Boston Bruins Preview

Departures
Manny Fernandez, Shane Hnidy, Steve Montador, Stephane Yelle, Aaron Ward

Arrivals
Derek Morris, Steve Begin, Trent Whitfield

Forwards
The B’s will be tough to match again on forward this year boasting the likes of Milan Lucic, Marc Savard, and David Krejci. The lack of natural left-wingers on the team will mean that there are spots open on the left side, and the Bruins will either have to sign someone, or have players move over again. They will have to have another productive season from both Patrice Bergeron and Michael Ryder, as well as give enough ice-time to help Blake Wheeler continue his development. The only downside on forward will be if Phil Kessel does not resign, as he scored 36 goals last season. Without Kessel, look for Ryder or Wheeler to be pushed into the top line role beside Savard and Lucic.

Defenseman
A Norris trophy winner in Zdeno Chara, an offensive minded but reliable Dennis Wideman, and veteran stalwarts Andrew Ference and Derek Morris, the latter of which they signed this past summer, anchoring the back end. What does this spell you ask? A deadly combination and a group that will only get better at the season goes on. Throw in veteran Mark Stuart and youngster Matt Hunwick and there wont’ be a lot of goals against again this season.

Goalies
With Tim Thomas silencing some – not all – of his critics last season capturing the Vezina trophy, he will look to re-produce a copy of last season. Leading the league in many Thomas also won the William Jennings trophy along with Manny Fernandez, who didn’t resign with the team. The backup job will now most likely belong to Maple Leafs castoff Tuukka Rask, who will look to improve upon his one showing from last year where he earned a shutout, or the off-season signing Dany Sabourin.

Strengths
- Milan Lucic’s development into a legitimate power forward last season not only earned him respect around the league, but an invite to Team Canada’s Olympic orientation camp. Bigger and stronger coming into this season, Lucic should only be better

- A blueline which lost an Aaron Ward but gained a Derek Morris. Along with Zdeno Chara and budding superstar Dennis Wideman, this should only help the league’s best defensive team last season be even better.

– Vezina trophy winner Tim Thomas will look to continue his excellent play from last season, and should be able to do so with such a great defensive squad.

Weaknesses
- If the Bruins don’t end up resigning Phil Kessel, they would need big contributions from their other young forwards if they expect to re-gain their number one overall spot in the East

- If Thomas falters – like so many have expected him to do – Tuukka Rask or Dany Sabourin will be forced into the spotlight, which could be a cause for concern for the Bruins.

Analysis
With last year’s post-season experience under their belts, Boston seems poised to repeat as Eastern Conference champions. They lost only two major components in Fernandez and Ward, and replaced them with Sabourin, the up and coming Rask, and Morris. If Kessel resigns, the offense should be more potent than ever, along with the younger players stepping up into bigger roles.

Prediction: 1st in the East