The boos during the moment of unity should make it very clear that it was never about the flag or the anthem. Those people don't want racism to be challenged, regardless of the when, where or how.
An emotional David Pastrnak acknowledges hockey dropped “way down” his life priorities this past year after the death of his newborn son.
Says he and and his girlfriend got through it with “just time… and a lot of love.”
Bring back Martellus Bennett. Bring back Danny Amendola. Bring back Jamie Collins. Get the whole damn band back together. What's LeGarrette Blount up to?
Swayman said when he was on his way back to Boston after the injury, Nick Foligno texted asking for his address. Foligno’s wife had made a bunch of food to drop off for him.
Pride, black history, indigenous nights, hockey fights cancer, autism awareness, military appreciation, first responders, St. Patrick's Day green in Boston... all out the window because the league's caving to a handful of bigoted players.
From NHL Board of Governors: teams will not wear specialty jerseys in warmups next season. Also: Cap, Ottawa, Arizona and other topics. With Commissioner Gary Bettman here —
It must really suck to be a conservative sports fan who now can't watch football, basketball, baseball or hockey, all because players decided to make radical statements like "racism is bad."
Zdeno Chara was the tallest player in NHL history, threw over 3,000 hits in his career, and somehow managed to not make a habit of drilling guys in the head.
Being big shouldn’t excuse this hit, and shame on the NHL if they allow it to.
You would think the NHL would at least have the common sense to suspend Wilson for one game so tomorrow's Capitals-Rangers doesn't turn into a total shitshow with him on the ice and the Rangers having nothing to play for. This league just never ceases to amaze.
The series is going to be "heavily scrutinized" by the NHL because of the "nasty tone," but also we're going to base all our promotion around that nasty tone. Got it.
Emily Kaplan mentioned that Trevor Connelly was accused of using a racial slur. No one across several minutes of coverage on ESPN mentioned that he posted a photo of a swastika on social media. Just vague references to "off-ice concerns." Embarrassing.
Bruce Cassidy currently meeting with reporters via Zoom, wearing a Celtics shirt.
"First off, I just want to thank the city of Boston and Bruins fans for all their support over the years."
David Pastrnak said that when they faced the Wild earlier this season, he jokingly told Pat Maroon that he should come to Boston during a center-ice chat.
After the trade, Maroon texted him, "Our red-line chat came true."
When asked about being named an All-Star, Jeremy Swayman brought up his arbitration case as part of his answer:
"After dealing with what I did this summer with arbitration, hearing things that a player should never hear, it feels pretty special to be in this situation."
Cale Makar in the last four years:
-Hobey Baker Award (2019)
-Calder Trophy (2020)
-Norris Trophy (2022)
-Conn Smythe Trophy (2022)
-Stanley Cup (2022)
Looks like Swayman, Shattenkirk, van Riemsdyk, Forbort, DeBrusk, McAvoy and Beecher are using pride-colored tape in warmups on Hockey Is For Everyone night (apologies if I missed anyone)
David Krejci's wife is running the Marathon today. He was hoping Game 1 would be tomorrow, but "it is what it is."
Krejci plans on just sticking to his routine instead of heading to the finish line or anything: "Just go home, eat, take a nap."
Jack Edwards announces that he and Andy Brickley are going back on the road for this upcoming Bruins road trip. Will be their first road games in two years.
Jakub Lauko says his intention is to wear a neck guard the rest of his career. Said the combination of his own injury and Adam Johnson’s death led him to decide it wasn’t worth the risk to not wear it.
He’ll be in a full cage for a few more weeks.
Bill Belichick: There is no way Tom Brady could possibly embarrass the Bills more than just running on them every play.
Tom Brady: What if I run on them myself every play?
@ForAmerica
@nbc
@Macys
If any child had their innocence broken by this, it’s only because their awful parents have already taught them to hate gay people
Sweeney said Bruins players - at least the leadership group - were made aware that they were planning to sign Miller. Acknowledges that some asked, "Why?"
Jake DeBrusk on his advice for Matt Poitras as he goes through some ups and downs: "Just keep doing what you're doing. ... Don't look at the outside noise. I told him if he does, just look up my name and you'll feel a lot better about yourself."
Good interview. Ullmark said he was "literally shaking" when he called Swayman to tell him the trade was done. Also said Swayman will always be "Uncle Sway" to his kids.
The Bruins just wrapped up a stretch of five straight weekends of back-to-backs. While other Bruins veterans and stars got games off, David Pastrnak played all 10 of those games and put up 11 goals and 5 assists.
The Bruins went 9-1-0 during those games.
Brad Marchand on his All-Star snub: “I’m not bothered at all. It’s a nice event to go to. … But Bergy’s been our best player for whatever it’s been, 18 years now. … That’s how it goes with the league format the way it is.”
Mentions Nazem Kadri as another major snub.
When I asked Sweeney about fans who don't have faith in the front office, he said that was a generalization and asked for specifics.
In this survey of 2,500 fans, 91.4% said Sweeney and Neely are not "the right executives to lead the Bruins."
Your new current longest-tenured Boston athletes.
And a tip of the cap to
@Patriots
legend Matthew Slater on an incredible career.
Thanks for everything you’ve done for our community.
Not that they were particularly close to beating them, but the Bruins gave the Panthers their most competitive series this spring. They’re a steamroller.
Swayman was back at practice today. Said he feels good and is working towards being game-ready as quickly as possible. Felt lucky the injury wasn’t worse than it was. Also credited Penguins medical staff with treating him like one of their own right after the injury.
Here's a fun stat.
385 NHL forwards have played at least 400 5-on-5 minutes this season.
The one who has been on the ice for the fewest goals against per 60 minutes is...
Tomas Nosek.
Lightning's Braydon Coburn and Luke Schenn not answering hockey questions during their press conference. Said they want to keep attention on social issues at least for today.
Jeremy Swayman on hearing the crowd chant his name after the handshake line: “Tears. I couldn't be more grateful to have a city, have a home base that's as supportive as Boston.”
Pastrnak said he went over for the explanation on Bennett’s goal standing, the ref told him Coyle’s position didn’t matter to Swayman being able to make the save.
“To us it was clear that Coyle got crosschecked in the crease and Sway couldn’t move.”
Maroon drills McAvoy from behind. That should be 5 and a game based on the precedent set with the Pastrnak hit.
Instead, it's nothing because the NHL is a completely unserious league.
Bruins challenging for goalie interference. Bennett crosschecked Coyle into Swayman. I don't know here- technically the interference was with Coyle, not Swayman.