Bruins closing the gap on Florida Panthers
On Tuesday’s Toucher & Hardy program, Michael Holley and Matt McCarthy try to figure out how to fix the Boston Bruins.
Bruins Need More Additions
Parts of conversation abbreviated for clarity.
Matt McCarthy: So, I think the Bruins are way better than they were on Sunday. I think they filled their two biggest needs. Two of their biggest needs entering this offseason, which is a centerman who can win face-offs and a big defenseman who won’t get pushed around. They needed somebody who could hit some guys—two huge needs.
Two questions though. Is it an overpay? And have they closed the gap enough?
Michael Holley: Gap with who?
McCarthy: Florida, the iron of the league, the Rangers, Carolina, you name it.
Holley: They’ve closed the gap, right?
McCarthy: No doubt.
Holley: They’ve closed it. Lindholm is a guy that can close out on the puck. And then you also got another defenseman that can play physically. But can you make another team fear your defense? If the answer to that question is “yes,” that’s significant.
Florida is relentless and it’s a non-stop thing. And so, for the Bruins, are they at that level? Do you trust that these two additions put them at that level where they are just so relentless that they’re ready to take on Florida and knock them out?
McCarthy: I think they’re closer, but I don’t believe they are close enough. I still think they need another center. I think they need another winger who can score. They’ve closed the gap.
But that gap was already too wide to begin with. It was a really good day for them yesterday. It’s a start. It’s a really good start, but it’s probably the finish. They’ve said they’re not going to add anybody else on the wing. It’s probably going to be Fabian Lysell, and you’re going to count on Poitras to come in and give you a boost as your third-line center.
Segment Audio
Ryan Beaton is a producer for 985thesportshub.com. You can follow Ryan at @ry_beaton on Twitter.
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