Boston Sports Then and Now

Boston Bruins Die Hards were out in full force Thursday night for the Hockey Resurrection Party at the Harp Boston.

As the much anticipated puck drop for the Bruins’ season opener on Saturday the 17th approaches, many B’s fans gathered at The Harp in Boston Thursday night for the Hockey Resurrection Party. The event was organized by Ring Communications and Boston Sports Then & Now/Big Bad Bruins. 98.5 The Sports Hub and Coors Light were there for giveaways and a silent auction was held with items supplied by Sports World USA.  Among the esteemed guests were legendary TD Garden anthem singer Rene Rancourt, Bruins enforcer Shawn Thornton, and former Bruin and WAAF personality Lyndon Byers.

The Bruins faithful were out in full force tonight as most of the night saw many fans shoulder to shoulder, donned in black and gold, just happy to celebrate the return of their beloved Boston Bruins.

CSNNE‘s A. Sherrod Blakely stopped by the party, and despite admitting to only having gone to one Bruins game, was still impressed by the turnout of the fans. “The Bruins are obviously a big deal in Boston” said Blakely “It’s a great, great atmosphere”. He wasn’t kidding, over 600 fans packed into the Harp Thursday night for the event.

“When I used to cover the ACC in North Carolina, the fans were very rowdy” Blakely continued “Bruins fans remind me of that, they become a part of the game”.

Among the many Bruins die-hards in attendance was a man with a Viking’s helmet and a shield sporting the Bruins’ logo, a gentleman with a fake beard and a Winter Classic jersey with Eddie Shore’s number 2 on the back, and an uncountable amount of Bruins jerseys featuring the numbers of current, former, and retired players.

Those in attendance were treated to an early preview of something they knew all too well. Rene Rancourt sang his rendition of the star spangled banner for the crowd prompting them to sing along. He then said he would be singing the Canadian anthem Saturday in French asking “anyone in here speak French?”. One man in the crowd could and Rancourt gave him the mic. After allowing the fan to sing a few lines Rene took the mic back and said to the crowd “Let’s throw this guy out of here”.

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It’s been ten months since Bruins’ winger Nathan Horton was concussed at the hands of Flyers’ Tom Sestito. It’s been a LONG ROAD of recovery for Horton, but he is finally healthy.

But Scott Norton who represents Sestito decided to take a shot at Horton as if his client hasn’t done enough to JEOPARDIZE his career.

Good news! Stay out of @tomsestito23 way next time “@murphyslaw74: Agent: Nathan Horton healthy, ready to play espn.go.com/blog/boston/br…”

— Scott Norton (@NortonSports) November 10, 2012

Kudos to CSNNE’s Bruins insider, Joe Haggerty for calling out Norton for his extremely INSENSITIVE tweet:

Did @nortonsports really just tweet Nathan Horton “should stay out @tomsestito23 way next time”? All due respect that tweet is weak sauce

— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) November 10, 2012

Norton backpedaled of course just like a SCUMBUG agent would.  Haggs did not buy Norton’s BS:

@nortonsports So start of tweet excuses taking a dig at a concussed player? Interesting logic. Ur client should hit guys when theyre looking — Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) November 10, 2012

Norton continues to defend his client for his cheapshot. I wonder if he represents Aaron Rome as well:

@hackswithhaggs PREFACE – I don’t want ANYONE to ever get hurt, but once upon a time in land called NHL, guys had to keep their head up

— Scott Norton (@NortonSports) November 10, 2012

Joe Haggerty puts the dirty hit in “Black & White”:

@nortonsports Hortons head was up & Sestito came from behind him. Heard same flawed argument about Cooke/Savard. Lets just agree to disagree

— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) November 10, 2012

@nortonsports As you and I both well know, not being punished by the NHL doesn’t always = clean play. Way more complicated than that

— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) November 10, 2012

Game.

Set.

Match.

Scott Norton should just say he is SORRY & continue representing GUTLESS PUKES like Tom Sestito.

Joe Haggerty should continue dolin’ out TWITTER JUSTICE!

It was announced today that Boston bruins goaltender #30 Tim Thomas is planning to take a year off

In one of the more shocking developments in Boston Bruins news, it appears that Stanley Cup MVP Tim Thomas is preparing to sit out next season. Bruins’ General Manager Peter Chiarelli confirmed the rumors regarding the goaltenders’ “Sabbatical” this afternoon in a conference call “I’m approaching this season as if Tim Thomas won’t be playing next year” said Chiarelli “There’s a strong chance he’ll be taking the year off”. I can’t begin to imagine the many reasons and scenarios which would cause this flurry of drama surrounding the organization given all that is has accomplished in a year. It appears as if Thomas is aware of Tuukka Rask’s readiness to take the reigns as the number one starter which means Timmy will be moved to clear cap room for a new team direction.

The thing here that hurts the most is the fact that Thomas signed a 35 plus contract.

In the NHL a 35 plus contract is one that is payable regardless of what happens in a player’s career whether it be injury, retirement, or sabbatical. Thomas’ cap hit will count regardless of what he decides to do which may throw a huge wrench in the Bruins’ off-season plans. Thomas has always been a peculiar figure; this can be seen in the various interviews and appearances he has done throughout his career in Boston. Another interesting bit of news is the recent emergence of information regarding the goaltenders’ abrupt move to Colorado mid-season. It was reported yesterday by CSNNE’s Joe Haggerty that Thomas had moved his family out of the Boston area. A player looking for a new home isn’t a strange thing, but when they do it in the middle of a stressful season surrounded in controversy it raises a few eyebrows.

After he carried the Bruins to their first Championship in 39 years, Thomas was considered a hero among the Boston faithful.

One article even claimed that he was rivaling the New England Patriots Tom Brady as the most popular athlete in New England. Everything started to unravel when the Cup Champions’ visited to the White House without Thomas in attendance. He later that posted this message on his Facebook page “I believe the Federal government has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties, and Property of the People. This is being done at the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial level. This is in direct opposition to the Constitution and the Founding Fathers vision for the Federal government. Because I believe this, today I exercised my right as a Free Citizen, and did not visit the White House. This was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country. This was about a choice I had to make as an INDIVIDUAL.”

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I got to chime in on the panel talk with Giardi, Curran, and Paoletti.

Comcast Sports Net New England continued their run of Boston sports get togethers. In the fall they hosted a Patriots event featuring Jerod Mayo, a Bruins event featuring Shawn Thornton, and a Celtics event with Mike Gorman and Tommy Heinsohn. Last night they hosted bloggers at the Renaissance Hotel at Patriot Place for a Patriots gathering with a playoff twist.

It was a grand party thrown by the folks at CSNNE and it featured a live shoot for their 6 o’clock Sports Tonight segment, panel discussions, great food, and even some Patriots cheerleaders.

CSNNE host Mike Giardi and CSNNE.com insider Tom E. Curran taped a segment outside of the hotel as they typically do. It was interesting to see it in person and their analysis was spot on.

The panels included one featuring CSNNE’s Gary Tanguay along with former Patriots Fred Smerlas and Steve DeOssie. Smerlas and DeOssie, normally flanked by Glen Ordway on the New England Tailgate show, gave great “X’s and O’s” analysis on the upcoming match-up with the Denver Broncos. There was, of course, some Tim Tebow talk.

Fred Smerlas and Steve DeOssie broke things down with Gary Tanguay.

The second panel featured Giardi, Curran, and Mary Paoletti from the Thursday night show Quick Slants. This was a more laid back segment which featured numerous questions from the engaged audience.

Not to be lost in the Patriots talk was the wonderful spread of food put out by the Renaissance Hotel. Two chefs prepared freshly made scallops and cut beef sirloin at a carving station. There were also gourmet hors d’oeurves and dessert that followed.

CSNNE Director of Marketing Skip Perham was sure to remind the audience that gathered of their unmatched coverage throughout the week, and playoffs. With their three shows on Thursday comprising  ”New England Football Night” and their hour and a half pre and post game shows Saturday night, Comcast Sports Net has ensured they are the local go-to network.

CSNNE'S A. Sherrod Blakely answers our Celtics questions.

With the lockout over, the rumor mill spinning, and free agency about to kickoff, the NBA is back! Danny Ainge and the Celtics have been in the news often lately regarding Chris Paul and various other options to fill bench voids on the team.

Comcast SportsNet New England Analyst A. Sherrod Blakely was nice enough to answer some question from BST&N Celtics writer Raj Prashad and myself.

BST&N: Does the shortened season benefit or hurt Boston’s goals of getting back to the Finals?

ASB: A lot will depend on what type of bench Danny Ainge surrounds his core group of players with. Because of the schedule and the fact that those guys aren’t getting any younger, the Celtics will have little choice but to depend more heavily on the bench than they have in past years. And when you consider how limited the Celtics are in terms of what they can spend on free agents, it makes all the more sense for Ainge to, at the very least, explore the possibility of moving one of his core players like Rajon Rondo who as you know, has been the subject of numerous trade rumors.

BST&N: How do you think the trade rumors will affect Rajon Rondo?

ASB: Rondo has been in the NBA long enough to understand that it is a business, and no matter what teams say in terms of not wanting to move you or whatever, anyone can be traded. I think this will impact him in a negative way more off the court, than on it. It’s tough, especially for a young guy, to hear your name being thrown around as possibly being traded night after night after night. It’s especially tough for a young guy, with a young family who hears the same stuff, too. On the court, I think he’ll be more motivated than ever to be a great player, trying to prove the Celtics wrong for even contemplating a trade that involves him. And added motivation for Rondo, I believe, is just what the Celtics need this season.

BST&N: Handicapped by the salary cap last season, the Celtics resigned their own in Nate Robinson and Marquis Daniels, as it is easier to keep your own players. Do you see that playing out with Delonte West and others?

ASB: I do. That’s why one of the first calls Danny Ainge made when teams could talk to players directly, was to Glen Davis. And prior to that, Ainge had indicated he had reached out to Delonte West’s representatives as well. With the shortened season and even shorter training camp, it’s important to develop continuity as quickly as possible. Having guys back who understand Doc’s system, and know how to play with the Big 4, can really speed that process along.

BST&N: What is the most pressing need for the Celtics this year? And how do you see them filling that need?

ASB: Without question, it’s the center position. Jermaine O’Neal by himself is not going to get it done. They need at least two bigs who can play the position. But the challenge the C’s will have is that some of the guys that they would normally have no problem signing, guys like Kwame Brown and Joel Przybilla for example, are both guys that other teams are pursuing and most of those teams can offer more than the Celtics can.

They can find decent players to help fill the voids off the bench at the other four positions, but adding at least two bigs to help JO is vital to their chances of having a successful season.

BST&N: Will the Celtics fill the roster fully intent on making one last run or will they keep one eye on attempting to rebuild as well?

ASB: The mindset has to be achieving both, knowing that in some areas you’ll address the future more than the present, and vice versa. I think so far, the Celtics have gradually built this roster with an eye towards the future. So far, you’ll have at least three rookies – Jajuan Johnson, E’Twaun Moore and Gilbert Brown – in camp. And unlike past training camps, all three will get a shot at playing early on.

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Come see Seguin outscore Kessel again!

The Boston Sports Then and Now/Days of Y’Orr Bruins Viewing Party is back! Our last party was very memorable due to the infamous hit by Zdeno Chara on Max Pacioretty. This edition should be just as juicy as the key components of “The Trade” square off. Come join us in the “Thank You Kessel” chant and cheer on Tyler Seguin as he keeps up his torrid scoring pace! It all goes down on 11/30 at 630PM at The Place in Boston.

But there is more!

Our friends from Comcast SportsNet New England will be in the house. BST&N and Days of Y’Orr are excited to partner with the hockey loving creators of “Great American Hockey Show” and “Sticks and Stones”.  Please enjoy some tasty morsels on behalf of CSNNE!

Rumor has it we have a lot of friends. And that rumor is true! Our new buddies from Sportaholics.com, the new sports deal-a-day site will be spreading the love to the fans of the Black and Gold. Folks, just think Groupon for sports fanatics!

FanFeedr will also be participating in Bruins-palooza. FanFeedr is your one stop shop for everything Boston Bruins. Want Black and Gold news from CSNNE? Twitter? Blogs? Just like the FanFeedr Bruins Facebook page and get all the hot Bruins topics fed to your news feed!

Want wicked awesome Bruins raffle items? All the previously mentioned companies will be donating prizes, but we have more friends jumping into the fray! Our favorite Bruins apparel peeps, Bottomline Apparel and SupahFans have sweetened the pot with some sweet Black and Gold threads!

For just $1/ticket, you have a chance to win some Bruins gear, memorabilia and gift certificates from Sportaholics and the Place! Want to better your odds?

Break out those “wicked smaht” phones and like our friends on Facebook! Like the Bruins FanFeedr page, you get a ticket! Like BST&N or Days of Y’Orr and cha-ching, more chances to win! Be sure to charge up your phones!

We look forward to see all our crazed Black and Gold brothers and sisters on Wednesday, 11/30 at the Place in Boston. The fun starts at 630PM and concludes when the Bruins burn the Leafs! Join us for a night of great hockey, food, prizes and fun! RSVP today on Facebook.

If you don’t use Facebook(you may be the only person on the planet), please RSVP at bostonsportsthenandnow@gmail.com

See you all soon and Go Bruins!!