Winter Classic Jerseys Leaked? EDIT: Philly's Included

According to multiple photos and threads on HFBoards (viewable here and here), the Bruins special edition Winter Classic jersey has been leaked a few days early. The Flyers were supposed to release their jerseys today and the Bruins on the 17th, but two different photos appear to show the new jersey in the possession of Bruins goalie Tim Thomas, who was recently in New York City filming promotional material for Versus.

Photo 1, posted by HFBoards user "Todd Elik":


And photo 2, posted by HF user "Morris Wanchuk"which gives a much better look at the sweater. Not sure yet where/when this was taken and who Thomas'...uh..."companion" is:



Again, these are "alleged" leaks, and may not be the actual jerseys. However, if they are, they appear to be a take on the B's jersey from 1942-1947, a jersey that some are saying the B's wore for the club's 25th anniversary season in 1949. One of the early points of contention is the more rounded and cartoonish-looking "B" on the crest of the sweater. The "B", or a form of it, can be seen here at SportsLogos.net. (I couldn't save the picture for some reason.)

My take? Overall, a pretty nice looking sweater. The gold jersey is much better than their last attempt at a gold uniform (though as I've said before, I kind of liked the "Pooh" jerseys), and I like the bands and piping on the jersey. Some may be turned off by the different looking crest, but, as Pittsburgh's Winter Classic sweater showed, different isn't necessarily bad.

Once more, these are alleged leaks, and could be all wrong. However, if they are the actual jerseys, I give them a thumbs-up. The B's went traditional without going too old school, and should see a decent amount of these jerseys peppered in the Fenway Park crowd come January 1st.

Opinions on the sweaters? Yay? Nay?


EDIT, 5:02 PM: Here are some pics from Philly's official unveiling earlier this afternoon. All are property of the NHL, no copyright infringement intended, and the entire gallery can be seen here.

I think the Flyers' jerseys look pretty sharp as well. I like the stripes down the arm and the horizontal orange stripe across the bottom. My only issue is with the black nameplate visible in the first picture. It seems a little out of place, but basically what this jersey seems to be is an "away" version of the Flyers' extremely popular third jersey. The black nameplate isn't necessarily bad, just a little "different".

Though the contrasting colors between the nameplate and the letters will help fans be able to read Ray Emery's name from under the Fenway scoreboard in center field...maybe it was a good move after all.

B's Begin Informal Practices

While training camp is still a couple of weeks away, the Bruins have started to come together as a group for informal practices in Wilmington. Attendance isn't mandatory, but a number of B's have already shown up and skated, including Steve Begin, Marco Sturm, David Krecji and Tuukka Rask.

The Globe's Bruins Blog has had running coverage of the event, including a piece stating that Krecji may be ready to play by October 1st. He is still unable to skate full-tilt, and may not be by the start of training camp, but isn't ruling out being ready for the opener and hopes to be back in action at some point in October.

Other tidbits from the Globe:

• Steve Begin is wearing number 27, most recently worn by Peter Schaefer and Glen Murray. Bad karma for the former Hab?
• Marco Sturm is skating without limitation and feeling good.

All practices the rest of the week are open to the public and begin at 11:30 AM.

B's Announce Date of Individual Ticket Sales

From an email from the Bruins:

Tickets On Sale August 20, 2009 @ 10 AM
Individual tickets for home games played at the TD Garden to go on sale Thursday, August 20 @ 10:00 AM

BOSTON, MA - Individual tickets for Bruins games played at the TD Garden during the 2009-10 preseason and regular season will go on sale on Thursday, August 20 at 10:00 a.m. at the TD Garden Box Office and online at BOSTONBRUINS.com.

For games played at the TD Garden, tickets will range in price from $10.00 - $289.50. In addition to seat location, ticket prices will vary depending on opponent and date of game. Please note that ticket prices are subject to change.

Something tells me tickets may actually be a little harder to come by this season, especially if last year's playoff-ticket fever is any indication.

Just think, two months from today it will be hockey time again. Where has the summer gone?

Claude on Kessel

Ran into Bruins coach Claude Julien at the Red Sox-A's game last night. As he was walking by, my brother asked him when Phil would be back.

Julien's response was: "Whenever he's ready."

Clearly this confirms GM Peter Chiarelli's statements that Kessel WILL be back. Stone-cold lock.









Yes, this is clearly meant as a joke. We really did see Julien, did ask him that question and did get that response, but we have not taken it anywhere near that seriously. I just thought it was a funny story.

Sources: Bruins Sign Morris

According to multiple sources, the Bruins have agreed to a deal in principle with free-agent defenseman Derek Morris.

Morris started last season with the Phoenix Coyotes, but was moved to the New York Rangers at the trade deadline. Morris had 5-15-20 totals in 75 games last season, and was a -10. He is a primarily a puck-moving d-man, and his less than stellar defensive numbers can be partially attributed to playing for Phoenix and the Rangers, two of the league's less-than-airtight defensive teams.

This could be the "other shoe" I referred to earlier, when GM Peter Chiarelli said moving Aaron Ward wasn't to sign Phil Kessel, but to add another defenseman. Morris appears to be that guy, though the team hasn't confirmed anything yet.

The Lawrence Eagle-Tribune has also reported the deal, while NESN and InsideHockey.com contributor James Murphy has mentioned a signing as well.

ESPN says it's a one-year deal, but I'm going to wait until I read the terms to comment fully on the signing. If it is a one-year deal, and it's for $2-2.5 million, then good move. If it's for $3 million+, then I'll be scratching my head. Stay tuned.

EDIT (11:52 PM): TSN is reporting the deal is a one-year deal worth $3.3 million...yeesh. That's a little high for my tastes. This essentially negates moving Aaron Ward to clear salary, meaning someone else is definitely going to have to go for Kessel to return to the B's this fall. Most likely to be moved? In my opinion (strictly opinion): Kobasew, Sturm, Ryder, Bergeron, Savard.

Again, stay tuned. More moves should be made in the next couple of weeks.

Ward traded to Carolina for Eaves and a pick; Eaves Immediately Waived

The Bruins today sent veteran defenseman Aaron Ward back to the Carolina Hurricanes, a team he helped to a Stanley Cup win in 2004, in exchange for forward Patrick Eaves and a fourth-round pick in 2010. Eaves was immediately placed on waivers by the Bruins, who intend to buy him out.

This move screams of a salary dump, as moving Ward frees the Bruins of his $2.5 million salary. Buying out Eaves, assuming he isn't claimed on waivers which doesn't seem likely, will cost the B's around $260,000 next year, and will GIVE the Bruins around $41,000 the year after (very confusing salary cap stuff, Fluto explains in the Bruins Blog).

It seems as though Chiarelli asked Ward about the move before making it, as he said he wouldn't have sent him anywhere other than Carolina, where Ward resides. In the "afore-linked" blog, Fluto says Chiarelli said he'd be looking to add a defenseman now, but didn't specify whether it would be through a trade or a signing.

Many things could be going on here, but it's clear that something else is brewing. Freeing up the cap space could be indicative of Chiarelli being prepared to sign Phil Kessel. However, saying he is going to add a defenseman could mean that he is preparing to deal Kessel to another club for a defenseman.

Either way, the other shoe has yet to drop here, so to speak. Ward is in Carolina, Eaves will soon be off the Bruins books, and there will be more moves to make. Expect one of two things to be announced in the coming days:

• 1. Someone else will be moved (Kobasew, Ryder, Bergeron, Savard) and Phil Kessel has been re-signed, either to a one-year deal at a bit less money (probably wouldn't require the above names to be moved) or to a long term deal at an averaged-out contract (would likely require a trade).
• 2. Kessel has been traded to a team willing to give the Bruins a young, impact defenseman in return.
  

Chances are, these are the two options Chiarelli has been weighing, and the trading of Ward to me indicates that he is prepared to pull the trigger on one of the two. It's just speculation on my part and could be completely wrong, but it seems the most likely set of circumstances.

It's too bad to see Ward go, as he was a tremendous veteran presence, had some snarl to his game and was extremely entertaining in his weekly radio appearances on WBCN's Toucher & Rich show. However, he is getting old, and his cap-hit made him a likely target to be dealt. He was a solid, dependable blueliner for the B's, but was among the most sensible candidates to be dealt.

Stay tuned for more announcements, as another move or two can't be all that far away.

Bruins Re-sign Hunwick

Avoiding an arbitration hearing set for this Friday, the Bruins agreed to terms with RFA defenseman Matt Hunwick, signing the young blueliner to a two-year, $2.9 million deal. The annual cap hit will be $1.45 million.

Image property of Flickr user Dan4th

Hunwick recorded 27 points last year (6 goals, 21 assists) in 53 games. He finished the season tied with Los Angeles' Drew Doughty for most points by a rookie defenseman.

Hunwick's stock with the team rose drastically over the course of the season, as he showed off his puck-moving ability, offensive instincts and willingness to jump into the rush. His offensive prowess was made even more apparent when, for a couple of games, he played as a forward.

Hunwick's season was derailed in game one of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against Montreal, when he took a hit that ruptured his spleen. After surgery, Hunwick missed the remainder of the playoffs, but is expected to be ready for training camp and the start of the regular season.

With Hunwick back in the fold and Byron Bitz re-signed weeks ago, Phil Kessel is the team's lone remaining RFA.

According to the Boston Globe, the Bruins currently have $2,862,500 in free space remaining under the cap. If Kessel is to return, he will have to take a pay cut, or other moves will have to be made.