How Do the Bruins Stack Up in the Atlantic Division | Bruins Beat
Bruins Beat and the CLNS Media Network is now partnered with FanDuel! Evan Marinofsky of New England Hockey Journal and Conor Ryan of Boston.com discuss how the Bruins stack up against the Atlantic Division. They answer the five biggest questions facing the division. Also…where will the Bruins finish in the Atlantic?
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0:00 - Which team is the biggest threat to kicking the Bruins out of the top three in the Atlantic?
8:00 - Watch out for Buffalo
12:15 - Which team improved the most in the Atlantic?
17:00 - How are we feeling about Toronto?
21:00 - Do any of the rebuilding teams make the jump?
25:00 - The Lightning are always in the mix
28:00 - Who wins the division?
This episode is sponsored by:
This episode of Bruins Beat is brought to you by Fanduel Sportsbook, the exclusive wagering partner of the CLNS Media Network. Visit FanDuel.com/BOSTON and start earning BONUS BETS with America’s #1 Sportsbook!
21+ and present in MA. First online real money wager only. $10 Deposit req. Refund issued as non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800)-327-5050 for 24/7 support. Play it smart from the start! GameSenseMA.com or call 1-800-GAM-1234
0:00 - Which team is the biggest threat to kicking the Bruins out of the top three in the Atlantic?
8:00 - Watch out for Buffalo
12:15 - Which team improved the most in the Atlantic?
17:00 - How are we feeling about Toronto?
21:00 - Do any of the rebuilding teams make the jump?
25:00 - The Lightning are always in the mix
28:00 - Who wins the division?
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SportsTranscript
00:00 I mean maybe like a team like Detroit or something they've invested enough in like these players and it's the sum of some of their parts puts them up ahead.
00:08 Montreal I think is a ways away but he said they're at least on the right path like that's not they are not doing it wrong and not like a team like I think even Ottawa they've got young talent but you know they're going to sell them off eventually, or like they're investing in the wrong guy as a key spots like a corporate solo or what have you.
00:24 They want to be good again.
00:34 Bruins beat is brought to you by fan duel, the exclusive wagering partner of the CLNS media network.
00:42 Welcome to the Bruins beat on September 12, we're doing things a little differently here usually for the for this changes nothing for people on video but audio wise, usually do a little intro, talk about the conversation.
00:56 I said you know what we're going to dive straight into the conversation and that's what we're going to do. It's September 12, it's the Bruins beat. That's Connor Ryan, I'm Evan Marinovsky, Connor.
01:05 What is up.
01:06 Evan, I'm doing well. How you doing, doing great. Doing great.
01:11 Obviously a crazy weekend in sports you had the Patriots, their first game you were there you get to see Tom Brady's return, but I think the return everybody's talking about is my return to the ice on Monday night for men's league, I think that's what I think that's what
01:25 people are talking about most. Now we record this on Monday so I don't know what happened yet, but I can only assume I scored like five or six goals maybe somewhere around there.
01:36 So, easily, easily I mean that's just that's a that's a low guesstimate. That's a low guesstimate.
01:43 But for in all seriousness though, the Brady return that must have been pretty sick.
01:48 Yeah, it was cool. Again, until you can only do so much when you have like 10 minutes during a half time to really put everything together.
02:09 Yeah, it was always good to get them back.
02:12 They have another ceremony next summer, they're going to have Brady back to get inducted into the Hall of Fame so really cool to see loud as I've heard Gillette Stadium a long long time and I was considered game was pretty good I thought, again I'm more of an optimist
02:27 this year I think that maybe the standards have lowered a little bit but who's by five offense looks somewhat competent.
02:33 I'll take it. I'll take it Evan.
02:35 Yeah, I don't blame you. I just I appreciate the, the optimism I thought it was a good football game in general but you got to win that game for the Patriots I just I don't know, it's because we're conditioned from the, from the Brady years I mean they win that
02:47 game every time, but anyways I know our listeners do not want to listen to any Patriot stuff they do Patriots beat is a great podcast to listen to, you should definitely do that.
02:58 But on this episode. So, for the 100 players, the all time 100 players for the Bruins comes out on Tuesday we're recording this Monday so we, you know, we don't have that list to give away yet.
03:11 So we want to spend this episode talking about something that you and I have kind of, we've talked about here and there but never very in depth we kind of just mentioned it in passing.
03:21 It's the Atlantic division, sort of a preview of what the Bruins are going to be up against in their own division this year.
03:28 And we're not going to go team by team going who do they have oh they're who's in net for them it's more so we want to get to stuff in questions that are pertinent, and that you care about the most.
03:39 So we'll start here because I think this is sort of the biggest question in terms of the Atlantic division. And, you know, for the last bunch of years has been a solidified top three in the Atlantic, any combo of Boston Toronto Tampa Bay obviously Florida went to the
03:53 top last year. They were not in the top three after the regular season for the Atlantic so which team of the remaining Atlantic division teams in your eyes is the biggest threat to potentially supplant the Bruins in the top three.
04:09 Yeah, I mean I think you're looking at teams that can make that push obviously.
04:14 Yeah, I mean you're looking at beyond just like the Toronto Tampa. Yes, I should have preface that we're leaving Tampa Toronto.
04:21 Yes, I mean, I mean obviously the one six out as Florida, I think they did it in the playoffs.
04:28 They did know they didn't. And I mean, we talked about it all last year like the talents there like it for them it's all about we try to take a step back from their presence trophy last year but you can see the potential they have a lot of guys they want a high
04:42 shot volume guys Matthew Chuck went on an absolute heater during the playoffs.
04:47 Again Spencer and I is back we'll see how he does, like you still talent all around there that that's the thing you should expect to be in that playoff picture they shouldn't be what they were last year where they had to sneak into the playoffs just to get there,
04:59 that shouldn't be the case for a team like that.
05:02 So it makes a lot of sense in terms of being one that can give a team of the Bruins that are maybe hovering around that third spot wildcard spot.
05:09 Some fixes upcoming year.
05:12 I think that's what we've been said last year right like we expected them to really take a step back but taking a step back when you win a president's trophy and you're leaving the league and point doesn't mean you're going to bottom out from there to out of the playoffs
05:24 we expect them to be more of a kind of what they were this year like third third spot wildcard what have you.
05:31 So if we can kind of get back to equilibrium and build off of last year I think that seems to be right in the mix I don't expect a really major setback from them they have a lot of talent all across the lineup.
05:44 So I think that team makes a lot of sense but then I think if you're looking at maybe teams that have been outside of the playoff picture, they can make a big push forward like Buffalo is the team that really sticks out right they have a ton of young talent.
05:57 They've really done a good job the last couple years and building a young core moving forward I mean a lot of teams were killed to have guys like power and darling and you've had to chomp and step up and turn into a superstar of last couple of seasons for them it's all going to come down to Devin Levi, and what he can do right if he lives up to the height.
06:17 As a potential franchise goalie and puts himself in the conversation not to say that he's doing the best or anything but if he gives them what Buffalo has not had in a long time, which is really stable top flight goaltending game in and game out.
06:29 That's going to last missing piece for that team, so I'm gonna say that all sudden they're gonna put up 115 points what have you but they're going to be right in the picture I think if Levi steps to so I think that's a team you really have to worry about to the Bruins in terms of making that next step forward.
06:44 What's interesting is you mentioned the two main teams I think in Florida and Buffalo and our good friends and our partners over at fan duel have the Bruins as for Stanley Cup outright betting right now.
06:57 The Bruins are 1234567 they're at eighth right now at plus 1500, but their second out of Atlantic division teams that goes Toronto, Boston then it will actually they're tied with Tampa, I'm sorry, they're tied with Tampa, it was second, and then Florida's right behind them at plus 2000.
07:13 And it's interesting because Florida's gonna enter this year with some injuries.
07:18 And I think like to offer sort of the devil's advocate to your Florida stuff like you're right, you know all that stuff's correct they're obviously now battle tested team.
07:26 They have a specific identity. They lost Goudis over the offseason that's going to potentially hurt them.
07:33 We also look at you know Chuck recovering from injury Bob Ross key historically is not a very consistent goalie he just kind of got really really hot in the playoffs.
07:42 You know, obviously you mentioned Spencer Knight how he'll be when he gets back. So I think that team sort of has a lot of boom or bust to it.
07:49 I put them more on the side of bust. And I'm not saying like they're going to bottom out. But it wouldn't shock me if they're in the same sort of situation they were as last year where they're fighting for a wildcard spot, not so much fighting for top three.
08:03 I think when you look at the pieces.
08:05 They're young, but that Sabre seems good. Now again you mentioned it goaltending for them Levi, Ukapeka Lukanen like sort of unproven you do have to see what you have there.
08:16 All those rumors about Hellebuck going to Buffalo never materialized, but like, that's a team that of that bottom group of the Atlantic of the Montreal's which we'll get to in a bit in Chicago, not Chicago, Montreal and Ottawa and Detroit.
08:32 Like that's the team that's the rebuilds working you know Taige Thompson and cousins and power and Clifton and Deline and like they that's a team that I think could make a serious push as soon as this year they were only a point out last year I mean they were, they were right there at the end of the season so it wouldn't shock me if that's a team that is pushing for the top three and the Atlantic.
08:55 I'm not saying that they're going to take out the Bruins from the top three or the Sabres or Toronto, I just, I wouldn't surprise you they're a little bit more of a threat than Florida.
09:07 Yeah, I mean it's not going to come down to just how much of a leap some of these guys can take.
09:25 I think it's going to be a team that's on the trajectory of being a powerhouse right away, they have young guys that deliver, they have a good balance as well as some other players, whereas I think maybe Buffalo is leaning very heavily on like these guys that are 2025 26 not to say that that's not important to have like that core moving forward but usually I think you have a little bit more adversity hit a few more walls when you have a locker room that's comprised mostly of those players you see like on the devil's they got
09:54 some sprinkled in here and there which I think helps out quite a bit.
09:58 But yeah, for Buffalo it's all going to be I think the goal 10 is the biggest key I think we know at this point what to expect from a guy like H Thompson.
10:05 We know what Darlene can bring we know own power barring something catastrophic is going to continue to assert himself as a proven top flight defenseman like they've got talent, and they have the guys that are on the trajectory of being impact players
10:17 and not already are so just going to come down to the gold ending right and again it's the the toughest position to kind of map out in terms of finding that consistency and that variance and you look at Levi and, you know, he's not the biggest guy out there the number
10:29 speaks for themselves, whether it's in college, or even during his kind of short stints up in the NHL so you can run with it and be a guy that can assert himself early on.
10:38 It's a scary team like we saw last year they can score and bunches Buffalo it's just they give up a whole bunch of goals on the other end of the ice you can kind of negate that a little bit.
10:47 That's a scary team that should be fun to watch. Yeah, I'm kind of excited because I think Buffalo when they have a good team. It's great to see it's kind of the flyers and the NHL is better when those kind of teams are good, but it's also the opposite
11:00 of the same coin makes it tougher for the Braille ones that they do take a big step forward because you already have to deal with what is arguably probably the deepest division in the NHL already.
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12:12 Yeah, I mean that's the other thing is, you know, you look at a guy like even Dillian he gets he's been better every single year he's turning into a stud to have him and Owen Power on the same team is is pretty wild.
12:23 Yeah, I mentioned though the the Buffalo being good as good for the NHL I mean that's a top market, that's a top TV market for the NHL like that's a, they get a lot of national games.
12:32 It's kind of been a drag because the past couple years the Bruins go there and it's just the most boring team on the other side like they're young or there's not much there.
12:41 And it's been years I mean Milan Lucic literally did break the Buffalo Sabres.
13:00 Florida's there. Again, I've, I have undervalued Florida forever since last season, you know, since, you know, before the playoffs last season I feel like I shouldn't do that.
13:12 But again, I'm just looking at the circumstances and on paper I just think that that Sabres team in the regular season I'm not saying, you know, in the playoffs I think in the playoffs, a fully healthy Florida team beats Buffalo but I just think during the regular season
13:23 it wouldn't surprise me if Buffalo made a little bit of a push to get into that top three.
13:28 Moving along another question which team improved the most in the Atlantic Division this offseason I can tell you right now it definitely wasn't the Bruins.
13:36 But what would you say the team was that improved the most I think it's a team we have not talked about yet.
13:41 Oh, I mean, I'll have you lead first and can actually see which one you think is. Well I think it's, I think it's Detroit.
13:49 Which, again, I know that's you know whatever but they got to break it, I think that you know I don't think that puts them up. That's where there's a reason we didn't mention them you know, vying for the top three in the Atlantic.
14:00 But that improves, that's an improvement. You know they met some other players GT com for I think Shane Goss the spare, you know, again, not huge names. This is another thing they do where they, you know, it was like last year too they have a bunch of cap space and they sort of use it.
14:15 Again, that's not a team that I suspect will be in the hunt this year I mean you saw was it Zedina or to Heronic. Which one was it who went to Vancouver, I think it was Ronan Heronic Heronic went to hit Vancouver and that was the guy that again you drafted high and it goes to show that you can draft high all you want it does not guarantee a single thing in this league or in any league but I don't know the Red Wings are an interesting team, I'm not saying that they're gonna, you know, be in the hunt, but I do think they on paper improved.
14:44 And if that eyes are plan is the smartest people say it is.
14:49 When are we going to start to see some returns on that thing. But so again I just think that that's a team that that may have improved, who would you say.
14:56 Yeah, I mean, it sucks I feel like the team that sticks out to me the most is Buffalo that's all just internally right like I think they just have enough guys that should take steps forward you and Levi, like, I think it's so tough when you get some of these other teams and maybe made some splashy moves but I don't know if they really move the needle in terms of pushing them into a contender status but a team that is poised to kind of take the jump up in standings like I look at Detroit and I think we've talked about this before they spend a whole lot of money.
15:24 I don't know whether it's like Andrew Cobb, even a guy like to bring it like a guy who can score a lot but you have other issues there. You look at kind of the defense other than cider you're like, I just don't know that the team really has moved the needle yet in terms of putting it all together it's like doing that I think improvements have to be worried about is that they have a lot of money next year, and you want them to spend but make sure you spend it on impact guys like you know, let's say if it's like Andrew Cobb was a free agent.
15:51 Next year and you sign him to a huge deal.
15:55 Could he be a two seat Yeah, maybe, like maybe he's kind of like that Zaka that could be a two seat with the right guys around him but it's the guy that moves the needle. No, like I wouldn't put coffee in that very good player but I think on a very good team he's a great three C.
16:10 Yes, so yep so so so I think for Detroit. That's a team that yeah they've added guys and bring it should help and so don't know if that bolts them up.
16:19 Yeah, I mean, I think Ottawa right I mean they obviously lose to bring in they bring in a guy with Tara Senko but again, a lot of young talent on that team but defense goaltending still.
16:31 I still think there's some issues there like whether it's a guy like corporate solo or what have you. I just don't see them take another big step forward.
16:38 Yeah, I think school funding by the way is also not. Yeah, exactly. So, I am a lot of teams did make moves but I look at a team like Buffalo, which is almost the internal as being a team and price taking that biggest step forward and I think it's, you know, maybe it's maybe it's cop out on my part but I also think it's just you look at just the amount of internal talent on that Buffalo team that should take that natural step forward.
17:00 I think I've seen the most sense over teams like Detroit or auto, or they will have more involved this offseason. We're to put Toronto in that because Toronto I mean on paper I mean Bertuzzi definitely add some goal scoring.
17:12 But Klingberg on the back end I mean that's a guy who, to me it kind of goes along with one of those to bring it, kind of how you classify the Tara Senko move where it's, you add a name but does it move the needle at all you know like it feel like for the last five years
17:26 at least have added these borderline top pairing top for defenseman muzzin Klingberg.
17:35 I'm forgetting some others Brody guys like that who don't really move the needle at all, and it feels like that's kind of one of those moves I mean Klingberg might be able to put up some points for you but that's not like a shutdown guy by any means.
17:49 I mean I think for them it's the same thing they've obviously have changed some stuff around listen they've gotten good value with some guys like Bertuzzi next only which again, leans into the fact you're going to generate some chances but you're going to give up quite a few and the other end of the ice.
18:02 You know, there's things like that.
18:20 I think it's like, really kind of saving them quite a bit. But I think it all comes down to do the golden situation. Right, like, they're going to score. There's talent and how like they can go in and run off of just that talent alone like we're waiting for it, because
18:33 it's like, it's there. But still that goaltending that defense in critical moments still gives me pause I think they can like you told me they're going to have 115 120 points, we're not be surprised they have enough talent to do that guys are still in their prime
18:47 they have them locked down. They have cap space next year they're in a good spot. A lot of teams would kill to have you know the flexibility they have with their talent in place that defense and goaltending that I feel like it was missing one more proven pop for guy and they need just some more stability in that until that changes until Sam
19:07 one of these guys, you know, takes off. I'm going to be skeptical. Yeah, I don't know how you can't be I mean, take out like the curse, I mean they finally got past the first round this past year and, you know, take out just all the stuff we normally say about Toronto and their history like,
19:24 you're right. What is their goaltending situation, and are your defense been good enough, and I don't, I don't think they are. I just think that that defense is just not good enough and, you know, it's they're sort of a team that feels built for the regular season
19:39 they've put up a ton of points, you score a lot of goals, you know a lot of highlight real goals for Twitter and Instagram and and Tyler Bertuzzi probably most likely gets a lot of points this year and and hopefully for him gets a big payday next offseason.
19:53 But I just don't know how this team is, I mean they're older, more experienced they've gotten past the first round like they should continue to move up and in the, you know, in the playoff brackets but I just, I don't know, I don't know if they're that much improved
20:10 over what they were they were already a high scoring team. Okay, they're going to score more goals great but are you going to prevent more goals.
20:17 I have a tough time thinking they are.
20:20 We'll get back to the top of the division I want to go sort of to the bottom now.
20:24 We mentioned them a little bit at the beginning Red Wings senators Canadians feels like the Red Wings and senators are sort of a different class and the Canadians and that the Red Wings and senators are young teams that have been rebuilding for a little bit here
20:35 that should be kind of starting to get into the thick of things that aren't, whereas the Canadians are a young team I mean they really just kind of started rebuilding in the last year or two.
20:45 Things seem to be going pretty well. I mean, at least in terms of the young guys are getting what the big Caulfield.
20:52 I know they got you know Ryan backer at the draft, people were booing but I mean again he's a big right shot defenseman I mean, who's going to someday probably log 20 to 25 minutes a night the NHL.
21:02 But what do you think I mean what do you think of those three do you think that there's any chance, any of them compete this year.
21:08 I mean maybe like a team like Detroit or something they've invested enough in like these players and it's the sum of some of their parts puts them up ahead.
21:16 Montreal, I think is a ways away but he said there was on a right path like that's not they are not doing it wrong and not like a team like I think even auto or they've got young talent but you know they're going to sell them off eventually, or like they're investing
21:28 in the wrong guys and key spots like a corporate solo or what have you.
21:33 Yeah, yeah.
21:40 For a second.
21:42 Very passionate about these teams. Very, but, but I think Montreal yeah they're still a ways away but they're on the right path they're going to be there in a couple years so they're pretty solid.
21:54 Detroit though. Again, it's all going to come down to just whether they're combined grouping there and kind of push them ahead I don't know if they have like franchise players or anyone that's get to watch it cider is great too but I don't know I just can't see enough of those
22:10 teams I can't see enough of a jump to get past a team like Tampa Toronto and Boston like Boston again. We've talked about it before and people have talked about this but a lot of talent has left this team, but I think you will get just their strengths on defense
22:25 and goaltending.
22:27 They've got a lot of veteran players.
22:29 I don't understand what maybe some of these younger teams can kind of bring in some of these matchups so again, maybe Detroit takes a bit of a step forward, they hover around the playoffs you have to keep tabs on them and February and March but I still don't
22:44 think they're really ready to take that big step forward. Yeah, I mean I think only sort of the red flag those three teams raises down the line, you know, two, three years, four years, you know, they're going to be vying for those top three spots they're going to be
22:58 vying, you know, for the playoffs, if things go according to plan but as we know, things typically don't always go according to plan. But again, the senators have some good young players you know like a Jake Sanderson, Shane Pinto there's a lot of question
23:12 about him, and the Bruins and all that stuff which we'll get into at another time but by the way Canadians also a good young coach and Marty St. Louis and a good GM and use, so I feel like, yeah, like that's a team that all signs point up now granted maybe we look
23:28 at the Red Wings a few years ago and say oh I Jermans there and I think it was Blasio at the time it was a pretty good young coach and say oh that that seems going to be good in a few years but I mean the Canadians are a very good, you know, franchise they want to win, that's a team that needs to be in the hunt, the league is better when they're in the hunt.
23:46 And I think that that's a promising group that's a whole discussion for another day of like, you know, how is this Bruins core going to match up with, you know, the Canadians core when it's at its peak and, and the senators and maybe the Red Wings if they're in it and the
24:02 Sabres and all that stuff but that's something that's not a this year problem that can be a future years problem but it will be a problem at some point. Yes.
24:11 Number four question.
24:13 Is lightning, still a top three team. I think, without a doubt, yes. I think the lightning to me, you know, yes they've lost depth they've lost Cologne, they lost Ross Colton, they did sign some guys to sort of try to alleviate that, but you still have
24:30 Stamkos and Kucherov and Hedman and Vasilevsky in that like, that's still a very good team, maybe they're not as deep for the postseason I still think they're going to find ways to add during the year to kind of help that.
24:45 But I don't see them as one of the three teams at the top that falls out what do you think.
24:50 Yeah. Again, you look at they've lost step year after year whether it's guys like Kudrow or Cologne obviously.
25:00 I mean so many different guys and that that middle six group and I think really put them over the top but kind of look at them now as you said, they're a team that has a lot of veteran metal has quite a few guys that have won a Stanley Cup before
25:11 very top heavy but anchored by elite players and have an elite goalie in that kind of sounds like the Bruins for like from like the the run they had like through like 2017 through like 2021 before they decided to finally add depth and something's kind of fell their way
25:25 so yeah, again, are they going to be the best team in the league No, but again, I think their team it's more inclined to kind of go through cruise control and you know hold at the second or third spot and ramp things up for the playoffs but yeah they the scoring definitely maybe won't be there but they have enough talent outright, then they're going to be fine you adding guys like Hagel every year to make Tampa has one to random guys who come up from like the queue window having like a 35 point season.
25:54 So I think it's still the best coach, I think in the NHL so again, that's a team that honestly if Andre Veselas he's just hot net and win a couple of series in his own right.
26:05 And who knows maybe like a first round exit is kind of what they need to reset the thing you can only go so many rounds into the Stanley Cup final or the conference final for such wearing a little thin guys get a little tight around that time of the, the spring so I think they're going to be right in the thick of it, just off of that talent alone they have up top and again, Tampa just seem to, as you said, whether it's internal guys guys they have on their roster take a step forward or guys in their system, the deadline, what have you, they always seem to add guys that
26:34 end up being pretty steady contributors for them so I'm not expecting a huge drop off from them. Yeah, I'm not I mean you know if you want to talk like last year in the past couple years we've said like all right, when are they not going to go to the Stanley Cup final you know when are they going to sort of kind of, you know, get gas, but I mean, regular season wise I think they're the pieces are there, they're fine.
26:55 Brewers have been surprisingly good against them, and you know the past couple seasons.
27:24 Do you have a pick yet. If you don't have a pick I can go because I have my pick, but yeah I think probably Toronto just has the most high end talent that I think as you said they're built for the till they prove us otherwise they're built for the regular season, like even last year they have enough guys that I think
27:39 control the puck and the ozone that guys on defense and can move the puck that I think what was it December I think was it Sam sonov or maybe was Murray had, you know, some of the best sabre signs in the entire league like they have guys that can obviously make things easier for their goal
27:53 tending which kind of default on their in their roster so I didn't try to still going to be really good, even like awesome Matthews probably had a down year.
28:13 I think Toronto is a really good team in terms of just the outright talent. We'll see kind of where things fall after that. Yeah, I got Toronto as well hurts me to say it but I just think that as you said, you know, a lot of goals that helps in the regular season.
28:26 Yeah, I think one area where I think the Bruins could have an advantage over other teams in the Atlantic you mentioned some of those bottom teams, like the sabres and the Canadian sabres on a bottom team team but team that outside that's outside of the playoffs you know the sabres
28:41 the Senators red wings, you know an area where the Bruins still have an advantage is defensive goaltending, you know, you can out defend those teams you can outplay those teams in goalie matchups like that's how you can beat those teams you can also score more than
28:56 that. But I think you just defend better. And even, even so I mean, like, you know, against a team like Toronto or Tampa. I still think your goaltending is good enough. Your defense is good enough that you'll be in all of those games, you know, and it's a way
29:10 to beat them obviously against team like Toronto you got to find a way to shut down Matthews and Marner and Neylander and Bertuzzi and Tavares and that's not easy, but you do have like a pretty good thing going back there to potentially shut them down.
29:25 So I'm not putting the Bruins over any of them I'm not putting them over Tampa, Toronto, and I'm also putting them over Tampa, honestly Bruins right now, unless something crazy changes, and I know we'll do like a season preview but as of right now I'd put them at third in the Atlantic
29:38 Division, I'd put them at the end. I think that's where I'm going to I think they have more chance to hover around two and three them like the second wildcard spot and worry about them dropping out of it again that's probably just a very optimistic.
29:52 I'll look at my part but again I think we'll dive into that more but I still think they're more net level as opposed to a team where you have to worry about the Red Wings or someone else leaping them in the standings and push them out of the playoffs entirely.
30:03 Yeah, I don't know if it's that super like optimism, I think that's kind of realistic I know I definitely people might disagree with us I think for sure but I just, I don't know, we can get into this deeper another time but I just, I don't know I think you still have, you know, you have a bedrock in net.
30:21 You have solid D. And, you know, up front we kind of mentioned it if you kind of take that money ball approach.
30:40 I think that's going to be a very heavy and somewhat slow team this year, for sure.
30:59 I'm curious how that impacts the rest of the division, you know against faster teams against younger teams you know they laying guys out in center ice is is Lou cheese challenging you know you know freaking, you know, Tate Thompson glad I was looking recently I forgot Tate Thompson fought Kevin Miller, back in.
31:15 How about that. Whoo. Yes, I'm gonna get one more form. No it didn't but he's hung in there. Give him credit. Yes, he hung in there. That's not an easy fighter.
31:25 Anyway, that's Bruins be this week Connor what people look forward to from you over Boston calm and the Boston Globe is brewing stuff starts to ramp up. Yeah, absolutely.
31:35 We're gonna have a few more practices over at warrior now again training camp won't start until the middle of next week but we have captains practice we have rookie practice I think coming up as they get ready for their prospect showcase over in Buffalo
31:48 and then we'll be here in Boston for at least one day. Yeah, we actually will have tangible stuff to talk about as I think more and more as we get closer and closer to the start of camp.
31:59 So we'll have you covered with everything over Boston calm. And if you want to follow me on Twitter you can at Connor Ryan underscore 93.
32:07 You do all that that's Connor Ryan I'm having Marinoff's you Bruce B listeners have a great rest of your week.