Article content material

Jeremy Swayman is large on positivity.

Article content material

Article content material

Article content material

His workforce got here into Saturday having had two terrible video games. They’d bled 13 objectives towards.

NHLers know they mustn’t dwell too lengthy on unhealthy moments, simply as they mustn’t let the actually good moments distract from the current.

However you may’t simply be uninteresting. It’s essential be upbeat. Have some self-belief.

And so Swayman referred to as on his teammates Saturday morning to get collectively for a bunch hug on the finish of their morning skate.

“I wasn’t leaving the ice with no group hug,” he beamed after Saturday’s 5-1 defeat of the Vancouver Canucks.

“I feel it’s excellent time for it. All of us love one another on this locker room. And simply to indicate that you just’re on the ice, that right now’s a brand new day. The solar rose right now, and we’re gonna guarantee that, , we’re all on this collectively, ups and downs and all.”

Article content material

Article content material

It’s about optimistic tradition constructing. It wants fixed refreshing. Nevertheless it’s vital, Swayman notes. Have some enjoyable. Be good to one another. It’s a recipe each workforce might use.

“It makes it enjoyable to return to the rink on daily basis and go to work with these guys,” he stated of being so comfy and upbeat and able to hug one another. “The relationships that we now have on this locker room, and what we’ve made with new guys — it looks as if everybody’s been right here for some time now — that’s what makes it so enjoyable to return right here. The tradition that we constructed. We all know we now have to rebrand that tradition each single yr with new challenges and new faces. So on daily basis that we now have a possibility to be collectively, that’s an ideal alternative to make this tradition what it’s.”

Article content material

Massive Z returns

Tracked down the boisterous former Canuck post-game. He was chatting away within the hallway with first J.T. Miller, then Conor Garland. He and Garland caught up for no less than 10 minutes. I’d requested Bruins PR if Nikita Zadorov — “Massive Z” — was accessible and so they stated “certain, simply hand around in the hallway there and ask him when he’s carried out catching up together with his outdated teammates.”

Certain sufficient, he was pleased to speak. Had solely good issues to say.

He grinned when requested about his workforce getting a win in his return to town he did need to keep in.

“It’s good to get away. And I imply, it’s not solely private for me. We misplaced final two video games. We acquired smoked, so it’s a great response by us,” he stated.

“We had a good time final yr. There’s lots of associates nonetheless on the opposite facet. So it’s, it’s good to see them,” he added, underselling the second.

Article content material

He acquired a giant matchup. Head coach Joe Sacco put him up towards the Miller line on objective.

He was pumped about it.

“Taking part in towards Miller line a lot of the night time too, as properly, it’s a giant accountability, as a result of there are lots of good gamers there,” he stated.

The Boss Speaks

Jim Rutherford was very restrained post-game on After Hours.

However he was seething beneath. The workforce wants to determine what they’re right here for. It’s about profitable. And displaying as much as work laborious.

So what does he consider this squad? It’s nonetheless powerful to learn, however they believed it might be near taking a subsequent step.

“We have to add a few gamers to actually give ourselves an opportunity to contend,” he informed Ferraro and Oake.

That’s a press release of actuality. Rutherford isn’t shy of actuality. They know that it’s a workforce that’s flawed.

How will his gamers take it? Are they ready for the cavalry?

pjohnston@postmedia.com

Article content material