and we're in the niche,

33:37 so we get it, we're passionate about it,

33:39 and this happens to be a town,

33:42 maybe one of five in America, maybe less, I don't know,

33:47 that sort of, the hockey team can be the hottest team

33:50 in town, like there's not many places in the US

33:53 where that exists.

33:54 This is one of 'em, and that's great, believe me,

33:57 'cause I love the sport, I'd love to be able

33:59 to talk about it on a daily talk show,

34:01 but let's just be real about what it is.

34:03 Look, if they're in this Stanley Cup Final

34:06 for those two weeks, they'll be number one in town, yes.

34:10 But the actual number one team in town, no.

34:12 I think the Celtics can be, basketball can be,

34:15 because basketball is a sport that sort of gravitates

34:19 towards more casual fans.

34:21 It's an easy sport, it's kind of, kids love it.

34:26 It's easy to watch, it's easy to digest.

34:28 Hockey's a little tougher.

34:29 And so, no, I think the Celtics have a chance

34:33 to be the number one team in town.

34:35 I don't think the Bruins ever will.

34:37 - Yeah, no, I guess it's a dream of mine

34:40 for hockey in general, for this market,

34:42 but I think it's, I mean, you think back to,

34:44 like, and I wasn't alive for it,

34:45 but there was a time when the Red Sox were number one,

34:47 right, and the Patriots were way down,

34:50 but again, that was the effect of Brady

34:52 and Belichick and all that, so I guess you would need

34:55 some sort of dynasty for the Bruins.

34:57 - Hockey's just not gonna get there, man, it's just,

34:59 I don't think, it was in the early '70s there,

35:02 but for a time, I just don't know how that's duplicated.

35:06 - Yeah, no, and you're right, also, the NBA is global as hell

35:10 like I just think on a level that the NHL

35:12 probably might not ever be, so.

35:15 Do you wanna see an in-season NHL tournament?

35:17 - Oh yeah, well, I mean, I don't think I need to worry

35:20 about it 'cause it's automatic, it's coming.

35:22 The NHL, again, likes to copy everything the NBA does

35:28 in the first place, and after getting one whiff of this,

35:30 there's no doubt in my mind that that's coming soon

35:32 to the NHL.

35:34 - Yeah, I'd be down for it, I think it's good.

35:36 That is interesting, it's been fun and keeps it interesting

35:39 especially in these winter months.

35:40 - Right now, I'm watching Bucks, Knicks right now

35:42 as we speak, I'm into it.

35:43 - Yeah, you're not watching Elias Lindholm

35:46 from Calgary film, you didn't pull that up immediately

35:48 and start breaking it down.

35:50 - If I was that guy, I'd be better informed

35:52 on those kind of players, but I'm not.

35:54 That's why I rely on the kids out there.

35:57 - That's right, that's right.

35:59 Anyways, Mike, I appreciate you coming on.

36:01 I know obviously two to six every day,

36:03 is there anything else you're working on

36:04 that you wanna plug or put out there?

36:07 - No, thank you for asking, no.

36:09 Radio during the day, the TV at night.

36:11 - That's perfect, everybody watch and listen.

36:14 Anyways, Belger, thank you, and I'm Evan Marinovsky.

36:17 You Brewsby listeners, have a great rest of your week.

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Debating the Goalie Tandem & Do the Bruins Have the Right Core? | Bruins Beat

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