Conference diver1::boston_bruins

    Wish I was golfing but work has kept me out of the notesfile for
    sometime. Whale won the other night but nothing to get excited about.
    Hartford and Boston look like they'll  be playing golf in early April.
    
    Latest news out of Hartford is that the Whalers ARE moving next year.
    Guess where?
    
    Clinton!
    
    Jerry

    	I hear ya Jerry, work has been taking up a lot more of my time
    lately too. It'll be too bad if the Whalers do move. With both the B's
    and the Whale being so close to each other each team gets a few extra
    home games each year. 8-) There were a lot of Whalers fans at the game
    at the Fleece Center the other night it would seem.
    
    	As for the game in the title... I had things to do on Saturday and
    finished in time to switch the game on at the second intermission. When
    I saw that the Blues were out in front 3-1 I figured that it was a done
    deal, shut the tube off and directed my attention elsewhere. I guess I 
    shoulda watched the rest of the game. So far I like what I've seen from
    Jean Yves Roy. He needs a little more time at the major league level
    to hone his game but he's a great skater and occaisionally his talent
    seems to shine through his inexperience. His game tying goal was great.
    I guess at this point of the season all that the B's can do is give the
    kids some playing time to gain experience. As far as I can tell, this
    season is a wash.
    
    Barry
    

    ...hey, Jer!  I'm a former "Clintonian"...where are they gonna play,
    Coach Lace Pond?  The Wachusett Resevoir (or "The Resi" as we used ta
    call it..)???
    
    :^)
    
    The CLinton_Whalers....I *kinda* like that!
    
    tongue_firmly_in_cheek_mac
    

yea Barry, it was a nice comeback for the Bruins.

They kinda fell asleep for the start of the game.

Seemed like the Blues were just pouring on the offense and
the B's couldn't counter..  but they did manage to get
their act together, and score three unanswered goals.

If Furh had been off his game, the Bruins would have won.
He made at least two saves that I can think of, that were
easy goals...

    
    I've grown very tired of watching these guys... and I haven't been 
    following evry game like I basically did my whole life. BUT, 
    I hear that Sinden was being asked some tough questions the other 
    night on channel 5. Although I didn't see the interview I was wondering 
    if anyone else did. 
    
    Now that the Patriots and Parcells are going to be out of the N.E. 
    sports news for a while will the heat finally be turned up on Harry 
    & Kasper ?  The only thing I did hear is that Sinden is STILL sticking 
    by Kasper (which makes me want to puke). Still talking about if his 
    sniper Steve Heinze didn't go down with injury bla bla bla. 
    
    The guys on FOX were talking about all the trade rumors surrounding
    Boston and Tocchet - Well I haven't heard any! Does anyone have any
    good rumors or lies we can dream about ? 
    
    As for making the playoffs I could care less! I'd rather see them
    finish low and get a low round draft choice. Speaking of draft picks. 
    How many do they have ? Do the Bruins still have the Hartford 1st round 
    pick this year as well as there own ? 
    
    
    Rp
    

    	I'm not even excited about the finishing low and getting draft
    choices. They'll all want so much money that Sinden won't sign them
    anyway. I'm more excited about them NOT making the playoffs and then
    Jeremy Jacobs won't be getting his extra $$$ from playoff ticket and 
    concession sales. Maybe then he'll wake up and smell the coffee. I
    don't watch every game either any more. I just can't get excited about
    them. I only find myself watching games if I have NOTHING else to do.
    
    	As far as the interview, no, I didn't see it either so I'd like to
    know as well.
    
    Barry
    

    ...Ron....B's get two 1st-round picks this year (one from Haht-fid,
    one on their own)....according to many sources, this year's draft
    is supposed to be one of the best in the past 20 years!
    
    maybe we can get a few good ones that will step up and play right
    away...man, that would help....
    
    and as far as watchin' them, ya they suk this year, but I'm still
    watchin'  (mac likes da punishment....)
    
    mac
                                                        

	Well, I said it at the start of the season and I'll repeat myself
	in stating that Oates and or Tochet will be put up for auction in
	March to the highest bidder.  Hopefully the B's will get a few #1's
	to go along with their 2 this year.  It is also my hope that they
	trade (or let some team 'borrow') Ray Bourque to give him a shot at
	getting his name on the Cup.  If Ray likes Boston so much he can 
	come back next season (He's an unrestricted Free Agent anyways).

	Regards,

	Chuck

	who_was_spoiled_early_in_the_year_with_the_World_Cup_and_really_can't
	stand_watching_NHL_hockey_now

    
    
     From ESPN Al Morganti and the ESPNzone on the web today.  
    
      Tocchet has some clause in his contract that *at his option* he can
      END his career with Boston at the end of this year and become a
      unrestricted free agent. This means Sinden virtually has ZERO leverage
      for trading Tocchet. No team is going to give away alot to Sinden when
      they can strike a deal for Tocchet next year and pay Boston no
      compensation. It also means that Rick can pick which teams he gets 
      traded to by telling the GM's whether or not he will approve his 
      contract extension before this year ends or become a free agent 
      without compensation next year. 
    
      As for Oates. Oates has I guess also (according to Morganti) let it 
      be known that he expects a contract rewrite and will hold out for one 
      if he goes anyplace other than Boston in a trade. 
    
      Looks like between the players positioning and Sinden's stupidity the 
      Bruins aren't in any position to better this team by the trade
      deadline.  
      
    
     Rp
      
       
      

		Unless either or both have a specific NO-TRADE clause in 
	their contract they can be traded. 

	Ron, dear boy, you don't get it.  Tochet and Oates' value do not
	lay in their potential contributions in the future .... it is in
	their current impact on a *CONTENDING* teams chances for winning 
	the Cup *THIS YEAR* !  

	A team that needs help in specific areas (ie. the Rangers need a
	tough forward to negate the size/strength of the Flyers - Tochet
	is a good fit!) will perhaps give up a draft pick or two to get
	him for the stretch-drive and Cup playdowns.

	Chuck

    This is  like when the KINGS traded GreAtzky before he became an
    unrestricted free agency. The Blues gave 'almost' NOTHING; Patrice 
    Tardif, some Finnish guy (Volczek?) and ????. I believe none are
    playing regularly for the KINGS. Basically, the KINGS wanted
    'something' before they get NOTHING. Good trade for both teams.
    
    
    Andy

    
    I understand that Chuck... I was merely pointing out that it may not 
    be clear to everyone (it wasn't to me) that although Tocchet's contract
    has him signed through next year HE has an option to become an
    unrestricted free agent at his whim after this year. This does enter 
    into the picture when any team looks at him and what they are willing 
    to give the B's as compensation for him even if a teams push for the 
    cup is this year. They don't want to have to deal with Tocchet
    contracts after another 30 games. Both can be traded by Boston, but 
    the circumstances around both players will minimize their trade value
    and what other teams will give away for them. As for Oates, we've 
    seen how easy it is for a player now-a-days to just say "no" I don't 
    want to report to that team and sit out until they are happy. Teams
    aren't interested in those hassles while looking at a playoff run. 
    
    Rp 
     

    Don't forget to look at this from Harry's point of view...
    
    His goal (right or wrong) is to make the playoffs, even if they are out
    in 4 games...   So, his "playoff run" is going on right now..  Why
    would Harry want to trade away the only hopes to make the playoffs??
    He has clearly shown he is not concerned with the long term success of
    the team.  He will only make a trade that gets Boston into the
    playoffs.
    
    Cheers,
    jeff