Dalton Prout pops Milan Lucic

This one-punch was the subject of much discussion on Twitter. Give credit where credit is due, Dalton Prout got lucky, and I expect that Milan Lucic will extract his pound of flesh the next time the two teams play. In my opinion, Lucic's gloves weren't off and Prout used this as an opportunity to get the upper hand on Lucic.

Matt Fraser's Disallowed Goal

There's varying opinions on whether this goal should have counted or not. The Refs thought it was incidental contact. You be the ref, do you think the goal should have counted? I think it's should have counted, but I am Boston Bruins fan.

Nevermind - ruled incidental contact. No penalty, but no goal, either. #stlblues #OurBlues
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) November 19, 2014

GIF: The waved off goal from Fraser (multiple angles) http://t.co/mm8HSm8muu
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) November 19, 2014

(Video) Brad Marchand Embellishment Penalty

I realize that Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand has earned himself a reputation of being a player that embellishes, but this is a horrible call. To quote Andy Brickley, "It's Marchand. That's the problem"

NJD Damon Severson Interference - 2 min against Brad Marchand 16:39
BOS Brad Marchand Embellishment - 2 min against Damon Severson 16:39

Torey Krug Injured after Slash from Zach Parise (Video)

Yesterday it was announced that Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug will be out for 2-3 weeks with a broken finger. Now we know how Krug broke his finger, watch the slash from Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise.

Boston Bruins: Seth Griffith's amazing goal (Video)

What an amazing goal by Boston Bruins forward Seth Griffith. This goal gave the Boston Bruins a 2-1 lead. In seven games with the Bruins, Griffith has (3g-1a-4pts).

Boston Bruins: Zdeno Chara Hurt After Checking John Tavares (video)

Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara blasts New York Islanders forward John Tavares with a good, hard, clean check. Incidentally, Chara would go to the dressing room after the hit and wouldn't return to the Bruins bench.

Svedberg under pressure - he makes the stops; Chara lands a big hit on Tavares. 8:42 left in the first. Shots 10-5 Isles ^CS
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) October 23, 2014

UPDATE: Chara hurt and will not return.

UPDATE: Zdeno Chara will not return to tonight's game ^BB
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) October 24, 2014

Johnny Boychuk Returns to Boston

One of my favorite former Boston Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuk makes his return to Boston. Boychuk is now a teammate of former Fighting Sioux defenseman Brock Nelson. Boychuk is famously known for his deadly, heavy, accurate slap shot, which is known as a Johnny Rocket.

Joe Haggerty, CSNNE.COM – Johnny Boychuk texted every member of the Bruins team after learning he’d been traded to the New York Islanders. It was the affable B’s defenseman’s way of saying goodbye to his teammates knowing they’d be hopping on the runaway train known as the NHL regular season and Boychuk would be spending the next day packing his equipment and heading to Long Island.

It’s not at all surprising to know that the goodbye texts were about having a few last laughs, still friends but no longer teammates. Some of his old B’s teammates were thinking about those conversations on Wednesday as they ready to host Boychuk and his new-look Islanders on Thursday night at TD Garden.

"He actually texted me after the trade and told me I should give him a goal,” said a smirking Tuukka Rask, who needed a few moments to realize the media was talking about Boychuk rather than Chad Johnson when asked about facing “Johnny” on Thursday. “If its 9-1 or something for us...accidents happen. What can I tell you?

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Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic boards Canadiens defenceman Alexei Emelin

Three nights ago, Milan Lucic was penalized two minutes for boarding Canadiens defenseman Alexei Emelin. This is the replay of the hit. You can see that Emelin turns at the last moment. I don't really agree with the call in question, but oh well.

One has to wonder if Lucic was trying to send a message.

Apparently, Lucic also made an obscene gesture to the Montreal fans and was fined $5,000.00. Yesterday, Lucic apologized for his behavior. What's troubling to me is that the league is more concerned about obscene behavior than dangerous hits. To me, that's a travesty.

Bobby Orr on Speed in the NHL, 'It's Dangerous'

I was reading this article over on the Sports Net site and I found something that caught my eye. According to former Boston Bruins defenseman Bobby Orr, the speed of the NHL makes it dangerous.

Luke Fox, Sportsnet.ca -- Orr on speed: “I played a style that coaches didn’t like. Not many players played like that. When I went to junior, I was 14 (and) owned by the Bruins. But they didn’t ask me to change my style. They continued to let me play my way. They thought I was most effective that way, and it certainly helped me.”

“I think teams are looking at L.A. and teams that are more successful and seeing they need speed. There are a lot more good skaters then there were in the past. Without the centre line, you can wind up, go from one end to the other. Guys are coming through the middle with big speed. I think it’s dangerous. I think with the size of the players and the speed of the players, without the centre line, players are being hurt. Teammates are running into each other, and I think it’s dangerous.

Howell. Pilote. Kelly. Orr. Not a bad top four. pic.twitter.com/SeEVn8l8sK
— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) October 2, 2014

Islanders Shore Up Their Back End: Trade for Boychuk and Leddy

#ISLES TRANSACTION: Team has acquired Nick Leddy from Chicago and Johnny Boychuk from Boston. Details to follow. pic.twitter.com/TnXRHYxG7r
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) October 4, 2014

#Isles bolster blueline by acquiring Johnny Boychuk (http://t.co/vhSAfl7jib) & Nick Leddy (http://t.co/FyitsGnvv3) pic.twitter.com/G42E2yWxMB
— Shnarped Hockey (@shnarped) October 4, 2014

Former UND forward Brock Nelson got two new teammates today. The New York Islander turned some heads trading for former Minnesota Golden Gopher and Blackhawks defenseman Nick Leddy and former Boston Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuk.

It's really a boost for the Islanders defense core. Picking up Boychuk and Leddy, the Islanders get two defensive players that have won Stanley Cups.

With the trade, the Bruins get a 2nd round draft choice in 2015, 2nd draft choice in 2016 and a conditional third round draft choice in 2015.

The @NHLBruins traded one of the team's most popular defensemen. The return isn't so great. http://t.co/q8zd8kPb3U pic.twitter.com/RFW2lYM44g
— BostInno (@BostInno) October 4, 2014

Boston has traded Johnny Boychuk to the Islanders in exchange for two 2nd round picks & a conditional 3rd round pick: http://t.co/e160KN74m0
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) October 4, 2014

PRESS RELEASE: #Isles Officially Acquire Johnny Boychuk from the #NHLBruins - http://t.co/jb4J9RkFQB pic.twitter.com/R4hYoNxo7S
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) October 4, 2014

Give a follow to one of the newest members of the #Isles, @ledpipe08
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) October 4, 2014

Not an easy meeting with Boychuk. Chiarelli: "he was upset, I was upset, I'm still upset" ^CS
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) October 4, 2014

Boston Bruins: Defenseman Johnny Boychuk Might end up a Casualty

#492463271 / gettyimages.com

The Boston Bruins have a salary cap mess, this is well documented. As a result of their current salary cap debacle, it looks like defenseman Johnny Boychuk will end up being a causality and the odd man out. It's a shame, because Boychuk is a solid defenseman.  Obviously, Bruins fans aren't going to be very happy about this. Boychuk is one of the Bruins more popular players.

Fluto Shinzawa, Boston Globe -- The Bruins have three preseason games to determine their roster for the Oct. 8 season opener against Philadelphia. Jobs are up for grabs on the third and fourth lines. But re-signing Krug and Smith gives the Bruins a clearer snapshot of how they’ll break camp, both in terms of dollars and roster strength.

They will still move a defenseman, most likely for futures. But once they account for the bonus overage and Marc Savard’s long-term injury exception, they will not have to move big bucks — namely Johnny Boychuk’s $3,366,667 — to get the league’s green light. This is a good thing. After this season, Boychuk will command an annual salary north of $6 million. This is not money the Bruins are in good position to spend.

But trading Boychuk would not improve the team. He is an experienced and dependable second-pairing defenseman. Because of the pot that awaits, Boychuk will be motivated to play well. The Bruins will benefit from that.

Bruins fans should enjoy Boychuk's last season with the Bruins.

Boston Bruins Re-Sign Tory Krug and Reilly Smith

#489867267 / gettyimages.com

Good news for the Boston Bruins, they have "finally" re-signed former college hockey stars Tory Krug (Michigan State) and Reilly Smith (Miami University). Last season, Krug's play helped revive the Bruins powerless play.

BOSTON, MA - Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today, September 29, that the club has signed defenseman Torey Krug and forward Reilly Smith to one-year contracts through the 2014-15 season, each worth an annual cap figure of $1.4 million.

In his first full season at the NHL level last year, Krug appeared in 79 regular season games, netting 14 goals (second among B's defensemen) to become the fifth rookie blueliner in team history to score 10 or more goals. His 14 goals rank third overall among all-time B's rookie defensemen behind Ray Bourque's 17 in 1979-80 and Greg Hawgood's 16 in 1988-89. Krug's 26 assists in 2013-14 ranked first among Bruins D-men, while his 40 points were tied for first among blueliners with captain Zdeno Chara. The 23-year-old finished 2014 fourth overall in the NHL rookie scoring race, but was first among NHL rookie defensemen. He was named to the 2013-14 All-Rookie Team.

In total, Krug has played in 82 NHL regular season games, where he has racked up 14-28=42 totals with a plus-17 rating.

In his first two NHL postseason games in 2012-13, Krug recorded goals in back-to-back games against the New York Rangers and finished his first playoffs playing in 15 games tallying 4-2=6 totals. In the 2013-14 postseason run, Krug led all Bruins in scoring with 10 points (two goals, eight assists). In total, Krug has accumulated six goals and 10 assists for 16 points with a plus-three rating in 27 NHL playoff games.

Prior to joining Boston, Krug spent 2012-13 with Providence (American Hockey League), where he racked up 13 goals and 32 assists for 45 points. Preceding the P-Bruins, the defenseman competed at the collegiate level for three seasons at Michigan State (2009-12), appearing in 114 games, registering 26 goals and 57 assists. The 5'9", 180-pound D-man hails from Livonia, Michigan and was signed as a free agent by Boston on March 25, 2012.

Looking at the Boston Bruins Capgeek.com page, the Bruins are going to have to make a trade or put Marc Savard on the long term injured reserve. It will be interesting to see what the club does. Some have suggested that Johnny Boychuk is going to be on the trading block. Boychuck is on record saying that he would like to remain with the Boston Bruins.

Let's try that again: Bruins got a steal with the Krug contract as he made around $1.75 million w/bonuses last season #BruinsTalk — Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) September 29, 2014

Resolution is not player-friendly, especially for Torey Krug. But they had no other choice. Arbitration will help next summer. — Fluto Shinzawa (@GlobeFluto) September 29, 2014

Chad Johnson Tweet - Wants to suit up for Habs so he can Fight Chara.

Yeah, let's think about this for a minute. I don't think that the Ocho Cinco has any idea how tough Zdeno Chara really is. Chara was ranked number one of the 10 toughest players in the NHL by the Bleacher Report in 2013.

As NHL training camp approaches I want to suit up for the HABS so I can fight Chara & Lucic...
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) September 15, 2014

Boston Bruins: David Krejci re-signed by the Bruins

#Czech media reports David Krejci has signed a 6 year, $43M extension with the #Bruins.
— NHL EXPERT PICKS (@NHLexpertpicks) September 3, 2014

Whew, the Boston Bruins have inked one of the key players to a nice long-term deal. Krejci signed a six-year, 43 million dollar deal. The Bruins still have to get their RFA Torey Krug re-signed.

D.J. Bean, WEEI --- According to a league source, the Bruins and David Krejci have agreed to a six-year, $43.5 million contract.

Krejci, 28, will carry a $7.25 million cap hit throughout the duration of the deal, which begins in the 2015-16 season. His salary breakdown will be $7.25 million for the first two years of the deal, $7.5 million for the next two and $7 million for the final two.

Hump Day Links

There's only 46 days until the University of North Dakota kicks off the 2014-15 season. Here's a few links of interest from the world of hockey.

Matt Greene Brings the Stanley Cup Back to Grand Forks - http://t.co/XKBF7MXZk7 #NHL pic.twitter.com/Vq8Ns9uDjE
— THW Hockey (@HockeyLinks) August 20, 2014

Report: It's 'not looking good' for Bruins on Kevin Hayes http://t.co/JrHlEKUBdz
— Ian McLaren (@iancmclaren) August 20, 2014

Not looking good for #bruins on Kevin Hayes. I'm being told Rangers and Avs appear to have inside track.
— Mark Divver (@MarkDivver) August 20, 2014

Three concussion lawsuits filed by ex-NHL players consolidated, to be heard by federal judge in Minnesota. Details: http://t.co/8NdMpE1XHD
— Yahoo Sports NHL (@YahooSportsNHL) August 20, 2014

Did Doug Lidster Save The Canucks’ Season? http://t.co/sXodtikSJC #THW
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) August 20, 2014

Checking In: Jake Guentzel: Forward Jake Guentzel returned to Pittsburgh for prospect developme... http://t.co/mVgJbBjUkc #NHL #Penguins
— NHL (@NHLLinks) August 20, 2014

OMG! A Boston Bruins Hate Map

I was actually kidding when I said this. But there's actually a Boston Bruins hate map. It's official, everyone hates the Boston Bruins.

@gopherstate Can we put that right next to the hate map for the Boston Bruins?
— Eric J. Burton THW (@goon48) August 4, 2014

Bruins to Focus on Team Toughness

#490588433 / gettyimages.com

With the loss of tough guy Shawn Thornton, the Boston Bruins are going to focus more on team toughness.

Joe Haggerty , CSNNE.COM – “I believe [the team toughness] is already there, I do. We have a couple of candidates that played in Providence that surely could fit in if we need them. But I really think it’s already there, I do,” said Chiarelli. “You’re going to see Adam [McQuaid] back, whoever’s playing D, so we’ve got some tough guys there that can hold up their own. So I believe it’s already there.”

On any given night the Bruins will feature multiple players capable of dropping the gloves if the team needs an emotional spark, or if there’s an opponent taking liberties with members of the Black and Gold tribe. Clearly Milan Lucic would be the most intimidating name at the top of that list, but defensemen Kevan Miller and Adam McQuaid are no slouches in that category either.

(Video) Zane Gothberg at the Bruins Development Camp

Check out this http://t.co/WvteBWoPeu video: http://t.co/lDfC8eGa8K
— Karl Goehring (@kgoehring1) July 11, 2014

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Boston Bruins have Cap Issues

#489182029 / gettyimages.com

The Boston Bruins have major cap issues and need to sign some key players next season. With Jonathan Toews and Parick Kane signing new contracts, that might actually have an affect on the Bruins being able to sign UFA David Krejci  next season as well.

Eric Wilber, Boston.com -- It's no revelation that the Bruins truly have put themselves in a cap situation that’s going to be difficult to wriggle out of. Their payroll for 2014-15 sits at about $67.6 million right now, just up against the $69 million cap, one of the many reasons why 30-goal scorer Jarome Iginla will play in Colorado the next three seasons. Next offseason, Gregory Campbell, Daniel Paille, Carl Soderberg, Adam McQuaid, and Johnny Boychuk are coming off the books, all joining Krejci in unrestricted free agency. Chiarelli will need to work out a way to keep Soderberg, face the reality that he might not be able to afford Boychuk, and wave farewell to the other pieces as well. As long as he wants to keep Krejci for the long term, that is.

As much as Bruins fans don’t want to acknowledge it, trading Krejci this summer would solve a lot of the Bruins’ headaches going forward, but in no way does that mean it's the logical avenue. If it were though, Chiarelli could more easily sign Soderberg and Boychuk to long-term deals, as well as give the likes of Reilly Smith, Torey Krug (restricted free agents), and Dougie Hamilton (RFA next summer) the paydays they’re due.

Zane Gothberg is going Camping with the Bruins

Joe Haggerty of CSNNE had this to say about UND goalie Zane Gothberg who's going to the Boston Bruins development camp. Notice, Haggerty referred to the University of North Dakota as the Fighting Sioux.

Joe Haggerty, CSNNE.Com --- Zane Gothberg – Goaltender, 2010 sixth round pick (165th overall): Gothberg helped lead the University of North Dakota to the Frozen Four, and set a school record with his .926 save percentage last season. The longtime development camp attendee should be one of the standouts after his 1.99 goals against average and three shutouts in 33 games for the Fighting Sioux last season.

B's ready to welcome plenty of hockey promise to development camp. Here's a rundown on 23-player roster http://t.co/aoBGbrxHfO #BruinsTalk
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) July 8, 2014

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