The Boston Bruins get their 2023-24 season underway on Wednesday night when they host the Chicago Blackhawks at TD Garden. On Wednesday’s Felger and Mazz, Mazz and Jim Murray gave some candidates for who will piss them off on the Bruins this season during their Centennial campaign!
Who will annoy Mazz in the Boston Bruins Centennial season?
Linus Ullmark
Oct 3, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) in goal during the second period against the Washington Capitals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Mazz: Linus Ullmark. If he were a stock I would sell his ass right now like nobody’s business. That one’s going to plummet I think. He had a great year last year, at least a great regular season. I feel like this year, and I only saw him in one preseason game, he was horrible.
Kevin Shattenkirk
Oct 3, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Washington Capitals center Connor McMichael (24) battles with Boston Bruins defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (12) in front of goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Mazz: Kevin Shattenkirk was on my list. So Kevin Shattenkirk, do you realize his last six years in the league he had one good year in there with Tampa Bay. He played for Tampa Bay one year and he was a plus-22 and had 34 points or whatever. But everybody’s going to be plus with Tampa Bay. So like, I really don’t know how good that even was. I’m just going by the numbers, it’s not like I watched him every night. In the other five years of those six years, two with the New York Rangers, three with the Anaheim Ducks, he was minus-66. He’s a third pairing defenseman right now. He’s going to start with Forbort. That is going to be a disaster.
Hampus Lindholm
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 19: Hampus Lindholm #27 of the Boston Bruins skates against the Florida Panthers during the third period of Game Two of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 19, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Panthers defeat the Bruins 6-3. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Mazz: And the only other name I have on my list because I carry a grudge is Hampus Lindholm. There’s nothing he can do in the regular season to make me feel better about him. Whoop-de-freakin-do! Great! You’re a veteran guy and you can win in November and January. Congratulations. Terrific. I know you’re going to crap yourself when you get to the playoffs again. It has happened both times. He doesn’t have a single point, right? He has no points with the Bruins in two years in the playoffs. Is that true? No points. He’s going to piss me off all year long. He has no choice.
Who will annoy Jim Murray in the Boston Bruins Centennial season?
Linus Ullmark
SUNRISE, FL – APRIL 28: Goaltender Linus Ullmark #35 of the Boston Bruins defends the net against the Florida Panthers during first period action in Game Six of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the FLA Live Arena on April 28, 2023 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Linus Ullmark
Jim Murray: I have four names for you. We’ll start with Linus Ullmark. There’s bound to be some regression after last year and it’s not going to take much for me. And I think anyone that feels this way to be yelling about how the Bruins should’ve sold high on this guy and traded his ass this offseason. So if there’s going to be a regression from Ullmark, which I think there’s going to be because of the season he had Vezina Trophy winner and all that, that’s going to put more pressure on Jeremy Swayman and he’s probably gonna have to play more if Ullmark sucks. I’m ready to be annoyed by Linus Ullmark this year.
Milan Lucic
Sep 26, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Milan Lucic (17) looks for the puck during the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Jim Murray: This next one’s obvious: Milan Lucic. Washed, proof of them living in the past, he’s going to be a fan favorite to pink hat Bruins fans and I’m just ready to be annoyed. Like, what’s he going to add to this team other than living in the past and people pretending it’s like 2011 all over again?
Kevin Shattenkirk
Feb 15, 2023; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (22) celebrates after a goal against the Buffalo Sabres in the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jim Murray: Kevin Shattenkirk. And I’ll put him in with Lucic, he’s like another washed vet. It’s like I’m going to look at him at points this season and be like “why is he here”?
Don Sweeney
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 26: General Manager Don Sweeney of the Boston Bruins speaks during Media Day ahead of the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden on May 26, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Jim Murray: And last but not least, this all ultimately comes to Don Sweeney. Like, because I’m going to pay attention, close attention to the team that is going to end up winning the Atlantic or be the top of the Atlantic, and that’s the Maple Leafs and the fact they now have Tyler Bertuzzi. And you couldn’t have extended yourself to bring him back? He was a good fit here. One year, five and a half million and he goes to Toronto. Just sign him to a longer term extension! I really, really wanted Bertuzzi to be part of this team and he’s not and I put that on Sweeney. So those are the four I’m ready to be pissed at.
