Mike Milbury, NHL TV Analyst

You watch the hockey game last night I watched the hockey game last night you saw this guy commenting on what was going on on the ice and off the ice with a big -- billion -- to joining us on the AT&T hot line. AT&T a better three G experience from NBC sports and NASA and our friend Mike Milbury hey Mike I don't. Or are you. Better than the Bruins -- surely right now I guess.

Yeah it is not a good time for the immigrants. It's really implement their work pretty hard in the last few games and come up short and at that. Becoming clear that maybe it did over achieved last year but still I think they're better than that. It has also become pretty clear that the need some call.

Well you just said I help Mike in that's that's what my question is going how -- help potty affixed this team.

Welcome got a decision to -- I mean. It's it's always a -- aren't they -- and they lose what Europe desperate situations. Like you operated of the Iraqi People. We do business where we understand your circumstances so we can hope that they can put together got along great. I mean clearly Lucic is of the same players apart or importer. Court is not the same player baby grace makes a difference for these guys they come back and a bit of Clausen then who knows or -- gives a little weak and doesn't do anything real major. Or -- and in which case and it doesn't go well who's gonna cut to tremendous draft picks having tremendous traffic at this point. So he can hope we can let go that way or you can. They find the right. The right partner. And he can make a big move you know -- he's gonna make it apart from what's happening right now it's going to be part of a long term future of the team. Not just because it has seen those. As all the way short of expectations for the bulletin.

Mike if you with a general manager of this team would you have mortgaged part of your present and or future. Or rent Ilya Kovalchuk assuming that you could have come to a package that would have done it.

Not in the pros present circumstance. To rent the player would've been pretty New Jersey is on the acquire. I think a pretty good ones firm. And hopes and don't want Stanley Cup and he's been. No competition aspect of the need to altogether or any given year to give you. Ought that you could won a Stanley Cup as a rare thing will be able. Liberals pretty good bet that when she's chance for them. This team perhaps -- compete pollution problems title -- all the cops always -- that really incredibly. Important piece that is possible but. With the Bruins now. In this situation idle idle -- before it made sense. And you know if they try to get -- for the long term. I don't know any manager in his right mind really -- should be given that guy -- percent of your salary cap money you'd just hear mr. all about the line I mean you're really mortgaged the future of your franchise on one player and it came. Game molest a quick check.

Mike that we all have the benefit of hindsight now so we can all be right we have all the answers but that's -- hindsight in the situation. Knowing what you know now about the 20092010. Boston Bruins. What would you have done differently. In the summer of 2009. As you look you reconstruct his team and get a pass a second round of the playoffs.

Well. -- there were forced to move castle -- that -- come back and apparently there were issued between the coaches and cut or maybe even players' council. You know lose. That type -- offense. You've ineptitude to replace that and and I think that's what I would've -- however I would not -- any way shape -- form. The bell founder of that that's that's been the Bruins offensively. -- mean a complete meltdown where we're you know. Almost ninety. Shots on goal the last two games and only three goals to show orchestras. I think they're they're on pace for like 5050. Plus goals fewer than they had at this time last year which is. In all our goal with any -- are huge. A huge problem -- partner at fault Peter for children -- and out but. I think they've they've they've -- councils but only his offense orders speeding penetration. Wish those set up a lot of other things for a lot of those candidates. And and that I think they underestimated -- Departure and I listen I was I was -- council -- for water spilled but it doesn't predict flawed but. Over the course last season. Pretty clear to me that he was an important part of our. The whole picture on the bruins' offense because of that speed as well goal scored sort think that. That. Or maybe underestimated the impact of that but but again I don't -- Ottawa special on on the fact that. All the sudden Michael larger camps by the fact that there. It looks like Marco Sturm and abuse leading goal -- co produced product.

Hockey analyst Mike Milbury from -- and NBC sports is on the line with us. Are you seeing indications that the players on this team have tuned out this coach and his staff.

No -- not. Number one I'm looking for Africa was a stretch where the -- was -- Mosque at. But particularly -- awful game. And even better -- Washington really got the ball against Montreal. There's will be gentler. Machine simply. There's that they don't out structure to their gains. Sometimes I -- almost soft they're like a crowd the front of the net. They'll give opportunities. And can you recall the first scorpions. Washington. There was -- bode well why. And statewide and the dean doesn't like they don't like the people outside talks. An attack impartial people but that's okay. Was certain experiments are really safe and sound position when -- probable that would reduce the wait for your back -- come back. Put some pressure on. On the part where the list he's quoting yet so much I would really what -- in danger around the farther than that -- been much better off going to the puck carrier and maybe. -- what the law and other options circles. No but they're listening. What I'm saying is I -- disagree without the third whip them into what the coaching staff has to say so I don't think that's him right now and then. Really differ. All of us looking at the united nobody saw this coming later this -- dropped off. Nobody saw the bottom fall out it's but I I'm not -- I would not -- to the culture has macular are usually does the right thing to say after the thing. Usually are the right approach to who. -- Arctic messed up with a -- and situation but. Now that sort of -- and net. Not yet I would be I wouldn't point the finger in -- I don't think crucial earlier.

I like what you had to say a few minutes ago about. The possibility of the Bruins getting into the playoffs and they get into the playoffs you know who knows at that point you get -- you get a reset get a restart maybe you can get hot. But with that said. If you look at the Bruins and -- look at other teams -- the doubles. Or the penguins. Or the capitals do you see a dramatic gap between those teams in Boston. There's internal talent level and ability to go on around the kaposi's.

Yeah. All three of those who. How. Multiple nuclear warheads I mean you'd I don't bastard that extra moments ever. And then and Mike Green in Washington those are those are really. Tremendously gifted offensive players and has workers. This -- Ball care gonchar on the point and so those are those are. Those are tremendously gifted players are rendered -- mentioned stall for example who's who's third line player usually. Might be your first born player a lot of well they don't have the dynamic breakthrough players look very. But I think -- anything needs to go to hasn't been New Jersey doesn't appreciate. And they've got now Kovalchuk. Along where Brodeur. Those. The matchups are not strong when you face the awful and the -- and they're they're not -- that -- also. For many reasons that -- and another -- why why would go and do one thing now. Why would not let this little shuttle but it's gonna so what brought about. And come up with True Blue chip prospects and they're aware. Or anti under the -- ranking -- commonly because they're bigger and stronger. And better trained and then contribute right away if they're not. Tremendously and what they contribute right away on their way to look growth pattern that we don't start so. It it's an interest bearing. And under but he faces abide. I don't -- and -- anybody does when your street -- long lived there -- It's really sort of -- that you just data are -- and figure out what are your options are and hope but stepped around it was as the level had.

You mentioned the number of players who were performing well below what they did a year ago Marc Savard at 25 goals a year ago he's got eight this year. Milan Lucci Ted seventeen a year ago he's got four this year I understand part of it is physical. Well why doesn't look like the same player --

I don't think he's I don't think he's right I don't think he's so it'll be used he has most swagger to his game. Little contact he's looking a little contact. -- looks like he's laboring at the internships. I don't I don't see it as -- as a health issue with -- and I think he's pretty much. Give them when it comes to characterize it took a contract was different -- that's a high ankle sprain -- hasn't helped on the go backward. So far it has never really. And the goat to goal scorer but he really district apartment he just went a little. Off as you know what's the last like about the bench. You know shaking his head and swear element dormant like there's. Resentment dorms where everyone agrees there's -- these -- put himself up in front of mirrors are both pretty boy and the guys. The park and -- better players around him that's a kind of attitude I thought I might seem like she got much better than ever watched. But that's still raises its ugly here once and awhile. And that bothers me about his game marked the Michael writers looks like he's. You know and and and articles court Montreal but for whatever reason doesn't have. Desire grind them we know we're sort of I've felt kind of between their communities -- looks like he's trying hard but there's. Not -- very much body contact him to finish doesn't seem to be good at it looks like they've. These guys that are you know had great years last year -- that's all the really puzzles me is there's if that worked so all the what. I don't know I don't like -- either right now auto show opens drive a lot of the could be. Principal of a lack of confidence that it so really weird thing there offensive player. -- so hang your hat partner ability to produce -- particular score goals but that doesn't happen it it weighs heavier on the market.

I know we got to let you go and I I know we're up against the clock but I got to ask you one last question is it too good time.

Boy that's a good question. A really good question and are there. I would stop and think at this point. He was making a big deal. He was looking -- somebody came up some sort you'd really like to have Tim Thomas for a stretch front. I'd have to be all -- at that point. And so yes it could be too good time. But they don't make a deal with Thomas Olympic regatta in all I gotta -- reduce it before your contract to a contract about that range needed to -- Patted on the back. For what he's done. But the pat wasn't didn't warm cops on the packet just love fires were so they it will provide that all right are currently -- as well good. But -- out of sitting there would rest not give them a fair chance that the number one. Spot at least earlier this year is going to be difficult situation but it didn't even ask me about the global search for it which is what I thought about thought well the.

Well and and I what's gonna ask you if you thought that -- made a good deal.

I think will lay out -- I mean he's he's gonna petition origin and can he can now. Give more predictable scores -- at a -- that he may be he sometimes does not Christian overcomes the fact checking but. He works hard -- sparkled with a spark offensively and he's he's explosive. And here's the deal -- aware of all of the dust within the respect. Sort of now -- almost grandfatherly -- reporters armor on the guy and very. What we need from here this is what we're expecting them. Somehow. It's seems to work on most cards but. For me this story here it was going has you know thought what belt and -- what else -- like the -- a good deal with the let America but. Mayor that -- blow -- again. Did not learn a thing from the very host of deal and post it note yielded -- assets. Only one of which Colby Armstrong. Is now has seen. And Colby Armstrong has. -- slash -- life partner. So now we come. Full circle around for the Kovalchuk situation. But in new collective contract everybody knew what happened we'll -- that -- if you couldn't cycle chart. Last summer. Why wouldn't just straight and then when somebody now that you're sort of no problem. And this is what we want our review of then produce program why would you wait until you look walks like those most of the deadlock. Over -- The chancellor. Really do with players there not the face of the franchise okay pork is very good prosper as well questions are doing is as serviceable. A three years from -- forced to make -- the national -- ladies got mine gold machine. And and who knows what a first round pick. Which at this point looks like it's going to be somewhere between twelve and 730 if you go to. -- double a there's just there's of that GOP was to pull the trigger was too afraid to make it you'll coal truck. But he should learn something from. For more apple will host it should cost mr.

Mike tell -- talk cocky -- you we appreciate your candor and your time thank you.

I feel Michael -- jumping on a train now the go to Washington because it looks like it here. Fly here we're gonna -- their mother of releasing on Sunday it would -- Washington by the growth outlook include forward to this stuff -- but as well so. They currently have.

I think it's bad that it's better than an airplane ride though yeah yeah Mike it's too bad -- Get a chance to see any good hockey players in that game Washington that we're really feel sorry for you.

FBI I think it's actually great our hope we do a good number because it's a great visit. Great to while away the hours before the Super Bowl.

Mike thanks -- we'll talk to you again. They have like that is Mike Milbury. Hockey analyst on NBC as a as a hundred as a guy. Man you know he's he's in that great position where he doesn't have do nor will he sugar -- anything.