Boston Bruins Rookie Charlie McAvoy Praises Chara

The Boston Bruins have had one defenseman who has been better than their rest for a very long time. That player is Zdeno Chara. But Big Z might not have to be the best d-man on the B’s this season.

The reason for that is the insertion of rookie defensemen and former Boston University standout Charlie McAvoy. McAvoy projects to be one of the top 2 defensemen on the Boston Bruins this season and could overtake Chara as the best on the team.

That would be a long time coming, Chara has been the Bruins best for far too long. One concern fans might have is Boston trying to restrict the style McAvoy plays. But as shown in the 2016 playoffs the Boston Bruins are willing to allow McAvoy to get creative when moving the puck.

“They definitely don’t minimize [my creativity with the puck], they allow me to play my game,” McAvoy, currently in Toronto for the NHLPA Rookie Showcase, said of the Bruins. “And as long as I play a two-way, responsible game, and spend a lot of time in the offensive zone, I think everybody will be happy.”

Boston Bruins Want To Sign David Pastrnak Long-Term According To Team Ownership

The David Pastrnak news continues to swirl around. On Monday we had the ex-NHL gm throwing out a trade rumor, on Tuesday Don Sweeney shot it down. And now on Wednesday, Boston Bruins owner Charlie Jacobs declares the team wants a long-term contract extension.

“There certainly was no intention to trade David,” Jacobs said during an in-studio visit to Fenway Park as part of the 2017 WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio Telethon. “Our intent is to sign David to a long-term extension.”

As for the Brian Lawton rumor, Jacobs wants to know who his source is.

“I think by virtue of it being the middle of August, some of the writers may feel compelled and come up with something interesting to sell a paper perhaps,” Jacobs offered, “I wanted to ask Brian Lawton who his source was, but I’m not sure he’d give it up.”

Jacobs said there has been no discussions with other teams regarding a Pastrnak trade and continue to publicly state they want a long-term deal.

“We certainly haven’t had any discussions with any other teams about trading David,” Jacobs said. “The only discussions that we’ve had are between David and David’s agent, and frankly conveying just what I shared with you, that our intention is to sign him to a long-term deal.

As for term, the Boston Bruins are thinking 6+ years.

“When I say long term, six or more years, that’s on our radar.”

As for my opinion. I believe the team is still trying to knock out a long-term contract with the young forward. There isn’t alot of trades I would consider. If you move on from him for a forward, that wouldn’t make sense. If you could land a young top of the league defensemen, then I am listening.

A player like Drew Doughty who is in the prime of his career would be a trade I would entertain if I was the Bruins. But I am not sure that type of yield will be out there for Pastrnak. I think one of the biggest issues right now is Pastrnak is asking for an much higher value than the Bruins are comfortable with.

I continue to expect a deal to be signed, sealed, and delivered right at the start of training camp next month.

Boston Bruins Talk: Sweeney Confirms No Pastrnak Trade, Broadcast Shakeup

Despite the NHL season being over a month away, there has been a lot of Boston Bruins chatter going on this Tuesday.

On Monday an ex-NHL GM hinted on Twitter that the Bruins might trade restricted free agent forward David Pastrnak. In an email to the Boston Globe, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney strongly denied the rumor with no Pastrnak trade even being considered.

On Pastrnak’s side of things, his agent J.P. Barry believes the dialogue between the two sides has been excellent.

“We will continue to negotiate — we still have lots of time,” Barry said to the Globe. “David prefers to sign a longer term deal with the Bruins.. The negotiations between myself and Don have been very open and both sides understand each other’s positions. Hopefully we can agree on an overall structure that is amenable to both sides in the next month.”

It is worth noting that the Bruins have had a fair amount of dealing with Barry who represents former Boston Bruins players Loui Eriksson and Dougie Hamilton. As I stated yesterday, a potential deal with Pastrnak should be signed around training camp.

Shakeup On The Boston Bruins Broadcasts

On Monday afternoon, NESN announced the hiring of Alex Kraemer as the team’s new rinkside reporter. The previous rinkside reporter, Sarah Nicole Davis, left the network earlier this season after being in the role since 2014.

Kraemer has served as an in-stadium host for the New York City FC of MLS. But don’t worry Boston Bruins fans, she has NHL experience as well. Kraemer has worked as an in-arena host for the Philadelphia Flyers for the past two seasons.

I left Atlanta 2 years ago to pursue a dream. @philadelphiaflyers & @nycfc fans, you have been UNREAL …Thank You!! But now I’m taking the biggest step in my career yet & couldn’t be more excited to announce that I’m heading to #Boston to join @NESN as the rinkside reporter!! 📺🎤🏒#Bruins #comingtoarinknearyou

A post shared by Alex Kraemer (@alex_kraemer3) on Aug 14, 2017 at 5:51pm PDT

The NESN change-up isn’t the only major broadcast news though for the Boston Bruins. The other news is a shakeup on the radio side of things. Long-time play-by-play man, Dave Goucher of 98.5 The Sports Hub is moving on after 17 years having called Bruins games since 2000.

Goucher’s most memorable call for many is his 2011 Stanley Cup call where he said “Cue the duck boats” celebrating the clubs first championship since 1972.

New Boston Bruins Show

In different new, Trifecta Network announced the name for it’s new Boston Bruins show. It will be called The 7th Floor and will launch sometime next week.