Honestly? I didn't expect Marchand to play near as well this season as he did in the playoffs. He's surprised me. I don't know if he'll ever score 30 goals, but I'm perfectly happy with what he's been doing so far. If he can keep the pace he's got now, I could say that, regardless of whether he's reached his ceiling or not, he's a solid player to keep around.
Right now I'd say Bergeron and Marchand make Seguin a better player. Down the road I think the opposite happens. If that does I think Marchand has an 80 point season in him just because of the progression of Seguin.
I think that is a really valid point...just look at some of the guys on Pitt this year, Dupuis, Kunitz, Neal, having career years because the guys around them are playing at such a high level...Kevin Stevens back in the day, would be another example (unfortunately).
But yeah, if Seguin continues his ascent into the NHL stratosphere, that could certainly rub off on a guy like Marchand (who is already extremely skilled) and push the point totals up to level we may not have previously thought possible.
And I think Neely mentioned the other day on the radio, that if they had a player that was a threat to score every shift, that player might receive a disproportionate amount of ice time, as opposed to now, where ice is pretty evenly distributed. So better players around him, more ice...numbers go up.
I remember not that long ago arguing with people who said he was a bust after not recording a goal (and only 1 point) in his first 20 games with Boston. The kid has played in 106 career playoff games (since Jr) and has 113 points. Do I need to say more?
Even if he was a 20-20 guy regular season, he's more than worth his roster spot for what he brings in the playoffs.
30-35 tops, but this is not an accurate measurement of all that he brings.
Well I was a skeptic, but I didn't call him a bust. Just like I did with Seguin, I didn't count on Marchand for anything until he was already productive.
I have to admit I was also a bit down on Marchand because of his size. I wasn't sure he could fight it out in the offensive zone enough to get scoring chances. Utterly underestimated his speed and shot.
Sometimes guys with his size are perfect for hockey, short but built like a tank. That low center of gravity it perfect for winning puck battles and shaking pressure on the rush
Well I was a skeptic, but I didn't call him a bust. Just like I did with Seguin, I didn't count on Marchand for anything until he was already productive.
I have to admit I was also a bit down on Marchand because of his size. I wasn't sure he could fight it out in the offensive zone enough to get scoring chances. Utterly underestimated his speed and shot.
He produced in Juniors, then I watched him and Sobotka skate circles around opponents and higher picks like Hamill.
Size is always a valuable commodity, but in today's NHL, skating ability/speed is an even bigger factor and Marchand has it in spades.
I see equally Johnny McKenzie and Ken Linseman in him and that is pretty damn good. What we saw of Marchand is probably what I expect year in and year out. Setting the Vegas odds next year I put him down for 25 goals. He could certainly net more but in this system and his style and with the talent base Boston has 25 is a nice number.
One thing that does concern me is teams seemed to be targeting his head on contact along the boards and thats not good. His noggin seems to be lined up pretty well with many a players elbows and shoulders. However, the game is changing and Marchand seems to be maturing on the ice as he reserves the clown act for only special occassions which is a good thing.
He's a unique player, a fun guy, a big time performer, a personality, and gives the Bruins a pair of left wingers along with Lucic that probably no one in hockey today and maybe ever can replicate for their style and performance. I can go back over 40 years and don't remember two guys on the same team same position even same draft year that bring such hatred or dislike, and respect for their talents as this pair among the opposition fan base.
I remember not that long ago arguing with people who said he was a bust after not recording a goal (and only 1 point) in his first 20 games with Boston. The kid has played in 106 career playoff games (since Jr) and has 113 points. Do I need to say more?
Even if he was a 20-20 guy regular season, he's more than worth his roster spot for what he brings in the playoffs.
30-35 tops, but this is not an accurate measurement of all that he brings.
I`m not sure if I was one calling Marchand a "bust" but I will admit freely I was one fan who was loud about my thoughts that I felt Marchand wouldn`t have the chops for NHL hockey.
Well........2 years later and a belly full of Crow, here we are
I think I was still carrying a ton of disgust about the way that he acted here (Halifax) when he was a Moosehead, acted like a Prima Donna and really upset a ton of fans.
I think Bill had him pegged at about 35-35-70pts, I think that would be a max, and I`d be perfectly content with that, heck, I`m content with what he`s posting now for Pts.
I remember not that long ago arguing with people who said he was a bust after not recording a goal (and only 1 point) in his first 20 games with Boston. The kid has played in 106 career playoff games (since Jr) and has 113 points. Do I need to say more?
Even if he was a 20-20 guy regular season, he's more than worth his roster spot for what he brings in the playoffs.
30-35 tops, but this is not an accurate measurement of all that he brings.
Come on GD, it was 20 games. That was clearly more than enough for multiple experts here at HF to make their snap judgement that the kid was a bust...
I`m not sure if I was one calling Marchand a "bust" but I will admit freely I was one fan who was loud about my thoughts that I felt Marchand wouldn`t have the chops for NHL hockey.
Well........2 years later and a belly full of Crow, here we are
I think I was still carrying a ton of disgust about the way that he acted here (Halifax) when he was a Moosehead, acted like a Prima Donna and really upset a ton of fans.
I think Bill had him pegged at about 35-35-70pts, I think that would be a max, and I`d be perfectly content with that, heck, I`m content with what he`s posting now for Pts.
The thing is that Halifax paid a ransom to get him from Vald'Or.....
Vald'Or is where he performed the best with Letang on defense....they were lethal together.
I don't think that Marchand was handled properly at all in Halifax.
A Coach like Julien handles him way better.
That being said, I believe that what we saw in the last season in a half from Marchand is what we get for the future and that will be amazing if we hold into account the little hype surrounding him in the earlier part of his pro life.
The Bruins got out of him more than expected as they did with Bergeron/Lucic/Krejci/....
That got to be a little bit due to Julien....although not In Bergy's case.
And now we see it again with Seguin.....
I see equally Johnny McKenzie and Ken Linseman in him and that is pretty damn good. What we saw of Marchand is probably what I expect year in and year out. Setting the Vegas odds next year I put him down for 25 goals. He could certainly net more but in this system and his style and with the talent base Boston has 25 is a nice number.
One thing that does concern me is teams seemed to be targeting his head on contact along the boards and thats not good. His noggin seems to be lined up pretty well with many a players elbows and shoulders. However, the game is changing and Marchand seems to be maturing on the ice as he reserves the clown act for only special occassions which is a good thing.
He's a unique player, a fun guy, a big time performer, a personality, and gives the Bruins a pair of left wingers along with Lucic that probably no one in hockey today and maybe ever can replicate for their style and performance. I can go back over 40 years and don't remember two guys on the same team same position even same draft year that bring such hatred or dislike, and respect for their talents as this pair among the opposition fan base.
Cashman and Bucyk were a strong pair of LWs in the 70s. (Cash always played the off wing IIRC.) Although it was pretty hard to hate the Chief!
The thing is that Halifax paid a ransom to get him from Vald'Or.....
Vald'Or is where he performed the best with Letang on defense....they were lethal together.
I don't think that Marchand was handled properly at all in Halifax.
A Coach like Julien handles him way better.
That being said, I believe that what we saw in the last season in a half from Marchand is what we get for the future and that will be amazing if we hold into account the little hype surrounding him in the earlier part of his pro life.
The Bruins got out of him more than expected as they did with Bergeron/Lucic/Krejci/....
That got to be a little bit due to Julien....although not In Bergy's case.
And now we see it again with Seguin.....
He was giftwrapped a ton of ice time, in all in game situations, played alongside Voracek, and when he refused to play the system set up here (which was very good long before he arrived), he balked at it, thought that he didn`t need to play that way.
He continually played selfish hockey, don`t let the stats fool ya here, the guy would attempt to skate around the entire other team long before looking to pass, take absolutely silly penalties.
Now, that said, he isn`t/wasn`t and won`t be the last kid to act entitled, but this is his hometown, he was coming into an incredibly good situation, he wasn`t looked to as the saviour, the Moose already had a very good team, he was suppose to put them over the hump, and all he did was whine, moan, complain, lack hustle, and played defiant hockey, and in the elimination game, he was told not to dress.
Season ticket holders here (and I`m one) felt enraged and disgusted with him, not one finger was pointing at the coach mishandling him, he had every opportunity to write a great script here, and he didn`t do it.
And here we are, a few years later, and I`m still a bit peeved at the whole situation, but I`m still glad he`s a Bruin
Marchand was handled more than appropriately here in Halifax, Marchand himself messed this one up
Oh yeah!
