Oh dear, I can't take this anymore. First Marc Savard is blasted by Matt Cooke and could possibly miss the rest of the season and then Tim Thomas is constantly run into last night against the Maple Leafs and what happens? NOTHING. This Bruins team must be a steaming pile of vaginas because I don't remember one Bruin taking a Maple Leaf and throwing him halfway down the ice.

There are two unwritten rules in hockey that the Bruins have decided to not follow in the past couple of games:

1. Always stand up for your teammates.
2. No one touches your goalie.

Unfortunately, the guys in the black and gold just don't care. Lets face it folks, this Bruins team plays like their shit doesn't stink when the product on the ice smells worse than a night after Budweiser and Taco Bell. Case in point, last night against the 29th place team in the NHL, Boston never trailed until Nikolai Kulemin put the puck behind Tim Thomas, thanks to Michael Ryder.

We're paying Michael Ryder $4M a year to score 10 goals, get 15 helpers, go half-ass after Matt Cooke and then interfere with Thomas to help the Leafs win? Shit, sign me up.

Other then the Ryder gaffe and the fact that Tim Thomas was a virtual punching bag for the Leafs, um, yeah. Thomas played very well despite what the scoreboard says. Thomas made 26 of 30 shots behind a defense made of stool softener and Swiss cheese and some very key saves on Phil Kessel, one of which was a break away.

There isn't much to break down here. I've been the first to say that Tim Thomas sucks and he did let in an easy 5-hole goal last night (which seems to be his Achilies Heel) but he was great behind a terrible defense.

This Bruins team is soft, emotionless and dare I say, talentless?

(Thanks to Chris from Hub Hockey for this)

I'm about to say something that may boil the blood of the Bruin faithful out there, but I feel that it is a shocking and devastating truth that must be brought out to the masses:

The 2009-2010 Boston Bruins are not tough.

Unfortunately the pessimist in me has come out in full force as of late. Since the NHL Trade Deadline, my faith in the black and gold has drastically fell to a level I never thought possible. I have no idea where this belief has gone, but there is some. Well, at least I thought there was some. I'm going to be honest with you guys, I didn't watch the game yesterday. Between a semi-hangover and lack of sleep due to my wedding reception, I spent most of my Sunday unpacking our shit and/or sleeping.

However, this morning I watched the Matt Cooke hit on Marc Savard and was disgusted at what I had to watch. The act itself was loathsome, especially for us Bruins fans who will now be without our key offensive cog for some time. What pissed me off even more was the lack of emotion and retaliation set forth by Claude Julien and his band of merry hockey players.

There has been a constant argument today throughout the Bruins blogosphere, fans and even *gasp* on the radio talking about the decision to not retaliate on Cooke or the Penguins for the hit. Many think that it was a good idea and state the instigator rule, which states:

"47.21 Fines and Suspensions – Instigator - A player or goalkeeper who is deemed to be the instigator of an altercation for the third time in one Regular season shall be suspended for the next two regular season games of his team.

For the fourth instigator penalty in the same Regular season, the player or goalkeeper will be suspended for the next four games of his team. For the fifth instigator penalty in the same Regular season, the player or goalkeeper will be suspended for the next six games of his team.

During the Play-offs, any player or goalkeeper who is deemed to be the instigator of an altercation for the second time shall be suspended automatically for the next Play-off game of his team. For each subsequent instigator violation during the Play-offs, the automatic suspension shall be increased by one game.

Prior to the commencement of each Stanley Cup Final, a player or goalkeeper will have his current instigator violations removed from his current playoff record. They will remain part of his historical record." - NHL.com, Official Rules page

From what I saw on the video, the time on the third period was before the five minute mark, which means that this would be the rule in effect. Considering that this ruling states there is no clear cut suspension for an Instigator Penalty, why did Claude send one of his guys out to rip Cooke's head off?

My question to you guys is this: "What the hell do we pay Steve Begin and Shawn Thornton to do?"

Those guys came to the Bruins to be instigators, pests, the "Sean Avery" of our team. Yesterday was the perfect time to do this and Julien fluffed it off saying "We're going to let the league handle this". In case you haven't noticed Claude, Colin Campbell doesn't know shit when it comes to handing out suspensions and/or fines.

I've read that some fans think the Bruins are waiting until March 18, when the Penguins are coming to town, to get their revenge on Cooke. To that I say: Bullshit. I hate to break it to you guys, but the 2009-2010 Boston Bruins are not a tough, physical hockey team. This isn't the same group of guy we watched pummel guys up and down the ice last season.

Last year when Boston hosted Dallas, Steve Ott threw cheap shots up and down the ice but that team didn't lay down. They played physical with Dallas, got in Ott's face and even had Andrew Ference dropping the gloves against Sean Avery.

Where the hell was this last night? The move by Julien solidified something we've all been saying. The Bruins can afford to lose Shawn Thornton or Steve Begin for a game or two, they aren't the stars of the team. If Begin goes out there and cleans Cooke's clock (say that five times fast) and is suspended for it, then he's done his job. Steve Begin not anchoring the fourth line for a few games doesn't hurt Boston.

I have a feeling that the Bruins are going to "out-tough" themselves on March 18. Someone will try to be a tough guy and the Pens will end up on the power play and possibly score a goal or two from it. Much like my rant on the fans regarding Chiarelli's job at the trade deadline, the fact more people aren't pissed off at Julien for directly telling his players to back off is irritating!

In the long run, exacting revenge on March 18 does nothing if Marc Savard is out for the season. The team has had the offensive abilities like a legless person trying to do the mamba.

Yesterday the Bruins sent a message to its fans, its players and the rest of the NHL, it just wasn't a message we're used to.

Yes, I haven't forgot about the Mailbag Monday! Luckily we didn't have many (any) e-mails during the Olympic break, but we have a couple that I'll answer.

What do you think about the Bruins job at the NHL trade deadline?
- Gary V, Flint, MI

Honestly Gary, I think Chiarelli did a horrible job. I know I'm beating a dead horse now, but Chiarelli didn't address the biggest need on this team; getting a goal scoring winger for Marc Savard. Now people were immediately dismissing that the Bruins wouldn't make the team a Stanley Cup finalist, but to that I come back with "it would make them a playoff team". The Bruins are clinging to the 8th place spot with the Rangers breathing down their necks (67 points for NYR, 69 for the Bruins). I don't want to go on a diatribe about this because I am to sore from dancing and to tired from drinking this weekend. For my thoughts (and the thoughts of other talented Bruins bloggers) check out NESN.com's Bruins' round table discussion.

What are your feelings on Matt Cooke and his hit on Savard yesterday?
- Mike C, Danvers, MA

I'll be honest with you Mike, I didn't see it live. I tried to watch the Bruins yesterday, but had to many things to do with my wedding reception being the previous night. With that said, I woke up this morning and had a Facebook message with a YouTube link attached. I watched the video and was absolutely disgusted at what I saw.

(Please be advised that reading beyond this point will mean an increased sense of homerism)

Cooke's elbow to the head of Marc Savard was unwarranted and uncalled for. Unfortunately we've seen these kind of things from Cooke before when he was suspended for two games after a hit to New York Rangers' forward Artem Anisimov on November 30, 2009 and on January 28, 2009 when he was suspended for a dirty hit on Carolina Hurricanes' forward Scott Walker.

Matt Cooke should be suspended because this was more of a "wrong place, wrong time" hit like our friends at The Pens Blog thinks. What happened was more than just Cooke running into a vulnerable Savard (considering Savard JUST shot the puck), it looked as if Cooke found a calculated time to strike down Boston's best player.

Lets go to the video tape!

At 1:15, it is clear to see Cooke either throw his elbow or stick his elbow out to catch Savard's head. Either way, Cooke should be suspended for a couple games. The Penguins will be in town on March 18, 2010 and it should be very interesting!

Interested in hearing our opinions on something? Please feel free to send an e-mail at somethingsbruin(at)gmail.com and we'll include it in our Mailbag Monday!

It wasn't pretty folks, but it is two point and I'll take it. At this point, if the Bruins can win a grind-it-out game, I'm not one to complain. Tim Thomas played for the good guys last night and look good, especially when he stoned Kessel on a break away.

I don't have much to say on the game considering it was the game's worst offense (Bruins) vs the game's worst team (Leafs). The Bruins won, picked up 2 points and hopefully some confidence in the future.

I would like everyone to check out NESN.com and their Bruins round table discussion with some Boston bloggers, self included. Good hockey talk!

Was Chiarelli ordering a pizza because he wasn't making an impactful trade

The NHL Trade Deadline has come and gone and the Boston Bruins did not meet their one pressing need; acquiring a scoring winger to put pucks in the net. Before you continue reading, please realize that this will be a heavily negative rant coming from a heavily frustrated Bruins fan, but it is not meant as personal shots to anyone. We're all still a fanbase, despite differences in opinions.

With that said, I don't get why there isn't a larger outcry over the moves Chiarelli made (or didn't make). Since Phil Kessel was traded, fans have been very vocal about the Bruins main concern, lack of a goal scoring winger. For 60+ games, we've tweeted and facebooked about the lack of scoring, we've watched as this team has piled 40+ shots and come away with one goal game after game after game...and people are okay with it!

What the fuck has happened to this town? When did we become so complacent with our hockey team that we will allow our GM to not address the needs of his team...and accept it? When Sinden was the GM, people KILLED him for not making moves, but these days, every one is just to happy because 'ZOMG ITS THE BRUINS!'.

Chiarelli and company did a horrible job yesterday and he's beginning to show his true colors as a GM. Why do you think Chiarelli wasn't the top choice for the job? The Bruins originally wanted Ray Shero but when that didn't work out, Chiarelli's number was called and he's made some terrible decisions (Lucic extension, Ryder contract, Thomas extension).

It really fucking irritates me that the majority of people yesterday were complaining that people were pissed off with the lack of moves. This Bruins team isn't a good team...this year. Why does everyone think that they'll magically turn on the talent when April comes rolling around? Did you watch the game after the Olympics? They looked like the Saugus High hockey team out there against the Canadiens, a bad Canadiens team at that. They fell a part and sulked their way to another loss.

The two "major" deals Boston pulled off was:

1. Trading Derek Morris to Phoenix for 2011 4th round pick

2. Trading Byron Bitz, Craig Weller and 2010 2nd round pick to Florida for Dennis Seidenberg

Um, what the hell? I know the Morris trade was a salary dump move, but why did they only get a 4th round pick for him (in 2011) when Dennis Seidenberg got a 2nd round pick and Andrew Alberts got a 3rd round pick. I don't understand the reasoning behind that and maybe I will never understand it. What I do understand is that the Bruins made a clear lateral move without acquiring the winger we all wanted.

After the Morris trade, we all sat at our respective desks in our respective places of business or homes and said "this is a salary move so Chiarelli can acquire a winger" and all we got was a lateral move for Seidenberg and a middle finger from Jeremy Jacobs. Where is our scoring winger? Why is it that guys like Raffi Torres (traded for a 2nd round pick), Keith Tkachuk, Alexander Ponikarovsky (traded for Martin Skoula and forward prospect Luca Caputi), Teemu Selanne weren't traded for? I would rather have traded Morris and used Bitz/Weller/2nd round pick for Torres rather than Seidenberg.

Was the Morris trade an admission from Chiarelli that he has signed guys to some pretty shitty contracts? I don't know and I don't even want to get into that because I'm already digging a hole some most of Bruins Nation as a pessimistic asshole (a role which I do enjoy playing).

I can tell you one thing, Peter Chiarelli SHOULD be questioned up and down about his deadline deals because it is an admission that the front office has given up on the season this year. Agree with me or not, I'm just laying the facts out for you.

Many people retorted yesterday with "getting that winger wasn't bringing home a Stanley Cup anyways" but it may get you into the playoffs, something the Bruins will have a hard time doing considering they're teetering on 8th place while the Rangers are tied with 65 points, Atlanta has 64, Tampa with 63 and then Florida and New York Islanders with 60.

The Bruins are dead last in the NHL and the only thing Chiarelli could eek out to the media at his press conference yesterday was (paraphrased) "There is only one way to go and that's up". Really? You've tried to go up all season and yet your team has sunk to the bottom like a guy wearing cement shoes in the Charles River.

You know, I'm ashamed that this current Bruins fan base is okay that Chiarelli didn't pull off a move to asses the teams dire need. It irritates me that so many people have black and gold contacts infused onto their eyeballs after last season, but it is time to wake up. Sinden, O'Connell, Chiarelli...where's the difference?

"Meet the new boss, same as the old boss..." - The Who

This is part two of our Bruins Roster Trade Value series. Go check out part one, which consists of the forwards on the NHL roster.

Defense

Johnny Boychuk: Boychuk was scratched last night for some unknown reason while guys like Matt Hunwick and Andrew Ference continually get the nod. Boychuk is a young defenseman who has played very well for Boston this season. Boychuk will be a Restricted Free Agent at the end of the season and should find himself in Boston once again.
Ruling: Movable

Zdeno Chara: Chara has a no-trade clause and has not been asked to waive it
Ruling: NTC'd

Andrew Ference: I'm not sure what type of value Ference has. At the beginning of last season, Ference played extremely well but injuries has degraded his play to that of a 5th or 6th defenseman. No team out there will want Ference, though he will be a UFA at the end of the season. His numbers for a defenseman aren't special (47GP, 0G, 7A) but his play has been so bad no one will want him.
Ruling: Movable

Matt Hunwick: Hunwick has been a waste of space this season after a decent showing last year. He signed a contract that will pay him $1.55M next season. I don't think Hunwick is worth that and the RFA tag may entice a few teams to take a run at him. Yesterday proved to me that Hunwick isn't close to being a quality NHL defenseman and hopefully he can be moved today.
Ruling: Moveable

Derek Morris: As I write this, Morris has been traded to the Coyotes for a 4th round draft pick in 2011.
Ruling: GONE

Mark Stuart: Staurt has been a good defenseman for the Bruins this season and will be a Restricted Free Agent at the end of the season. The Bruins are high on Stuart who has shown consistency, aggresive play and an improvement each year he's played for the Bruins. I don't see them trading him, he's the type of young defender you want to keep around.
Ruling: Untouchable

Dennis Wideman: No one wants this guy, face it.
Ruling: Unmovable due to bad contract

Goalies

Tuukka Rask: Rask isn't going anywhere because he's the future of the Bruins. Rask will be in Boston for the next three seasons with a reasonable contract for a #1 starter.
Ruling: Untouchable

Tim Thomas: Here we go, this may be a rant. The Bruins will HAVE to entertain offers for Tim Thomas for a couple of reasons. The first reason is that Thomas hasn't played in the NHL for over a month now (last start was on 2/2/10) and doesn't look like he'll be playing any time soon. Tuukka Rask played well in net for the Bruins last night despite his team leaving him out to dry on a couple of goals. Thomas hasn't been himself this year, or maybe he wasn't himself last year and that's why he played so well.

Thomas has a no-trade clause and to my knowledge he hasn't been asked to waive it, but there are rumors that some teams want him. What is Thomas to do? I believe he would waive his NTC to go to a team like Chicago or Washington at a chance to win the Stanley Cup. If a team like Philly comes calling, he won't waive.
Ruling: NTC'd but movable (if that makes sense)

It is NHL Trade Deadline day (pause for celebration). Because it is our first trade deadline day at Something's Bruin, I want to break down the Bruins NHL roster to see who is movable and who isn't. I'll be starting with the forwards.

Forwards

Steve Begin: Begin is a 31 year old grinder who was brought to the Bruins to bring depth and energy. Begin also has done a great job on the penalty kill for Boston. His numbers aren't great by any stretch (56GP, 3G, 9P, 12A) but no one expected him to carry the offense. Begin has done a good job in Boston and with an expiring contract, I don't see him moving.
Ruling: Movable

Patrice Bergeron: Bergeron is one of the most frustrating Bruins players on this roster. Before his concussion, Bergeron scored 31 goals (2005-2006 season), but since then hasn't come close to that number. His highest goal total (12 and counting) and his highest point total (39 last year) haven't been impressive, considering the guy makes $5M this year and $5.75M next year. With that said, no hockey team is going to take this large contract for a 3rd line center.
Ruling: Unmovable due to contract

Byron Bitz: Bitzy Cat, Bitzy Cat, where are you? We can't...find...you! Sorry, I felt as though I needed to break into song to find Byron Bitz. Bitz is a 25 year old grinder type of player who has no business being on this team. Bitz' contract isn't a killer by any means, but he's certainly taking up roster space that could be used on someone else. In 45 games played this season, Bitz has scored 4 goals and has added 5 assists (9 points). The Bruins make look to add Bitz into a package deal today.
Ruling: GONE - Traded to the Florida Panthers along with Craig Weller and a 2nd round pick for Dennis Seidenberg and Matthew Bartowski

David Krejci: Krejci is a 23 year old center that blew everyone's mind last year with his masterful play. At the end of the season, he signed his name on the dotted line and subsequently vanished. With that being said, Krejci has played in 58 games while scoring 11 goals and adding 20 assists (31 points). Despite all of this, Krejci is young enough that you can still build a team around him. He's proven he is a good #2 center and with some maturity could blossom into a good top center.
Ruling: Untouchable

Milan Lucic: Lucic is the guy who is known to everyone even if people don't know about hockey. He's the guy who was continually compared to Cam Neeley (unjustified) in the offseason and he's also the guy who signed a FAT contract extension that will give him $4+M over the next three seasons starting next year. The season for Lucic has been plagued by injuries so I'm willing to write it off, but if this is his play from here on out, there's the door.
Ruling: Untouchable

Dan Paille: I love Dan Paille on the Bruins. I just wanted to make that clear. I think Paille will remain with this team for a long time given his skill set and his ability to be used in multiple situations. Paille will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season and should be coming back to the Bruins. While he's shown flashes of brilliance, his consistency seems to be an issue as some nights you can't find him on the ice. Teams may be interested in him for the RFA tag and his speed/penalty kill ability, but I don't see Boston moving him.
Ruling: Movable

Mark Recchi: No one wants Mark Recchi, he's 42 years old and already stated he will retire at the end of this season. Recchi has also been the most consistent Bruin player throughout this season and Boston would be stupid to trade him admist a playoff run.
Ruling: Unmovable due to age

Michael Ryder: Holy shit, Michael Ryder is awful. Last year the Bruins signed Ryder to a three year contract that had most people (self included) scratching our heads. Ryder effectively shut our traps as he scored 27 goals and 26 assists (53 points), but this season he's been back to his old self. Ghost Ryder has been out in full effect, notching 15 goals and 10 assists so far and is being overpaid for his lack of effort and production. Ryder's contract is so big and his production is so bad ($4M a season people) that no one will want him despite being rumored on the trading block.
Ruling: Unmovable because he sucks and so does his contract

Miroslav Satan: Seriously, no one wants Satan. If they did, they would've signed him.
Ruling: Unmoveable due to age

Marc Savard: The black and gold savior just signed a long term deal that will see him in Boston until the 2014/2015 season. No way Savard gets traded.
Ruling: Untouchable (and NTC'd)

Vladimir Sobotka: Sobotka is a young player (21) who has been bounced between the NHL and AHL. While with the Bruins though, Sobotka has broughr effort and heart unseen by many in the black and gold this year. Sobotka is a nice piece for any team who is looking to make a move in the playoffs and needs a 3rd or 4th line center to get their line going, but I think the Bruins are to high on him. At the end of this season, Vlado will be a Restricted Free Agent and teams could want a young guy.
Ruling: Movable

Marco Sturm: Guy has a no-trade clause and hasn't been asked to waive it.
Ruling: NTC'd

Shawn Thornton: Thornton isn't going anywhere unless a team REALLY wants an enforcer.
Ruling: Movable

Blake Wheeler: Wheeler has been a disappointment no matter how you slice it. His speed, strength and skill is diminished by his lack of drive and effort night in and night out. Wheeler will be a Restricted Free Agent this season but Bruins brass seems so high on him, I don't see him going anywhere.
Ruling: Movable

It's been almost three weeks since the Boston Bruins last stepped out on the ice, but for the black and gold faithful it's felt like an eternity. For those who can't remember that far back (I don't judge, I can barely remember yesterday), the Bruins rode a four game winning streak into the Olympic break with wins over Montreal (3-0 in Montreal), Buffalo (3-2 in Buffalo), Tampa Bay (5-4 in Tampa) and Florida (3-2 in Florida). It figures that the Bruins hit the Olympic break riding a wave of momentum unseen since 2008, but we (as a fan base) hope the rest has helped cure the ills of our players.

Tuukka Rask will once again start for the Bruins and making his sixth straight start. I don't know why people aren't alarmed that Tim Thomas, who played half of a period in the Olympics, hasn't played an NHL game in a month. Everyone seems to be brushing his "benching" off like it is no big deal. What the hell, people? This is a VERY big deal. You don't sit a Vezina winning goaltender because he's playing well, you bench him because he has been inconsistent and outplayed by a rookie.

What really pisses me off is people who are STILL hesitant to trade Thomas. The way I look at it, if someone wants him, I'll drive his ass to the airport at 3am to catch a red eye flight (because we all know Jacobs' is a cheap prick). I don't get why fans have such a personal attachment to players. Sometimes it seems like the people in this town (in any sport) forget that our fandom should be about the logo/name on the front, not what is stitched into the name plate. Numbers don't mean anything until they're hung into the rafters. I know the Tim Thomas story is cute because he's been through so much to get to where he is at, but if trading him and taking his bloated contract off of the books helps the Bruins, I'm all for it.

Sorry for that, Rask will start in net tonight and face Carey Price, so you know there shall be a good CAAAAREY chant going.

Bruins' Three Keys To Winning

1. Don't Lose Momentum. This is a pretty stupid statement by me, but I'm going to make it anyways. The Bruins must somehow keep the momentum they had before the Olympic break and ride it throughout the rest of the season. These guys need to keep this up because the race between spots 6-13 are only separated by 9 points. A Montreal win means the Bruins fall to 8th place as the Canadiens would leapfrog them in the standings.

2. Play For Your Job. Plain and simple, some of these guys need to start playing like their job is on the line, because it could be. With the NHL trade deadline looming tomorrow at 3pm EST, the Bruins are rumored to be making a splash in the trading pool, hopefully outside of the Steven Kampfer (right?) deal. For those who don't know, Kampfer was traded from Anaheim and is still in college I believe. Honestly, I don't care.

3. Pepper Price With Quality Shots. It seems like every time the Bruins play Montreal, Carey Price puts on his Superman undies and plays like the goalie most thought he would be. In November the Bruins put 43 shots on Price and only one went through, while in December they put 38 on him. He's played well against Boston this season, time to change that.

So I hope everyone enjoys the game tonight. I'll be at the Garden to witness the Bruins (hopeful glorious) return to action. Please don't be shitheads and boo the Canadian National Anthem. Unlike those frogs in Montreal, lets show some class. Also, tune into the 4SportBoston podcast tonight as a slew of Boston bloggers will be calling in to talk about the upcoming trade deadline.

Wow, it's already March! I can't believe the playoffs are a little over a month away. I hope everyone is (getting) over their Olympic hockey hangover because we're currently in the midst of the NHL trade deadline. The deadline is coming up on us on Wednesday, March 3 and some teams are expected to start announcing trades as soon as today.

Unfortunately, watching Olympic hockey has made me realize just how faulty the NHL actually is. It pains me that I haven't felt as connected to an NHL game (exluding Game 6 of the Bruins/Canadiens game in 2008) than I did watching either the USA or Germany. Maybe I'm still reeling from the games themselves, but you can tell there is definitely something missing in Gary Bettman's NHL.

The sad thing is, you can tell Bettman doesn't even care about the product in front of him because it doesn't present any green backs. During the US/Finland game, Bettman was interviewed by NBC and basically stated (paraphrasing) "We're a little bummed that it cuts into our schedule." That's about it. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's what I took away from his stupid interview.

The biggest thing I hope Gary takes away from these Olympic games is the commercial-less periods. The NHL has way to many commercials, interjecting ads during game play or missing out on some spots because they're running a commercial. Is Gary, the NHL and it's television partners aware of how irritating and frustrating it is as a fan to watch that? The reason the Olympics worked so well is because there was a visible ebb and flow of the game that was not interrupted by multiple car or Subway ads.

Unlike the Olympics, if a puck is iced or heads into the stands (especially on Versus) the television station will rattle off 2-3 commercials and interrupt the viewing experience. Why can't the NHL state "This period is brought to you with limited commercials by Subway" much like they did on NBC? Hell, you want some advertising, throw the Subway logo into the score ticker.

I also enjoyed the no-touch icing, but that isn't as important as the commercial-less periods.

There are many things that the NHL could do to improve its product (commercial-less periods, eliminating four teams, removing the trapezoid, etc) but all of this will once again fall on deaf ears. The NHL's problem begins at the top and slowly trickles its poison down the tree.

Hopefully Gary was paying attention to the 17.6 overnight Neilsen rating it received on NBC, because his league hasn't come close to that number in God knows how long.

"But it's in the middle of our schedule..."