Category: Hockey

Boston Numbers that Should Be Retired

Bruins:

To start, the Bruins have some numbers from recent players that need to be retired eventually. These don’t all need to happen ASAP, but all these guys should have their number in the rafters:

33 – Zdeno Chara

37- Patrice Bergeron

46 – David Krejci

40 – Tuukka Rask

30 – Tim Thomas and Gerry Cheevers

63 – Brad Marchand (once he is retired from the league)

To soon to tell, but they are on their way:

88 – David Pastrnak

73 – Charlie McAvoy

Patriots

I have to make a caveat here. With the sheer amount of numbers needed for the NFL, I think the Patriots HOF shares a similar role as retired numbers do for other teams. For the Patriots, I think only all-time greats should have their numbers retired, especially since the Pats already have 8 numbers retired.

87 – Rob Gronkowski

56 – Andre Tippett

I also think Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick eventually deserve statues outside Gillette Stadium near where the Brady statue will be put up.

Red Sox

49 – Tim Wakefield

33 – Jason Varitek

15 – Dustin Pedroia

24 – Dwight Evans and Manny Ramirez

Celtics

The Celtics do such a great job with retiring numbers, there are no pressing players that need to be retired.

To soon to tell, but they are on their way:

0 – Jayson Tatum

7 – Jaylen Brown

I also think the Bill Russell and Red Auerbach statues in Boston should be moved to TD Garden or new ones should be built at the Garden if they don’t want to move them. And they should build a Larry Bird statue there to join them.

Big Four Relocation and Expansion

One of my favorite sports topics is relocation and expansion in the Big Four Sports Leagues. In this post, I break down cities that should get new teams.

MLB

I think the MLB will soon expand from 30 to 32 teams. There are many teams vying for a new team. I think 5 new cities should get teams, with 2 expansions and 3 relocations.

I think the 3 relocations will need to happen before expansion. The first team that should relocate is the Tampa Bay Rays. Despite having decent success, the Rays have had terrible attendance, even for playoff games. With the new stadium project in the Tampa area collapsing and Tropicana Stadium having its roof ripped off, Tampa needs to leave soon.

I think it makes sense for them to move to Nashville. There is already a lot of momentum for a new team to go to Nashville and be called the Nashville Stars. There also is rumors that the new Tennessee Titans stadium complex will have room for a new MLB stadium which puts it in a great location. Nashville is a good sports town and the Rays moving there solves a current issue while also keeping allowing them to stay in the AL East (for now).

I also think the Chicago White Sox should relocate. They are having tons of issues with finding a new stadium and with current attendance issues. There is already another team in Chicago and they would be a prime candidate to move. I think Salt Lake City would be their best option. It isn’t as big as other potential expansion cities, but it already has 2 other sports teams and is a sports crazy town. They also have a big group trying to bring the team there and have a lot of momentum to bring a team there.

A potential wild card move I could see if the LA Angels moving to Portland. Portland is a big sports city/area without and MLB team. The Angels are second citizens in their town and could be due for a move.

The two expansion cities I see for the MLB are Charlotte and Austin/San Antonio. Charlotte would give the MLB access to the Carolinas market, which is a pretty big baseball area. Austin/San Antonio is a massive dual market they could get into.

* This is all assuming that the Oakland As do end up moving to Las Vegas.

Based on the moves above, here are the new divisions I imagine once 32 teams are in the league:

American League

AL East

Boston Red Sox

New York Yankees

Toronto Blue Jays

Baltimore Orioles

AL North

Minnesota Twins

Kansas City Royals

Detroit Tigers

Cleveland Guardians

AL South

New Austin/San Antonio Team

Houston Astros

Texas Rangers

Colorado Rockies

AL West

LA Angels/ New Portland Team

Las Vegas Athletics

Seattle Mariners

New Salt Lake City Team (formerly Chicago White Sox)

National League

NL East

Philadelphia Phillies

New York Mets

Washington Nationals

Pittsburgh Pirates

NL North

Chicago Cubs

St Louis Cardinals

Cincinnati Reds

Milwaukee Brewers

NL South

Miami Marlins

Atlanta Braves

Nashville Stars (formerly Tampa Bay Rays)

New Charlotte Team

NL West

Los Angeles Dodgers

Arizona Diamondbacks

San Francisco Giants

San Diego Padres

NBA

I think the NBA should expand to Seattle and Las Vegas. Both cities have arenas that a new team could move into and both are great sports towns. An NBA team would also give both cities four sports teams and solidify them as massive sports towns. The new NHL teams in both cities have done well and can serve as a blueprint for a new NBA team.

I also think the Memphis Grizzlies could move to Nashville. Nashville is a better sports town and the Predators have an arena they could move into pretty easily.

The Grizz could move into the Eastern Conference and the new Seattle and Vegas teams would join the Western Conference.

NHL

There are multiple NHL cities that could potentially lose teams like the San Jose Sharks or Buffalo Sabres. However, with the recent NHL expansion/relocation, there aren’t many places for these teams to go. Hockey is mainly a northern sport, so I don’t think expanding to a southern city is smart. Potentially, a Canadian city like Quebec City or a northern US City like Milwaukee or Portland could be on the list. I think for right now, the NHL will sit pat and see how the new expansion/relocation pans out before making any more moves.

NFL

I don’t think there is any chance the league expands anytime soon. The current structure of 32 teams works so well that there is no real benefit to adding new teams. And while there are teams that don’t fit in great to their current cities, I don’t see any leaving soon. The Jaguars would be the main team that might have left. But they recently announced plans to do a $1.4 billion renovation of their current stadium so they aren’t moving any time soon. And if they did, where would they go?

London is not a realistic option. The travel that a team would have to go through being based in London is absolutely brutal and I don’t think any player or coach would be a fan of that. Plus, being in a foreign country throws in the complications of taxes, foreign exchange, and politics further complicating things for a team based there.

Outside of that, there are potential US cities that could field an NFL team. However, none are such great options that any team is likely dying to move there. You do not hear much about NFL teams looking to relocate because most, if not all, are happy enough with their current situations

Bruins Panthers Game 6

The Bruins season is over with their loss last night to the Panthers. Game and series notes below:

– The Bruins did not play well enough to win. They had the talent, but star players didn’t perform and their entire team lacked composure. They set an NHL Playoff record with their 7th too many men on the ice penalty yesterday. That is absolutely inexcusable and shows a mental lack of effort from the entire team.

– The Bruins were outshot 198-135 the whole series. Swayman was amazing this whole playoffs and it’s a shame his great play wasn’t rewarded with a deep playoff run.

- It’s sad to see the season come to an end as this was a good team. We’ll see what this offseason holds, but hopefully the Bs come back even better next year.

Bruins Panthers Game 5

A huge win by the Bruins keeps the series alive and takes it back to Boston for Game 6. Game notes below:

– Swayman kept his stellar play going and backed up his promise to bring the series back to Boston.

– The Bruins finally didn’t get out shot and dominated in hits. When they play this way they can keep up with Florida.

– They still need to keep the penalties down. It feels like they get a too many men on the ice penalty every game which is inexcusable. They also still need to finish chances better.

One game at a time. If they win Game 6 in Boston, then Game 7 – anything can happen.

Bruins Panthers Game 3

This was the opposite of last game, where they lost, but didn’t play awful. Last night was just plain bad. Game notes below:

– Sam Bennett had one of the dirtiest hits I’ve ever seen. He straight up punched Brad Marchand and should be suspended. On our end, Marchy is out at least two games which is a huge blow. I really hope someone has a big hit on Bennett or challenges him to a fight. It’s fitting the Panthers bandwagon fans throw rats on the ice, because their whole team is filled with them.

– The Panthers dominated all game and had double the shots of the Bruins. You are not going to win in the playoffs with those numbers.

– The Bruins need to be way more disciplined. They keep giving the Panthers Power Play opportunities and last night the Panthers completely took advantage. They also still continue to have terrible in zone turnovers that lead to goals.

The B’s need to put this game away and start playing with some heart. Maybe Marchand’s injury will finally give them a spark.

Bruins – Leafs Game 7

Whew. The Bruins pull that series out by the skin of their teeth. Game notes:

– Swayman was out of his mind this series. Easily the MVP of the series. Without him, we never would’ve won that series and need him to continue his great play.

– Carelessness from the Bruins continued today. They still don’t look completely focused and like they have their composure. Mind boggling turnover continue to plague this team. They got to get it together.

– Lindholm played so good. Getting such a quick goal in response to the Leafs scoring was super important and swung the momentum back for us. It feels good to see Pasta get the game winner and hopefully he keeps the momentum going.

– The Bruins have a lot of shit to work on and need to play a lot better next series. The Panthers are great team and are much more rested. Time for some revenge after the tough defeat last year.

LET’S GOOOOOOOOOOO BRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUINS!!!

Bruins Leafs Game 6 Recap

Now, it’s time to be worried. The Bruins are in danger of repeating what they did last year by blowing a 3-1 lead. We have tormented the Leafs for years and now we’ve given them hope that they can turn the tables on us. Game notes below:

– Another slow start for the Bruins as they were outshot 12-1 in the first. If not for Swayman playing so well, these past two games could have been much more lopsided.

– The Bruins continue to not finish scoring chances late in the game. There were a couple golden opportunities to tie the game at 1 in the third and they just couldn’t put the puck home.

– McAvoy was way too aggressive on that last Leaf’s goal. He made a terrible step up that led to Nylander getting a breakaway. It’s another example of how the Bruins need to be more composed and keep their heads.

– Bruins coach Jim Montgomery, called Pasta out for not playing better. Hopefully, this lights a fire under him and he plays his ass off Game 7.

“Game 7. Anything can happen.” – Kevin Millar, former Red Sox first baseman. It’s one of the truest quotes in sports history. You absolutely never know what’s gonna happen in these winner take all games. The Leafs have the momentum and Matthews might be returning. But the Bruins are back at home and know they can’t blow this series lead, especially after last year. Let’s just hope they get it together and win.

Bruins Leafs Game 5 Recap

This was a game the Bruins did not deserve to win, but nonetheless, had plenty of chances to win. Below are my game notes:

– They were absolutely terrible in the first period and the first ten minutes of the 2nd period. They got outplayed, could not get anything going, and were lucky that Swayman played amazing last night to keep them in the game.

– Even though they improved their play the last half of the game, some common errors kept happening. They could not break the puck out and their composure was awful all night. They had so many in-zone turnovers that led to scoring chances and it looked like they couldn’t make a clean pass all night. They were dominated on faceoffs too.

– This is giving me echos of last year. The Bruins were up 3-1, then lost game 5 in OT at home and went on to lose the series.

– It would be one thing to simply lose the game. It’s hockey, that is going to happen. But the fact that the Maple Leafs – without Austin Matthews – outplayed them and the Bruins didn’t look like they came to play is a bad sign. The OT goal is a perfect example of that. Two Bruins forwards took a terrible change while the Leafs were on a rush, leaving the Bruins with three guys in the Dzone. Grzelcyk was playing Tavares, while McAvoy and Coyle were simply watching the puck instead of covering a guy. Tavares got the puck out front and McAvoy and Coyle weren’t in position and there was no backchecking forward there to cover Knies either and he got an easy rebound goal. That simply can’t happen in the playoffs.

– Despite their bad play, the Bruins still had multiple chances to win the game but were either stopped by Woll (who played great) or missed the net. Those are pucks they need to put home if they want to win the Cup.

– Now they have to go back to Toronto and try to win there, lest we have a Game 7. It’s time to put this game to rest and focus on Game 6.

Bruins – Leafs Game 3 Recap

The NHL postseason is in full swing and the Bruins – Maple Leafs series has been great so far. Takeaways from Game 3 and the series as a whole:

– I love that the Bruins have two great goalies they can play interchangeably. However, for the time being, Swayman should play unless he gets tired or stops playing so good.

– Auston Matthews is unbelievable. He’s one of those guys that scares you every time he touches the puck because he is so dangerous. He’s easily my favorite player to watch in the league, but watching him play my team in the playoffs may give me a heart attack.

– The Bruins have outplayed the Leafs so far and have done a lot of things well. One thing I’d like to see more of, is more big hits. While the Bruins have been physical, the Leafs have had some massive hits that helped swing momentum to their side. Big hits are one of the best things about playoff hockey and the Bruins need more of them.

– I’m a big fan of Charlie McAvoy, but he can frustrate me at times. He sometimes lacks awareness in the D Zone and is overly aggressive offensively yet it doesn’t often result in scoring goals for the Bruins. He’s our best defensemen and played well last night, but I’d like to see him play with some more discipline.

– The Bruins are relying on two young, unproven defensemen in Mason Lohrei and Parker Wotherspoon. In addition to having difficult last names to spell, they both made some costly turnovers that Swayman had to bail them out on. I hope they can get their composure together, because those types of mistakes can lose games.

– Lastly, I just want to say how great it is to have a guy like Brad Marchand on our team. Every other team and fan base in the league hates him and that makes us love him even more. The combination of grit, skill, and the ability to get under people’s skin is only matched by Matthew Tkachuk. Marchand has consistently performed great in the regular season and turns it to another level in the playoffs. He’s now tied for 1st in playoff goals and 2nd in playoff points in Bruins HISTORY. That is incredible, given how long the Bs have been around and all the great players we’ve had. He’s been great this series and we’ve been lucky to have him on our team the past 15 years. He’s a future Hall of Famer whether people want to admit it or not.

We recaptured home ice advantage which was huge. Now, we need to take complete control in Game 4. LETS GO BRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUINS.