Julien benches top line

I would not call that gutsy... heck Shawn Thornton looked like he was playing better than the top liners against TB ... it happens.
I would call that "what you're supposed to do", Julien.

Claude's just pissed that Boudreau's getting all the press.

Claude needs to stop worrying about being the players friends and start coaching like a hardasss. This Bruins team has too much size and talent to be playing such a "soft" game. You can't even say the defense is all that good right now. Tim Thomas has been bailing them out all year with ridiculous save after ridiculous save and would get my vote for MVP right now.

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 11:15 AM ET  12.30 by Rex Racer

Claude needs to stop worrying about being the players friends and start coaching like a hardasss. This Bruins team has too much size and talent to be playing such a "soft" game. You can't even say the defense is all that good right now. Tim Thomas has been bailing them out all year with ridiculous save after ridiculous save and would get my vote for MVP right now.

good call - the B's could easily be one of the best teams in the East, but soft play on some nights has to make you wonder ...
If the B's want to hang with the Pens/Flyers/Habs in the coming weeks, Julien is going to have make more decisions like this one on some nights

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 11:37 AM ET  12.30 by BrownsBucksBlueJackets

good call - the B's could easily be one of the best teams in the East, but soft play on some nights has to make you wonder ...If the B's want to hang with the Pens/Flyers/Habs in the coming weeks, Julien is going to have make more decisions like this one on some nights

I'm not alone around here in thinking that Julien is on the hot seat in Boston. He has to find a way to motivate this team to forecheck harder and finish their checks. If an marked improvement has happened by late January, I could see the B's going in a different direction coaching wise. Claude's ultra-conservative style is starting to bore me and some of the things that have been strengths in the last few years like excellent D zone coverage and a good breakout are not there. About the only things Boston is doing very well right now are the penalty kill and goaltending.

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 11:48 AM ET  12.30 by Rex Racer

I'm not alone around here in thinking that Julien is on the hot seat in Boston. He has to find a way to motivate this team to forecheck harder and finish their checks. If an marked improvement has happened by late January, I could see the B's going in a different direction coaching wise. Claude's ultra-conservative style is starting to bore me and some of the things that have been strengths in the last few years like excellent D zone coverage and a good breakout are not there. About the only things Boston is doing very well right now are the penalty kill and goaltending.

*If an marked improvement has happened* should read "If a marked improvement hasn't happened".

I might as well start drinking if I'm going to type like I'm drunk. <hic>

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 10:40 AM ET  12.30 by Canuck eh?

Claude's just pissed that Boudreau's getting all the press.

Another avatar change...Thanks for keeping me up to date with the Laffs next opponent...You do more pre-game prep work than they do...Explains your higher success rate!

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 11:48 AM ET  12.30 by Rex Racer

I'm not alone around here in thinking that Julien is on the hot seat in Boston. He has to find a way to motivate this team to forecheck harder and finish their checks. If an marked improvement has happened by late January, I could see the B's going in a different direction coaching wise. Claude's ultra-conservative style is starting to bore me and some of the things that have been strengths in the last few years like excellent D zone coverage and a good breakout are not there. About the only things Boston is doing very well right now are the penalty kill and goaltending.

agree about the hot seat - they have too much talent, like you said

I have heard several rumblings of the B's players want Julien to 'just let them skate', and not get bogged down when he wants to trap and play conservative

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 11:57 AM ET  12.30 by BrownsBucksBlueJackets

agree about the hot seat - they have too much talent, like you said I have heard several rumblings of the B's players want Julien to 'just let them skate', and not get bogged down when he wants to trap and play conservative

Boston needs several things to be a serious cup contender. 1. a very solid puck moving defenseman. 2. a bad attitude. 3. a new coach who preaches a bit more uptempo, in your face style of play.

I have noticed Lucic has picked up his game this year since I crapped all over him back in October.

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 12:40 PM ET  12.30 by Rex Racer

Boston needs several things to be a serious cup contender. 1. a very solid puck moving defenseman. 2. a bad attitude. 3. a new coach who preaches a bit more uptempo, in your face style of play.

1. I actaully think the B's have a D that can work - Chara/Ference/Seidenberg are all serviceable, and don't make big, dumb, mistakes/turnovers... remember they had Wideman and Morris both last year- and now both are gone. But adding that up tempo puck mover would really help.

2. I have seen shades of the nastiness in plenty of games... it just needs to come out every game

3. there is the big question mark ... how much longer does Julien stay?

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 11:54 AM ET  12.30 by Golden Bay

Another avatar change...Thanks for keeping me up to date with the Laffs next opponent...You do more pre-game prep work than they do...Explains your higher success rate!

If by more pre-game prep you mean I actually wake up that day, then you are correct.

LET'S GO JACKETS!!!!

QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 03:14 PM ET  12.30 by Hank Kingsley

I have noticed Lucic has picked up his game this year since I crapped all over him back in October.

Lucic's game is very simple: use the body, shot the puck - I think people expect much more out of him than they should, and think of him as a Cam Neely, jr. or something ..

QUOTE(#13):

Originally posted 03:20 PM ET  12.30 by BrownsBucksBlueJackets

shot the puck -

shoot the puck, that is

QUOTE(#13):

Originally posted 03:20 PM ET  12.30 by BrownsBucksBlueJackets

Lucic's game is very simple: use the body, shot the puck - I think people expect much more out of him than they should, and think of him as a Cam Neely, jr. or something ..

He owes his improvement to the dressing down I gave him. No matter what others think he might be.

QUOTE(#15):

Originally posted 03:25 PM ET  12.30 by Hank Kingsley

He owes his improvement to the dressing down I gave him. No matter what others think he might be.

well, the criticism clearly worked

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 03:16 PM ET  12.30 by BrownsBucksBlueJackets

1. I actaully think the B's have a D that can work - Chara/Ference/Seidenberg are all serviceable, and don't make big, dumb, mistakes/turnovers... remember they had Wideman and Morris both last year- and now both are gone. But adding that up tempo puck mover would really help.2. I have seen shades of the nastiness in plenty of games... it just needs to come out every game3. there is the big question mark ... how much longer does Julien stay?

Two nights ago during the game the commentators on Versus mentioned that Boston only has 7 or 8 goals by D men this year. That is weak and really needs to improve.

As for how much longer Julien stays, it depends on whether he can convince his players that being physical is the key to their success. If he can do that, they will win far more than they lose and he stays. If not it's soyonara Claude.

"Nathan Horton has faded."

Joe Thornton is so proud of him! And, it's not even the playoffs!

Thornton is the only player on this team with cujones.

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 10:40 AM ET  12.30 by Canuck eh?

Claude's just pissed that Boudreau's getting all the press.

LMAO!!!! I finally saw the room rant, and those guys looked like they could care less! Very surprised!