A Whole New Team

(Sorry for such a gap in between posts. It's tough devoting the time I want to posts now that I'm working. Then again, I don't think I want to be unemployed again...)

This Bruins bunch has really given me a rough go the past few weeks. I can't decide if I like the direction they're in or not. Don't get me wrong; I don't think the team that was out there tonight against Nashville can win the Cup, but I like where things are going. Remember everyone: this is a Boston team that by no means was a favorite after the first few weeks of the 2008-09 season.

And then something happened. They got behind a "rough and tough and whatever gets the job done" attitude and decided they weren't going to lose in late-November/December. And that's exactly what it'll take for this new crew wearing the B to turn a 3-3 squad into the League's elites.

Some side story lines since my last post will probably end up as a turning point when Kathryn and Barry are recapping the season next spring, either positively and negatively:

Chucky's Out - In reality, this didn't shock me as much as I thought it would. Kobasew got ditched for what may only be explained as a salary dump. The Bruins get yet more draft leverage in exchange for a mediocre, overpaid forward. There is a surplus of average forwards in Boston, and if one leaves, Providence as a bunch of guys who, odds have it, will end up as other average forwards. Which brings me to my second point...

Vladdy! - The shuffling of lines that's come from injuries (we'll get to those another day) has made room for Pruins center Vladimir Sobotka to take on a daily role for the big boy club. The problem with Sobotka in his limited time in playing up last year is that his lack of a defensive game completely contradicts Julien's style. Rather than spend time honing his skills in Boston last year, he was seen as expendable and shipped back to R.I. The longer he calls the Garden his home, the better he'll get...hopefully. But if not, there's always...

P. Burgerrrr - As much as I have against guys named "Patrice," I am amazed by what he's doing this season (not just that goal he scored tonight that he worked his ass off for that everyone else is going to be talking about). After coming back from a tough injury to where he was supposed to be back at his prime last season, he by no means was a star. So while I thought he was on a downhill spiral, he has come out since scoring the lone goal on opening night as the ice time leader he was supposed to be that past few years. Let's hope he's not the only guy stepping up with the absence of Marc and Milan.

Go B's! See you tmw night in Philly!!