The Status Claude: Why Julien Isn't Doing Enough to Win

For a coach who is on the hot seat, Claude Julien certainly isn't coaching as such.

Many Bruins fans and journalists alike were calling for major changes to the Bruins lineup after their humiliating game 2 loss to Montreal. Some called for Tuukka Rask to replace Tim Thomas in net. Others asked for line shakeups. But most people wondered why, given the Bruins lack of offensive firepower in the first two games, Tyler Seguin was not inserted into the lineup in place of the apathetic Michael Ryder.

In the last few weeks of the regular season, Ryder, Seguin, and the emerging Daniel Paille seemed to be competing for the final two roster spots going forward to the poatseason. The inexperienced Seguin was chosen by Julien to be the odd man out for the first round matchup.

Ryder, who made the roster based on his above average performance in last year's postseason, has failed to contribute anything on either side of the puck. His "sniping" ability has been as invisible as the numbers on his stat sheet. In 3 playoff games Ryder has THREE shots on net in 35 total of ice time. Simply unacceptable for allegedly one of your best scoring threats right Claude?

Ryder was a puddle once again in game three, with his only legitimate scoring chance ruined by his relentless desire to dangle through traffic rather than put a shot on net. Much has been said about Seguin's defensive shortcomings, but Ryder is not exactly a bruising defender either.

Seguin can and should be used on the Power Play to provide a scoring spark and to counter Montreal's speedy and skilled forwards. Julien has to realize that by now, Ryder is simply going through the motions and plays with no sense of urgency.

However as Bruins fans will tell you, Claude is not known for mixing and matching lines, no matter how hot his coaching seat is. Many people feel that if he is in fact coaching for his job, he is either going to win with his guys or lose with his guys. Julien has coached Ryder for quite a while and is clearly uncomfortable playing the untested Seguin on the biggest stage of his life.

Whatever Julien's reason is for sticking with Ryder, he should hope that the struggling winger starts to turn it around, or else the both of them will be searching for new jobs come summertime.