Johnny Bullet

By now anyone who follows the NHL knows Chicago Blackhawk star forward Patrick Kane has been the focus of a rape investigation this summer. It's not something we've written about here at Boston Pucks, nor do I plan on having anything to say about the very serious nature of the allegations he's facing. But it's something that certainly most hockey die-hards have been keeping an eye on leading up to the start of the 2015-2016 season. Until recently nothing on-ice related to his situation had developed in regards to Patrick Kane's standing with the team. Sure, people have wondered if he'd start the season on the ice or under suspension but essentially the team and Kane have been silent on where they are at. But the chatter is now starting to leak. According to the Chicago Sun-Times there have been at least 5 teams who have contacted the Blackhawks saying they'd be willing to make a trade for the superstar forward. And what's worse; the articles source states Kane has "disrespected the team and his teammates", and that "the Hawks have run out of patience". This season Patrick Kane's new eight-year, $84 million contract kicks in. His cap hit is huge, $10.5 million per season. Neither of those figures will be a problem for a team with cap room looking to make a massive splash by trading for him but the real risk comes in the form of Patrick Kane's character. If he survives the rape investigation would another team even want him? Yes. Just like Michael Vick, Adrian Peterson, and Ben Roethlisberger of the NFL, players can serve time (or not) and come back and play. Team owners know the financial value of a 3-time Stanley Cup champion like Kane and it only takes one of the 30 owners to be willing to take a chance on Kane. That would most certainly happen. Unfortunately for Kane no matter how much on-ice success he's had helping lead Chicago to glory there is always a limit. Put bluntly; in the harsh business world that is professional sports the Chicago Blackhawks can look at Kane's on-ice performance and easily conclude they got what they wanted out of him and his personal issues aren't worth it anymore. He's far more expendable and easier to get over after winning them three Stanley Cups should they want to sever their ties. No trade would happen while the investigation is ongoing. The case could get settled, he could win or lose, or worst case do prison time. No team will take him until there is a legal conclusion. But there's no doubt he's going to be fighting hard off the ice for his on-ice livelihood and freedom. There's a good chance it won't end with him putting a #88 sweater back on in Chicago. http://BostonPucks.com is written by two life-long Bruin fans who enjoy the NHL, beer, rock music, and writing about the sport they love. Check us out for more articles and takes on everything from around the NHL.

After the Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup in the summer of 2011 Chris Kelly went out and had himself a follow-up season potting 20 goals and shining as a third line player. It was a perfect scenario for him and the team. A nice versatile depth player that could put the puck in the net as well. His 20-goal season earned him a four-year, $12 million contract from then general manager Peter Chiarelli to remain a Bruin. Fast forward three seasons and 171 regular-season games since signing that big contract and Kelly has scored 19 goals... total. Chris Kelly is routinely the guy the fans scream needs to be traded or bought out. And they often aren't wrong. He personifies what Chiarelli got fired for; overpaying players for past performance rather than a true evaluation of how the player fits going forward, and more importantly how their cap hit will affect team financial flexibility going forward. The catch with Kelly's contract is it included a no-trade clause. But at this point entering the final year of his contract it is not ironclad. Kelly can provide the Bruins a list of 8 teams he'd be willing to go to if they were looking to deal him this season. If he had not been injured coming off the 2013-2014 season there is no doubt in my mind he would have been bought out of his deal that summer but due to collective bargaining rules regarding injured players he wasn't eligible for a buyout at the time. I won't lie, I've been a Chris Kelly cheerleader for quite some time. I do feel he was overpaid, amplified by the four-year term, for what he provides on-ice. But I like him with the "A" on the jersey. I like that he's a total team guy with a voice in the locker room. I like his effort on the penalty kill and the way he seems to accept whatever role is given to him and goes out and gives his all. But the fact that his, Daniel Paille's, and Greg Campbell's contracts all ate up the money last year that would have gone to a much bigger need and asset in Johnny Boychuck stings. Other players can do his job on the ice at half the cost. And the cost of his contract goes beyond not only what he's getting paid, but to those who couldn't get paid because of it. If Kelly remains a Bruin for the entire upcoming season I think he'll do fine as a 4th line, penalty killing, player. He can absolutely contribute positively in that role. But if they can move him to free up cap space for a bigger trade-deadline deal of some sort in return for any late round draft pick they should do it. He is in the final year of his deal, making more than any 4th liner should, and he surely won't be back next season when by then he'll be 35. General manager Don Sweeney has made it pretty clear that he's willing to move old and bad contracts to usher in the new. It'll be interesting to see if the value he brings to the locker room and the respect he truly deserves is enough to keep him in Boston. http://BostonPucks.com is written by two life-long Bruin fans who enjoy the NHL, beer, rock music, and writing about the sport they love. Check us out for more articles and takes on everything from around the NHL.

We all know that professional athletes can have a target on their back. There's heckling from the stands, strangers come up to you in the streets, you're more recognizable. Professional hockey players who handle the spotlight well often keep themselves out of trouble or from looking stupid. Former Boston Bruin and 2-time Stanley Cup Champion Shawn Thornton recently spoke at his Putts & Punches charity event in Boston and was asked if he had any advice for new Bruin, Jimmy Hayes. He touched on that very topic of being a recognizable public figure in a hockey crazed town like Boston: “Stay out of the bar. You can’t hide here. Don’t be dancing on tables with your shirt off and bottles of vodka in your hand, like somebody else,” Thornton said. It was straight shooting advice for Jimmy Hayes from a humble hardworking NHL veteran who has reached the ultimate goal and captured the respect of every Bruins fan still to this day. Jimmy Hayes is walking into fantasy land to some extent. He won an NCAA National Championship at Boston College. He's from Dorchester, MA. And he's got plenty of cheddar in his pocket after inking a new deal with his native Boston Bruins. It is absolutely a dream situation for a local kid. But he's got to seize the on-ice opportunity and avoiding being Norm Peterson from Cheers off ice. When you're winning a Stanley Cup and pictures of the celebration hit the internet it's not going to do damage to a great extent because the fans are elated. But when you "come home" like Jimmy has fan expectations are high, old faces want to hang out, you're a significant public figure. With the Florida Panthers, Hayes old team, no one recognizes you without your jersey on. So it's best to avoid the bad photo op in the bar back home if Lord Stanley isn't in the picture with you. So listen to Thornton. Stay out of the bars, Jimmy. Unless you want to take me then I'm getting the first round. http://BostonPucks.com is written by two life-long Bruin fans who enjoy the NHL, beer, rock music, and writing about the sport they love. Check us out for more articles and takes on everything from around the NHL.

Back in March Bruins defenseman Torey Krug signed a one year deal for $3.4 million. When that contract expires at the end of the upcoming 2015-2016 season he will again be a Restricted Free Agent, so one would think the Bruins have the leverage. But Krug is going to get paid. With the threat of an offer-sheet from another team a possibility, how much he gets paid and by who is the real question. The Bruins really need to think long and hard about paying him. Torey Krug is a good player and he is an important part of the Bruins. He is able to jump up in the play to create an odd man rush and he is great on the power play. But is he ultimately worth $5 million a year? The problem is there are not a lot of comparable players to figure how much he might get paid. The closest comparison to Krug is probably Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie. Barrie has been in the NHL full time for two years. So has Krug. Barrie is 5'10" and 190lbs. Krug is 5'9" and 180lbs. They are both 24 years old. In 2013-2014 Barrie had 13 goals, 25 assists for 38 points in 64 games. In the same year Krug had 14 goals, 26 assists for 40 points in 79 games. After the 2013-2014 season Barrie signed a 2 year, $5.2 million (2.6 per season) contract. Krug signed for 1 year and $1.4 million. Then in the 2014-2015 season Barrie put up 12 goals, 41 assists in 80 games. Krug put up 12 goals, 27 assists for 39 points in 78 games. For the upcoming season Krug is playing for $3.4 million and Barrie is playing for $2.6. They will both be Restricted Free Agents after the season. This will be interesting to watch to see what each player signs for. I would have to assume who ever signs first will make the negotiation for the other player and team easy. I hope the Bruins show patience and wait until the end of the season to sign Krug if that is what they are going to do. The Bruins have a bunch of young defensemen in the system waiting for their chance and if one or two of them develop into a more complete player would the Bruins be willing to let Krug go? I think Krug would have good trade value if that is the route the Bruins went. Most Bruins fans assume they are going to either sign or trade for a top 4 defenseman sooner than later. If and when that happens the Bruins could have 10 NHL able defensemen, so something will have to give at some point. In the salary cap world it would put the Bruins in a tough position in the 2016-2017 season and beyond if Krug is making $4 - $5 million and Adam McQuaid is making $2.75. Potentially the third pairing on defense could combine to make $6.75 million to $7.75 million. That seems like a lot of money tied up to guys that could be replaced by a younger player making under a million dollars a year. Maybe Torey Krug develops into that coveted top 4 defenseman. Last year he averaged 19:36 minutes of ice time per game so he is trending that way. Do not get me wrong, he can be a dynamic player. But I am just not sure he is eventually a top 4 defenseman. I like Krug and it seems he likes being a Bruin but it still could be a risky move to sign him to a big money contract if he is going to just be a power play specialist. From: http://www.BostonPucks.com

SOURCE: http://www.BostonPucks.com The life of an NHL player is something every kid growing up playing hockey dreams about experiencing. Whether it's a just a couple games or a Hall of Fame career the thought of suiting up for an NHL franchise is pretty intoxicating. Which got me thinking, if you could pick one city to have a career in as an NHL player what would be the best and worst city? It's not necessarily your favorite team or least favorite team, it's just the city itself, its culture, and lifestyle, etc. My choices were pretty easy to make. My choice of the best city to be an NHLer is Tampa Bay. The weather is fantastic during hockey season, sold out games are the norm for a fan base that is far more into hockey than they get credit for, and the Tampa area is really nice. You can be an NHL player on a team with a winning culture (2004 Stanley Cup Champions and 2015 Finals appearance) in a great climate and still go to the grocery store most likely unnoticed or approached. Maybe it's my experience of having gone to college at the University of Arizona where driving up to games in Phoenix was the best. Sitting outside the arena in flip-flops and shorts with cocktails and all the "scenery" yet still having the excitement of NHL hockey indoors. Tampa is the best of both worlds; success with comfort. My runner-up would be Anaheim for the same reasons. The worst city for me is Toronto. Now, it is a beautiful city that I loved visiting. It's one of the best big North American cities I've been to. But as an NHL player the media scrutiny is brutal even for the most minor of issues, long cold winters exist, and the fans are often Banana Land crazy to a fault at times. I know they are desperate for a Stanley Cup in Toronto, you'd have to go all the way back to 1967 to find their last one, so winning one there would make you a God but it's just been a dysfunctional organization for quite some time. This summer they brought in Mike Babcock and Lou Lamiorello to help and they will change that. But if I had to pick today Toronto is not a place I'd want to deal with as an NHLer. My runner-up for worst city to play in would be Newark, New Jersey for the Devils. What are your picks? We'd love to hear you in the comment section!

The Ottawa Senators and their leading goal scorer Mike Hoffman received a ruling today in their salary arbitration case. Hoffman was seeking a salary of $3.4 million while Ottawa rejected that idea by submitting an offer of $1.75 million. Ultimately, the arbitrator ruled toward the Senators side of the case and awarded Hoffman a $2 million salary for the upcoming season. Hoffman probably isn't too psyched right now. Now $2 million isn't something to make light of but Hoffman deserved more. The 25-year-old scored 27 goals last season in 79 games, tops on the team, and had 3 points in 5 playoff games as well. When Alex Galchenyuk recently agreed on a bridge deal at $2.8 million per season with the Montreal Canadiens I felt that Hoffman would fall somewhere in that $2.6-$2.8 million range. Hoffman's short NHL resume, and being a 5th round pick back in 2009, has to be what tipped the ruling in Ottawa's favor even though his numbers were comparable to players who earn significantly more. A follow up season with 20+ goals again should prove that he isn't a one hit wonder and earn him a bigger contract next summer. But there's no doubt his recent on-ice performance should have earned him a better ruling than the one he received. Source: http://www.bostonpucks.com

In this instant gratification world we live in today the firing of Peter Chiarelli and the ushering in of Don Sweeney satisfied a lot of Bruins appetites. The old face was quickly gone, the new one was familiar, warm, and easily accepted. Then The Don started going to work and the results were not instantly well received by "shoot the puck!" and "hit him!" screaming barstool GM's throughout New England. Lucic, Dougie, Reilly and what feels like their bazillion dollars are all gone to other teams. And after what felt like a team without any fight last year, in comes a welcomed change of energy on the rise in Matt Beleskey, Jimmy Hayes, and a barrel full of draft picks. In that barrel the Bruins held five, yes five, 1st round picks with three being used this summer and two in the back pocket next year. And by all accounts this years development camp was the deepest and most impressive the Bruins have had in some years with Sweeney and director of amateur scouting Keith Gretzky's newest picks on hand. Just that scenario alone is such a nice feeling as a Bruins fan. It never seemed like the system could sustain itself. And it was rapidly proving it couldn't. Aside from David Pastrnak and Ryan Spooner recently, you couldn't head out to the farm in Providence and find much in the way of studs to develop or push those on the NHL roster. Before you could. David Krejci, Brad Marchand, Tuukka Rask, Torey Krug, Adam McQuaid, Johnny Boychuk, Kevan Miller (how many more should I list?) all developed in Providence. You didn't really get the feeling that successful model was even part of the Bruins plan. Instead, you felt Chiarelli would draft poor, trade for mediocrity, and continue to hand out Powerball winners to those who shouldn't be so handsomely rewarded. At this point in the summer with the farm already starting to be replenished correctly I feel what may be the wisest move so far by Don Sweeney is the move he hasn't made yet. The move to get the top-4 defenseman they need to add. I've been screaming like a newborn baby to not sign Cody Franson, the man known as "the last best free agent" on the market. The man who was traded for a 1st round pick this past spring by Nashville only to be able to walk out the door shortly after without a fight. I don't think Cody Franson is bad and I don't think he'd hurt the Bruins. I think he'd actually help the Bruins. But he isn't worth the price tag Chiarelli would have gave him within an hour of free agency opening on July 1st. Andrej Sekera satisfied that lust in Edmonton. Don Sweeney is taking the best salary-cap-era NHL approach he can and people should applaud him for it. He created cap space needed so they can go get, and pay, a player who should actually get paid. Not pay some one because their name was listed in the game day program during the 2011 Stanley Cup season. He's feeding the farm the proper way, knowing long-term success will depend on the affordable boys coming in from Providence. And he's not jumping the gun on filling a defensive spot. Sweeney's patience with the defensive situation is what will ultimately make his appointment to GM with the task of fixing Chiarelli's mess pay off. If he's going to dip into free agency to fill the void of Dougie not wanting to be a Bruin, and Cody Franson won't accept what he really is financially, then he shouldn't look further than Marek Zidlicky. Affordable, short-term, and as reliable of a band-aid as you can find. But I think he'll go to the market this summer, maybe even using Boston's 1st or 2nd rounder next year (and/or Chiarelli's former draft pick Malcolm Subban), in a trade and get the stud defenseman he really wants. The Bruins may not be a Cup team right now but Don Sweeney has already successfully, to a point, made them much more flexible and ready to pounce on the right move. He's stopped the bleeding out of talent and dollars by making hard decisions based off of his vision of how you sustain success. And creating that environment so quickly has put him in a position to be selective with the defense, and as thorough and smart with them as he should be. Source: http://bostonpucks.com/2015/08/01/sweeneys-patience-with-defensive-situation-will-pay-off/ For more articles visit: http://www.BostonPucks.com

There hasn't been much in the way of news in the NHL over the past few days but one thing that did stand out was Brad Marchand strutting his stuff on an outdoor bar in Montreal last week. The moves were caught on camera and as you can see below they were electrifying. Fortunately for Bruins fans when Marchand reaches the end of the bar a bouncer is there to assist him in getting down safely. After studying the film of him on the bar closely it's hard to believe the Montreal Canadiens didn't draft him back in 2006 when he was still available. The Habs 22-year-and-counting Stanley Cup drought might have ended by now had they pulled the trigger on the Halifax native. For more of our blogs, fun and serious visit: http://www.BostonPucks.com