Poke the Bear
Poke the Bear
Conor Ryan
Boston.com's Bruins reporter Conor Ryan offers up weekly thoughts, opinions and analysis on all things surrounding the Black and Gold in “Poke The Bear” — a new podcast centered on the Original Six club. Each week, Conor and a number of guests offer in-depth breakdowns on the latest news surrounding the B’s — and having plenty of fun along the way. So sit back, grab a libation (or Dunks, no one’s judging here) and let’s talk some hockey.
Sharing leftover thoughts from Bruins' free-agent moves
In this episode of Poke The Bear, Conor shares some leftover thoughts from the Bruins' moves on Wednesday.  Poke The Bear on CLNS Media is Powered by: 💰 Prize Picks - Sign up at http://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CLNS & Download the app today and use code CLNS to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 2
25 min
Bruins Free Agency Predictions
Conor Ryan and Evan Marinofsky go live to preview NHL free agency, which begins Wednesday, July 1, at 12 pm ET. They predict who the Bruins could sign tomorrow and give thoughts on development camp. Poke The Bear on CLNS Media is Powered by: 💰 Prize Picks - Sign up at http://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CLNS & Download the app today and use code CLNS to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 1
57 min
REACTING to JJ Peterka Trade, Fabian Lysell's Exit, and NHL Draft
Connor Ryan and Ty break down a jam-packed stretch of Bruins news, starting with the signing of JJ Peterka and whether it's the right price for the production they're hoping to get. They dig into the draft results — a defense-light, goalie-heavy class that leaves some fans wanting more on the back end — and have a long, honest conversation about what went wrong in Fabian Lysell's development before his trade to Colorado. 0:00 - Intro 1:23 - Bruins Acquire JJ Peterka 4:25 - Was This the Right Move at the Right Price? 5:26 - Other Forward Targets the Bruins Passed On 7:42 - Why the Next Move Matters Just as Much 8:25 - The Glaring Need on Defense 11:21 - How Acquiring Veterans Helps the Young Core 14:17 - PrizePicks 16:01 - Bruins Draft Recap: Missing Out on Top D-Men 17:48 - Goalie-Heavy Draft Class — Smart or a Logjam? 21:20 - Wishing They'd Traded Up for a High-Upside Defenseman 23:39 - The Bigger Picture: Spending Premium Picks on Goalies 29:37 - Bruins Trade Fabian Lysell to Colorado 33:24 - What Went Wrong with Lysell's Development? 41:59 - The Need for a New Player Development Approach 48:57 - Closing Thoughts on Letting Go of Lysell 50:22 - Looking Ahead: What's Next This Offseason 53:06 - Can the Bruins Run It Back on Defense? 55:51 - Reaction to Losing Out on a Zellweger Trade 58:17 - Bridging the Gap: Trueba, Nurse & Short-Term Options 1:02:38 - Building a Realistic Darnell Nurse Trade Framework 1:04:42 - Final Thoughts on the Offseason Plan 1:10:19 - Outro Bruins on CLNS Media is Powered by: 💰 Prize Picks - Sign up at http://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CLNS & Download the app today and use code CLNS to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 28
1 hr 12 min
Predictions for a Tricky Bruins Offseason
In this episode of Poke The Bear, Conor and Evan talk Don Sweeney's latest comments, the state of the NHL trade market, and make our predictions for the NHL Draft and the rest of the Bruins' moves.  Poke The Bear on CLNS Media is Powered by: 💰 Prize Picks - Sign up at http://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CLNS & Download the app today and use code CLNS to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 25
40 min
Should Bruins PIVOT to John Carlson This Summer?
Connor Ryan and Ty Anderson break down a busy week of Bruins news, starting with the trade of Andre Gasseau's rights for added draft capital and why it might net Boston a long-term replacement at center. They dig into the thin remaining options on the UFA defenseman market after Toronto signed Darren Raddysh, debate whether John Carlson or Tony DeAngelo makes more sense on a short-term deal, and float a dream Zellweger-Carlson pairing if the Bruins can pull off a trade. Plus: a deep dive into the Pavel Zacha trade rumors, what kind of return Boston could realistically get, and why patience might not be a virtue this offseason. They close with a preview of what Boston should be targeting at pick 23 in Friday's draft. 0:00 - Intro 0:59 - World Cup Buzz & Boston's International Crowd 3:48 - Bruins Trade Andre Gasseau for Draft Capital 6:06 - Why Gasseau Could Be a Long-Term Crowley Replacement 8:08 - Toronto Signs Darren Raddysh — What's Left on the Defense Market? 9:38 - Are the Remaining UFA Defensemen Worth Pursuing? 11:56 - Why Raddysh Landed in a Better Spot in Toronto 13:08 - What the Bruins Actually Need on the Right Side 15:29 - The Case for Trading for Zellweger Instead of Free Agency 17:31 - Do the Bruins Even Have the Cap Space to Add Two Pieces? 18:56 - Lessons from the David Backes Contract 19:43 - Why a Short-Term Overpay Could Make Sense 20:37 - John Carlson vs. Tony DeAngelo — Who Fits Better? 23:32 - Building a Zellweger-Carlson Pairing Fantasy 24:41 - Backup Plans: Ilya Lyubushkin & Reclamation Targets 26:10 - Why This Defense Corps Already Looks Better 28:31 - Pavel Zacha Trade Buzz: Bruins Listening on Offers 29:39 - Does Zacha's Sample Size Justify a Big Extension? 31:54 - The Risk of Paying for Playoff Performance You Haven't Seen 33:28 - The Islanders/Noah Dobson Trade Comparison 35:46 - Could a Zacha Trade Net Big Draft Capital? 36:43 - Pushing Back on the "Locker Room Impact" Argument 38:17 - Why Patience Has Burned the Bruins Before 40:25 - Draft Preview: What Boston Needs at Pick 23 41:29 - The Case for Targeting a Puck-Moving Defenseman 43:06 - Prioritizing Skill and Upside Over Safe Picks 46:02 - How a Strong Prospect Pool Helps Trade Leverage 47:14 - Outro Bruins on CLNS Media is Powered by: 💰 Prize Picks - Sign up at http://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CLNS & Download the app today and use code CLNS to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 21
52 min
Patrice Bergeron Gets Number RETIRED, Bruins Make a Trade
In this episode of Poke The Bear, Conor and Evan talk Patrice Bergeron's No. 37 retirement, the Bruins dealing away Andre Gasseau's rights, and Boston's willingness for blockbuster deals. 0:00 - Intro 1:07 - Bergeron Number Retirement Announcement Prank 2:58 - Reactions to the Surprise Announcement 4:10 - Why the Timing Made Sense 4:28 - What's Next for Bergeron's Career? 8:00 - Bergeron's Role Working with Current Players 9:04 - Building a Culture with Bruins Legends 12:07 - Comparing to the Red Sox's Front Office Struggles 13:17 - Internal Hires vs. Outside Hires for Coaching Roles 14:07 - PrizePicks 16:23 - Bruins Trade Andre Gasseau to San Jose 17:39 - Breaking Down the Return for Gasseau 19:11 - Was This Good Asset Management? 21:04 - Could the Bruins Package Picks to Move Up in the Draft? 23:44 - Listener Q&A 28:31 - Would You Trade Hagens & Lauko for a Star? 29:48 - Dylan Larkin vs. Truly Elite Centers 33:13 - The Case for Acquiring a Younger Player 35:59 - Outro Bruins on CLNS Media is Powered by: 💰 Prize Picks - Sign up at http://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CLNS & Download the app today and use code CLNS to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 19
37 min
Can Bruins take advantage of a shifting NHL landscape?
In this episode of Poke The Bear, Conor and Ty talk the Bruins' new coaching hire, NHL players getting more control in a growing trade market, and Cam Neely's recent comments about adding to Boston's roster. 0:00 - Intro 0:47 - Kilts, Scots & Summer Vibes in Boston 4:38 - Bruins Hire Matt McIlvaine as Assistant Coach 12:20 - PrizePicks 14:26 - The Trade Market & Player Movement Around the NHL 16:34 - Why Free Agency Isn't the Answer for Boston 22:19 - Boston as a Destination — Is It Still Appealing? 29:09 - Cam Neely Quotes & Bruins' Offseason Approach 31:35 - Alex Tuck, Arvidsson & Aging Player Concerns 38:05 - What to Do with Lindholm, Lohrei & the Roster Bubble Guys 39:21 - Wrapping Up! Bruins on CLNS Media is Powered by: 💰 Prize Picks - Sign up at http://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CLNS & Download the app today and use code CLNS to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 13
42 min
Dylan Larkin's expanding trade list might be BAD news for the Bruins
On this episode of Poke The Bear, Conor and Evan discuss the Bruins’ new coaching hire on Marco Sturm’s staff, as well as whether or not it’s good news that Dylan Larkin might be expanding his list of trade suitors. Poke The Bear on CLNS Media is Powered by: 💰 Prize Picks - Sign up at http://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CLNS & Download the app today and use code CLNS to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 11
31 min
Why the Bruins Should NOT Trade for Dylan Larkin | Poke The Bear
In this episode of Poke The Bear, Conor and Ty discuss Dylan Larkin trade rumors, the cost Boston would pay, and other potential targets down the middle. Poke The Bear on CLNS Media is Powered by: 💰 Prize Picks - Sign up at http://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CLNS & Download the app today and use code CLNS to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 5
46 min
Should the Bruins flip Pavel Zacha for a top draft pick?
In this episode of Poke The Bear, Conor and Evan break down Pavel Zacha's future in Boston and whether he should be traded for top draft capital.  Poke The Bear on CLNS Media is Powered by: 💰 Prize Picks - Sign up at http://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CLNS & Download the app today and use code CLNS to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 3
33 min
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