Julien Calls Out Wideman

The Boston Bruins have recalled defensemen Adam McQuaid from AHL affiliate Providence. Bruins coach Claude Julien, called Wideman out after practice today in Wilmington.

Julien said that Wideman has been having problems with his “intensity and compete level. McQuaid was used as a spare defenseman, but one has to wonder if this could mean Wideman could be a healthy scratch soon.  Julien also went on to say “”If you want to play like a 5 or a 6 defenseman then maybe [that’s] what you’re going to get ice time-wise.” It looks like Wideman is definitely going to get a decrease in ice time which could be good for him. This does have the ability to take some of the pressure off, motivate, and give Wideman some confidence though.

Joe Haggerty of Comcast Sports New England believes that “the coaching staff has finally had it with what they’ve seen out of Dennis Wideman this season. The Three Stooges act with the linesman Monday might have been the final straw.” Wideman has been struggling all season, and it definitely shows in his stats. Wideman had 50 points and a +32 at the end of last season, and was one of the best puck moving defensemen in the league. Wideman has only 13 points this season and a -8. That -8 is the worst ranking on the B’s.

Wides started having problems breaking the puck out of the zone last season in the playoffs vs. Carolina and the problem has continued this season. This issue seems to have taken over to the rest of his game because his name is becoming quite ironic… Wideman can’t seem to hit the net this season and all he has hit lately is break Patrice Bergeron’s thumb. Wideman can’t hit the net and can’t break the puck out of the zone, so he is becoming useless on the backend.

In addition to Wideman having problems breaking the puck out Matt Hunwick is having a sophomore slump. Hunwick had a great season last season once being called up from Providence last season. The sophomore has 12 points through 45 games played so far this season, but last season in just 53 games he had 27 points. Hunwick was a fixture on the 2^nd Power Play unit last season but has not seen much time this season. It reflects as he only has 1 point on the PP this season so far.

Adam McQuaid has played well in his brief stint so far this season for the Bruins. McQuaid has showed the ability to drop the gloves and just fight with pure emotion.

Adam McQuaid vs Troy Bodie

The Black & Gold really seem to have two dire issues to deal with. They need a goal scorer and a puck moving defensemen. If Wideman can somehow get it going again there really is not a pressing need for a puck moving defensemen. They have Wideman, Morris, and Hunwick who all the ability to not only skate the puck up, but also make the pass to start the rush into the offensive zone. Wideman and Hunwick have been having that problem, but hopefully when the whole team is healthy they can get it going again.