Zac Rinaldo Hit on Sean Couturier

Boston Bruins forward Zac Rinaldo was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for this hit on Philadelphia Flyers forward Sean Couturier. Needless to say, Rinaldo's first game against his old team only lasted on period and he played only 2:53 minutes.

I don't think that this hit is suspension worthy, but the league will definitely take a look at it. Couturier was not on the bench to start the second period.

More on the Oshie and McQuaid Fight

The regular season should be a dandy in the Eastern Conference. It's not very often that you see T.J. Oshie fighting. Sounds like we missed one heck of a preseason game between the Boston Bruins and the Washington Captials.

Per Chuck Gormley, CSN Mid Atlantic:

“Any time you get into a fight your hands take a beating,” said Wilson, who knocked Miller’s helmet off with a hard right uppercut in their first bout. “He was going after Ovi a little bit. He’s the best player in the league and our captain. That’s one reason.

“(Bruins defenseman Adam) McQuaid kind of goes after (T.J.) Oshie and (my) second fight followed that. ... He's a pretty tough kid and he's been pretty mouthy in the past. My hand’s pretty sore, so that’s kind of one of the reasons you want to be careful in the preseason. But at the end of the day it’s all good. ... It didn’t really feel like a preseason game. It felt almost like a playoff game last night. It was pretty intense.”

Depending on which team you lean towards,  you're going to see this a little differently. First,  I think Oshie laid a legit, legal body check on Adam McQuaid. The Bruins defenseman took exception with the hit and challenged Oshie to a fight.

Personally, I think players should learn to take a hit. If Oshie had laid a cheap hit on McQuaid, that would be a different story. But that's the culture of the NHL, hit someone with a legal check and still have to fight. Just for the record, Oshie has been in three NHL fights. So, he's not afraid to drop the gloves.

Adam McQuaid vs T.J. Oshie (Video)

Former Fighting Sioux forward T.J. Oshie doesn't fight very much, but I think that he held his own against Boston Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid who does do his fair share of fighting. Finally, I am also not sure what McQuaid is upset about, the hit looked good to me.

Zane McIntyre Sent to Providence

Former UND goalie Zane McIntyre was sent to the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League. The shocker was that Malcolm Subban was sent down, too. Earlier in the summer, Subban was penciled in as the number two goalie behind Tuukka Rask.

Ryan Dadoun, Pro Hockey Talk -- Boston announced that goaltenders Zane McIntyre and Malcolm Subban have been reassigned to AHL Providence, ending their individual campaigns to secure Boston’s number two slot behind Tuukka Rask.,

While neither goaltender was the favorite to win the backup job, either one would have been an intriguing choice. Subban, 21, is a former first round pick (24th overall, 2012) and has two strong seasons in the AHL under his belt. McIntyre, 23, is just starting his pro career, but he was the 2015 Richter Award winner as the NCAA’s top goaltender for his work with the University of North Dakota.

Bruins Rebuild?

In an article posted on NBCSports.com today, it seems as if the Boston Bruins are going through a transition period in the upcoming season. Now this doesn't mean that they will be a cellar team, however, because of the recent roster movement, and ages of some remaining top players, the big bad Bruins may not be so big and bad this coming up season.

After missing the playoffs last season, the Bruins faithful will start to get restless if their team misses the playoffs yet again. Being in a town known for championship titles in its four major sports, even though some may or may not have cheated to win them (cough Patriots cough), these fans expect nothing but to win and win now.

Two seasons since their last Stanley Cup Final run, lets take a look at who remains on this Bruins roster from that team of two seasons ago. Just six players remain from that team. Of those six, Torey Krug, Brad Marchand, and Tuukka Rask will be the only players under the age of 30 by the end of the upcoming season. Tenured Captain, Zdeno Chara, is now 38 this year and his time in the league is running out.

That being said, this is still a talented core group of veteran players who can still get the job done and should not be taken lightly. Time will tell if the aging Bruins still can compete with the youth movement in the NHL, but for now, we will see if they can squeak back into the playoff picture once again this season.

WTH, Sharks acquire goaltender Jones from Bruins

If you're a Boston Bruins fan, are you scratching your head right now. I know that I am. I don't understand it? First, you trade away your muscle of the franchise in Milan Lucic. I get it, he was over paid base on his performace the last two season.

Then you take three players that are at least a year or two away in the NHL Draft. Now, after trading for and receiving a great goaltending prospect, you trade him away for a draft pick and a former Miami RedHawk forward that will have a hard time making the fourth line.

NHL.COM -- The San Jose Sharks acquired goaltender Martin Jones from the Boston Bruins on Tuesday for forward prospect Sean Kuraly

"Martin was at the top of our list of players that we had targeted," Sharks general manager Doug Wilson told the Sharks website. "We're extremely excited to have him on board."

It's the second time in five days Jones has been traded. The Bruins got him Friday as part of the trade that sent forward Milan Lucic to the Los Angeles Kings. Jones can become a restricted free agent if he's not signed by Wednesday.

Per Puck Daddy:

“No, I don’t think it’s a rebuild,” he said on Tuesday. “We have a tremendous core group of guys that will carry and even more tremendous load while we wait for these young players to find their footing.”

Phil Kessel Would Accept Trade to Bruins and Wild

I just got back from the hunting shack and found this beauty. Apparently, former Boston Bruins forward Phil Kessel would accept a trade to eight teams. This is what Pension Plan Puppets had to say about the matter. 

Scott Wheeler, Pension Plan Puppets -- The list, which was submitted prior to the deadline, is believed to include the Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, and Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference as well as the Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings and Minnesota Wild in the Western Conference, according to the report.

Looking at this list, Boston has no cap room, plus I can't see the Bruins being all that excited about taking Kessel back. Ditto with the Minnesota Wild. Both teams are extremely strapped for cash, I don't see how they could make a move like this happen. 

Seriously, I can't see Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol wanting a one dimensional player like Kessel on his team. You have to be able to play in all three zones of the ice. The more I think about it, Kessel would be a perfect Hab. 

Finally, does anyone think Kessel would be a good fit with L.A. Kings head coach like Daryl Sutter? I am being serious. 

A Look at the NHL Standings

With the win against the Chicago Blackhawks last night, the Wild are in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. There's one spot remaining in the West. In the East, the Bruins, Pens and Senators are fighting for the remaining spot. It's going down to the wire.

Brad Marchand Spears Jonathan Ericsson in the Nads

I am a Boston Bruins fans, and I like Brad Marchand, I think he's a great offensive player. That being said, he's a dirty little punk on the ice. This is a dirty, bush-league play. I am surprised that Marchand hasn't been beaten to a pulp.

Former RedHawk Austin Czarnik signs with the Boston Bruins.

And now there will be two former Miami RedHawks on the Boston Bruins hockey team. Austin Czarnik joins former RedHawk Reilly Smith.

Congratulations to captain @ACzarnik7 on signing with the @NHLBruins! Thank you for 4 great years! #Brotherhood pic.twitter.com/j7X6tjkK2p
— The Brotherhood (@MiamiOH_Hockey) March 31, 2015

Excited to be a part of the Boston Bruins organization! Thank you @MiamiOH_Hockey and @MiamiUniversity for the best 4 years of my life!
— Austin Czarnik (@ACzarnik7) March 31, 2015

Antoine Roussel Has Hearing for Dirty X-Check on Adam McQuaid

Hockey is an emotional game. Things happen at a very high rate of speed. I am sure that the fans that hate the Boston Bruins will say that Adam McQuaid tried to hit Antoine Roussel with a dirty check and missed.

Whatever! These same fans will say that McQuaid deserved it because he plays for the Boston Bruins.

I don't think there's any way that you can excuse what Roussel did, this is a bush-league, dirty hit. Since Roussel has a phone hearing, his suspension will be under five games. I don't see how he escapes at least a two-game suspension for his.

Antoine Roussel To Have NHL Disciplinary Hearing For Cross Check On Adam McQuaid http://t.co/qxoFir8bXY
— NESN (@NESN) February 11, 2015

Cal Clutterbuck check on Torey Krug (video)

This is the hit that New York Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck put on Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug. If you watch the video, Krug never had possession of the puck at anytime. The hit stunned Krug, but he was able to return to the game.

Should this have been an interference penalty? What do you think?

Dougie Hamilton Fights Gabriel Landeskog (Video)

Being a Minnesota Wild apologist, I was very happy to see this. In my personal opinion, this was long overdue.

Finally, someone decided to collect the bill with Colorado Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog. For those keeping track at home, this was the first professional fight for Boston Bruins defenseman Dougie Hamilton.

Minnesota Wild to get an Outdoor Game

As I just said on @NBCSN pre-game show, expectation is NHL will announce this weekend outdoor games next season for COL and MIN.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 22, 2015

It appears that the Minnesota Wild are finally getting an outdoor game next winter. This is good news for Minnesota Wild fans. First thing that popped into my head: is there's going to be a college hockey outdoor game as well? I am hoping.

MIN's opponent expected to be CHI; COL's opponent expected to be DET. BOS, of course, will host MTL on Jan. 1 in Winter Classic in Foxboro.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 22, 2015

BLOG: #mnwild's Stadium-Series game could be the icing on a weeklong cake http://t.co/HLkcPJG4F3 #nhl #blackhawks #gophers #iawild
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) January 22, 2015

Related articles

• The Student Section: World Juniors Episode #10(hockeywilderness.com)

  ---

(Video and Vine) Zedeno Chara Pops Cedric Paquette and J.T. Brown Attacks David Krejci

I am not sure what Tampa Bay Lightning forward  Cedric Paquette is attempting to accomplish. Seriously, Zedeno Chara is one of the toughest players in the NHL and talk about poking the bear. Then Paquette goes after Chara again at the end of the game.

Also, when did former UMD Bulldog J.T. Brown become a fourth line hack? s/t to Jack Edwards after Brown attacked Krejci for no apparent reason. Brown is very lucky that Milan Lucic was held up by one of his Lightning teammates.

04:03 BOS Zdeno Chara served by Reilly Smith Boarding - 2 min against Matthew Carle
04:03 BOS Zdeno Chara served by Reilly Smith Roughing - 2 min against Cedric Paquette
04:03 BOS Zdeno Chara Roughing - 2 min against Cedric Paquette
04:03 TBL Cedric Paquette Roughing - 2 min against Zdeno Chara
09:34 TBL J.T. Brown served by Jonathan Drouin Roughing - 2 min against David Krejci
09:34 TBL J.T. Brown Roughing - 2 min against David Krejci
09:34 BOS David Krejci Roughing - 2 min against J.T. Brown

Punch & run. https://t.co/3cTkNyHA8P
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) January 14, 2015

Pittsburgh Penguins: Craig Adams No Goal, Goalie Interference (Video)

The Boston Bruins caught their second break of the game. Pittsburgh Penguins forward Craig Adams appears to have scored a legit goal. The goal is waved off by the on-ice official. In my humble opinion, this is not the correct call in this instance. Adam McQuaid appears to have pushed a Penguin into Tuukka Rask.

Looked like the Bruins caught a break on the no goal call for Pens. Adam McQuaid pushed Sill into Rask to create the contact with Rask
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) January 8, 2015

Saturday Night at the Fights: Milan Lucic works Dalton Prout

This was the much anticipated fight between Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic and Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Dalton Prout. I am going with the advantage to Lucic.

GREAT FIGHT between Lucic and Prout! Lucic takes him down at the end and cuts him open! #Bruins pic.twitter.com/2N18GU7HkM
— ⒹⓊⒼⒶⓈ (@Dugas978) December 28, 2014

Bruins Bartkowski will not face hearing

Bartkowski/Gionta is an example of incidental head contact on an otherwise full body check. pic.twitter.com/iCAyDjRwsN
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) December 22, 2014

I told a friend of mine that if Brian Gionta was taller, he wouldn't have been injuried. This doesn't make Buffalo Sabres fans any happier. Obviously, some fans are unhappy with the move.

Related articles

• Matt Bartkowski hit on Brian Gionta (video)(ndgoon.blogspot.com)

  ---

Matt Bartkowski hit on Brian Gionta (video)

Boston Bruins defenseman Matt Bartkowski was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct for this hit on Buffalo Sabres forward Brian Gionta. It will be interesting to see if Bartkowski has a hearing with the NHL's Department of Player safety.

The Box Score will read:

14:08 BOS Matt Bartkowski served by Matt Fraser Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Brian Gionta
14:08 BOS Matt Bartkowski served by Matt Fraser Interference (maj) - 5 min against Marcus Foligno
14:08 BOS Matt Bartkowski Game misconduct - 10 min
14:08 BUF Marcus Foligno served by Mikhail Grigorenko Instigator - 2 min against Matt Bartkowski
14:08 BUF Marcus Foligno Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Matt Bartkowski
14:08 BUF Marcus Foligno Misconduct (10 min) - 10 min against Matt Bartkowski

Boston Bruins: Riley Smith Disallowed Goal (Video)

Doesn't take many views of this video to conclude that this was a blown call. There's no reason that Boston Bruins forward Riley Smith's goal shouldn't have counted. There was no interference with the Buffalo Sabres goalie.