Boston Bruins FanFest A Success In Providence With Countless Fans Showing Up To See The Black and Gold Show

The Boston Bruins FanFest hit Providence, Rhode Island on Thursday afternoon from 2-7 pm. Boston set up at the Alex and Ani ice rink at Kennedy Plaza in the heart of Downtown Providence.

Fans lined up in the hundreds ahead of the open at 2 pm with the Bruins ready to put on a show for the fans in attendance.

Making appearances at the Providence event included Johnston, RI native Noel Acciari, and second year Bruin Riley Nash.

Tommy Cross, Riley Nash and Noel Acciari doing a Q&A with the fans. #BruinsTour pic.twitter.com/cFlVBNl94l

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) August 31, 2017

It wasn’t just the players who showed up though.

Bruins head coach and former Providence Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy was in attendance as well as Team President Cam Neely and NESN play-by-play broadcaster Jack Edwards.

Head Coach Bruce Cassidy helping teach kids on the rink. #BruinsTour pic.twitter.com/sC9zxp1guj

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) August 31, 2017

Overall it is safe to say the turnout for the event was in the low thousands with many passing in and out throughout the entire 5-hour event.

Many fans were ecstatic during the FanFest and were more than happy to wait in lines to meet Bruins personnel and players.

With hockey season right around the corner, this FanFest can be classified as a success for both the Boston Bruins and the City of Providence.

Check out our gallery from our time at the event this afternoon!

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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.