2009-2010 Boston Bruins Preview

The Bruins have some work to do catching up with the rest of the Boston sports scene, as the Patriots, Red Sox and Celtics have all won championships during this decade. With so much talent on hand, can the Bruins give the Hub a clean sweep of major sports championships and hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup for the first time since 1972?

Looking Back at 2008-2009

Last year was an extremely successful season for the Bruins as they finished the regular season with a 53-19-10 record and earned the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference. In fact, they only fell one point short of the President’s Trophy! The Bruins’ deep lineup featured seven 20 goal scorers and they entered the playoffs as one of the favorites for the Stanley Cup. Unfortunately, they were felled in overtime in Game 7 of the Eastern Semifinals, ending a fantastic season on a major down note.

The Offseason

The Bruins didn’t make a ton of moves in the offseason, largely because this is a young and rising team. There was some turnover among the muckers and grinders as longtime Bruin PJ Axelsson left for his native Sweden and Stephen Yelle left via free agency. The Bruins augmented their lineup with the addition of defenseman Derrick Morris and forward Steve Begin in free agency and these moves were generally a wash.

However, the Bruins made headlines late when the oft-rumored trade involving leading goal scorer Phil Kessel finally came to fruition. Boston received two 1 st round picks and a 2 nd rounder for the disgruntled young superstar but they didn’t receive any help at the NHL level, leaving a gaping hole in their attack.

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2009-2010 Outlook

Despite losing Kessel, there is still a ton of scoring up front. Center Marc Savard is one of the truly elite playmakers in hockey and should once more fill the role of the team’s leading scorer. Around him, David Krejci, Mark Recchi, Milan Lucic, Chuck Kobasew, Blake Wheeler and Michael Ryder form the core of an excellent set of forwards that should become one of the league’s most productive units this season. However, replacing Kessel’s 36 goals won’t be easy.

The Bs are also excellent on defense. Norris Trophy-winning defender Zdeno Chara and nifty puck handler Dennis Wideman both scored 50 points last year while putting up some of the league’s best plus/minus totals and are two of the best in hockey. Behind them, veterans Andrew Ference, Mark Stuart and Morris should pair with young Matt Hunwick to form an excellent top six on the blue line. This might be the Eastern Conference’s best set of defenders.

But the Bruins are also extremely solid in net, led by Vezina winner Tim Thomas, who also won the Jennings Trophy for least goals allowed last year. The Bruins are rock solid in terms of depth with Tukka Rask on hand as well and should boast one of the league’s best tandems.

PREDICTION: : There’s a ton to like about this Boston squad. They can score plenty of goals thanks to a deep forward unit and are one of the league’s best teams at preventing them thanks to a strong defense and an exceptional goalie. I would be truly surprised if they didn’t have a great season and they’re my pick to finish 1 st in the Northeast Division.

The Bruins are also one of the strongest contenders for the Stanley Cup. Expect Boston to enter the playoffs with a high seed and progress deep into the postseason. In fact, I expect the Bruins to penetrate deeper than last year and reach the Eastern Conference Finals. However, I don’t see the Bruins getting past the Pittsburgh Penguins without replacing Kessel’s lost firepower and the Bruins’ Stanley Cup drought will reach 38 years.

By Matt Baxendall
DFN Sports & ProHockey-fans.com Staff Writer

Feel your team is underrated? Tell Matt Baxendell why at matt.baxendell@gmail.com

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