The number of people who actually know hockey in Boston is smaller than the fanbase of this little corner of the internet. At least I admit my lack of knowledge about hockey.
That said, the trade deadline moves by Don Sweeney stand out as home runs (or whatever the hockey equivalent of a home run is) after a few games.
Mike Reilly, added from Ottawa, has given the B's a spark on the blue line and gives Bruce Cassidy a very solid top four defenseman.
In a move with Buffalo, Sweeney picked up Taylor Hall and Curtis Lazar. Hall has already found his goal scoring form after a tough season with the Sabres, scoring two goals in his three games with Boston (all wins). Lazar provides a good veteran presence on the fourth line.
Boston is primed to enter the playoffs with Charlie McAvoy, Matt Grzelcyk, Reilly, and Brandon Carlo their top four defensemen and three very good forward lines. Hall's addition allows the top line to be David Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron, and Brad Marchand with the second line being compromised of David Krejci, Hall, and Craig Smith. The third line of Charlie Coyle, Nick Ritchie, and Jake DeBrusk is capable as well.
The Bruins will need to stay healthy, and hope Tuukka Rask is primed for a deep playoff push, if they hope to win their first Stanley Cup since 2011. But Sweeney made the moves he needed to at the deadline to give this roster a legitimate chance to make a run at the Cup.
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I am intrigued by the Celtics signing of Jabari Parker.
The second overall pick in the 2014 draft has already endured two ACL injuries and Boston will be his sixth stop in seven seasons, so there is a good chance this will not work out in the end.
However, Parker is only 26 and can add something significant to the Celtics bench - scoring.
If Parker can fit into Brad Stevens system, he could join Evan Fournier as a veteran wing player who can score. Fournier (who is currently out of the lineup due to Covid protocols) instantly upgraded the Celtics bench offense and, in theory, Parker could do the same.
The possibility of a Fournier-Parker combination coming off the bench is a major upgrade over the likes of Semi Ojeleye and Grant Williams at the wing. They offer the possibility of consistent bench scoring, which will help take pressure off of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kemba Walker.
With 16 games remaining until the playoffs, Stevens will have the opportunity to work Parker into the rotation. The Celtics have been playing better of late, winning 7 of their 8 games in April and their last five in a row.
The possibility of Parker becoming a contributor off of the bench is even more reason to be excited for the Celtics heading into the postseason.
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Garret Whitlock, who the Red Sox stole from the Yankees in the Rule 5 Draft in December 2020, has been one of the best pitchers early in the season and is a big part of the reason why Boston finds itself atop the AL East after the first two weeks of the season.
Whitlock has the potential to be a very good option in the middle innings out of the bullpen. He throws a hard sinker and a nasty changeup that generates a lot of swings and misses.
With veterans Matt Barnes and Adam Ottavino taking care of the late innings, the 25 year old Whitlock should be able to carve out a consistent role in the 6th and 7th innings.
As the Red Sox lack starting pitchers who work deep into the game, having a deep and versatile bullpen will be critical to their hopes of contending for a playoff spot this season.
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Enjoy Tatum tonight.
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