Boston Bruins forward Anton Blidh expressed frustration over his role and ice-time with the team through the last few weeks of the regular season and in the playoffs. In talking to Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic, Blidh mentioned that he did not appreciate being scratched in all seven of the Bruins’ playoff games, as well as 11 of the final 12 regular season games, and even said that at times, he would have preferred to be in the AHL, where he could have played regularly. Shinzawa suggested that while Blidh did have his positives and perhaps could have challenged forward Nick Foligno for ice-time, he did have his drawbacks and Bruins Head Coach Bruce Cassidy ultimately preferred to go with Foligno’s experience in these situations.
A pending UFA, Blidh does not have to endure his frustrations with the Bruins any longer if he chooses not to. Originally a sixth-round draft pick of Boston in 2013, Blidh has played parts of six seasons with the team, tallying four goals and eight assists in 70 career games in that time. Some of Blidh’s frustration can be understood, as a look back at the last three seasons shows that Blidh has played in 49 NHL games in that period, but just 15 AHL games. This season, Blidh played in 32 contests for Boston, but played zero AHL games. Even with COVID-shortened seasons, playing in just 64 games over three seasons could foreseeably be frustrating for any player.
- The St. Louis Blues announced that they have recalled defenseman Steven Santini from the Springfield Thunderbirds of the AHL. After spending the entire year with Springfield, putting up 18 points in 66 games, Santini has shuffled back and forth between Springfield and St. Louis in the month of May, even getting his first NHL action of the 2021-22 season against the Minnesota Wild in the first round of the playoffs. It’s unclear if there is a specific motive behind the Blues’ decision to recall Santini, however it does raise eyebrows given the team’s rash of injuries to their defensemen late this season and into the first round, which necessitated Santini’s playoff appearance in the first place.
- It appears that Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Kristians Rubins will head to the World Championships to join Team Latvia (link). Listed at 6’5″ and 227 pounds, Rubins has made a name for himself as an imposing, physical defender who can shut down the opposition. In 58 games with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies this season, Rubins had one goal an 10 assists, and was even able to make his NHL debut for the Maple Leafs, playing in three games in December. The 24-year-old may have joined Latvia sooner, however he was on the Maple Leafs roster in the playoffs as a reserve.
Considering how brutal Foligno was this season, being scratched in his favor’s no accolade. That being said, I can see that Blidh would rather have played in Providence than sat in the stands in Boston.
Bostons biggest problem right there instead of playing young guys on cheap contracts clown face Sweeney decided to spend stupid money on useless over the hill vets every year and don’t forget their usually multi yr deals that’s y are farm system blows
Kinda offset by getting some players on bargain contracts: no one on the roster makes over $6 million. Guys like Marchand and Pasta make FAR less than they would if they were on the open market right now. Beyond that, after their entry level deals, the young guys want to get PAID, if they’re any good.
And beyond THAT, uhhh … want some examples of young guys on cheap contracts who are key players? Try Swayman, who’s their #1 on less than a million a year. Try Frederic, who put in good fourth line production.
Yeah, Foligno (prime candidate for a buyout) and Nosek didn’t work out. But Eric Haula absolutely did, and at $2.3 for another season is a steal. Someone would’ve given Taylor Hall more than $6 million, which is a good price for what he brings to the team, and Sweeney convinced him to stay in Boston.
First go look at McAvoy contract and you basing on just this season want about all the others
Backes
Beleskey
Moore
Reilly
Just to name a few
Why yes, I’m basing it on the current season. No kidding.
And gosh, next season Charlie McAvoy is going to get the salary of an elite Norris candidate. WHICH HE IS. Why, did you want some other team to give it to him?
And yes: Sweeney’s made some signings that didn’t pay off. NO KIDDING. Every GM in hockey has. Talk about every team in the league, and the fans will bitch about money given to this guy or that. (By the bye, perhaps you’ll recall — or maybe your memory’s just not that long — that Reilly played pretty damn good hockey after the Bruins acquired him last season; prorated over a whole year, he’d have led the team in plus-minus and would’ve been second to Marchand in assists. Guys like you probably thought signing him for $3 million was reasonable at the time.)
But people will find some reason to bitch and moan all the same. I bet you were one of those guys who were screaming blue murder when the Bruins traded Johnny Boychuk for a couple of draft picks. But gee, Boychuk’s been out of hockey for a couple years now, and Brandon Carlo’s one of those young guys you were talking about that Sweeney drafted, who’s signed long term to a reasonable contract.
Maybe your not understanding what I’m saying Sweeney shouldn’t have signed those players and instead let the young kids play so many of their prospect demand trades because they don’t get a fair chance
As for Sweeney it isn’t just about his signings it’s his draft and trade he’s horrible they have nothing in pipeline to take the spots of the vets and it was proven this yr by not have a successor to Krejci
I would have been okay with Foligno being scratched, but I would rather have seen Steen, Studnicka or McLaughlin go in his place than Blidh. Blidh really hasn’t shown much of anything
Mm, McLaughlin had tailed off hard from that hot start, and the Providence roster was just pretty thin this year: no one scored 20 goals (heck, Zachary-effing-Senyshyn was their leading goal scorer) and no one got 50 points. They really do need to reload next year, and part of it may just be dealing a goalie or two: that’s what the system has plenty of.
Heck, if 37 retires just blow up the team. Get a GM that knows how to build a team and a coach that can coach them. This team is going nowhere fast.