Poke the Bear

Predictions for a Tricky Bruins Offseason

In this episode of Poke The Bear, Conor and Evan talk Don Sweeney's latest comments, the state of the NHL trade market, and make our predictions for the NHL Draft and the rest of the Bruins' moves.  Poke The Bear on CLNS Media is Powered by: 💰 Prize Picks - Sign up at http://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CLNS & Download the app today and use code CLNS to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should Bruins PIVOT to John Carlson This Summer?

Connor Ryan and Ty Anderson break down a busy week of Bruins news, starting with the trade of Andre Gasseau's rights for added draft capital and why it might net Boston a long-term replacement at center. They dig into the thin remaining options on the UFA defenseman market after Toronto signed Darren Raddysh, debate whether John Carlson or Tony DeAngelo makes more sense on a short-term deal, and float a dream Zellweger-Carlson pairing if the Bruins can pull off a trade. Plus: a deep dive into the Pavel Zacha trade rumors, what kind of return Boston could realistically get, and why patience might not be a virtue this offseason. They close with a preview of what Boston should be targeting at pick 23 in Friday's draft. 0:00 - Intro 0:59 - World Cup Buzz & Boston's International Crowd 3:48 - Bruins Trade Andre Gasseau for Draft Capital 6:06 - Why Gasseau Could Be a Long-Term Crowley Replacement 8:08 - Toronto Signs Darren Raddysh — What's Left on the Defense Market? 9:38 - Are the Remaining UFA Defensemen Worth Pursuing? 11:56 - Why Raddysh Landed in a Better Spot in Toronto 13:08 - What the Bruins Actually Need on the Right Side 15:29 - The Case for Trading for Zellweger Instead of Free Agency 17:31 - Do the Bruins Even Have the Cap Space to Add Two Pieces? 18:56 - Lessons from the David Backes Contract 19:43 - Why a Short-Term Overpay Could Make Sense 20:37 - John Carlson vs. Tony DeAngelo — Who Fits Better? 23:32 - Building a Zellweger-Carlson Pairing Fantasy 24:41 - Backup Plans: Ilya Lyubushkin & Reclamation Targets 26:10 - Why This Defense Corps Already Looks Better 28:31 - Pavel Zacha Trade Buzz: Bruins Listening on Offers 29:39 - Does Zacha's Sample Size Justify a Big Extension? 31:54 - The Risk of Paying for Playoff Performance You Haven't Seen 33:28 - The Islanders/Noah Dobson Trade Comparison 35:46 - Could a Zacha Trade Net Big Draft Capital? 36:43 - Pushing Back on the "Locker Room Impact" Argument 38:17 - Why Patience Has Burned the Bruins Before 40:25 - Draft Preview: What Boston Needs at Pick 23 41:29 - The Case for Targeting a Puck-Moving Defenseman 43:06 - Prioritizing Skill and Upside Over Safe Picks 46:02 - How a Strong Prospect Pool Helps Trade Leverage 47:14 - Outro Bruins on CLNS Media is Powered by: 💰 Prize Picks - Sign up at http://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CLNS & Download the app today and use code CLNS to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patrice Bergeron Gets Number RETIRED, Bruins Make a Trade

In this episode of Poke The Bear, Conor and Evan talk Patrice Bergeron's No. 37 retirement, the Bruins dealing away Andre Gasseau's rights, and Boston's willingness for blockbuster deals. 0:00 - Intro 1:07 - Bergeron Number Retirement Announcement Prank 2:58 - Reactions to the Surprise Announcement 4:10 - Why the Timing Made Sense 4:28 - What's Next for Bergeron's Career? 8:00 - Bergeron's Role Working with Current Players 9:04 - Building a Culture with Bruins Legends 12:07 - Comparing to the Red Sox's Front Office Struggles 13:17 - Internal Hires vs. Outside Hires for Coaching Roles 14:07 - PrizePicks 16:23 - Bruins Trade Andre Gasseau to San Jose 17:39 - Breaking Down the Return for Gasseau 19:11 - Was This Good Asset Management? 21:04 - Could the Bruins Package Picks to Move Up in the Draft? 23:44 - Listener Q&A 28:31 - Would You Trade Hagens & Lauko for a Star? 29:48 - Dylan Larkin vs. Truly Elite Centers 33:13 - The Case for Acquiring a Younger Player 35:59 - Outro Bruins on CLNS Media is Powered by: 💰 Prize Picks - Sign up at http://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CLNS & Download the app today and use code CLNS to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can Bruins take advantage of a shifting NHL landscape?

In this episode of Poke The Bear, Conor and Ty talk the Bruins' new coaching hire, NHL players getting more control in a growing trade market, and Cam Neely's recent comments about adding to Boston's roster. 0:00 - Intro 0:47 - Kilts, Scots & Summer Vibes in Boston 4:38 - Bruins Hire Matt McIlvaine as Assistant Coach 12:20 - PrizePicks 14:26 - The Trade Market & Player Movement Around the NHL 16:34 - Why Free Agency Isn't the Answer for Boston 22:19 - Boston as a Destination — Is It Still Appealing? 29:09 - Cam Neely Quotes & Bruins' Offseason Approach 31:35 - Alex Tuck, Arvidsson & Aging Player Concerns 38:05 - What to Do with Lindholm, Lohrei & the Roster Bubble Guys 39:21 - Wrapping Up! Bruins on CLNS Media is Powered by: 💰 Prize Picks - Sign up at http://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CLNS & Download the app today and use code CLNS to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dylan Larkin's expanding trade list might be BAD news for the Bruins

On this episode of Poke The Bear, Conor and Evan discuss the Bruins’ new coaching hire on Marco Sturm’s staff, as well as whether or not it’s good news that Dylan Larkin might be expanding his list of trade suitors. Poke The Bear on CLNS Media is Powered by: 💰 Prize Picks - Sign up at http://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CLNS & Download the app today and use code CLNS to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices