First of all, Milan Lucic is going to be better than Cam Neely. Looch is tougher and is more feared than Cam ever was. --- Before you take offense, how often did Cam drop the mitts post-1990? How many true HWs did Cam go with? Cams gloves were pretty much glued on by the time he reached his prime. Even early in his career he was much more likely to go with the Girard Gallants than he was the Bob Proberts. Not to take anything away from Cam, but he seldom went looking for reataliation unless the player was at or below his weight class. (Terry Carkner instead of Dave Brown is another good example.)
Looch, on the other hand, will basically go with anyone. There's the notable exception of Laraque, but I have hopes that he will go with him this season assuming that Laraque plays.
I also see Looch reaching the 40 goal mark in the near future. He may not ever equal Cam in the scoring dept., but he's going to be the better power forward make no mistake. A better Looch comparison my actually be the great Rick Tocchet. Rick wasn't as prolific a scorer, but he didn't abandon the toughness the way Cam did.
Simply put, Milan Lucic alone is enough reason to follow the Bruins.
Another reason I'm excited of the new season--- Begin centering the fourth line. This guy is a HUGE upgrade over Yelle, HUGE. He's a "hit first" type of guy. Rather than sit back and play timid, this guy will go out and initiate contact, something we've been lacking for many years. Good addition!
I was a little suprised that the reaction to his signing was less than positive. (I read here daily, btw. The reason I don't post much is that there's soooo many who post tiresome drivel that I feel like I'm wasting my time.) This guy will go through a brick wall.
Another reason to be excited--- The departure of Phil Kessel. Let Toronto have that pimple-faced pile of crap. I guess he feels that games involving the Leafs are non-contact? I just hope he keeps a towel handy to wipe the puss from the popping zits from the inside of his mask.
Also surprising is the desire by many to have Sobotka in the line-up. What has that piece of feces ever done to make folks want him? Please explain because I've never seen him do anything to warrant a spot on our roster.
I look forward to an exciting season with our first cup since I was seven years old!
Also surprising is the desire by many to have Sobotka in the line-up. What has that piece of feces ever done to make folks want him? Please explain because I've never seen him do anything to warrant a spot on our roster.
I think this is the first post I've ever read that involves feces and pimple puss
I'm excited for this season too.... and I will admit, one of those is to see a more aggressive Bruins team with a guy like Begin starting and initiating stuff. Should be fun to see.
DC, penny for your thoughts on Blake "The Fake" Wheeler?
I'm aware of his "added muscle" (snicker), but until he uses this new-found bulk to his advantage or gets insomeones face, he remains a "fake".
Let's put it this way, he *needs* to go into the corners. He *needs* to be strong on the puck. He *needs* to stand in fron of the net. He also, from time to time (despite the many who insist otherwise) *needs* to drop his gloves.
When all of these things happen night in and night out I will no longer refer to him as "Blake The Fake". I just don't see it happening.
1. Obviously we go way back and I know enough to disregard the more troll like aspects of your post. Good to have you back!
2. Tocchet finished his career with more goals than Neely and scored 40+ goals several times. It's a real stretch to discount his goal scoring. As much as I love Lucic, and appreciate the Tocchet comparison that you and DKH often make, I don't think there's a chance in hell that Lucic scores at more than half the rate of a Tocchet or Neely. The O'Reilly comparison, with more polished skills, is probably the offensive bar to set for Lucic.
3. You're selling Neely short as a fighter. His fight card stands for itself. He may not have taken on the top heavyweight guys, but for a skilled player, he fought plenty of legit tough guys. http://www.hockeyfights.com/players/1007 You'll find very respected guys like Wendel Clark, Rich Tocchet, Joe Kocur, Basil McCrae, Nilan, McGill, Baumgartner, Corson, and more on his list. Lotta love out there for a lot of those guys. Whether he won or lost doesn't matter, he showed up. The fact that he cut down on the fighting has everything to do with injury, the team's orders to him, aging, etc. But I don't think you could/should question his will in this department. He also fought the up and coming Brashear and lost after getting the early jump - it was not like he sewed on his gloves at the end even when his fighting skills were rusty (as he talked about after that fight). In other words, TAKE IT BACK!
4. Begin, yes. I was a fan of his when he was in the minors in Calgary at the start of his career. Not sure exactly how much he has left in the tank but he'll be the prototypical team player and the fans here will really appreciate him in, oh, about 3 hours.
Hmmmm over 28,000 posts. Classic case of needing a life. Mods?
I live in the Montreal area - you may want to rethink this comment. Funny coming from a guy who probably lives in a city where evertyhing closes at 10 PM.
I live in the Montreal area - you may want to rethink this comment. Funny coming from a guy who probably lives in a city where evertyhing closes at 10 PM.
I'm aware of his "added muscle" (snicker), but until he uses this new-found bulk to his advantage or gets insomeones face, he remains a "fake".
Let's put it this way, he *needs* to go into the corners. He *needs* to be strong on the puck. He *needs* to stand in fron of the net. He also, from time to time (despite the many who insist otherwise) *needs* to drop his gloves.
When all of these things happen night in and night out I will no longer refer to him as "Blake The Fake". I just don't see it happening.
He needs to drop the gloves? No he doesn't. He needs to score goals.
Then again, I'd rather watch my team score goals and win instead of fighting for random reasons and losing.
DC, I'm surprised you don't like Sobotka. I'm not a big fan either, but despite his shortcomings he is physical and hits anything that moves - a type of player that I thought would endear himself to you.
The question I have is, who will be the "Steve Begin" of HF Boards this season? Will Scott or Dupes prove to be the better pot stirrer? And shame on those that can't enjoy the fun a little with these trainwreck threads. Why... so... serious???
Scott, as always- it is nice to have you back and posting.
You're the kind of guy I'd be honored to have in the next foxhole from mine because you stick to your guns, and I know you are a loyal/I've got your back kind of person.
You're one of the founding fathers of the HF Bruins Boards and you're the same guy who used to have me in stitches with his pre-moderation days battles with DGECH and others who tried to take you on. You're rough around the edges, but wouldn't have it any other way, I think. Carry on, my friend.
Scott, as always- it is nice to have you back and posting.
Now Kirk, as much as we all might love old Scott, I need some help with this whole Neely business. I know this debate still straggles on in the dark corners of the hockey internet (which I might * cough * frequent myself) but, c'mon now, Neely wasn't a good and legit fighter? By today's silly classification system, he would be one of the proverbial "top light heavyweight" type guys. Good fight card, especially for a highly skilled player. Didn't win 'em all, but neither did Probert or Simon or Behn Wilson or Wensink. I know Scott's just effectively pushing buttons here and I'm falling for it. But C'MON. That's CAM NEELY we're talking about The love and legend for this guy is the main reason anyone wants to cut him down to size by the way.
Scott, as always- it is nice to have you back and posting.
You're the kind of guy I'd be honored to have in the next foxhole from mine because you stick to your guns, and I know you are a loyal/I've got your back kind of person.
You're one of the founding fathers of the HF Bruins Boards and you're the same guy who used to have me in stitches with his pre-moderation days battles with DGECH and others who tried to take you on. You're rough around the edges, but wouldn't have it any other way, I think. Carry on, my friend.
Nice to hear from you as well. Yeah, I think DGECH (snicker) must have been ten years ago or so. I waited outside in the cold to "meet up" with him so I guess he got the last laugh.
Pre-moderation was a fun-filled time, but all good times must come to an end.
