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About DJ Bean

DJ Bean grew up in Section 127 of Fenway Park thanks to his grandfather's season ticket package and has immersed himself in the Boston sports scene ever since. In addition to co-founding multi-sport draft site DraftEmpire.com, DJ has written for the Boston Metro and 890 ESPN, among other outlets. He has been writing for WEEI.com since the summer of 2009 and continues to spread the Byron Leftwich gospel on Guest Street.

 
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MOST RECENT COLUMNS
Who expected Bruins to get to Henrik Lundqvist?
05/19/13 09:02 EST
“I’m not evaluating our goaltending. I don’t need to evaluate Henrik. We know what Henrik is.” Those were John Tortorella’s words Sunday after Henrik Lundqvist allowed five goals for the first time in over two years. It was the first time in his career that he’d allowed more than three goals against the Bruins in 32 starts. So don’t think this question is being raised just because he allowed five goals Sunday, because as the records indicate, it was a once-in-a-blue-moon occurrence. It’s an appropriate question to raise anyway: Do the Bruins actually have the advantage in goal in this series against the Rangers? The answer, so far, is yes. Even the biggest Rask fans should be a little surprised by that. Tuukka Rask and Lundqvist are in the top handful of goaltenders in the league. Rask had the better regular-season numbers this year, though Lundqvist finished in the top three in Vezina votes after winning the award a season ago. Rask’s
Read more » 
Dougie Hamilton doesn't feel like a rookie anymore
05/17/13 02:36 EST
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It’s been quite the rookie season for Dougie Hamilton. In short, he’s gone from the teenager who couldn’t believe he was in the same room as Zdeno Chara, to the superstar rookie with all the poise in the world, to more of a regular rookie who made his mistakes, to a healthy scratch down the stretch and at the start of the postseason, to a contributor once again with the Bruins banged up on defense. Yet that’s just part of it for Hamilton. Though the lockout-shortened season has meant a lot less work for many NHL players, Hamilton’s last 10 months haven’t lacked a thing. He’s played more hockey in that span than the vast majority of the Bruins’ roster, as he played in the Canada-Russia Junior Hockey Challenge in August before heading back to the OHL to play during the lockout and eventually joining the Bruins once a new collective bargaining agreement was reached. After playing in 42 games of the 48-game regular-season, he was called upon in
Read more » 
Rangers miss an opportunity with B's bruised
05/17/13 02:03 EST
For all the flak we’ve given the Bruins for not taking advantage of opportunities, let’s take a look at the Rangers for a moment. It’s Game 1 on the road. The other team gives you two goals and is playing three rookies on defense, one of whom is a 5-foot-9 kid who doesn’t kill penalties at the AHL level and who now is getting time on the penalty kill in his fourth career NHL game. Zdeno Chara plays over the half the game and has to be exhausted by the time it reached overtime. You catch a break on a couple of posts hit by the home team. You have to win that game. The Rangers didn’t, and this will be one they’ll probably want back later in the series. Look at where things stand now: The teams have two days off to rest up and get healthy, and that will help the Bruins more than it will help the Rangers. The Rangers have injuries of their own with Ryan Clowe and Marc Staal out, but the hit that the B’s have taken on defense would make wins against
Read more » 
Here goes nothing: Young defensemen ready to rock for Bruins
05/15/13 03:39 EST
He’s the fourth-most experienced playoff defenseman the Bruins have right now, and he’s played 31 minutes and 31 seconds in the playoffs. He was supposed to be traded for Jarome Iginla -- and he knows it. Above all else, he’s actually a really important piece for the Bruins now. Watch out, folks, here comes Matt Bartkowski. Bartkowski, 24, is one of three young defensemen who stand a good chance to at least see some playoff action, with Dougie Hamilton (19) and Torey Krug (22) also in the mix. Between the four of them, they’ve played four career playoff games, but with the injuries of Andrew Ference (undisclosed), Wade Redden (undisclosed) and Dennis Seidenberg (you guessed it), all three have to be ready for the call in the upcoming Eastern Conference semifinals against the Rangers. It’s a daunting task for players with so little experience (both Bartkowski and Hamilton played two games in the first round; Krug played one NHL game this season and two last
Read more » 



Audio On Demand

It Is What It Is Cast: Ex…

It Is What It Is Cast: Examining the New England Patriots offseason

In the latest edition of the "It Is What It Is" podcast, Chris Price and CSNNE's Mike Giardi take a look at the Patriots offseason on both sides of the ball, try and get a handle on which new guys will make an impact first, and whether or not the Patriots have altered their style when it comes to drafting and developing wide receivers.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk on Tebow's release

Mike Florio joined the program to discuss the Jets decision to release Tim Tebow, he said the situation is as disaster all around for the Jets and that the problems begins with owner Woody Johnson. Mike also said that he was disappointed with the Pats moving back in the first round.

Mike Petraglia, WEEI.com, Sits Down with Butch Stearns to Help Break Down the Pats Draft

One of the hardest working men in the biz, Mike Petraglia aka "Trags", sits down with Butch Stearns live in Foxborough to help break down all the latest Pats moves. He discusses his reaction to the trade in Round 1 and the guys those picks produced. Also, the boys talk about the decent trade the Pats made in acquiring LeGarrette Blount from Tampa Bay for Jeff Demps and a 7th rounder.

Celtics President Danny A…

Celtics President Danny Ainge with Salk and Holley

We check in with Danny Ainge for our first talk to him since the Celtics season ended last weekend. We talk about the future of the team, KG, Pierce, Doc Rivers and more, as Danny directly answers the rumors being floated by ESPN's Stephen A. Smith.

Jackie MacMullan, ESPNBoston.com: "Gut" tells me Doc will stay

Jackie Mac joins the show to discuss the trade rumors swirling around Paul Pierce, KG, Doc Rivers and the Celtics. She also discusses the future of the Celtics head coach.

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith on his rumored Celtics Clippers trade

Stephen A. joined the program to discuss the trade rumors he has reported regarding a possible trade including Doc Rivers and the Clippers. Stephen A. also told the guys that he has heard that Danny and Doc may be tiring of working together.

John Lackey postgame gues…

John Lackey postgame guest after the last game of the Minnesota series

Joe Castiglione talked with John Lackey after he picked up the W against the Twins. Lackey threw seven innings, and retired the 1st twelve batters of the game.

John Farrell pregame before the last game of the Minnesota series

Dave O'Brien talked to John Farrell before the end of the Twins series. The Sox skipper said that Big Papi's success is no surprise given his work ethic.

John Farrell postgame press conference

John Farrell postgame press conference

Andy Brickley, NESN: Go w…

Andy Brickley, NESN: Go with the young guys at D

Brickley joins the show and discusses what the Bruins should do with their young defensemen once the veterans return from injury, the play of Rask, and Torterella's coaching style.

Shawn Thornton on the Bruins game 2 win

Shawn joined the show to discuss the teams great performance in game two against the Rangers. Shawn said that he wouldn't mind playing for John Tortorella because he seems like a funny guy.

Dale and DJ Continue Their Preview of Bruins/Rangers and Discuss the Power Play on Sports Sunday

Dale and DJ roll on with their puck talk and chat some more about the goalie matchup in this series, as well as the lack of a quality power play for both of these teams. In fact, DJ says the Rangers are even worse on the PP than the B’s! The guys also get into the resurgence of Milan Lucic and his deceptive speed and grit. Dale and DJ talk about the similar styles of play for these teams and look forward to Game 2.

Shawn Thornton on the Bru…

Shawn Thornton on the Bruins game 2 win

Shawn joined the show to discuss the teams great performance in game two against the Rangers. Shawn said that he wouldn't mind playing for John Tortorella because he seems like a funny guy.

Things you would never do

John, Gerry and Kirk give their things that they would never do, listeners joined on the WEEI yakoff app with their thoughts.

Kirk sings the Star Spangled Banner

After hearing the horrible performance by Alexis Normand at the Memorial Cup in Canada, Minihane saved us all by delivering a heartfelt rendition of our national anthem.

Andy Brickley, NESN: Go w…

Andy Brickley, NESN: Go with the young guys at D

Brickley joins the show and discusses what the Bruins should do with their young defensemen once the veterans return from injury, the play of Rask, and Torterella's coaching style.

Lyndon Byers on the Bruins defensemen situation

LB joins the show in studio to discuss the Bruins taking a 2-0 series lead against the Rangers and what Claude should do when Seidenberg, Redden, and Ference are ready to play.

Sox Talk- M&M discuss the winning streak and future of Ellsbury

Mut and Merloni get into a Red Sox discussion after a successful weekend in Minnesota. They discuss Pedroia, Lackey, and the future of Ellsbury with the Red Sox.

An Hour with Jack: Jack E…

An Hour with Jack: Jack Edwards joins Salk and Holley to break down a game two win and preview game three

What's better than a whole hour with NESN's Jack Edwards? Not much. We talk all hockey, all the time with Jack live from his study, with a "Loving Cup", whatever that is.

Bruins in complete control of Rangers two games into series

We talk hockey as the Bruins have had little problem taking a 2-0 series lead against the much talk about NY Rangers. Will this continue in games 3 and 4 at MSG? We discuss.

Salk and Holley's Four at Four - 05/21/13

We tackle four topics we haven't yet touched upon today. Gronk!, Proms with celebs and athletes and much more.

Daily Planet Monday May 2…

Daily Planet Monday May 20th

Today on the Daily Planet the Bruins have a 2-0 lead over the New york Rangers, the Red Sox are back on the winning sde of things, and the noteable birthdays of the day.

Daily Planet Thursday May 9th

The Bruins have almost finished raking the Leafs, the Red Sox struggle from the mound, Miami Heat fans show their level of class.

Daily Planet Wednesday May 8th

Daily Planet Wednesday May 8th

Salk and Holley's Miked U…

Salk and Holley's Miked Up and Answer the Question 05/21/13

....uhhhh.....a bunch of bombs over there....

Salk and Holley's Miked Up and Answer the Question - 05/17/13

Sounds like a prostate exam to me!

Salk and Holley's Miked Up and Answer the Question - 05/16/13

Damn New Yorkers!

Linda calls in to describ…

Linda calls in to describe the scene on Dexter St in Watertown

Linda explains how the shootout transpired in Watertown during the early morning hours. She saw the first suspect mortally wounded and police beginning the manhunt for the second suspect.

More from this show

Danny Ainge dispels the r…

Danny Ainge dispels the rumors: "I have the best coach in the NBA"

We check in with Danny Ainge for our first talk to him since the Celtics season ended last weekend. We talk about the future of the team, KG, Pierce, Doc Rivers and more, as Danny directly answers the rumors being floated by ESPN's Stephen A. Smith.

More from this show

Minor Details Ep. 49: Man…

Minor Details Ep. 49: Managerial development with Torey Lovullo and Arnie Beyeler

By and large, the focus of development in the minor leagues is on players. Still, there is a developmental path for coaches and managers in the farm system, as is evident from the fact that the previous two managers of the Red Sox' Triple-A affiliate in Pawtucket -- Torey Lovullo (2010) and Arnie Beyeler (2011-12) are now both on the Red Sox' big league coaching staff. They share their insights about the differences between player and coaching expectations in Triple-A vs. the majors, while discussing professional development from the perspective of former minor league managers who aspire to similar positions in the big leagues.

More from this show

Things you would never do

Things you would never do

John, Gerry and Kirk give their things that they would never do, listeners joined on the WEEI yakoff app with their thoughts.

More from this show

Shawn Thornton on the Bru…

Shawn Thornton on the Bruins game 2 win

Shawn joined the show to discuss the teams great performance in game two against the Rangers. Shawn said that he wouldn't mind playing for John Tortorella because he seems like a funny guy.

More from this show

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