Bruins News and Notes
Photo by Micheal Dwyer of AP
It’s been a struggle for the most part this year for the Bruins. The team sits at 11-7-0, and have yet to find a real identity as a team. Pretty much the entire roster has underperformed aside from Brad Marchand, who the Bruins will now be without for the next three games.
The NHL suspended Marchand yesterday three games for Slew-footing Oliver Ekman-Larsson in Sunday's Bruins Canucks matchup. This is Marchand’s seventh suspension since entering the league, but Marchand had seemed to clean up his act in recent years. When asked about the suspension Marchand had this to say "I have tried extremely hard over the last four years to get away from the reputation I've had. I think I've done an extremely good job at that. I know early on I crossed over the line a lot of times. It's unfortunate that it continues to haunt me." Marchand went on to also say "I feel I've completely transformed myself from the player I was to a player that should be respected in this league for his abilities. I understand completely the history that I have. I just was hoping they would have seen past that. Obviously that wasn't the case." Early on in his career Marchand was a dirty player, there’s really no arguing that. Heck even Marchand basically admitted he was. But the last few years like Marchand said, he’s been a different player. I don’t personally think he deserved a three game suspension, but his history is what it is and it certainly played a factor in the Department of Player Safety’s decision. Marchand will miss tonight's game against the Red Wings, Thursday’s game against the Predators, and Saturday’s game against the Lightning. Taylor Hall skated with the top line today in the morning skate today, so he will presumably fill in for Marchand.
Just after the news of Marchand’s suspension broke, the Bruins got more not so great news. Jake Debrusk’s agent confirmed that Debrusk requested a trade this past weekend. Once a promising young talent, Debrusk has struggled the past few years. In his past 58 regular season games Debrusk has registered just 20 points. It’s unclear what the market will be for Debrusk, and I don’t see the Bruins getting a whole lot in return for him given his lack of production in recent years. But it feels like at least one team would be willing to take a chance on a once promising young star who is still just 25 years old.
Last piece of bad news I promise! The Bruins announced today that coach Bruce Cassidy has been placed in the Covid 19 protocol. Cassidy is experiencing mild symptoms, and will obviously not coach the Bruins tonight. Assistant coach Joe Sacco will take over head coaching duties. Sacco has been with the Bruins since 2014, so he seems like a logical choice to lead the team in Cassidys absence.
Finally some good news! Tuukka Rask was seen on the ice today again at Warrior Ice Arena. Rask of course remains unsigned and is recovering from offseason surgery to repair a torn labrum in his hip. Don Sweeney had this to say about the Bruins goalie situation “They’ve been OK. We’ve got some growing pains associated with that position.” Not talking contract with Rask yet but there’s “general understanding” that they’ll find common ground. “If he’s healthy and wants to play, he’s likely to be here.” To me it’s pretty obvious to anyone who’s watched this team so far this year that this goalie duo just isn’t going to get it done. When Rask is healthy, he should get a one or two year deal and Swayman should be sent down to Providence.
Overall not a great week for the Bruins. A win tonight against the Red Wings would be a sight for sore eyes.
