Why Lucic on the First Line Works

Remember 2008 - 2009 season? The one where the Bruins finished at the top of the Eastern conference? That year the Bruins had great line combination's, and I think this is what led to their success. The first line put Marc Savard at center, with Milan Lucic and Phil Kessel at wing. This line combination worked handsomely. Why? Every man had a role. Lucic's job was to open up space using physical play. Because Lucic did this Savard had time and space to move the puck to Kessel. If Kessel had a wide open shot because of a good pass from Savard, then he had a good chance at scoring. In my personal opinion Milan Lucic is the best player in the league at opening up the ice and making room with his physical play. Savard is arguably the best set up man in the NHL and even thought the Bruins no longer have the services of Phil Kessel, they do have a natural goal scorer in Nathan Horton. Horton could easily take Kessel's spot on the first line and if he does then he the chance to possibly have a 40 goal season. So the game plan for the front line is fairly simple.

Lucic - Knock the opposing  player off the puck (and take the puck to the net)
Savard - Pick up the puck and pass it to Horton (or take it to the net)
Horton - Take pass from Savard and get the puck on net (or follow the play to the net and look for a rebound)
A lot of people say that Lucic wasn't worth the big contract that the Bruins signed him, but dis agree, just because he has an uncanny ability to open up space on the ice.

NHL in Europe?

So a little while back I was taking to a friend who doesn't watch to much hockey. He brought up a great point. "A lot of the NHL players come from Europe, right? So why don't they try to just put a few teams there?" I answered by telling him with all the travel and things like that would make this almost impossible. Along with European teams having trouble to draw fans. But when I heard that the Bruins would be playing the Phoenix Coyotes two times in Prague, Czech Republic I have to start to think that the NHL may be starting to wonder down this path. I mean the reason that they would be holding these games in Prague is to raise "awareness" so to speak about the NHL. Why would they want to raise awareness if they weren't thinking about placing a franchise there. It isn't like they are doing this for the fans, because no American fans are going to attend. The Patriots played a game in London last year, so maybe other sports are thinking about this. I really can't figure out why the NHL would do this unless they wanted to place a franchise in Europe. I personally don't think that it is possible just because NHL players don't want to take 10 hour flights. Any of you guys have ideas why our friends at the NHL would want to do this?

Unload Tim Thomas?

Here's a big question. Should the Boston Bruins unload former Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas? In the 2010 - 2011 NHL season the young and promising Tuukka Rask will take over as the B's starting goaltender. Thomas' still has three years remaining in his contract, which also includes a no trade clause. It is clear that Thomas has the desire to be a starting goaltender, and barring an injury, Thomas will back up Rask next season. If I was Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli, then I would look at the situation this way. First off there is really no need to have two starting net minders. And I'm sure that Rask has no problem at all participating in 70+ games this season. We have also all noted that Thomas is the type of goalie that plays better when he sees a lot of action. He is not the type of guy who can just take a week and a half break in between starts and still play really well. A third reason is the Bruins are squeezed for cap space, and this could really open things up. Thomas is 36 years of age and just recovering from off season hip surgery.

The Bruins front office will also have to consider  what they do when Rask gets tired. No goalie can with stand playing all 82 games. They could bring up Dany Sabourin from Providence, but I don't know if would fair well against other NHL level teams and players. Chiarelli also needs to consider what he could get in return for Thomas. They already have plenty of draft picks for next years lottery, Tuukka will be strong between the pipes so they don't need another goalie, the Bruins blue liners are all in good shape, and the team is fortified with good centers. So maybe they could get another wing?

The only place I can see Tim Thomas landing next year is San Jose. Why? Evgeni Nabakov, who has played 10 season for the Sharks signed a four year deal to go play in his homeland Russia. With Nabakov playing in St. Petersburg next year, the Sharks are with out a starting goalie. Thomas wants a chance to play for the Stanley Cup and I think that with Thomas in net for the Sharks they have a legitimate chance. My guess is that Thomas will refuse to waive the no trade clause unless he will go to a championship contending team, in which case he will if its the Sharks. But what does Boston get? They don't have any wingers the Bruins could use but they could give the Bruins a handful of prospects, or maybe even yet another draft pick.

If I was in Chiarelli's shoes then I would trade Thomas, but only if the right deal pops up. If the Bruins can get even more young prospects, along with the draft picks and prospects that they already have, then Bruins could have a real power house team down the road. So my message to the Bruins front office is to unload Thomas, but make sure that you get a good deal for him.