It is very hard to pinpoint one player standing out. This has been a collective resurgence.
Coaching: We finally have a system and coach A +
Defence: Defensively our defence corps have been very solid. Starting with Chara (playing less) Wideman (most improved defenceman by far), Stuart (been rock solid), Ward (solid), Ference (missed sometime but solid), Alberts - Allen - Hunwick (average overall) A
Forwards: Considering we are missing Bergeron for a long period of time we are ok but should be better. More effort needed by Sturm, Bochenski, Kessel, Murray and Schaefer. Players such as Savard, Kobasew, Axelsson (defensive specialist), Sobotka(since been called up has played a strong aggressive style),Lucic ( 19 going on 30) and of course Metropolit (the pick up of the year-solid defensively and scores occasionally). We need more efforts from everyone C
Goaltending: Thomas was great at the beginning of the year. Since he got injured Auld (another great pick up ) has played extremely well. A
So my MVP has to be Claude Julien. He was able to implement one system and the players believe in it. The three most important acquistions so far this year were in order; Julien, Metropolit and Auld. Who is next ?
I agree. I just still can't believe what a huge difference the coaching has made. I thought that once players made it to the NHL, players would be experienced enough as to limit the effect a coach has on their play to a certain extent. Boy was I wrong.
Coach of the year, where do I vote?
Coaching is very important. The bruins big problem in the last few years have been coaching and impatience of our general managers. Time to sign Julien for a long term contract and Chiarelli has rebounded nicely with his mishap of Lewis. I guess we all make mistakes. Please do not make another. Sign him long term
It would have been Thomas before he got hurt, but after seeing Auld play the way he has in Thomas' absence, it's tough for me to give too much credit to the goalie, as it's obvious that the system is helping immensely.
So, the true MVP is Julien & his system ... but since we probably have to choose an actual player, it'd be Savard.
As obtuse as this might seem, I honestly think Chiarelli in that spot.
It seems to me that he/they/them have given the bruins a set of stones again.
Savard is doing what he does best,
Thomas was playing great,
Chara is also big on the physical front
But as a fan, nothing has made me turn my head on these guys like the pure blood and guts we see from Sobotka's, Nokaleinens, Lucics' Reichs' Kobasews Stuarts etc etc.
Last year that list would have had maybe 1 or 2 guys names on it, and one was Paul Mara (sad isnt it?)
As much as I hate what he has done with Fernandez fau paux, the guy should be given kudos for giving this team an Identity - getting rid of Lewis (which must have been tough for him) - and aquiring / managing the roster to make sure we have said stones.
IF he cannot qualify, then I vote Claude / Chara as a toss up.
TT goes out, they trade for Auld, they don't skip a beat. To me, that means that TT is replaceable therefore not the MVP. I am going with Chara, put up 19 puts (3rd on the team) while being the staple on defense and leading that blueline crew to very respectible numbers, and oh year, he is a +7 right now which is miles from where he was last year.
All in all, Julien is the true MVP and should probably get good consideration for coach of the year if the team keeps it up.
Replaceable after 5 games? I'm glad Auld has played excellent and I hope he continues, but history is not on his side.
I said Thomas was replaceable, not that Auld was his replacement. Thomas has stepped up to be a #1 goalie going 10-7-2 with a 2.14 GAA and a 936%. I would expect that from a true #1. He isn't having a true goalie MVP year right now like, oh, say Evgeni Nabokov with his 18-10-4 with a 1.99 and 4 shut outs. Don't get me wrong, I really like TT and think he is a good #1, but when you go down and the team doesn't miss a beat, you are not the MVP. Still Julien is the reason this team is playing at the level it is.
It's hard to single out one player and say "That guy, he's the MVP" because everyone on this team plays their roles so well (except Alberts).
But, for the sake of the topic, you have to look at none other than Zdeno Chara. It's not common to see a defenseman not named Lidstrom, Zubov, or Gonchar 4th on their team in scoring, but that's where we find Chara (on pace for career highs). But Chara isn't here for his offense. You look at a guy who is playing over 26 minutes a night, is a +7 despite playing against every team's top offensive players. And factor in a few terrible Montreal performances; when Chara is off his game, Boston loses.
And even more important than all that, is the C he wears on his chest. A new coach is brought in, bringing a new system and a new philosophy. To be physical, gritty, tough to play against. The first man the coaches looked to buy into this style was Chara. He took what the coaches told him to do, and he ran with it. And the team followed his lead. You can have a locker room full of character guys, but the captain still needs to be the first one to take charge.
I said Thomas was replaceable, not that Auld was his replacement. Thomas has stepped up to be a #1 goalie going 10-7-2 with a 2.14 GAA and a 936%. I would expect that from a true #1. He isn't having a true goalie MVP year right now like, oh, say Evgeni Nabokov with his 18-10-4 with a 1.99 and 4 shut outs. Don't get me wrong, I really like TT and think he is a good #1, but when you go down and the team doesn't miss a beat, you are not the MVP. Still Julien is the reason this team is playing at the level it is.
He's leading the league in save %. What more does he have to do?
thomas, savard, julien...all three are integral to the success of this team. chara is a close 4th.
CIAO! shalom.
Awesome. Can we make a 5th the youth in General? I guess it's a result of Julien as well, but the kids have really stepped up big Petteri, Lucic & Sobotka.
Without any of the guys listed above our record isn't even close to what it is now. If I had to choose one above the others, I would go with Julien first, and lump the rest together equally.
