Going forth, Paille earning his keep
By Fluto Shinzawa, Globe Staff, October 09, 2011
Last year, when Game No. 2 of the Bruins season rolled around, Daniel Paille was in the press box instead of on the ice. This season, Paille was doing everything to ensure history didn’t repeat.
After a season-opening loss to Phoenix in 2010-11, Paille was the odd man out for the rematch against the Coyotes. It was the first of 35 times Paille would be a healthy scratch.
“Last year, I just felt weak in certain parts of my game,’’ Paille acknowledged. “This year, I feel really strong.’’
The fate that befell Paille last year felt familiar. Two years ago, the first-round pick of the Sabres in 2002 found himself in his coach’s disfavor. Paille, a bottom-six forward in Buffalo, faced tough competition for a regular job. Tim Kennedy and Matt Ellis were among the grinders that Lindy Ruff tapped instead of Paille. So after Paille dressed for only two games that year, he was traded to the Bruins.
