BHN Puck Links: Another Miracle On Ice, Boston Bruins Looking For D

There’s plenty of Boston Bruins and NHL training camp news to get to, as well as some Bruins free agent rumors in today’s Boston Hockey Now Puck Links. Before we get to that though, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention what happened in Edmonton, Alberta at the 2021 World Juniors Tuesday night.

This February 22 will mark the 41st anniversary of ‘The Miracle On Ice’. While no USA Hockey game or any hockey game for that matter, will ever match the significance and magnitude of that win on and off the ice in Lake Placid, NY, one could argue that when the 2021 United States World Junior hockey team shocked the hockey world and beat Canada 2-0, winning the Gold Medal on Canadian soil, that became another USA Hockey miracle!

Canada had outscored their opponents 41-4 heading into the Gold Medal Match with the Americans and all four of those opponents’ goals were on the powerplay. This Canadian squad was considered by many to be their best since the 2005 squad that featured Patrice Bergeron, Corey Perry, Shea Weber, and many more future NHL stars. The only way that USA was going to win this was perfect team defense and Florida Panthers goalie prospect Spencer Knight standing on his head like Jim Craig did 41 years ago next month. 

That’s exactly what happened and the 2021 USA World Junior team will now go down in USA Hockey folklore for pulling off another Miracle On Ice!

Now onto your BHN Puck Links!

The Boston Bruins continue to express confidence that their young, inexperienced left side of their blue line can mesh well with young and older veterans on the right side. However, they’re still not going to try and bring more experience on the left to help stabilize their defense. My partner-in-crime Joe Haggerty has more on that ongoing search for a left-shot defenseman. (Boston Hockey Now)

Could the Boston Bruins be celebrating Valentine’s Day early with a ‘Pasta’ dinner? According to Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy, the reigning Co-Rocket Richard winner, David Pastrnak is ahead of schedule and could be back around February 7. (Boston Hockey Now)

As many young centers do when they first enter the NHL, it appears Boston Bruins rookies Trent Frederic and Jack Studnicka will start their first full NHL seasons on the wing. (Boston Hockey Now)

Former Boston Bruins and current Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Dougie Hamilton is hoping that he won’t be switching teams for the third time in six years next offseason. (NHL.com)

As mentioned above, Florida Panthers hotshot goalie prospect and Boston College netminder Spencer Knight came up huge in the Gold Medal game. Ironically his Canadian counterpart in the game, Devon Levi could be his future teammate and partner in the Panthers crease. Colleague and buddy George Richards has more. (Florida Hockey Now)

Unlike at the World Juniors, there could actually be fans at the BB&T Center when Knight makes his NHL debut this season, should he choose to forego his final seasons at The Heights. (Florida Hockey Now) 

The Columbus Blue Jackets may be forced to trade one of their young stars soon but they were able to re-up with another on Wednesday. (TSN)

The New York Islanders showed they value grit, hard work, and leadership by signing grinder Matt Martin to a new four-year contract that carries a $1.5 million contract. (NYI Hockey Now)

Murph’s Music Pick of the day goes out to the Gold Medal Champion USA World Junior team. Sing it, loud boys!

Sing it loud, boys! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/1snBay9a84

— USA Hockey (@usahockey) January 6, 2021