Projo Bruins Blog

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.

BOSTON -- The Boston Bruins announced Sunday that Adam Courchaine, Matt Dalton, Jordan Knackstedt and Matt Marquardt have been assigned to the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League, who also are receiving Scott Fletcher and Rob Kwiet (who have been released from their tryout agreements with Boston) and Alain Goulet and Lane MacDermid (unsigned draft choices) from Boston's training camp.

In other roster moves, Ryan Button, Jordan Caron, Michael Hutchinson and Tyler Randell are unsigned draft choices who are being returned to their respective junior clubs.

The Bruins also released Chris DeSousa, Brad Good, Mark Isherwood, Jason Lawrence, Taylor MacDougall, Peter Stevens, Jason Wilson and Marc Zanetti from their rookie camp tryout agreements.

BOSTON -- The Bruins announced Tuesday night they have bought out the last year of forward Peter Schaefer's contract.

Schaefer spent all of 2008-09 with the Providence Bruins, recording 7 goals and 19 assists for 26 points in 47 regular-season games. In eight career NHL seasons, Schaefer played in 556 games for three clubs (Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators and the Vancouver Canucks). Overall he scored 98 goals with 161 assists for 259 career points.

Schaefer was acquired by the Bruins from the Ottawa Senators for Shean Donovan on July 17, 2007.

Following the buyout, Schaefer becomes an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any other NHL team.

The Bruins issued a statement Monday night about the NHL failing to suspend Scott Walker for his punch of Aaron Ward in Game Five Sunday night:

"We respectfully disagree with the NHL's ruling to rescind the automatic suspension to Scott Walker, but we will abide by the League's ruling."

Imagine if Lisa Hillary ever had to cover a game at the old Boston Garden. (From youtube.com)

The Boston Bruins today recalled goaltender Adam Courchaine from the Providence Bruins (American Hockey League). He is expected to join the team today for practice at Ristuccia Arena in Wilmington

Courchaine, 20, split the 2008-09 season between the Providence Bruins and the Ottawa 67's of the Ontario Hockey League He started and played in one game for the P-Bruins this season and went 0-1-0 with a 3.00 goals-against average. He played 30 games for the 67's and registered a 13-11-2 record, a 3.28 GAA and two shutouts.

Courchaine was signed by the Bruins as a free agent on Sept. 30, 2007.

The Bruins reached the 50-victory mark in the regular season for the eighth time in franchise history with a 2-1 win over Ottawa Thursday night at TD Banknorth Garden.

See the box score here.

More to come . . .