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It turned out to be a valid indicator that the team had indeed been able to “flip the switch” and start playing the right way when it mattered most. Yes, there were some severe relapses to mediocrity during that first-round series, and the B’s had the Hockey Gods on their side when they pulled off the miracle comeback late in Game 7.

Having survived that looming calamity — and avoided all the repercussions that might have ensued — the Bruins made it look remarkably easy against the New York Rangers and then, astoundingly, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Chiarelli said he, “was amazed, actually — not surprised, but amazed at our push in the playoffs.”

It wasn’t surprising, because anyone who watched the B’s capture the 2011 Stanley Cup knew what this team was capable of. But it was amazing to see it after such a sub-par regular season.

So many incredible things happened to the Bruins over the past seven weeks. So many individuals played to the peak of their talents. The team executed the Claude Julien game plan well. And with a better bounce of the puck here or there, we might well have seen a Duck Boat parade down Boylston Street this weekend.

So as painful as it was to see the Chicago Blackhawks passing around the Cup at the Garden Monday, nobody interested in the Bruins should feel anything but elation and pride over what this team accomplished in these playoffs.

With that we hand out our postseason grades:

GOALIE

Not many observers outside of Boston would have ranked Rask on the short list of elite goalies two months ago. That has changed, after the 26-year-old delivered a sensational postseason — featuring a 1.88 goals-against average, .940 save percentage and three shutouts, despite the fact he faced 87 more shots than Chicago’s Corey Crawford, in one fewer game. Rask can easily demand a $6 million-plus (average) new deal.

DEFENSEMEN

Johnny Boychuk A

After scoring one goal in 44 regular-season games, the hard-shooting D-man potted six in the playoffs. Matched against some very strong second lines, he was plus-4. He led the league by blocking 62 shots — many of them very painfully — and had 74 hits.

Zdeno Chara A-

Yes, Chara struggled in the final — maybe because of a painful hip ailment. The Blackhawks eventually stopped trying to avoid him and instead directly attacked him, and he was on the ice for nine of their last 10 goals. Still, he had an excellent postseason, with 3-12-15 totals and plus-7, averaging a league-high 29:31 — including 45:05 in the triple-overtime Game 1 of the finals.

Torey Krug A

The unsung youngster was a game-changer for the B’s, arriving for the start of the second round (after playing just three previous NHL games) and scoring a goal in four of his first five games. He had 4-2-6 totals and a plus-5, played fine defensively and figures to be a key Bruin going forward.

Adam McQuaid B+

The lanky 26-year-old quietly played his sound and physical game, with 59 hits and 37 blocked shots. Posted totals of 2-2-4 and a plus-9, which led B’s blueliners. He scored one of the most satisfying goals of the playoffs in beating the Penguins, 1-0, to sweep that series.

Dennis Seidenberg B

Like Chara, he struggled in the finals (minus-5), outplayed by the top Chicago line centered by Jonathan Toews. He totaled just one assist in 18 games, but played very strong, shutdown D in the first three rounds.

Andrew Ference B

He suffered a broken foot early in the playoffs and missed seven games, but returned and played well beside Boychuk. Now a salary cap victim, his agility, puck-moving, smarts, toughness and off-ice leadership will be missed — and valued highly by his next employer.

Matt Bartkowski B

Another youngster prepared well by AHL time at Providence, he played two games vs. Toronto and all five vs. New York. Had 1-1-2 totals and minus-1. He played with confidence and skated the puck up ice very effectively. B’s fans should be very happy this guy wasn’t dealt for Jarome Iginla.

Wade Redden B

The veteran played five of the first six playoff games and scored the B’s first goal in Game 1 vs. Leafs. The unrestricted free agent is still a useful D-man, maybe here.

Dougie Hamilton B-

A healthy scratch six of last nine regular-season games, the 19-year-old played seven games vs. the Leafs and Rangers and did well, averaging 15:47, with 0-3-3 totals and an even plus/minus. The B’s need this kid to become a Rob Blake-type star and have good reason to believe he will.

FORWARDS

If there was a higher grade, he’d get it. The incredible courage Bergeron displayed in playing Game 6 vs. Chicago with multiple, severe injuries is now part of NHL lore. The entire postseason was filled with his hockey heroics: He had the game-tying goal at 19:09 of the third period in Game 7 vs. Toronto, and then the OT winner; he set up a Game 1 overtime goal vs. New York; he had a second-OT goal in Game 3 vs. Pittsburgh. He posted totals of 9-6-15, plus-2 and led NHL with 61.5 faceoff rate. He played smothering defense vs. superstar opponents. Is there a better all-round forward in the game?

David Krejci A

As in 2011, he led the playoffs in scoring (9-17-26 in 22 games), seven points more than runner-up Patrick Kane got in 23 games, and was plus-13. Totaled 0-5-5 and minus-1 in finals. Dominated the Toronto series with 5-8-13 totals.

Milan Lucic A

His great leadership qualities were obvious — and so was the fear he put into opposing defensemen as he thundered in on the forecheck. Totaled 7-12-19 and a plus-12 in the postseason, 4-2-6 in the finals. His 102 hits led the league, 17 more than the next guy. He even went 18-16 on faceoffs.

Nathan Horton A

Re-dislocated his shoulder in Game 1 of finals yet kept playing. With arm motion limited, he totaled just 0-2-2 in the six games. Overall, though, he logged 7-12-19 and plus-20 — one of the best playoff plus/minuses ever — and had two game-winning goals. A UFA-to-be, he earned $5.5 million (pro-rated) this season, and will be a tough re-sign for cap-pressed B’s, but a guy you’d hate to see walk away.

Gregory Campbell A

The courage he showed in playing for nearly a minute on a broken legin Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals will never be forgotten, but he also performed quite well in 15 playoff games. He totaled 3-4-7 and a plus-7 and scored twice in Game 5 vs. New York. Would a healthy Campbell have meant the Cup? Maybe.

Daniel Paille A-

The erstwhile fourth-liner took on far larger role and posted 4-5-9 totals and plus-4. Netted three game-winners, two in finals: Game 2 (OT) and Game 3.

Brad Marchand B-

The fast, pesky winger had three strong rounds (16 games; 4-9-13, plus-7), but then accomplished little in final — going scoreless and minus-3, with just 10 shots-on-goal. He had the overtime goal in Game 1 against the Rangers.

Jaromir Jagr C

Much-maligned for scoring zero playoff goals despite 58 shots, he did contribute 10 assists. As slow as he was, Jagr’s ability to hang on to the puck did draw and occupy defenders. Final analysis? A curious sideshow.

Chris Kelly C

Just couldn’t find an offensive touch, with 2-1-3 totals in 22 games, including the first goal on Game 6 of the title series. Was a minus-7. A key guy on pretty strong penalty-kill unit (88.7 percent).

Shawn 
Thornton C

Did his gritty job fairly well in limited ice time (7:20 per game), totaled 0-4-4 and a plus-3, and was often trusted by coach Claude Julien with shifts late in tight games.

Rich 
Peverley C-

Another cog in a B’s third line that was so good in 2011, yet so disappointing this year. The speedy forward had just 2-0-2 totals and minus-8 in 21 games.

Kaspars 
Daugavins D

He had little to offer in limited duty, going scoreless in six games.

Tyler Seguin D-

This probably ought to be an F, but 21-year-old did display an improved compete-level and grit at times. However, for a No. 2-overall pick handed a six-year, $34.5 million contract extension, one goal in 22 playoff games — despite 70 shots-on-goal, plus a few posts — is a career low-point. Was an injury involved? No one’s ever confirmed that.

Carl 
Soderberg Inc.

Tossed into the fire in Game 5 vs. Chicago, he did some good things. But looks a bit slow for this level.

COACHING

Claude Julien & Co. A

Julien’s chief assistant, Geoff Ward, doesn’t get nearly the credit he deserves. Indeed, his whole staff — Doug Houda, Doug Jarvis and Bob Essensa — does a terrific job. The Bruins didn’t play their system well in the regular season, but snapped back into it in the postseason. Julien & Co. actually opened up more offensively, with very aggressive and effective pinching by D-men. The coaches did a great job on matchups, and in juggling the personnel when numerous players were limited by injuries.

FRONT OFFICE

Peter Chiarelli B

Chiarelli’s acquistion of Jagr was kind of a success, although pricey (this year’s first-round pick, plus two minor-league prospects). Watching Iginla play so lazily on the backcheck, Bruins fans should be delighted that the B’s deal for him (Bartkowski, Alex Khokhlachev) fell through. Redden proved to be useful pickup. And last year’s NCAA free agent signee, Krug, goes down as a great move. Now, Chiarelli has his work cut out for him, trying to build his ’13-14 roster under a squeezed salary cap — so that the B’s have a happier ending next year.

# GOALIE GPI GS MIN GAA W L OT SO SA GA SV% G A PIM

40 Tuukka Rask 22 22 1466 1.88 14 8 3 3 761 46 .940 0 0 0

# POS PLAYER GP G A P +/- PIM PP SH GW S S%

55 D Johnny Boychuk 22 6 1 7 4 10 0 0 1 63 9.5

47 D Torey Krug 15 4 2 6 5 0 3 0 0 34 11.8

33 D Zdeno Chara 22 3 12 15 7 20 0 0 0 55 5.5

54 D Adam McQuaid 22 2 2 4 9 10 0 0 1 11 18.2

6 D Wade Redden 5 1 1 2 2 0 0 0 0 9 11.1

43 D Matt Bartkowski 7 1 1 2 -1 4 0 0 0 12 8.3

27 D Dougie Hamilton 7 0 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 11 0.0

21 D Andrew Ference 14 0 2 2 2 4 0 0 0 19 0.0

44 D Dennis Seidenberg 18 0 1 1 1 4 0 0 0 30 0.0

# POS PLAYER GP G A P +/- PIM PP SH GW S S%

46 C David Krejci 22 9 17 26 13 14 1 0 2 56 16.1

37 C Patrice Bergeron 22 9 6 15 2 13 4 0 2 71 12.7

11 C Gregory Campbell 15 3 4 7 7 11 0 0 1 20 15.0

23 C Chris Kelly 22 2 1 3 -7 19 0 0 0 26 7.7

49 C Rich Peverley 21 2 0 2 -8 12 1 0 0 35 5.7

19 C Tyler Seguin 22 1 7 8 -2 4 0 0 0 70 1.4

34 C Carl Soderberg 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0.0

17 L Milan Lucic 22 7 12 19 12 14 0 0 0 42 16.7

63 L Brad Marchand 22 4 9 13 4 21 0 0 1 57 7.0

20 L Daniel Paille 22 4 5 9 4 0 0 1 3 27 14.8

22 L Shawn Thornton 22 0 4 4 3 18 0 0 0 26 0.0

16 L Kaspars Daugavins 6 0 0 0 -1 2 0 0 0 9 0.0

18 R Nathan Horton 22 7 12 19 20 14 2 0 3 38 18.4

68 R Jaromir Jagr 22 0 10 10 -1 8 0 0 0 58 0.0

Boston Herald LOADED: 06.30.2013

682951 Boston Bruins

Nathan Horton won’t return to Bruins; Tyler Seguin cited in trade chatter

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Author(s):

Steve Conroy

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Nathan Horton informed team management today that he will not be re-signing with the Bruins, according to his agent Paul Krepelka, who stated that it’s Horton’s personal choice to test the free agent waters. Krepelka said there were no back-and-forth negotiations.

It’s a big loss for the Bruins. Not only did Horton combine with Milan Lucic and David Krejci to make a formidable, physical top line, he was a big part in the B’s two runs to the Stanley Cup finals in the last three years.

That news, which broke in early afternoon, added a wrinkle to an already very interesting weekend for the Bruins, and the league in general. With some big name players becoming unexpectedly available via buyouts ­— most notably Vincent Lecavalier and now Horton — draft weekend is shaping up to be a newsmaker.

And with the Bruins looking to both off-load salary to sign goalie Tuukka Rask and possibly jump in the bidding war for Lecavalier now that Horton won’t be back, it’s a good bet the B’s will be involved in the horse-trading. And Tyler Seguin’s name has surfaced.

At his media availability this morning, general manager Peter Chiarelli said the trade talk is picking up.

“It’s actually pretty active. I think when Lecavalier got bought out, it’s thrown some teams for a loop and there’s a trickle down effect,” said Chiarelli, who could kick the tires on Lecavalier himself. “It gives everyone pause for thought. But it’s been fairly active. I think a lot of teams are trying to figure out who they may buy out, so they’ve got time before July 5, and they’ve got assets that are available tomorrow in the draft, so it’s picking up steam.”

To sign both Rask and a Horton replacement, the B’s would clearly have to some salary and the most obvious casualty would be Rich Peverley and his $3.25 million. But there have been a lot rumblings here that Seguin, whose maturation process on and off the ice has been slower than anticipated, has been put on the trade block. Seguin has a cap hit of $5.75 million for the next six years, a hefty price for a player who scored once in four playoff rounds.

Chiarelli didn’t mention any of his players by name in trade discussions, but he did say he was looking to recoup a first-round pick, which he lost in the Jaromir Jagr deal. He estimated that this draft pool includes five or six players who could play in the NHL next year. Any deal involving Seguin would surely start with a first-round pick, and high one at that.

But while the salary cap is going down to $64.3 million for the 2013-14 season, there’s wide speculation that it will go right back up the following year. With that in mind, Chiarelli doesn’t want to proceed rashly.

“Acting rashly may be replacing something in a rash manner, or I get rid of something in a rash manner. So I have to be careful,” he said.

Despite the current situation with teams needing to shed players to become cap compliant, Chiarelli doesn’t believe he’ll have to accept a paltry return just to move salary. But if worse comes to worst, the B’s could dip into the growing free agent market.

“Based on my discussions, I don’t think that will happen. But you never say never,” said Chiarelli. “We could have trouble with the expanded supply, but I think there will be players who want to play for less. If we have to mix and match a little, I think we’ll be able to do it because we still have a strong contending team and there are going to be players who’ll want to play for us. If we get to that point, but I don’t think we will.”

Chiarelli said that he’s gotten calls from teams who want to obtain the negotiating rights to Andrew Ference, whom the B’s will not be able to afford under the new cap.

“I’ve had a couple of teams call on Andy,” said Chiarelli. “I’ve spoken with Andy’s agent and I’ve actually given Andy’s agent ton talk to teams. I’m not going to stand in his way. He’s been a warrior for us and I want to help him as much as I can.”

It’s a good bet he’ll now get a couple of calls on Horton’s rights as well.

Boston Herald LOADED: 06.30.2013

682952 Boston Bruins

Horton won't be back with Bruins; Trade talk buzzing at draft; Seguin's name coming up

Saturday, June 29, 2013 -- Steve Conroy

JERSEY CITY—Nathan Horton has informed the Bruins today that he will not be re-signing in Boston, according to his agent Paul Krepelka. Krepelka said it's Horton's personal choice to test the free agent waters and that there were no back-and-forth negotiations.

It's a big loss for the B's. Not only did Horton combine with Milan Lucic and David Krejci to make a formidable, physical top line, he was a big part in the B's two runs to the Stanley Cup Finals in the last three years.

That news, which broke just minutes ago, added a wrinkle to an already very interesting weekened for the Bruins and the league in general. With some big name players becoming unexpectedly available via buyouts – most notably Vincent Lecavalier and now Horton – this draft weekend is shaping up to be a news-maker.

And with the Bruins looking to both offload salary to sign goalie Tuukka Rask and possible jump in the bidding war for Lecavalier now that Horton won't be back, it's a good bet the B's will be involved in the horse-trading.

At his media availability earlier today, GM Peter Chiarelli said the trade talk is picking up.

“It's actually pretty active. I think when Lecavalier got bought out, it's thrown some teams for a loop and there's a trickle down effect,” said Chiarelli, who could kic the tires on Lecavalier himself. “It gives everyone pause for thought. But it's been fairly active. I think a lot of teams are trying to figure out who they may buy out, so they've got time before July 5, and they've got assets that are available tomorrow in the draft, so it's picking up steam.”

To sign both Rask and a Horton replacement, the B's would clearly have to some salary and the most obvious casualty would be Rich Peverley and his $3.25 million. But there's been a lot rumblings here that the name of Tyler Seguin, whose maturation process on and off the ice has been slower than anticipated, is being bandied about. Seguin has a cap hit of $5.75 million for the next six years, a hefty price for a player who scred once in four playoff rounds.

Chiarelli didn't mention any of his players by name in trade discussions, but he did say he was looking to get a first round pick, which he lost in the Jaromir Jagr deal. He estimated there would be five or six players available who could play in the NHL next year. Any deal involving Seguin would surely start with a first round pick, and high one at that.

But while the salary cap is going down to $64.3 million for the upcoming, there's wide speculation that it will go right back up the following year. With that in mind, Chiarelli doesn't want to proceed rashly.

“Acting rashly may be replacing something in a rash manner, or I get rid of something in a rash manner. So I have to be careful,” he said.

Despite the current situation with teams needing to shed players to become cap compliant, Chiarelli doesn't believe he'll have to accept a paltry return just to move salary. But if worse comes to worst, the B's could dip into the growing free agent market.

“Based on my discussions, I don't think that will happen. But you never say never,” said Chiarelli. “We could have trouble with the expanded supply, but I think there'll be players who want to play for less. If we have to mix and match a little, I think we'll be able to do it because we still have a strong contending team and there are going to be players who'll want to play for us. If we get to that point, but I don't think we will.”

Chiarelli said that he's gotten calls from teams who want to obtain the negotiating rights to Andrew Ference, whom the B's will not be able to afford under the new cap.

“I've had a couple of teams call on Andy,” said Chiarelli. “I've spoken with Andy's agent and I've actually given Andy's agent ton talk to teams. I'm not going to stand in his way. He's been a warrior for us and I want to help him as much as I can.”

It's a good bet he'll now get a couple of calls on Horton's rights as well.

Boston Herald LOADED: 06.30.2013

682953 Buffalo Sabres

NHL prospect Bailey has a pro pedigree

By John Vogl | News Sports Reporter | @BuffNewsVogl

on June 29, 2013 - 11:03 PM, updated June 29, 2013 at 11:15 PM

NEW YORK — Justin Bailey has been touched by hockey since Matthew Barnaby held him as a baby. As a preschooler, Bailey mimicked Rick Jeanneret while imagining victories for the Buffalo Sabres. He lived with Pat LaFontaine.

Bailey’s lifelong fantasy has been to join those role models in the NHL fraternity. Thanks to enviable size, stellar skating and a glass-shattering shot, his moment has arrived.

The Williamsville native will hear his name called today at the entry draft in New Jersey, probably in the first two rounds. The 18-year-old winger will then praise his family, friends and God for helping him achieve the dream.

“Hockey’s always been my passion,” Bailey said. “I’m happy it’s brought me this far.”

As on most successful journeys, Bailey needed to overcome obstacles, benefit from correct decisions and receive help. He’ll share in the success with his mother/confidante in the Prudential Center, teammates scattered from Buffalo to Ontario to Long Island, and a little-known father in North Carolina who is well-known to Bills fans.

“I’m proud of him because I don’t think I’ve ever had a clear dream like he’s had,” said Bailey’s mother, Karen Buscaglia. “It was just a fun thing to watch him do.”

The road to the draft started early. Bailey, who plays for Kitchener of the Ontario Hockey League, gravitated toward hockey as a toddler. He lived in the same Williamsville apartment complex as Barnaby, Rob Ray and Michael Peca, three of the most popular Sabres at the time.

“My mom and aunt grew a little bit of a relationship with them,” said Bailey, born July 1, 1995. “Watching them and being able to see them on a personal level, I just wanted to be like them. I got into hockey and loved it ever since.”

Barnaby remains a mentor and has been skating with Bailey for 11 hours per week.

“Besides Eric Lindros, Justin Bailey probably has the best first couple strides for a big man that I’ve ever seen,” Barnaby said of the 6-foot-3, 186-pounder. “He probably has top-five hardest shots I’ve ever seen come off the stick. He’s really coming into his own. He’s still got a lot to learn, but the sky’s the limit for this kid.”

Impartial scouts agree. Bailey is rated as the 38th-best skater in North America by NHL Central Scouting, and teams are intrigued by his potential.

“He’s a high riser,” said Kevin Devine, the Sabres’ director of amateur scouting. “Most teams have him going somewhere in the second round. He’s a big kid that works very hard, needs to fill out his frame, get adjusted to the Canadian game a little more, get a little bit more physical. He’s got lots of potential.”

Bailey’s status as a prospect has grown exponentially during the past two years. It started with a decision to move into LaFontaine’s home on Long Island.

The Indiana Ice of the United States Hockey League picked Bailey 11th overall in their 2011 draft, and he made the team. Buscaglia thought the 15-year-old was still too much of a kid to move halfway across the country. Ken Martin, an NHL diversity executive and mutual friend of Buscaglia and LaFontaine, put the sides in touch with a different plan.

Soon, Bailey was living in LaFontaine’s home and playing for a team coached by the Hockey Hall of Famer and fellow NHL alum Steve Webb.

“He welcomed me with open arms into his home and onto his team,” Bailey said. “The way that he handled everything, I give him a lot of thanks for that.

“There were a lot of things on the mental side of the game, getting to know myself more as a player. Just the way we would watch hockey and the way he would break down the games was something special.”

LaFontaine taught Bailey about nutrition and off-ice preparation. Webb taught him how to control his emotions on the ice so he wouldn’t burn out during the first period. Together, they showed Bailey how to be a responsible teen.

“He came out of Long Island learning so much more than just hockey,” Buscaglia said.

The Long Island squad won the under-16 national championship, and Bailey caught the eye of Kitchener coach Steve Spott. Though Bailey had already committed to attend Michigan State, Spott convinced him to make a drive to Kitchener and check things out.

Bailey was hooked on the organization and the thought of developing in junior hockey. He recorded 17 goals and 36 points in 57 games this season while getting accustomed to the huge jump from travel hockey to Canada’s top circuit.