Alumni in the Pros - March 2009

[KeithK]

[quote nr53]O'Byrne called up to the Habs today

http://canadiens.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=411757[/quote]

[sah67]

Boston lost to Philly 4-2 tonight, but Byron Bitz saw some powerplay time at the end of the game, and subsequently picked up an assist on Stephane Yelle's PPG.

[oceanst41]

[quote sah67]Boston lost to Philly 4-2 tonight, but Byron Bitz saw some powerplay time at the end of the game, and subsequently picked up an assist on Stephane Yelle's PPG.[/quote]

Bruins just traded Nokelainen to Anaheim for Steve Montador. This move was made possible because Bitz replaced Nokelainen on the 4th line, and basically won the job.

[RatushnyFan]

The question that I would have is why would they trade a decent defenseman from a generally horrible defensive team (even though Anaheim is keeping Pronger, Niedermayer and traded for Whitney)?  They already dumped Morrison to cut salary and create cap space.  Seems like a great move for Boston.

[sah67]

[quote oceanst41][quote sah67]Boston lost to Philly 4-2 tonight, but Byron Bitz saw some powerplay time at the end of the game, and subsequently picked up an assist on Stephane Yelle's PPG.[/quote]

Bruins just traded Nokelainen to Anaheim for Steve Montador. This move was made possible because Bitz replaced Nokelainen on the 4th line, and basically won the job.[/quote]

I wonder how their acquisition of Mark Recchi will affect Bitz as well.

[ftyuv]

[quote sah67][quote oceanst41][quote sah67]Boston lost to Philly 4-2 tonight, but Byron Bitz saw some powerplay time at the end of the game, and subsequently picked up an assist on Stephane Yelle's PPG.[/quote]

Bruins just traded Nokelainen to Anaheim for Steve Montador. This move was made possible because Bitz replaced Nokelainen on the 4th line, and basically won the job.[/quote]

I wonder how their acquisition of Mark Recchi will affect Bitz as well.[/quote]

It may not affect him too much -- Recchi was brought in partially for his experience, but also largely because he shoots left, I think.  That side of our game has been fairly lacking, especially on the PP.  Of course, bumping a LWer creates a ripple in the roster that could see Bitz on a bus to Providence, but given how well that fourth line has been clicking, I don't think it's a given.

[oceanst41]

[quote ftyuv][quote sah67][quote oceanst41][quote sah67]Boston lost to Philly 4-2 tonight, but Byron Bitz saw some powerplay time at the end of the game, and subsequently picked up an assist on Stephane Yelle's PPG.[/quote]

Bruins just traded Nokelainen to Anaheim for Steve Montador. This move was made possible because Bitz replaced Nokelainen on the 4th line, and basically won the job.[/quote]

I wonder how their acquisition of Mark Recchi will affect Bitz as well.[/quote]

It may not affect him too much -- Recchi was brought in partially for his experience, but also largely because he shoots left, I think.  That side of our game has been fairly lacking, especially on the PP.  Of course, bumping a LWer creates a ripple in the roster that could see Bitz on a bus to Providence, but given how well that fourth line has been clicking, I don't think it's a given.[/quote]

Very true, the Bruins added a forward without changing the depth of their current roster. That means someone has to be a scratch. That may mean Bitz is carried as the extra forward for the remainder of the year, or maybe someone else takes a seat in favor for as solid a 4th line as their is. Plus Lucic is hurt and going to be a must in the lineup for the playoff run, don't need to rush him back now.

[ftyuv]

[quote oceanst41][quote ftyuv][quote sah67][quote oceanst41][quote sah67]Boston lost to Philly 4-2 tonight, but Byron Bitz saw some powerplay time at the end of the game, and subsequently picked up an assist on Stephane Yelle's PPG.[/quote]

Bruins just traded Nokelainen to Anaheim for Steve Montador. This move was made possible because Bitz replaced Nokelainen on the 4th line, and basically won the job.[/quote]

I wonder how their acquisition of Mark Recchi will affect Bitz as well.[/quote]

It may not affect him too much -- Recchi was brought in partially for his experience, but also largely because he shoots left, I think.  That side of our game has been fairly lacking, especially on the PP.  Of course, bumping a LWer creates a ripple in the roster that could see Bitz on a bus to Providence, but given how well that fourth line has been clicking, I don't think it's a given.[/quote]

Very true, the Bruins added a forward without changing the depth of their current roster. That means someone has to be a scratch. That may mean Bitz is carried as the extra forward for the remainder of the year, or maybe someone else takes a seat in favor for as solid a 4th line as their is. Plus Lucic is hurt and going to be a must in the lineup for the playoff run, don't need to rush him back now.[/quote]

Lucic skated at practice today, and Coach Julien said he's ready to play tonight (source). Bitz is probably going to be the odd man out -- but unless the B's somehow make it through the rest of the season and (woof, woof!) postseason without injuries, he'll probably play another game or two.

Recchi's a rental and a few of the B's top guys are free agents after the season, so I think there's a good chance Bitz will end up as a fairly regular player next year.

[sah67]

As expected, Byron Bitz is a healthy scratch tonight for the first time since being called up.

[Flyers1037]

Sawada is back down in the minors as of Monday.  

Press Release

[Killer]

I was bummed (though not surprised, given the trades and talk of the last couple days).  I got invited to my first Bruins game last night (luxury box, no less), and it would have been nice to see Bitz out there.  Alas, it was not to be...nor was the offense for the Bruins.  Well, maybe I'll get lucky and get another chance.

[cbuckser]

Finally, Mike Iggulden has gotten the call for today's Islanders-Devils game.

[Jordan 04]

[quote cbuckser]Finally, Mike Iggulden has gotten the call for today's Islanders-Devils game.[/quote]

Sweet...look forward to watching some of the action.

[Killer]

Here's an excerpt from today's Boston Globe mentioning Bitz:

After his recall Jan. 10, Byron Bitz appeared in 23 straight games for the big club. The rookie right wing netted two goals against Florida Feb. 24. He took on Washington's Donald Brashear, one of the NHL's premier heavyweights, Jan. 27. He's drawn attaboys from Julien for being a hard-to-play-against widebody who, because of his willingness to enter the dirty areas, could score more goals in years to come.

For all that, the forward tabbed "Bitzy Cat" by his teammates was a healthy scratch for the first time Thursday.

"I'd be lying if I didn't want to be back in there," said Bitz. "Everyone's competitive in this game. You want to play, obviously. On the other hand, I'm not going to sulk or whine. I'm just thrilled to be here and be part of this group. I'll accept my role, whatever it is. If it's doing extra conditioning just because you're not playing, I'm very happy to do that."

Bitz was one of four forwards (with Yelle, Thornton, and Axelsson) practicing on the fourth line yesterday. The 6-foot-3-inch, 200-pounder, whose emergence factored in the trade of Martins Karsums to Tampa Bay as part of the Recchi deal, said the biggest challenge was to maintain mental sharpness and prepare as if he's going to be in the lineup.

Full article here:

http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/articles/2009/03/07/wheeler_looking_to_get_rolling_again/

[Jordan 04]

Iggulden with his first NHL point, with the first assist on a Sean Bergenheim goal!

And a second assist on Bergenheim's second goal of the game.