Bruins Second Line with Zacha, Mittelstadt, Geekie SETS Expectations HIGH

0:00This is the Lockdown Podcast Network celebrating 10 years of your team every day. Thank you for making Lockdown your first listen every day. For your second listen, find Lockdown NHL Game Night. Every game every night until a Stanley Cup champion is crowned. Get local analysis on a national scale. Find NHL Game Night on Lockdown NHL on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts. It's the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. The Pavell Zaka contract situation is going over this team all season long, even as he and his new linemates develop some pretty great chemistry. Your Lockdown Bruins, your daily podcast on the Boston Bruins,

1:01part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. What is up Bruins fans, I am Ian McClurean and on today's episode of Lockdown Boston Bruins, we are going to discuss the new look second line of Pavell Zaka, Casey Middlestadt and Morgan Geeky and how they looked in the season opener against the New York Rangers and how Geeky is proving to be a more than adequate replacement on that unit for Victor Arvitson. We will also touch on Tanner Ginoe getting an A this season as a member of the team's leadership group and of course previewed against the Winnipeg Jets. We'll also take a quick look at tomorrow's game against the Minnesota Wild as well, as the Bruins are playing a back to back on the road here tonight and tomorrow night in both Winnipeg and Minnesota. Thank you so much for joining me on this October 2nd episode of Lockdown Boston Bruins.

2:02Thank you for making the podcast your first listen every day. We are part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. Today we're beginning with a look at Boston's changed offensive look with the extraction of Victor Arvitson and the addition of Jay-Jay the fine and flutusian Zawa of the athletic and a pretty good piece this morning about this change and how specifically Morgan Geeky has gone from here assignment on the left side of David Posternox line back to his more natural shooting side, which is as a right handed shot on the right side where Victor Arvitson previously occupied a spot on the line with Casey Middlestad and Pavel Zaka.

3:03Zaka of course is a pending unrestricted free agent. So as we begin to discuss how this line is emerging as a secondary offensive option for the Bruins, we have to, of course, keep in mind the fact that he's entering the final year of his contract, he's without an extension, he's on track for unrestricted free agency, and as Chris Johnston reported on TSN's in-tried or trading last night, this is a situation to monitor. The Bruins would like to keep him. There have been discussions, but landing on the right number has proven difficult. A challenge that Johnston noted, teams, agents, players, and of course us as fans are grappling with across the league as contract values continue to climb. Even just yesterday you saw a guy like Tristan Luno who's played 14 NHL games signed to a 7 year 43.2 million dollar extension,

4:14which will pay him, you know, over $7 million per season with 14 games of NHL experience. You got to see a guy like Pavel Zaka, well established in this league, he's been playing for the Bruins for the last few years on a heavily discounted $4.75 million capit, coming off a career best 30 goals, 65 points, and you have to think he is looking to cash in with the rising tide that is the NHL salary cap. If no deal gets done at some point during the season, Zaka will wind up on a trade board as one of the few centers capable of playing in a top 6 who might become available. The only other guy that I can think of off the top of my head is Morgan Frost out in Calgary and Zaka carries far more value as an established top 6 center.

5:18Maybe getting ahead of things of course as Boston would prefer to resign him, but the sense is Zaka is in no rush to get anything done and is focused on playing, kind of betting on himself, betting that he can replicate his production from last year and that his numbers won't take a huge hit and therefore affect his overall value. For the time being, Zaka is centering a line with Casey Middlestadt and Morgan Geeky and Middlestadt to Flutusian Zawa said, RV and Geeks are different players, but they both fit playing with us, meaning Middlestadt and Zaka very well in different ways. Geeks can score Middlestadt and Pav probably prefer to pass a little more. Pav did score 30 last season, but the way Middlestadt and Pav like to work with the puck is more of a possession game.

6:18Arvetson did a lot of the dirty work going to the net. Deke is probably more of a fine soft spot shooter. It fits in a different way, but it should work great according to Middlestadt. None of these guys scored in Boston's season opening win over the New York Rangers, but they did combine for 6 5 on 5 shots, not including the second period post hit by Morgan Geeky, nor a post hit by Zaka in the third period. Zaka had 0.4 expected 5 on 5 goals, the highest of any brewing. And Zaka in Middlestadt each had a game high 3 shots at 5 on 5. Now maybe you'd like Middlestadt to shoot a bit more, same with Zaka, but they were creating offense. And all of this came of course as Fraser Minton took the lead for the Bruins as the third line center and then JGA Pateraka getting the lion share of the offensive zone starts.

7:24Capitalizing on that late opportunity that was created by by Pateraka. Sturm said the Zaka line had some really good opportunities. They played pretty good together in the last preseason game against Washington. There's definitely something there and it's still going to get better. Sturm at the beginning of training camp had Geeky on a line with pasta and linto. Pateraka was the number 2 right wing with Middlestadt and Zaka. Sturm was not ready to put Pateraka right on the top line with Pashnok, even if the two guys appeared pretty compatible on the top line. It wasn't until the third period of the Bruins second preseason game that Pateraka linto and pasta became a thing and it's likely to stick for the time being because of how dangerous Pateraka and pasta can be together.

8:26We saw Pateraka's game changing actions in game 1 and it makes sense because Pateraka's a left hand shot, put him on the left side with pasta and linto. Geeky's a right hand shot, put him on the right wing with Middlestadt and Zaka. Now of course, Pavozaka pending unrestricted free agent and there will be trade rumors reports swirling around him all season long as long as he is not resigned. If they come to an agreement, amazing. I'm not necessarily frothing at the mouth to give him like $10 million on his next contract that will be signed at age 30. I do see him as of course a valuable member of the Boston Bruins and certainly worth more than what he's making at the moment. But still, you gotta be wary of that big time caching contract when you're entering your 30 plus years.

9:31He's a middle stat also a pending unrestricted free agent. He of course is a bit younger than Pavozaka. He's only 27. He'll turn 28 on November 22nd. He has 15 goals, 27 assists for 42 points for the Bruins last season. He does have a career high, 59 points with the Buffalo Sabers in 22-23. And his career high in goals is what he had last season. I do think there is another level that he can reach goal scoring wise and maybe this trio can unlock that together. Middle stat, according to Fluto, focused on his training this summer in terms of acceleration. He's pleased with the results. He feels faster, which should help this whole line turn defensive stands into rush chances. And that's the whole goal for Marco Sturm is to get his defenseman breaking out the puck and have his wingers jumping down to create some rush chances. And that happened a lot in the game against the Rangers.

10:42Middle stat said it's nice to feel that what you worked on you improved that and he believes that he did. So that's a trio to watch tonight against the Winnipeg Jets. A game we'll preview later on in the podcast. But coming up, we're going to touch on tenors. You know, getting the A for the Bruins this season along with some other more established leaders on this roster. Some of the best nights happen when you almost don't go. Maybe you're tired, your schedule is packed or you just don't think getting tickets is worth the hassle. But then when you get the group together, find tickets and suddenly you're walking into an NHL game with some of your closest buds. It turns into one of those nights you're still talking about for weeks. That's what I love about game time. The app makes it easy to find tickets to NHL games, concerts, comedy shows and turns those we should go conversations into actual memorable nights. You can browse events, check out your seat before buying and get your tickets in just a few taps.

11:46Get your friends, get your tickets and tell them it's game time. Download the game time app, create an account and use code locked on for $20 off your first purchase. Terms do apply. That's code locked on for $20 off NHL matchups on game time. Download the app today. Now you may have noticed a new player with an A in the Bruins season opener against the New York Rangers. It's not something that I've touched on yet here on the podcast and is definitely worth discussing because it is tenors. Tenors you know officially joining the Bruins leadership group with an A on his jersey. David Postinock of course given the seed this season. There was a few guys with A's last year. You know not one of them and he joins a leadership group that includes a campus lend home and Charlie McEvoy.

12:46These guys will be wearing A's this season for the Boston Bruins as alternate captains not assistant captains. Postinock Geno, Hempersland home and McEvoy and for Geno he said it is a huge honor to be able to wear that on a sweater on an original 16 is a dream come true. He wants to do everything he can to help the guys and help the team win. That includes bringing it every single day whatever that needs to be if that's making hits walking shots getting to the net going to the hard areas whatever it is sometimes dropping the gloves. He said if I can bring in some leadership as well and just pump the guys up as much as I can then I am going to do it going to do everything I can for this team. Couldn't be happier to do it now a lot of people myself included were shocked perhaps when Geno was signed to a pretty big contract relatively speaking last summer the Bruins signed him.

13:58For five years at $17 million three point four million per season which for a fourth liner is pretty heavy but Marco Sturm sees something very special in this kit. He says he definitely deserve to be one of the assistant captains. A lot of guys didn't know but Sturm met him and in Los Angeles and he knew he was quite effective in the room and as soon as he left that was the first thing that came out of LA that they definitely missed him in those kinds of areas. He's not just tough he was really excited to have the a and to wear it we all know how good he is around the players the team and in the room. Geno for two as credit came out last season with six goals 16 assists in 77 regular season games second highest total of his career.

15:02He led the Bruins with 239 hits drop the gloves eight times and also developed that strong voice amongst his peers. And he said his dad Pat was in the crowd for the season opening win over the Rangers and his loyalties have always been with the Bruins. His brother was a Philadelphia Flyers fan but Pat was a Bruins fan and now that his son is an alternate captain for the team it just makes it even more special it was him growing up being a Bruins fan a little bit extra special for him and special for the Bruins to now. I'm assuming that fandom comes out of Geno being from Estevan Saskatchewan and when the hockey team moved from Humboldt Saskatchewan to Estevan in 1956 and joined the Saskatchewan Junior hockey league in 1957 they did it with the approval and direct support from the Boston Bruins who supplied the club with official team uniforms.

16:28And throughout the 1960s actually the Estevan Bruins formally operated as a Western farm development system feeder for Boston helping pipeline players like Greg Shepherd Joe's a new seat toward professional opportunities with Boston affiliated minor league clubs and even sometimes in the case of the NHL. And several Estevan alumni transitioned directly into the Boston professional system so that could be I'm assuming where the fandom of Geno's father originates from as Estevan Saskatchewan natives and Geno of course after signing a five year deal with the Bruins in July 2025. Was immediately someone who was pinned by Stern for some leadership abilities the two overlapped in the King's organization Geno is there for the 2024 25 season when Stern was head coach of the Ontario Rain which is the affiliate.

17:39Geno and the Bruins of course off to Winnipeg as they open a two game road trip tonight the Bruins will face the jets tonight the Minnesota wild on Saturday following their first win of the season on Tuesday and Geno said he thought it was a really good 60 minute effort from the Bruins we came out we executed our game planning said guys were sharp on their details in the D zone on the rush and fork check. Helps that there were a lot of returning guys that learned the system last year and are helping out the new guys that did come in really good start just have to keep building on it I don't know if a lot of people anticipated tenors Geno having such a prominent role in the Bruins. Leadership structure this season I saw a leadership structure of like obviously David poshtner Charlie McAvoy Jeremy Swamin and then you have secondary leaders like campus Lindholm and Keeta's a doorov as well as Morgan geeky.

18:56Iceland home Fraser minton is captain material in my opinion but it was Geno who got the a out of that whole group. He's been on a few teams now he's had some really great leaders to learn from including you know the predators the lightning the who else has he played for the Kings of course all teams that he's been able to suit up for the game. That he's been able to suit up for so you got like Victor headman on the copet are a lot of guys that he's learn from with letters and without. And now that he's been here a little bit he's trying to do the same help out younger guys coming in and help his team in any way he can and be the best person and the best teammate that he could be so congratulations to tenors Geno and excited to see his continued evolution as a key member of the Boston Roots. Of the Boston ruins yes in a depth role yes perhaps overpaid but maybe not in today's cap rising era.

20:02The Bruins tonight taking on the Winnipeg jets tomorrow the Minnesota wild will touch on these games coming up here as the podcast continues. Today's episode is brought to you by Fanduul who welcomes you to your most rewarding NFL season ever how rewarding are we talking while more rewarding than a touchdown with time expiring more rewarding than an eighteen point come back maybe even more rewarding than an alignment catching a touchdown. This season Fanduul is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all new Fanduul rewards club featuring exclusive offers surprises and more all season long Fanduul making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with this all new Fanduul rewards club. surprises and more every week check the Fanduul app to see exactly what is waiting for you exclusive offers worth opening the app to see what's waiting make this your most rewarding season ever with Fanduul visit Fanduul.com to get started.

21:11Alright Bruins jets tonight in Winnipeg and here's what you need to know first of all it is the season opener for the Winnipeg jets on home ice and of course they will be without Connor hella buck in net. Hella buck has requested a trade he has been suspended by the team in the meantime and the starting goal tender for the jets is now Stewart Skinner who's had a very up and down season sorry up and down career since popping into the league in a full time basis in 2022 23. He's had season save percentages as high as 914 as low as 885 last season with the Pittsburgh penguins after being traded from the Edmonton Oilers but of course he has also taken the oilers deep into the Stanley Cup playoffs and played in the Stanley Cup finals.

22:21He's a kind of a polarizing goal tender but he's a guy that's when he's on can be very good and the jets are hoping that he can obviously not fill avoid left by hella buck but at least provide them with enough stable goal tending that some of their offensive players can. Mark Schifle of course 103 points last season more than Dave Apostrenock count Connor they're leading goal score with 39 tied with Morgan geeky for the team lead they had the 25th however ranked offense last season 2.79 goals per game they allowed 3.12 goals per game. So even with hella buck last season they weren't especially fantastic they do have some new faces to keep an eye on you're going to want to keep an eye on of course Vigo Bjork making his NHL debut at age 18 this was a kid who was drafted 8 overall by the jets this past June and he's going to be a great player.

23:48He is a very talented somewhat undersized forward for this team who's expected to make an immediate impact for the Winnipeg jets. So you're going to want to keep an eye of course on well Schifle Connor gave a lardy Culper Fettie likely going to break out this season. Isaac Rosen looking to make an impact after being acquired from the Buffalo Sabers. He played 11 games or 21 games for them last year with 3 goals to his credit on the back end Josh Morrissey obviously the guy to watch there with Stuart Skinner backstopping this team. We'll see yeah it should be an interesting game tonight 8 p.m. start the first of two meetings between these two teams this season and you can expect the jets to get a bit of an extra bump because of the fact that it is their season opener so they'll likely come out and want to show this league that they are more than Connor hella buck.

25:06The jets haven't played a preseason game since last Friday the Bruins obviously had that tune up last weekend the final tune up on Saturday played on Wednesday so they're a bit fresher perhaps the jets last season 82 points 8 points out of a playoffs spot. The workmaking is NHL debut skating on the second line for the jets and Stuart Skinner will get the start for them he's playing with Rosen and gave Valarity so that could be a line that pops tonight for the jets for the Bruins they have a back to back they haven't confirmed their goalie for tonight as of yet but with the jets tonight the wild tomorrow you can bet that's the best. You will see Michael D Pietro making his NHL starting debut for the Bruins at some point this weekend whether it's tonight whether it's the game against the wild we'll have to wait and see but I'll be sure to jump on and announce that or let you know who's starting once it is announced.

26:25Now the Bruins will be playing the wild on Saturday tomorrow night the wild played last night against the national predators a 3 1 win in which they got goals from Nick Filino former Bruin Blake Coleman and Corral Caprazov so they will be a bit fresher after having gotten an extra day of rest so the Bruins will be playing the wild on a back to back and Minnesota is coming off a win and one of the teams to watch in the Western Conference when it comes to Stanley Cup contention the wild outshot Nashville 30 20 outscored them 3 1 and got the season off running even without Brock Faber who is sidelined with a skull fracture suffered in the preseason which is a pretty devastating injury for him.

27:30Hew's Caprazov of course the players to watch for them as well as Matt Boldy the Filino brothers and Quinn Hughes on the back end with Jesper Wallsted likely to make the start 950 safe percentage last night against the wild with Philip Gustafson currently sidelined due to injury. So that's kind of the lay of the land right now for the Boston Bruins second line rolling but you gotta keep an eye on of course the Zaka contract situation two games this weekend like I said yesterday I'm actually traveling this weekend to upstate New York where my wife is participating in the wine glass half marathon. We come home on Monday the Bruins played the senators that night so I'm going to try to do a podcast on the road and have that up between the two games tonight and Saturday before the game against the senators on Monday so yeah something to keep in mind there please do subscribe on your favorite podcast app and on YouTube so you get all the latest news notes podcast.

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