Poke the Bear

In this episode of Poke The Bear, Conor Ryan and Ty Anderson look ahead to Bruins training camp and break down some of the biggest questions facing Boston as the preseason approaches. The guys discuss the expectations surrounding JJ Peterka, where he could fit in the Bruins’ lineup, and how Boston can put its new forward in the best position to produce offensively. They also take a closer look at Michael DiPietro and why his ability to establish himself as a dependable backup behind Jeremy Swayman could be crucial over a long season. Plus, Conor and Ty discuss Frederic Brunet’s opportunity to push for an NHL role, what the young defenseman could bring to Boston’s blue line, and why the Bruins need to give their younger players room to develop through mistakes. They also examine Boston’s crowded defensive depth chart and the roster decisions that could be coming during camp.

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In this episode of Poke The Bear, Conor and Evan discuss Elias Lindholm, Frederic Brunet, and who will be Boston's most sought-after target now that Robert Thomas has been named captain in St. Louis?

0:00 - Coming up!

1:11 - Welcome in!

4:45 - Expectations for Elias Lindholm this season

17:23 - Prizepicks

19:16 - Expectations for Frederic Brunet this season

27:20 - Subscribe to the podcast!

29:35 - Who will be next Bruins dream trade target?

35:33 - Wrapping up

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In this episode of Poke The Bear, Conor Ryan and Ty Anderson discuss Evan Marinofsky’s interview with Marco Sturm on Bruins Beat!

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH MARCO STURM: https://youtu.be/j8yFMtePQvg

They also discuss the ongoing debate over the Bruins' next captain and make the case why the Bruins should name Charlie McAvoy captain and why they should name David Pastrnak captain.

0:00 - Coming up!

1:04 - Welcome in!

2:03 - Reaction to Marco Sturm’s Interview on Bruins Beat

-Watch Interview: https://youtu.be/j8yFMtePQvg

19:06 - Prizepicks

20:25 - Do the Bruins need to name a Captain this season?

23:24 - Who should be Bruins captain this season?

31:27 - Wrapping up!

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In this episode of Poke The Bear, Conor and Evan discuss the Bruins' looming decision on a captain and with the debate clearly between Charlie McAvoy and David Pastrnak the guys discuss who the ideal fit and they both explain why they think it should be David Pastrnak. They also discuss Marat Khusnutdinov who is coming off a year in which he had a career year playing in 77 games with 15 goals and 18 assists. They take a look at what his role could be for the Bruins this year. They also discuss Mason Lohrei's best spot in the lineup for this Bruins defense.

0:00 - Coming up!

0:27 - Welcome in

3:12 - Do the Bruins need to name a captain this season?

14:29 - Prizepicks

15:58 - What should Marat Khusnutdinov's role be this season?

25:12 - Subscribe to the podcast!

25:35 - What is best spot for Mason Lohrei in Bruins lineup?

36:28 - Wrapping up!

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In this episode of Poke The Bear, Conor runs through your latest mailbag questions. Conor breaks down why he thinks Charlie McAvoy did appeal his suspension to start the season and looks at the potential impact it could have on the Bruins defensive lineup to start the season. Conor then breaks down if the Bruins should pursue a potential trade deal for the Carolina Hurricanes Alexander Nikishin. Conor looks at both the pros and cons of trading for Nikishin, but ultimately settles on if the Bruins can pull off a deal for a young proven player like Nikishin that not only helps the Bruins right now but can help the Bruins as part of a core group in the future he would do it. He also discusses what a potential role could look like for James Hagens next season and if he could be a top 6 regular on this Bruins team. 

0:00 - Coming up!

0:19 - Welcome in!

1:17 - Conor Ryan answers your Boston Bruins questions!

1:43 - Will Charlie McAvoy appeal his suspension?

6:28 - Should Bruins trade for Alexander Nikishin?

13:51 - Prizepicks

15:02 - Will James Hagens be Top 6 player next season

20:53 - Subscribe to the podcast!

21:21 - Could Riley Duran get time with Boston Bruins this season?

23:59 - Wrapping up!

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Conor goes solo for a mailbag episode of Poke The Bear, tackling the questions Bruins fans are most fired up about heading into training camp. Why has free agency been so quiet across the league, and what does that mean for Boston's ability to add pieces? Pavel Zacha's extension status is the biggest storyline — Conor breaks down the contract math, what a fair deal looks like, and whether the Bruins should get ahead of a rising market or let it play out. Mason Lohrei's long-term future comes up next — a talented young defenseman stuck in a complicated roster situation. Then it's Matt Poitras: what's the holdup on his deal, and is he ready to take on a bigger role? Conor closes with Fraser Minten's realistic ceiling and what the fourth line could look like when camp opens.

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In this episode of Poke The Bear, Conor and Ty discuss Brad Marchand's injury woes, and debate where the Bruins stack up in the Atlantic Division.

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In this episode of Poke The Bear, Conor and Evan run through both the best and worst case scenarios for the Bruins in 2026-27. 

0:00 - Coming up!

1:07 - Welcome in!

5:06 - What is the best & worst case scenario for the 2026-27 Bruins?

7:50 - What is the worst case scenario for the 2026-27 Bruins?

19:10 - Prizepicks

20:43 - What is the best case scenario for the 2026-27 Bruins?

31:44 - Wrapping up!

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In this episode of Poke The Bear, Conor and Ty dig into one of the most important questions heading into the Bruins' season — which players are set up to take a step forward, and which ones might be due for a reality check? They run through the regression candidates on Boston's roster, the veterans who may have had career-best seasons that are tough to replicate, and why that matters for a team still trying to figure out its identity post-rebuild. On the flip side, they make the case for a handful of breakout candidates — younger players with something to prove and the opportunity to finally get consistent minutes. Whether you're optimistic or skeptical about where this Bruins team is headed, this episode gives you a realistic lens to evaluate the roster before puck drop. Who goes up, who comes down, and what does it mean for Boston's season?

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In this episode of Poke The Bear, Conor Ryan and Evan Marinofsky run through Boston's potential free agent and PTO options at this stage of the season, and explain why right now it doesn’t make sense for the Bruins to pursue any of these veteran free agents & shut down the idea of even pursuing a guy like Vladimir Tarasenko. They also discuss whether or not some of the team's depth forwards can take a step forward this year and who is the most intriguing player of the group of Alex Steeves, Lukas Reichel and Michael Eyssimont. They wrap things up by taking a look at the Providence Bruins and discuss what under the radar players in Providence could potentially get some minutes for the Boston Bruins this upcoming season.

0:00 - Coming up on show!

0:50 - Welcome

2:46 - Should Bruins pursue veteran free agents?

12:59 - Prizepicks

14:40 - Who are you most intrigued by Alex Steeves, Lukas Reichel or Michael Eyssimont?

15:27 - Alex Steeves

17:25 - Lukas Reichel

19:11 - Who will be first one Sturm turns to of Steeves, Reichel & Eyssimont?

20:57 - Subscribe to the podcast!

23:18 - Which Providence Bruins player will make jump to Bruins?

26:40 - Wrapping up!

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 $150 instantly in lineups when you win your first $5 lineup!

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