I don’t know what it’s like to grow up in East Longmeadow, MA. I don’t know what it’s like to attend a local University where everyone knows your name and who you are. I don’t know what it’s like to be 21-years-old and play in the NHL for your hometown team that you’ve idolized your entire life. I imagine it’s pretty awesome.

I also don’t know what it’s like to be “that hometown guy” that everyone has an opinion of. I don’t know what it’s like to have to hear some nobody (like ME) criticize my life and/or career publicly. I imagine it’s pretty challenging.

Look, I’m not sorry for my opinions or for what my eyes see on the ice. But, I can understand feeling disrespected and attacked by someone who is on the outside looking in, and for that I apologize. Let me make it up to you Frank, and to all of your loyal fans and supporters.

“He’s a quick, diminutive skater who can blast the puck, but can also be a bit of a hothead at times and make some careless mistakes.” Sure, I could maybe be talking about Frank Vatrano, but doesn’t that sound like someone else we know? The similarities between Vatrano and Brad Marchand are really quite remarkable.

Both players stand at 5’9″ and are left-handed shots coming down the wing. Both players were given an opportunity to break out with Bruins at around 21-22 years of age after spending very little time in Providence. I realize I called for Frank not to be a “reckless jackass” on Tuesday night, but it wasn’t too long ago that Brad Marchand was flirting with that title himself.

Ok, I don’t need to be a rude, loud mouthed dickhead to Frank (again, I’m sorry), but my complaints about his game are mainly rooted in him taking too many penalties and not putting the puck in the net (which I want him to do btw!). If you take a look at the first 100 games for each of these two guys, it will actually become apparent that I shouldn’t really be complaining about Frank’s numbers. So, for all the other haters out there, here you go-

Brad Marchand: from October 21, 2009 to October 10, 2011 he scored 22G, 23A = 45 and had 79PIM (an average of just over 1 penalty every 3 games). This also included a number of major penalties; a trend that would continue for the next several years of his career, and would lead to a lot of mixed reviews and confusion about what kind of player he truly was. I know many of you remember that local townie that called him “that Maashmahnd kehd”, a sound byte which would become radio gold during that fabled spring of 2011. Oh, btw, he started his career on a 28-game goal scoring drought.

Frank Vatrano: from November 7, 2015 to November 26, 2017 he scored 20G, 11A = 31 and had 40PIM (an average of just 1 penalty every 5 games!). He did have a 25-game drought of his own from February 28 to October 30 of 2017, a span that extended from his final 16 appearances of last season through his first 9 appearances of this season. And for all of the so-called recklessness, I can’t for the life of me think of a time he’s taken egregious major penalties, or been suspended/fined.

Oh yeah, about those suspensions… this is now Marchand’s sixth suspension since 2011, totaling 19 games for his career. As Bruins fans we all forget about how many times he has played on the wrong side of the line, because he puts up 25+ goals every year. So I guess, that’s all we need to justify all of our love for Brad Marchand? (It is, let’s be realistic here) If he played for any other team in the league, we would all hate Marchand; we’d think he was an annoying little pest. Yet, somehow in spite of his questionable antics, he has become one of the premier scorers in the NHL, a leader in the Bs locker room, and a perennial All-Star. So why is it that Marchand has turned into the player he is?

Just two weeks ago we heard Marchand give some of his own insight into this, when Claude Julien visited the Garden for the first time since becoming the coach of the Montreal Canadiens. Now, I’m paraphrasing here, but I believe it was something along the lines of “Not a lot of coaches would have put the time in with me.” Marchy also had a few more luxuries as a young player that Frank has not, one of which is the gift of being a linemate of Patrice Bergeron‘s. In addition to Bergy, Marchand had all sorts of veteran leadership around him in the form of Chara, Mark Recchi, Andrew Ference, Chris Kelly, and even role players like the fearsome trio we so lovingly refer to as the Merlot Line. I even remember a story from the summer of 2011 (can’t place the source or author, but it might have been autobiographical in the Player’s Tribune). It was Brad Marchand discussing how his father came down on him hard after winning the Cup; he was partying and celebrating too much, and I guess pops had to step in and shorten the reigns on “the little ball of hate” he calls his son.

By no means am I suggesting that Frank’s dad isn’t staying involved in his son’s life, nor am I implying that this team has no veteran leadership. However, beyond Chara, Bergeron, Krejci and Backes, the core of this team is very young and still growing. He hasn’t been able to take advantage of that same continuity and stability in the lineup that was afforded to Marchand. Vatrano has been back and forth between Providence and Boston, and has dealt with 2 different head coaches (as has the rest of the team mind you) trying to help him find his way. This last stretch of games has been particularly staggering for number 72, as he’s only been in the lineup 5 times in the last two months. Since November 29th against Tampa Bay, he’s averaging just 8:47 TOI per game, and has 10 PIM to go along with just 8 SOG (he had only 1 shot in 4 out of 5). Frank, I say this as nicely as I can; you CANNOT expect to stay in the lineup when you have more penalty minutes than shots on goal!

Last Thursday against Ottawa was particularly frustrating to watch, when he took a slashing penalty in the first period and then a tripping call just 1:37 into the third. The latter forced Bruce Cassidy to bench him for the remainder of the game, resulting in a mere 7:10 ice time. Not only was Vatrano’s game shortened, but it put pressure on the rest of the team by having to play one man down and forcing several wingers to have to play extra shifts.

Ok, I know this is long just bear with me here (and if you made it this far, thank you and congratulations). This is the perfect time for Marchand to step in and help mentor Vatrano into the player he could be. Marchy has only served 2 games of his 5-game suspension, and thus will remain out of the lineup until at least February 7th against the Rangers. Like I said, he’s one of the leaders on and off the ice for the Bruins now, and while he’s watching from the press box Frank will presumably continue playing over the next 3 games (maybe it’s no coincidence that Frank is in the lineup in place of Marchand).

These two guys should be attached at the hip over the next week: drive to practice together, eat meals together, play video games together, whatever. Vatrano will be 24 in a month and a half, and with his entry-level contract expiring at the end of this season his potential career could be in the balance. When Marchand was 24 he had already won a Stanley Cup, had been to a second Cup Final, and had two 20-goal seasons under his belt. This is a great opportunity for growth for both players, and as a fan I can truly think of no better outcome than me falling flat on my face. Go get ’em boys!

This hasn’t been the greatest week to be a Bruins fan. Monday we all found out that Charlie McAvoy had heart surgery and will be out 2 weeks. Then, less than 48 hours later we receive the news that the league has decided to suspend Brad Marchand 5 games.

Charlie’s news just makes me sad, plain and simple; there are no two ways about it. I really hope it is “minor” and the rookie can get back to dominating the NHL as soon as possible. If this turns into a more long-term lingering problem it will crush my existence.

After a couple days to process it, Brad Marchand’s suspension isn’t the worst thing in the world. As a hockey fan, I’m a little disappointed by it because it makes the sport seem soft (I’m an old school kinda guy) for handing out such serious penalties for a less-than-malicious play. However, as a Bruins fan, it’s really a blessing in disguise.

The team has been on fire and it seems like they can do no wrong lately. Since November 15th Boston has won 22 of its 29 games, and has currently collected at least a point in its last 17 consecutive contests! There hasn’t exactly been a lot of turmoil for this young team in the past two months, and frankly this is just what the Bruins need. If there are going to be any struggles or slumps I would much rather them happen at the beginning of February than the beginning of April.

Marchand being out of the lineup means there is a BIG opportunity for Anders Bjork. The rookie played respectably for the first month of the season until an injury and inconsistent play eventually forced him out of the lineup. Now that the 21-year-old has another chance, we should expect him to have fresh legs and play with speed. If he is alongside Bergeron, like he was in the preseason, he can gain infinite experience even if only for 5 games.

I can’t stress enough how devastating it is to me to be without Charlie, but even that opens up some doors. Adam McQuaid just got healthy within the last few weeks, and has now played in relief of McAvoy and Kevan Miller for the last three games. He can reestablish himself in the lineup, and help bolster this Bruins roster heading into what should presumably be a decent playoff push.

It’s unlike me to be so blindly optimistic about the Bruins, but that just goes to show exactly how well this team has come together. They say when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Well, I say just stick to beer and watch hockey.

Jegs-

Anyone who thinks the “Crosby or Ovechkin?” argument is still a thing is a loozah. It’s not even close.

Alex Ovechkin: 1,078 points in 962 career games (1.12 ppg) with a +96 rating; 90 points in 97 career playoff games (.927 ppg). And, oh yeah, he’s won NOTHING.

Sidney Crosby:1,067 points in 825 career games (1.29 ppg) with a +155 rating; 164 points in 148 career playoff games (1.1 ppg); 2 Olympic Gold Medals, 3 Stanley Cups!

Enough is enough already. Anyone who still thinks they’d pick Ovie, just put it to rest. Sid isn’t a “diva”, you can’t claim to “hate the Penguins” and don’t give me the whole “yeah, but Ovechkin is 6’3″ 230lbs and can hit” nonsense. PUT UP OR SHUT UP, plain and simple!

Here in New England we’ve now upgraded from just plain old Nor’Easters to “thunder snow” and “bomb cyclones”. No matter what your local weatherman wants to call it, we had a snow day yesterday. With a team full of rookies and twenty-somethings, I’m sure a day off to play in the snow was more than welcome; I know as a kid I would have been out there sledding, building a snow fort or having fun with a snowball fight. Since we all missed out on a chance to watch a fun hockey game last night, it got me to thinking about certain players and how many games some of them have missed (not due to snow days). Some of the information I came across was obvious, but there were a few numbers in particular that stuck out to me.

There is only one player on the Bruins roster who has played in every game over the last 2 seasons, and it’s not Zdeno Chara or Patrice Bergeron. That same player is 4th on the team (+17) in plus/minus rating, behind only Chara, Bergeron, and Brad Marchand. Over that span, only Torey Krug has fewer penalty minutes amongst Defensemen (okay, so you know he’s a defenseman now). What’s an even more eye-popping fun fact: there are six rookies who have been regulars in the active lineup this season, he is younger than five of them. That player is Brandon Carlo.

The second-year D man has been flying under the radar a little bit this year, and many may say he’s regressed from last season. Fact of the matter is, he has been one of the most durable, reliable, and consistent players on this roster, and he just turned 21 a month and a half ago. Call me old fashioned, but I appreciate an NHL Defenseman who can actually go out there and PLAY DEFENSE.

By now, everyone knows who Charlie McAvoy is. Charlie (the only player who’s younger than Carlo btw) is a once in a lifetime kind of talent, and he’s going to be on highlight reels for the next 15 years. If you go an entire game without hearing Brandon Carlo’s name, it’s probably because he’s playing a really solid brand of hockey; when he’s on his game and doing all the right things, you won’t hear his name much. Hell, in the years to come he might be on the ice with Charlie in all of those prolific highlights I mentioned.

Carlo, and the Bruins are at a crossroads, however: what type of player should Brandon Carlo become? Personally, he kind of reminds me of a young Kyle McLaren (both players go around 6’4″-6’5″ and 210lbs, give or take a few, and came into the league as teenagers). It’s hard to ignore that Carlo came flying out of the gate as a rookie, scoring 1G and 1A on 5 shots and putting up a +7 rating in his first three NHL games. I think that’s why people assume he’s regressed this year. Well, I hate to tell you, but he’s played 117 games since that hot start, and if you haven’t been watching you’re leaving out a lot of other improvements to his game.

Bruins fans have seen several young Defensive talents come and go (Johnny Boychuk, Dougie Hamilton, Colin Miller), and I think it’s reasonable to have some concern that Carlo might be trending that way. There’s a big difference between the two latter comparisons and the two former. McLaren and Boychuk weren’t just speedy point men who could shoot the puck (don’t get me wrong, both could BLAST the biscuit), they could also stand guys up at the blue line, deliver big hits, and be leaders on a top D-pair.

Much like those 2 physical blue-liners of the past, Carlo has had a few tough mentors of his own here in his brief time as a Bruin. Chara, as well as veterans Adam McQuaid and Kevan Miller play a disciplined defensive style that has clearly been rubbing off on Carlo. While I fully admit I can’t foresee him smashing any faces in any time soon, he has an increased role on the penalty kill, and overall more responsibilities have been made available to him when either McQuaid (83/120 games since 2016) or Miller (94/120 games since 2016) miss games. Further evidence that the coaching staff trusts Carlo is the fact that he is no longer paired with Chara, and can really take hold of a leadership role with Krug when the second unit is on the ice. Just for shits and giggles, here’s how all of these guys’ numbers looked as rookies:

Kyle McLaren: 5G, 12A = 17, 73 PIM +16 in 74 games in 1995-96

Johnny Boychuk: 5G, 10A = 15, 43 PIM +10 in 51 games in 2009-10

Adam McQuaid: 3G, 12A = 15, 96 PIM +30 in 67 games in 2010-11

Dougie Hamilton: 5G, 11A = 16, 14 PIM +4 in just 42* games in 2012-13

Kevan Miller: 1G, 5A = 6, 38 PIM +20 in 47 games in 2013-14

Colin Miller: 3G, 13A = 16, 39 PIM even in 42 games in 2015-16

Brandon Carlo: 6G, 10A = 16, 59 PIM +9 in 82 games in 2016-17

Clearly Dougie and Colin Miller are the most adept offensively of the bunch, but they also have the lowest +/- ratings. If Carlo can even put up 70% of what Dougie Hamilton has produced, while being a sound 200-foot player, he can cement his place on this team for a long time to come. If he puts on another 10-15 pounds, then all bets are off. This could very well be the beginning of a storm in Boston: not a Cyclogenesis, but a Carlo-genesis. ~That was probably corny, but I don’t care~ Jegs-

It turns out this Boston Bruins team is pretty damn good after all. For anyone who stuck it out and watched what was a stressful Oct/Nov, you were rewarded in December. Call it a Christmas gift, a Hanukkah gift, or an early start on a New Year’s Resolution; no matter how you choose to look at it, the Bruins have arguably been the best team in hockey over the last 5 weeks. You don’t believe me? There are countless reasons why Boston has been playing at an elite level (yes, ELITE), but it starts and ends with the leaders on the team.

If it’s confusing to figure out who the leaders are, the team has already made it easy for you by placing a “C” or “A” on their jerseys. I’ll be the first to criticize the dinosaur that is Zdeno Chara, but let’s start there. The Bruins Captain hasn’t really jumped off the page in many games this year, but he’s played in all 37 of the B’s contests and continues to eat up ice time. Chara and Defense partner Charlie McAvoy each averaged 22:09 TOI in the month of December. In 14 games Chara is a +8, while chipping in 1G and 3A. In those same 14 games, McAvoy has a +11 rating to go along with 7 points (2G, 5A). I’m well aware that Charlie is not currently a captain, but considering he’s a 20-year-old rookie who is playing well beyond his years, I don’t think it will take him long to earn a letter in the near future. The top D-pair is clearly playing as such, and the trickle-down effect has been evident as well. Oh yeah, by the way, all of those awesome Charlie McAvoy December stats are leaving out TWO shootout winners and a Gordie Howe Hat-Trick along the way!

Health has contributed to some of the team’s inconsistencies, but when all four forward lines look like they should this team is a different animal. Much like the Chara/McAvoy pairing, the top-3 Centers- Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, and David Backes (who all conveniently happen to wear the “A”) have been showing their consistency over the month of December as well. I am as big of a Patrice Bergeron fan as you will find, but I have been a little critical of his production this year. Well, the proof is in the pudding. Bergy is playing at almost a point-per-game pace with 6G, 6A, and a +7 rating through 14 games. The perennial Selke candidate is also getting back to form at the faceoff dot, winning 163/286 draws (57%) to close out 2017.

While I’m still going to harp on David Krejci for missing so many games, he’s been good when he’s been in the lineup. Krejci has 3G, 4A and a +2 rating in 8 games since the beginning of December. Again, that’s just shy of a point per game; I just need to see him in the lineup more. Meanwhile, one guy whose toughness and resolve I will never question is David Backes. Backes has managed to play one more game than Krejci on the season, but he’s been in the lineup for good since coming back from colon surgery. In 14 games he has 7G and 7A, and is a +5. His heart and work ethic have especially gone a long way in leading this young locker room. Complimentary rookies Jake DeBrusk and Danton Heinen have both flourished in Backes’ recent resurgence, and the impact he has had on stabilizing the bottom-6 forwards is elevating the fourth-line play as well. Backes is a complete hockey player, and the Bruins are a more complete hockey team with him on the ice.

The biggest factor, however, in Boston’s recent success has been the play of Tuukka Rask. After picking up 22 of a possible 28 points in December, the Bruins now find themselves sitting in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with multiple games at hand against most of the competition. Tuukka owns a 9-0-1 record over that span, accounting for 19 of the 22 points the team has earned. He has been absolutely lights out, posting a 1.20 GAA (with 2 shutouts) to go along with his .958 SV%. Bruins fans can’t complain about the offense either, as the team has 39 goals (almost 4 per game) in his 10 starts. Tuukka is making Thanksgiving seem like ancient history. Remember that, when he had twice as many losses as he had wins; when his backup had twice as many wins as he did?? If Boston can continue to get the Tuukka Rask from December rather than the one from Oct/Nov, it will be in excellent shape heading into the playoffs. Oh, and for any of you keeping tabs on Tuukka’s “pitch count”, he’s played in 65% of the B’s 37 games this season, putting him on pace for about 53-54 starts.

Put that in your pipe and smoke it! Jegs-