Mike Milbury, NHL TV Analyst

Broadcasting live from the new balance world headquarters. The dale and -- leadoff spot as proxy by cute although Mexican grill handmade for real logon of the dale and -- page on WEEI dot com. To receive today's special lunchtime offer or text -- but QB OB a the 645336. Joining us right now on the AT&T hot line. AT&T your world delivered is our old friend in hockey expert Mike -- bring him -- you don't. --

Doing great Mike when you grew up did you always want to be described as a hockey expert hockey guru Mike Milbury was that when your ambitions.

You know law I want the I wanted to play guard for the Celtics want these third baseman batted cleanup for the Red Sox -- Olympia. I scoring defenseman from abroad and every other sport could mention. -- the chance to play and never really have to work Michael.

Yeah that regard for the Celtics -- or are two guard Mike.

I don't know I. Any position would do it that I'm like what they look so good at this -- good now obviously but there were a brother and I used to hook up you want the holy cross and I take the bus and in the and the someplace and from -- all and we go to didn't credit B 878000. People on their own launch. Russell and kind soon aperture controllers were memorable time for me.

At the Boston Bruins have hit a little bump in the road here through things that they can't control obviously. -- each surgery on the broken finger earlier this week we find out today. The Marc Savard not only has a broken foot but he's been playing with a for a little while now. Both out four to six weeks and and this team wasn't lookin' that good with them.

Now and you know they really not much happened over the summer took center. Until -- get patterns are being with the evolution which certain players like -- cheap credit. -- it would be another step forward but there was no. I guess you'd call more support in the siding with their loss ever wore the same time so this sort of state look to continue their pattern of growth. But so far so it's clearly not worked I mean what you have to keep in mind -- lot of people last year and that. Really banged up Peter's -- and Thomas but school week Chara was -- the coaches coach of the year. -- got to do that two years in a row and they stumble out promised not looking quite the same men and clearly -- hasn't had the stride would you shut the strive -- that hurt you know supported the people wondering he takes us a lot of -- lineup. We started six goals and you sicker so our. With a number of points particularly related issues apart a lineup they've got who are they just find a way to stay afloat so quick it goes you can expect more.

Wanna ask you about a few guys that start with Tim Thomas dale and I've gone back and forth. Over what type of goalie Tomas is doping -- is one of the one of the elite goaltenders right now on the game. Do you believe that one into did you agree with the decision to extend him for her for several seasons.

Armed. I was no pun intended and doubting Thomas as well. I didn't really album in the -- to hear. That back in 96. I guess what you must stay in the world championships and was. The great kid and a great competitor but usually. You refine his game to a point where I think he deserved that trophy last. There's always used to be for whatever reason Serra on girls seed of doubt about him Thomas tonight. I have battles he goes out to do with the way he plays and he. Password assistant that he relies on we just -- little bit older. Not going to be quite as effective I thought he was absolutely certain of the contract extension. I thought it was a little too long. You know they they needed to reward -- for what you've done for the might have been a little bit too much in a little to retreat but -- bought them -- They consider does the security organizations. But I little leery don't know that -- for congress already it is --

Mike in your opinion why has this team been so trick or treat here through the first seven games.

I think that is based as being in themselves so at least they seem to be talking about this learned from the coached through their captains and the everyday players -- not good enough. Not to put it all on the table every night if they don't put pong table every night. We gonna be suspicious you remark technically they put it on almost it was -- good last year. And then have a most like sixty minute war and the like just the -- they can beat anybody but they always Matt. They're not they're not to Detroit -- and sort of Pittsburgh Penguins -- recent vintage. They're not that's skilled offensively. Just sort. Go away and play a lot lackadaisical hope to come up with two points.

They've moved us from some guys in the offseason guys who will never be considered All-Star install all stars not at this point Aaron Ward. PJ axles and -- justify an yell what do you think they will. Regret moving -- from any of those guys at any point this year.

What things you call it personal have a lot of reasons to regrets certain decisions that -- it'll. As I mentioned earlier that they didn't get any better -- in the offseason and it just it just went with their patents act you could argue that because council. The -- council that. They got weaker front and the losses apart highlights that once they repeater that he's got a whole pocket well first and second round draft picks in next year's -- in the draft. The question is will utilize any of those. Not necessarily at the trading deadline earlier -- that. We need to shore up as he goes -- clearly they model along like business that you should you make the playoffs and that's not to. And that's not gonna go down well since the boss or repeater.

It's a pretty unusual to see you know first the kobasew deal and and now the acquisition of pie -- is seen these kinds of moves this early in the season.

Well I don't know there was more -- to meet -- but kobasew despite. That it was off to a little bit of a slow start theater company in that regard I don't know why you would get ten point they do pick up money in the Spielberg and they free themselves -- million dollars or -- more than a million dollars in cash as we look forward to perhaps -- are doing something else. But. I mean I thought he was -- bodies fit in nicely. I aid from Oslo -- that pick up terrorism. You know -- He's probably more of the same of course so the only -- figure out here is that they got somebody who might be. -- little bit cheaper proposition -- maybe gives them a chance to rattle the cages of their. I'm not sure that kind of rattling will work.

Are you a fan of -- game and and I don't know where you're a fan of his. You know two or three years ago.

Never quite -- the expectation that the people out of them a little bit careless with the park. At times put up a a pretty darn good defenseman could swallow up some good minutes sort of there -- reserved judgment on them out is nothing like it the chance to look at a Michaels over. Stretch just no have to seize and Solomon can really get a big devaluation. The -- the reason why he got picked up. A -- moving the -- move along with our white enters -- Pizzeria eighteen with a victory defense. Has been pretty good chickens were but I. Like to reserve that for a little bit longer to see if he can. Apparently extra minutes and then there be extra responsibility on a team. The successful that you hasn't been a lot of return winners over the course of the scooter.

I expressed to Peter surely that that might concern about the bruins' defense is that. They may be -- them that they are more skilled but they may be a little small by NHL standards how do you feel about that.

You know size. It's not a factor than it used to -- the response oxygen noted it really simply a matter of I getting positioned putting people in front of the net blocking shots. Being able to move apart quickly it -- now in front of the net there's there's very little. But it essentially can do -- body contact so you don't wanna be a much impact here but I don't think widens as salts it's -- and so as Morse and that same chart a course. There's the average -- higher. I and number but you know I liked it inside the -- in the range defense but I also involved with the Bruins in terms sides Morse in particular.

Let's talk short term long term look you're gonna lose guys for six weeks lose them now. Don't lose them in in March so you know let's -- talk short term out of they overcome short term the loss of both -- and Savard from the lineup. We.

Clearly -- just stepped up he's just coming back you know he's got to give cut him a little slack you -- Major surgery and yet I don't know where this kind of losses apart that moves you on him and he told the trees professional. You know like five million dollars a year this guy's going to be better than a third line checker he's better now given an opportunity to play. A lot more offensive situations -- so far out of equation and actually might -- create two other you know they move that was part of a little late in Sparta. Jewish person on the back where people hope he would -- and others are rookie season as a as a solid number 2% -- number one's so so those are the guys meet in Europe would be. After these special long Savard got a lot.

As as a guy -- been both a player and a coach in this league I'm curious to get your take Michael Knight at the discussion earlier. If you got players who were not performing at the same standard that they did a year ago. Who gets the blame the player or the coach.

Ha well I don't know and I think I have to share. But when they come into this he's a master. At having a lot of success and they never would ever want to credit. Accessible and that they're spread out pretty well. You have to spread it around again I don't know why it. Coached Michael Julian all the sudden viewing without seeing that this interest that I just we're just not quite as pop up to play in. That could be a lot of growing pains from younger players but. One in jail I hate to point the finger at. Anybody particular. Bottom line is that that everybody shares responsible in the bottom waters. The players play the game nobody else -- very -- they are the most. Obligations. In the science.

And and you you wouldn't think you would grow fat and happy. After a second round playoff upset loss at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes but is it possible some players --

Oh yeah -- I mean I think there was you know to be honestly and I. Because I saw during the hour long layoff between the first and second round. I read and I just written in papers like everybody else. Sightings of -- that there's all these that the Celtics student threats -- there's at this restaurant it looked like they lost a little older folks. You know I -- believe the I don't when you're when your heart as is this sound. You you'd get put on a pedestal and they won't all the victims.

Always fun to talk cocky with -- and -- hopefully you know the Bruins will start to turn things around like -- maybe tonight. Because they've -- little trick or treat this season so far.

Yeah when you get enough that when people get an opportunity like this reporters like -- drawn in Karachi. I think that can step up and that it might be good or toward so large size we get a couple months although he's probably. Kill himself because he wanted to manipulative and this does open the door for opportunity for a couple of other garbage can be interest.

Like we appreciate I thank you. You take care that is Mike ovary from -- and NBC sports Hockey Night in Canada. He's everywhere he when I say hockey expert nobody seems to else seems to agree with make his he's everywhere Mike Milbury joining us here on Sports Radio.