12:25 PM Mon, Oct 19, 2009 | Permalink
Art Martone  Email
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BY MARK DIVVER
Assistant Sports Editor
Ten quick thoughts on the Chuck Kobasew trade and what it means to the Providence Bruins:
-- Providence fans may have seen the last of Vladimir Sobotka and Brad Marchand, except of course on NESN. Based on the first couple of weeks of the AHL season, these two are ready for the NHL.
-- In Boston, Marchand and Sobotka will help replace some of the speed up front that was lost when Phil Kessel was traded. Though neither one is a burner in Kessel's class -- there aren't many players who are --together they'll make the Bruins a faster team.
-- NHL scouts and front office types talk a lot about players' "compete level.'' In the AHL, Sobotka's and Marchand's compete level was off the charts. To succeed in the NHL, both need to have this part of their game going every night. One thing that's been sorely lacking in Boston so far is a consistent compete level.
-- Chances are more than a few players in the AHL -- and especially in the Atlantic Division --are hoping that Sobotka and Marchand stick with Boston just so they don't have to play against them any more. Hate's a strong word, but not too strong to describe the way opposing players feel about Sobotka and Marchand and the in-your-face game that both thrive on.
-- Never mind the games, I'm going to miss watching Sobotka in practice. Even compared to players with terrific hands like Martin St. Pierre last year and Zach Hamill, Sobotka is a cut above. In practice, his skill level and instincts are dazzling.
-- In conversations with Sobotka and Marchand over the past couple of weeks, one thing that shines through is how intensely both want to make it in the NHL. While some players may be satisfied just to make it as far as the AHL, Sobotka and Marchand have a burning desire to succeed at the next level.
-- When Providence lost Matt Lashoff and Martins Karsums at the trade deadline last March, it created an opportunity for other players to step up. Now, without Sobotka and Marchand, more will be expected of the likes of Zach Hamill, Mikko Lehtonen and Jeff LoVecchio. If they rise to the occasion, Providence will stay in the upper half of the Atlantic Division. If they don't ...
-- There's not a lot of sentiment in pro hockey, and Rob Murray is as hard-nosed as they come. Even so, Murray doesn't hide how much he likes Sobotka. "I've got a soft spot for Vladdy,'' Murray said when a disappointed Sobotka was demoted to Providence a couple of week ago. "He plays the game the right way.''
-- Boston's lifeless showing on Saturday in Phoenix probably made up management's minds that a change was needed, but the performance of Sobotka and Marchand this weekend didn't hurt. Assistant GM Don Sweeney watched from the press box Friday night as Sobotka finished every check, and recorded a goal and an assist and eight shots on goal in a 4-2 win over Lowell. Marchand had an assist and seven shots on goal.
On Sunday, Sobotka had two goals, two assists and six shots in a 7-2 blitzing of Portland. Marchand had a goal and an assist and five shots. He also aggravated Portland's Cody McCormick to the point where McCormick jumped him, receiving 29 penalty minutes to Marchand's 2.
Shortly after the game, the Kobasew trade and the callups were announced.
-- This is a bit off-topic, but, hey, it's hunting season. Marchand goes hunting every chance he gets on days off. Last week, he told me excitedly that he'd recently bagged his first deer. (I'm not sure if he meant his first deer of the season or his first ever). When I mentioned this to Murray and assistant Bruce Cassidy, both agreed that the thought of Marchand with a gun in his hands was frightening.
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Who comes in to help the top two lines in Providence now?!?!?!! Would Providence be looking for a trade to get a top six forward now, bc without those two the offense may struggle seeing Marchand is the leading scorer! Would Pinneault and Fraser still be of interest or are they already linked to other AHL teams by now?!?
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Hopefully this gets Knackstedt and Clouthier back in the lineup.
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Craig Weller is coming here most likely, so there is one spot filled.
I wasn't exactly holding my breath with anticipation waiting to see Knackstedt or Clouthier playing again. Yannick Riendeau is the guy who's going to be fun to watch.
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Clouthier is a premier heavyweight, something the P-Bruins haven't had since Steve MacIntyre a few years ago.
I agree with you on Riendeau though. Also, any news on when McKelvie will return?
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Riendeau's out till at least Christmas with a shoulder injury.
Getting Weller, Knackstedt, or Clothier into the lineup certainly won't help the offense. Where's Lehtonen been? I know he's been dressed, but you wouldn't know it by his play.
Something tells me this is a test run for Marchand. I don't think we've seen the last of him in Providence. He's earned the call up, but it's no guarantee he's there to stay. As for Sobotka, he's probably gone for good. He's proven his worth in the AHL, and belongs in the big leagues. I just with Julien would put him on a line where he can contribute offensively. He's not a fourth line player - period.
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As Joe said, it's not going to help with the scoring.
Overall as things take shape, this may the most physical P-Bruins teams ever. But I worry more about putting the biscuit in the basket.
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agree to disagree. there are other players on the team who are capable of picking up the slack scoring-wise.
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