I don't get the fan-love over someone with as little success in the NHL as Bourque has had. And to set high NHL performance expectations due to some success in the AHL especially for a relatively non-exceptional player is probably a bit over the top.
Take a look at his NHL stats: Chris Bourque's Stats on Hockey DB. Over an 8 year career he's appeared in 35 NHL games, 1 goal, 3 assists. And this is the guy who's being compared to Krejci and Peverley, and taking shootouts and quarterbacking PPs?
He's had plenty of shots with plenty of big clubs and he never sticks. There's a reason for that. I get that he's Ray's son, but really that's about it. He'll get his shot with the Bs because he is Ray Bourque's son, but players like him are a dime a dozen and this is very likely his last chance at sticking in the NHL. At the end of the day his stats and history in the league show he's an AHL journeyman who may get occasional trips to the NHL. It's probably best to temper expectations regarding his tenure with the Bruins.
This is apropos to the discussion: hope for the best, expect the worst.
Never count out someone who realizes this is his chance to fulfill a dream. This could be what's driving Bourque to actually bust his a** a little more than in previous seasons to make an impact in the NHL. I also think there is something in the kids DNA that has him fighting harder and working harder due to the logo on his sweater and the name on that very same sweater and in the rafters. You don't think Ray talked to him once the deal was made about what he needs to do?
2 games into this 48 game season and he has done nothing to ruin this teams winning chances. His shootout chance was suprising to me but he had moves so why complain? If he lifted the puck a little more on the backhand attempt it would have gone in and sealed the game. The PP time he's seen is fine. People are complaining becuase Seguin had less TOI for the PP. Do you Seguin, Krecji, Lucic and Horton can all be on the ice for the entire game in ALL situations? C'mon lets be realistic here. Claude sees that Chris has success in Prov. with their PP so why not give him a shot to re-energize this PP unit and sit Seguin, Lucic and Krecji so they can get a .30 second breather.
How many times does it need to be said to all you "nay-sayers" IT'S 2 GAMES INTO THE SEASON!
How many times does it need to be said to all you "nay-sayers" IT'S 2 GAMES INTO THE SEASON! [/QUOTE]
Really, this thread should have been closed after this reply. This is so useless. We have a top 5 NHL team with great management and coaching. If Chris Bourque is the biggest concern then we're doing ok.
I don't think the thread starter is comparing the type of player they are. It is an attempt at humor (I think) saying that this player will be the coaches binky even though there is no evidence to that from what I have seen.
I have not seen much of Spooner. I am a little anxious to see him now with the Savvy and Sammy comparisons. Do you mean only as a PP specialist or does his whole game remind you of Savvy?
PP (he gets on the half wall and he can move all over while somehow staying in the same area cute moves and jukes like Samsonov, buys time and still is in great position to pass and usually to the right guy like Savard)....actually he reminds me of Seguin game wise even strength- quick feet/take off and fast; Spooner does not have Seguin's shot but I'd say he sees the ice better and is a better passer. Seguin is faster but Spooner aint to shabby.
What Spooner needs is reps- more games, and more physical maturity. Seguin is stronger. Seguin 'thinks' scoring, Ryan 'thinks' passing. They (Cassidy and Sweeney) are trying to get him to shoot more. He has a really good shot which is huge bonus. Krejci likewise has a very good shot when he takes it, and Spooner falls under this as well.
to me Spooner needs maturity, game experience, and health- after probably 100 AHL games and an off season of following thru what the Bruins and Sweeney outline for him he should be playing in Boston next year on some basis, and after that should never look back
I see Seguin as a game-breaker and Boston deep at center with 4 guys 27 or under capable of top 6 time- Krejci and Bergeron now, Spooner and Koko in time. I'd keep Seguin right where he is as a home run threat on the wing- something Boston does not have and keeps defenses honest when he is out there.
As for the Bourque thread- glad you did it, sure beats lockout thought and has a lot of merit even if I somewhat disagree (but not entirely)- its a fun thread
you saying that Bourque is on the same scoring skill level as Kessel and Seguin in their rookie years? Not even close in my opinion.
edit. There is a reason Kessel was selected 5th overall and Seguin 2nd overall. While Bourque was 33rd overall. Thats due to basic Skill. Bourque may do good in the AHL but so far not in the NHL in terms of being a skilled goal scorer.
Er, I think you may be confusing me with another poster because I never made that claim. All I said is that Bourque has skills, which he does.
PP (he gets on the half wall and he can move all over while somehow staying in the same area cute moves and jukes like Samsonov, buys time and still is in great position to pass and usually to the right guy like Savard)....actually he reminds me of Seguin game wise even strength- quick feet/take off and fast; Spooner does not have Seguin's shot but I'd say he sees the ice better and is a better passer. Seguin is faster but Spooner aint to shabby.
What Spooner needs is reps- more games, and more physical maturity. Seguin is stronger. Seguin 'thinks' scoring, Ryan 'thinks' passing. They (Cassidy and Sweeney) are trying to get him to shoot more. He has a really good shot which is huge bonus. Krejci likewise has a very good shot when he takes it, and Spooner falls under this as well.
to me Spooner needs maturity, game experience, and health- after probably 100 AHL games and an off season of following thru what the Bruins and Sweeney outline for him he should be playing in Boston next year on some basis, and after that should never look back
I see Seguin as a game-breaker and Boston deep at center with 4 guys 27 or under capable of top 6 time- Krejci and Bergeron now, Spooner and Koko in time. I'd keep Seguin right where he is as a home run threat on the wing- something Boston does not have and keeps defenses honest when he is out there.
As for the Bourque thread- glad you did it, sure beats lockout thought and has a lot of merit even if I somewhat disagree (but not entirely)- its a fun thread
Having watched Spooner and Seth Griffith for 4 years in the OHL (plus a year of Junior B of Griffith) I would say when it comes to the power play (not 5 on 5) Griffith is more similar to Savard then Spooner with the added bonus that Griffith will shoot more than Savvy. It's the 5 on 5 that separates them.
Have you ever had a job, but didn't really fit in? So, you got another job doing the same work, but excelled because you just needed different people around you and a change of scenery?
How many of us just need a chance to succeed? Maybe Pittsburgh and Washington weren't the right fit. Or had the right coaches?
I'm not saying pencil him in for the HOF, but give the kid a break. He's got SOMETHING in him, or he wouldn't be in Boston. I truly think he can be a solid 3rd liner.
Ray was a tremendous Bruin who could have taken more money to go elsewhere (and win the Cup ALOT sooner). He was loyal. Cam is his friend. Nice to see the Bruins throw him a bone. And Ray would be the first to tell you that the rest is up to Chris to sink or sail on his own.
How many times does it need to be said to all you "nay-sayers" IT'S 2 GAMES INTO THE SEASON!
Really, this thread should have been closed after this reply. This is so useless. We have a top 5 NHL team with great management and coaching. If Chris Bourque is the biggest concern then we're doing ok.[/QUOTE]
I agree. Just need to get the PP on track tonight!
Er, I think you may be confusing me with another poster because I never made that claim. All I said is that Bourque has skills, which he does.
my bad if thats the case. you responded to one of my posts where I mentioned Kessel and Seguin being in a different level then Bourque with "skills are skills" so I took that to mean you thought they were on the same skill level.
my bad if thats the case. you responded to one of my posts where I mentioned Kessel and Seguin being in a different level then Bourque with "skills are skills" so I took that to mean you thought they were on the same skill level.
Same level? No. Good enough to score on an average goalie in the shootout? Sure.
Bourque wasn't chosen to participate in the shootout because he's Ray's kid, as someone suggested. Funny how some fans (not addressed to you, Scotto) seem to think a coach is throwing names into a hat or doing someone a favor or choosing his binky when he picks the shooters. They practice shootouts, they know who's got the best percentages, they know who's struggled (or done well) against particular goalies, they know who's got the hot hand, they know all that stuff. That's the job of a professional coaching staff. Not "hey, who wants to take this shot?"
Same level? No. Good enough to score on an average goalie in the shootout? Sure.
Bourque wasn't chosen to participate in the shootout because he's Ray's kid, as someone suggested. Funny how some fans (not addressed to you, Scotto) seem to think a coach is throwing names into a hat or doing someone a favor or choosing his binky when he picks the shooters. They practice shootouts, they know who's got the best percentages, they know who's struggled (or done well) against particular goalies, they know who's got the hot hand, they know all that stuff. That's the job of a professional coaching staff. Not "hey, who wants to take this shot?"
I hear you and agree. who knows maybe he has been tearing it up in shootout practice or something for sure. I see nothing for evidence that CJ is using him just because he is Ray's kid. If he was on the first line getting first line PP mins and all that then maybe but as a 3rd liner on the 2nd PP unit on a PP that has sucked for 3+ years I see nothing.
I mean really our PP sucked last year. We have exactly 2 new players on the team. Bourque and Hamilton and guess what both new guys are getting PP time.
I like what Julien is doing with him. He's giving him a legit shot. Trying to build his confidence. now we just have to see how he does after a handfull of games.
So far he has not hurt us at all.
As far as him in the shootout I am sure julien knows stuff we do not.
I like what Julien is doing with him. He's giving him a legit shot. Trying to build his confidence. now we just have to see how he does after a handfull of games.
So far he has not hurt us at all.
As far as him in the shootout I am sure julien knows stuff we do not.
CJ got a bad rap for a while with how he handles young guys but if you look back he does pretty well with them.
kessel, Seguin, Tuukka, Marchand hell even Mcquaid/Boychuk. He seems to help guys stay focused and keep it simple without putting a ton of pressure on them.
You think a handful more games on the Bruins is going to make a difference, huh? Again, hope for the best...but don't bet on it.
Should I start looking up players who didn't "blossum" until 5-10 years down the road. He's a thrid liner...I'm not expecting him to put up 40-50 goals. I'm expecting him to be like Paille. Fit in with his linemates and work hard on his shifts while not hurting our winning chances. So far he has done all of those things.
When we got Paille, Buffalo had sent him up and down multiple times and he was a high draft pick. Buffalo classified him as a bust, yet the B's pick him up, put him in a low pressure line and he now is perfect with Thornton and Soupy. Why can't that happen with Bourque?
Should I start looking up players who didn't "blossum" until 5-10 years down the road. He's a thrid liner...I'm not expecting him to put up 40-50 goals. I'm expecting him to be like Paille. Fit in with his linemates and work hard on his shifts while not hurting our winning chances. So far he has done all of those things.
When we got Paille, Buffalo had sent him up and down multiple times and he was a high draft pick. Buffalo classified him as a bust, yet the B's pick him up, put him in a low pressure line and he now is perfect with Thornton and Soupy. Why can't that happen with Bourque?
We had a dismal powerplay. We are trying SOMETHING different. The answer may not be Bourque, but it wasn't what we had going. (unless Marc Savard magically becomes healthy again).
Just from reading the post and comprehension... it sounds like he's accusing you of having something out against Bourque. Which, from this thread, it sounds like you do.
We can only hope that Savvy can come back. I am afraid that the poor guy is done, however.
I've never met Chirs Bourque. Hopefully he blossoms into a fine player. I still find it odd that Claude is going so far out of his way to try and have him become a success. But I by no means have anything out against Bourque or any of our players past or present so I truly do not understand the accusation and found it to be odd to suggest it?
We can only hope that Savvy can come back. I am afraid that the poor guy is done, however.
I've never met Chirs Bourque. Hopefully he blossoms into a fine player. I still find it odd that Claude is going so far out of his way to try and have him become a success. But I by no means have anything out against Bourque or any of our players past or present so I truly do not understand the accusation and found it to be odd to suggest it?
Savard is done. Period.
Julien is not going "so far out of his way." Bourque is playing on the third line with two longtime veterans. In two games he's averaging 10:29 ES TOI, ninth out of the forwards, just where a third-liner should be. He's on the second PP unit because he has extensive AHL experience in quarterbacking a PP, he was good at it, and the Bruins needed to shake up their special teams. None of this shows favoritism or special treatment.
Should I start looking up players who didn't "blossum" until 5-10 years down the road. He's a thrid liner...I'm not expecting him to put up 40-50 goals. I'm expecting him to be like Paille. Fit in with his linemates and work hard on his shifts while not hurting our winning chances. So far he has done all of those things.
When we got Paille, Buffalo had sent him up and down multiple times and he was a high draft pick. Buffalo classified him as a bust, yet the B's pick him up, put him in a low pressure line and he now is perfect with Thornton and Soupy. Why can't that happen with Bourque?
Quote:
Originally Posted by rfournier103
Well said.
You guys can lookup up all the stuff you want to. What do I care. I'm just saying he's floated around from team to team for 8 seasons and never stuck.
Their careers overlap pretty well but that's where comparables begin and end. Paille spent one full year in the minors (the missed NHL season), two years moving back and forth, and then the rest of 6.5 seasons playing as a regular NHL winger. You may want to compare Bourque to Daniel Paille, but you'd be doing a disservice to Paille. In actuality, there is no comparison.
So, in almost the same time frame:
Daniel Paille: 383 NHL games, 63 goals, 64 assists
Chri Bourque: 35 NHL games, 1 goal, 3 assists
There's your comparison. It's not that it can't happen with Bourque; it's that is hasn't.
What did the rosters look like in Wash and Pitts that Bourque was trying to crack? Who would have been displaced? What were their needs? Who was he lined up with? Did he get a legitimate chance to succeed or was he playing sparse minutes with end of the bench players? Was he put in a position to succeed?
Julien is not going "so far out of his way." Bourque is playing on the third line with two longtime veterans. In two games he's averaging 10:29 ES TOI, ninth out of the forwards, just where a third-liner should be. He's on the second PP unit because he has extensive AHL experience in quarterbacking a PP, he was good at it, and the Bruins needed to shake up their special teams. None of this shows favoritism or special treatment.
I don't have a problem with them giving him a shot. I just think it's not much of a reach to say he's getting a shot many wouldn't get, because of his last name.
The AHL has seen/has plenty of guys put up numbers they couldn't replicate in the NHL, it hardly makes CB unique.
I think if they really wanted to shake up the special teams, they might have made a bigger move. I think he may be able to contribute, I'm just not sure it's going to be anything significant.
