Claude Julien, Bruins Head Coach

It is time to talk Boston Bruins hockey joining us on the eighteenth tee hotline AT&T your world delivered. Is that coach of the Boston Bruins close Julianne clawed its -- Michael how -- Are you doing great great congratulations on the way the season's gone. So far for yet -- it's been about as good as you thought they could ever be.

Yeah it has been a great seasons so far and a we've been we've been blessed with this some players play great hockey and despite some injuries lately those guys continued to play well the guys that are helping -- and a we keep plugging along and it's been great. Can't complain.

Those of us who were on the outside of your organization looking in. Came into the season thinking they they're going to need some help with scoring that's the that's going to be they're big and biggest weakness this year and it hasn't been. When you started off the season did you think the same way we did you think it's going was going to be a problem.

I don't know that it was going to be a problem but we had to program you know guys and I think that's what we. We looked that are a roster over the course this summer and with two two -- personal coming back we -- that was going to happen scoring. I kept Michael Ryder was going to help us reversed court as well. But I guess you know what which you can't really predict in and you never know always our young players you know the -- season in the castles in the sixth and those kind of guys obviously Blake Wheeler coming in. How much of an impact those guys would have. Especially offensively and that's. We we've been fortunate our young guys have developed extremely well and a lot of that I I'd give credit to the fact that we yet a lot of adversity last year whether injury those guys were put in positions where they were able to. I -- improve a lot quicker than expected so all of that put together I think has helped us. Get scoring and and the Kennedy did beginning the year we really kind of added an element to our game whether defenseman. Supporting the attack a little more this year we are certain certainly hoping that was going to help -- score more goals as well.

I said in the past but I thought the Bruins were too easy to play against you go back to the days when your Canadians beat the Bruins in the playoffs. I thought they were too easy to play against. It it started to change last year when you took over I think it's dramatically changed this year was that part of what you were looking to bring here. A little tougher team to play against not as much fun to go to the rank as it might have been in the past.

lately but not quite a bit and that somebody is not justice in a couple. Fighting and everything else and it's a lot of everything it's it's you'd have to play against -- means. Finish your -- to vote not giving teams much. You don't get frustrated because they're not getting the score chances with -- left out and you know what's an element of everything and I think we've got a good -- now -- internal what you try to push Israel we've got enough personnel that. Certainly fight back. Physically getting Turkey -- it is tough as anybody in the league. And again in India makes this -- can play against as well.

Club when a guy like Andre coast states and takes a cheap shot and Aaron Ward. I love seeing your goaltender cannot come it was defense.

Well it just sort cute you know like at two characteristic human and what -- came all the boat to. We've had a really good group of guys -- really yet. Plate for each other world will fight for each other and each other in and -- mentioned yesterday we had a couple of injuries that that were scary injuries resulting from it's from behind -- I think you know. Obviously it was an emotional thing see. Aaron Ward can hit like that is well and we just kind of reacted but it just goes to show you from Weathers to goaltender on out either stick together.

to guys who have been victimized by scary hits. But there's there's different category for Phil Kessel is going to be out with a model for about a month. How does that affect what you gonna do and and what what's going to be the plan the replacement plan temporarily for Phil Kessel.

Well let me great now you know it's a situation where we're looking to replace from within and that's to do against which which in -- moment. Obviously. Our guys have done a good job especially you know winning this game yesterday against much what you know ought to call ups a lot of injuries and that everything I guess. Put on the table. It was one dosage which were -- came reacted well also. You know I don't think there's any had a great now we've got some guys -- such as bird are all. And then lose you can those guys are making the trip -- bastard -- not going to play -- you're gonna make two -- that's because they're going to be practicing with the team so obviously -- things there are very positive. -- at those guys eventually will come back sooner or later so we got. Maybe -- a little bit of patience when it comes to that not to panic button and he'd make an unnecessary trade -- is going to disrupt chemistry of this team.

It's been impressive to me throughout the year and you guys have been battling injuries all season long as you said. But you see Lashoff or bits -- Karstens or some ball cut or St. Pierre whoever it has come up from Providence. And look like they fit seamlessly into what you're doing how involved are you. With the coaching staff and Providence and how much are they trying to duplicate what you're trying to do here from a systems point of view.

Well I think the important thing you're right to really feel comfortable at what you do and that's we've been forced from Scott Gordon last year. To rob Murray this year those guys really believe in the same things that were doing so. I have not had to say listen this is how I want you bicycle -- there are really coached team. -- Get and do we -- get seems to be pretty well seems to know we're using here has been I guess. Been great for I don't lead coaching -- for the players as well also when they come up. -- got to read it just a different type of team marked difference system. And that's really helped those guys comedian and an immediate impact player right -- to baton. They've done a great job down there because even from. From last year to this year's two years I've been here it's been amazing. The amount of players that have come up and just seem to fit in and that have really helped -- with hockey games.

how do you describe your system and how you have your team play.

Well you know I've always -- you know I won't try to be reliable -- full -- that you're you know I I. I'm strong believer that good defense creates good offense you know if you play well defensively. You're going to get that puck back quicker -- get that puck back. As you probably Norris is here transition -- government a lot better now we go back on the offense a lot more than we ever had. And that we're score goals so. You don't if guys want to be response what -- that you're successful follow when their. Duels saying it that deep sense -- the championship -- getting back it's about defending well we can go back and attack.

The cliche in hockey especially when get to the playoffs is that. You can go a long way if you have a goalie who stands on its head. Pop up to though some people question whether or Sioux goalie system works do you think you can in the playoffs.

Oh absolutely I think countered there's no issues there and that's you know I -- she's and so far proved that our our goaltenders have done and outstanding jobs are. I think the fact that people. I think people appreciate. That they can go and nets that we are all out and ice. And know that mr. tired there's another guy behind -- that's going to take over. And they've they've really done a good job of getting along extremely well support each other and right now where we thought you know a lot of people at the in the year not that might be conflict might be an issue it's been the other way around those guys and enjoyed being with each other and have been extremely supportive of each other.

Biggest surprise for me watching your team this year and I'll admit it is Blake Wheeler. I mean I don't know what I expected but I know that I didn't expect the kid who's up plus 28 through 43 games right now.

and that this game is full of surprises guys and to be honest -- you guys we were we even thought you know before he stepped on the ice training camp that maybe you would eat a little bit of time an American Hockey League. He came in had a really good training camp certainly opened our eyes and the more we saw an exhibition games where we felt he was. BP rated to make that jump to the NHL right away and we were ready to be patient with -- up about you got off to a good start and they continue to way to waste -- in the year.

I mentioned -- also earlier obviously he's going to be out for a little bit but. Do you think you your benching of him in the playoffs last year. Inspired him and took him to another level as a player this year.

I think it didn't you know again those kind of things -- government to. -- hurt a player make them worse -- those kind of things Rose. Done in order to help the player progress and you know sometimes it's. It's not fun to be put in that situation as a -- you certainly don't like to be have to do those kind of things but there. When it it is just ruptured thinks it is attention think that we talked about. For for most of the year and also -- he's come back a different player and a the different player only because as he mentioned you know sometimes when you go through situation you find something inside you you can think. And you know our job as coaches -- get the maximum. -- your players. You know as much as you can give a coach credit for for making that he got to give the player credit for responding to that while I think he'll get a great job responding. Not only this year but even. Right after the treaty he came and he was the difference maker and and that was next playoff games he's scored some big goals for us and that's shortest exactly what we -- we --

You've had to shuffle things around -- as the season has gone along because of injuries and and whatnot I think it probably surprised some people. When they -- PJ -- out there with the first power play unit here of late. What are you looking for from PJ without human.

Well guys you know again if you look at our roster up front were were very thin and that. Something that's very rare in this scheme as a team with left hand shots and the way we ever park place setup. You know we come you left hand shot down on the -- goal line where Marco Sturm used to be that at one point until -- injury. And are you going to yell -- you got axles and and now against the -- the other guy that we just have brought in as a last shot to rest of the guys are all right -- shots as security the other guy. But you don't what we're PGA XL. You know more people don't masterly realize that much a vote -- keep -- that. -- very well. He can make some replaced he may not -- natural goals or. I don't think from there were -- looking for and it is horrible but he's extremely patient with the hockey makes good decisions with the and again you know left -- topic in the up to play there.

Let's say you guys need to tweak the roster and it really is tweaking there's no my major overhaul needed fourteen with the best record in the NHL. Are are are you comfortable going to Peter -- rallying campaigning for a guy or or do you guys talk Dalian and campaign is not necessary how does that. Necessarily work would you would you would surely talking about moves need to be made.

Well you know I think first all right this morning Peter and I advocate and went when he had the dark when he -- in banning the camps. And those kind of guys who set a -- together quite a bit that we had a quarter hockey club and you don't the good part of voted is that we keep -- pieces and a good group to work with. Because everybody seems the same things. And there. We seem they'll be in the same page and basically you know I think a lot of things that are being done were everybody's supporting each other on those kind of decisions and that's been. I guess a lot of -- that the -- working around those kind of people. That are seen in the same way you are and I guess when the decision can be made is going to be a group decision.

How did your view of Zdeno Chara change when you started coaching him. As opposed to coaching against him.

Well you know when -- Or -- to coach again some you certainly realize he's an impact player and you know player that you hate to play against. There's no -- certain certain players that you don't like. Took -- just but he certainly would love to have -- demons and -- it was one of those kind of guys that it. You really want on your team and you know -- Geary came to Boston. I was in New Jersey and just watched him play I -- guy. Who cared so much voted team. It was probably try to do little too much and you know he can't cover all license I think -- when I came here to vote having a good chat with him. Settling him down let them know that just playing his game into his job. And helped keep Morton and try to do too much and you know he responded well. Very easy to talk to win audience were right away and last year on the practice -- that he and again mr. continue to do you think.

Your team has in -- that you're going to be in Montreal coaching the Eastern Conference for the All-Star game. I met -- a little weird last night when your coaching against the Canadians and you're going to be coaching half that team when you go to the All-Star game.

Well that that's where you got a cast. I guess separate things a little bit -- Don't go to an All-Star games gullible having fun and just enjoying the moment. That's what I plan on doing you know you gotta be able put that rivalry aside for a for a couple of days and and certainly capable of doing that this is what we're. We're all professionals I think that's how we are going to look at it per for those guys it's a reward for Serbia's well it's. It's an opportunity to represent our organization so I'm really planning on going there and have a lot of fun and really what I was kind of things aside for a couple of days.

Final question before we let you go -- the man whose name is on the top of the mass Ted you're the head coach. But everybody who's followed the game knows that it's the coaching staff that that is the difference here. You've got Doug Houda and Craig Ramsay and Jeff ward and Bob a sense on your staff how do you delegate. Duties with the with your coaching staff and who handles what there.

Well did you know that that's -- after great question because you know what I suppose those guys never get enough credit for for the job to do and -- I can't mention enough. You're always as good as the people around UN right now we've got a great staff again that. You know when I came here -- nature to clarify that the job description and everybody had a the job to do just work for Napoli is really the kind terms of our plea obviously. That would and Craig -- take care penalty kill and then bodies and this year the goaltending -- you know. We've got all job description is where we -- yards this week. -- sort of run and we all know what we have to do there's no way gray areas as well. In as far as job descriptions are concerned about something that I'm a big believer in. Ital players that are want to limit gray areas there inspected black and white. And the same paper coaching staff you know -- have to be clear and those guys have done a tremendous job they take pride in. Job descriptions and rolls and I give them and again because of them I -- opportunity go to Montreal.

If you're in sales and marketing for the Bruins you want to tell everybody who will listen. How great this team is and how exciting they are and how much on -- aren't here try to sell tickets and everything else. If you're the head coach of the Bruins he'd try to keep them a little more calmed down.

Oh absolutely think you know our guys are really left in the fact that two more were Selena now approach to behind -- Charlie wanted to but the biggest all the -- team right now. Is the fact that no matter you know how young some of those guys are the type of veterans that we have. We've been great. Really turning the page. The day after we played a teams so for example the -- game was such huge interest yesterday. Obviously the emotions ran high today we turn the page on that. And then there were talking about gunners already you know I never -- behind we don't talk to border -- past record we don't talk but what's that. A they had and other guys really bought into that so. That's been accurate to success for club this year and that's how we've been -- state rounded.

congratulations on how the season has gone so far enjoy the All-Star game in Montreal and best of luck to you the rest of the way. I don't think right okay -- That is the head coach of the Boston Bruins -- Julianne.