Bruins to reach out to Patriots to figure out how to handle long layoff
Feb 5, 2019; Boston, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) shakes hands with Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) and New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27) before the game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
By Ty Anderson, 985TheSportsHub.com
An 11-day layoff is something the Bruins earned, and on the surface, is something that will undoubtedly help some bumps and bruises suffered along the way of what’s been a three-round, 17-game run for the Black and Gold.
“We’ve been peddle to the metal here mentally and physically for a while,” Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said. “I do believe in the short term it will help us a lot. Then it’s incumbent upon us to simulate the best we can with what’s going to be required going forward. We’re gonna tap into some outside resources that have gone through some layoffs and some situations, just try and do the best we can to simulate.”
The first team they’re going to try and tap into for potential help? The six-time Super Bowl champion New England Patriots.
“There’s a local team that’s had time between when they’re going to the Super Bowl,” Sweeney offered. “We are gonna look at different resources that have done it and done it well.”
The break for the Patriots comes with a two-week break between the conference championship and Super Bowl, which is honestly not too far off from what the Bruins are going to deal with between rounds three and four here.
It’s enough for Sweeney, who does not have a personal relationship with Patriots coach Bill Belichick, to feel confident that they will be able to learn something from the Foxboro Dynasty.
“I have a hell of a lot of respect for the man, that’s for sure,” Sweeney said of Belichick. “But I think we’re gonna reach out to their group and tap into every different – we look at everybody’s assets in that way and hopefully they’ll be able to share some information with us.”
The 2019 Stanley Cup Final will begin Monday, May 29 against either the San Jose Sharks or St. Louis Blues.
Ty Anderson is a writer and columnist for 985TheSportsHub.com. He has also been a voting member of the Boston Chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association since 2013. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Yell at him on Twitter: @_TyAnderson.
