Ballway'sBruinsBlog

The Boston Bruins: A Decade in Review

2009-12-31T10:33:00.000-08:00

With 2009 drawing to a close, the time has come to reflect on what has been a roller-coaster decade in the Hub of Hockey. In honor of the successful, and even the embattled, Bruins teams of the past ten years, I've ranked each one from worst to best:

10) 2004-2005 (Lockout)

Hey, a bad season is better than no season, right?

9) 2005-2006 (29-37-16, 74 points, 5th in Northeast, 13th in Eastern Conference)

Ah, the twilight of the Mike O’Connell era. It’s difficult to determine which of the first two post-lockout seasons was worse, but this one seemed all the more putrid because of the expectations heading into it. The Bruins were supposed to build off their successful '03-04 campaign: 104 points, a division title, and a Calder-worthy performance from Andrew Raycroft. O’Connell pegged the B’s as surefire contenders, delivering a confident endorsement prior to training camp:

This team, the way it's set up with the rule changes, I think that we have to be considered one of the favorites for the Stanley Cup.

The Bruins proceeded to burst out of the gate like that kid at practice who hops onto the ice with his skate guards still on, only to fall flat on his face. Raycroft was quickly exposed as a one-year wonder, losing his starting job after just two months. The free-agent departures of Brian Rolston, Mike Knuble, Michael Nylander and Sergei Gonchar--all of whom went on to flourish elsewhere--could hardly be atoned for by an injury-prone Alexei Zhamnov and an aging Brian Leetch. A bunch of losses and one “Jumbo” trade later, it was already time to rebuild. Thankfully, the Bruins were able to parlay the cap space created by Joe Thornton’s departure into dually important free-agent acquisitions: Marc Savard and Zdeno Chara. Thus, the future became a little brighter with some incoming talent to complement Patrice Bergeron.

8) 2006-2007 (35-41-6, 73 points, 5th in Northeast, 13th in Eastern Conference)

This Bruins team was saved from the bottom of my rankings by the fact that it somehow flirted with playoff contention as late as March despite subpar offensive production (23rd in goals for) and abominable defense (29th in goals against). The wheels officially fell off over the final 12 games of the season, in which the Bruins posted a 1-10-1 record--effectively dropping the guillotine on one-year coach Dave Lewis, our favorite Hitler look-a-like. A further look at the statistics reveals how brutal this team truly was: they scored just 219 goals while giving up 289, their second-highest total allowed since 1986. The goal differential of -70 was Boston’s worst since 1967. Seventeen players recorded a -10 rating or worse; five cracked the -20 barrier.

Of course, it isn’t always the coach’s fault. This team was beset by inexperience, underperformance, and shortcomings in talent that were likely beyond Lewis’ grasp. Hannu Toivonen was a complete flop, Chara struggled in his first season in Boston, and Brad Boyes, coming off a superb rookie season in which he put up 69 points, managed just 34 points in 62 games before being shipped off to St. Louis. On the bright side, Marc Savard put up 96 points, Bergeron continued to blossom offensively, and in came Claude Julien to save the day.

7) 1999-2000 (24-39-19-6, 73 points, 5th in Northeast, 12th in Eastern Conference)

The Bruins kicked off the century with a whimper, following up an appearance in the conference semifinals with a disappointing 12th-place finish--thanks in part to key injuries to Byron Dafoe and Jason Allison. Despite staying out of contention all season, the ’99-00 squad didn’t stay out of the headlines: veteran defenseman and noted pugilist Marty McSorley garnered infamy in February of 2000, mistaking Donald Brashear’s head for an oversized baseball in one of the NHL’s all-time ugliest instances of goonery. McSorley earned a one-year suspension and a criminal trial in which he was pegged with 18 months of probation.

The most significant moment of the season occurred at the trade deadline, when the Bruins granted Ray Bourque’s wish to depart in search of his first Stanley Cup. On March 6, 2000, Boston waved goodbye to its longtime franchise player, trading him to the Avalanche alongside Dave Andreychuk in exchange for Samuel Pahlsson, Martin Grenier and Brian Rolston. While Grenier never suited up for the B’s and Pahlsson played just 17 games the following season before being traded, Rolston proved a valuable asset for the Bruins moving forward. The Bourque trade, combined with the rise of Thornton and Sergei Samsonov, would usher in a new era of abbreviated pre-lockout success for the Bruins.

6) 2000-2001 (36-30-8-8, 88 points, 4th in Northeast, 9th in Eastern Conference)

My final Bruins team on the countdown to miss the playoffs, the '00-01 squad was narrowly edged out for the eighth seed by a Hurricanes team with the same number of points, but more wins. Those sneaky ‘Canes always ruin it for everyone else. The sting of just barely missing aside, this campaign served as a significant springboard for a strong run the following season. The Bruins turned Anson Carter’s contract dispute into a trade for Bill Guerin, who became a centerpiece in the offense upon his arrival from Edmonton, scoring 28 goals in 64 games. The Pat Burns era came to an end as he was fired just 8 games in, and Mike Keenan, the NHL’s neighborhood bicycle, took over for the remainder of the season--though the Bruins decided against retaining him, apparently due to his unpopularity amongst the players. No surprise there. Robbie Ftorek, who did awesome things like this, would replace Keenan behind the bench for the '01-02 season.

On a side note, Bruins fans still got to enjoy the playoffs by adopting the Avalanche as a surrogate team for the second straight postseason. Bourque’s long-awaited championship was the NHL’s best moment of the decade, hands down.

5) 2002-2003 (36-31-11-4, 87 points, 3rd in Northeast, 8th in conference

Fun fact: this squad, 19-4-3-1 through the first 27 games, sported a record practically identical to that of the '08-09 team through as many games (19-4-4). But, alas, 27 games does not a season make, and these pretenders flat-out collapsed, going 17-27-8-3 the rest of the way and barely clinging to the eighth seed. Ftorek didn’t last the season despite the fact that the Bruins remained in playoff contention throughout; unsurprisingly, O’Connell didn’t make things much better when he took over. Scoring certainly wasn’t the problem--led by Glen Murray’s 44 goals and Thornton’s 101 points, the Bruins boasted the second best offense in the conference. But they gave up lots of goals, too, thanks in large part to the porous goaltending trio of John Grahame, Steve Shields, and Jeff Hackett, who combined for a save percentage well below .900.

Once the postseason rolled around, the Bruins were ripe for the picking, like Matty Niskanen in the corner against Sheriff Shane Hnidy. Top-seeded New Jersey brushed them off in the first round en route to their third Stanley Cup in nine years. Exeunt Bruins in five games.

4) 2007-2008 (41-29-12, 94 points, 3rd in Northeast, 8th in conference)

Not much was expected of the Bruins heading into the ’07-08 campaign, and the immediate future seemed bleak when Patrice Bergeron suffered a season-ending concussion just seven games in. But the Bruins rallied around Claude Julien’s system and squeaked out an eighth-place finish on the strength of staunch defense and stellar goaltending from Tim Thomas and Alex Auld. Chara shook off his disappointing ’06-07 season, improving his +/- from -21 to +14 to go along with a career-high 51 points. Marco Sturm potted a career-high 29 goals, and David Krejci and Milan Lucic stepped up with compelling rookie campaigns.

The Hockey Gods obviously felt it necessary to match the Bruins with the top-seeded Canadiens come playoff time. Montreal--8-0 against Boston in the regular season--was heavily favored to steamroll the Bruins in the first round. But the B’s erased a 3-1 deficit in what was, in my opinion at least, the most entertaining series this team played in all decade--regardless of the final outcome. Game 6 was one of the wildest, most exhilarating games the NHL has seen in recent years. While the B's went on to lose the series, much of the magic from Games 5 and 6 carried over to the following season.

3) 2003-2004 (40-19-15-7, 104 points, 1st in Northeast, 2nd in conference)

The Bruins bounced back from their ’02-03 collapse by earning points in 17 of their first 19 games, going on to clinch the Northeast Division and exceed 100 points for the second time in three years. They were a force in tight games, finishing 22-7-7 in one-goal contests--thanks in large part to Andrew Raycroft, who delivered a superb rookie season in net with a 29-18-9/2.05/.926 line. While Thornton and Murray saw their production dip under new head coach Mike Sullivan, Nick Boynton emerged as the team’s top defenseman and Patrice Bergeron registered 39 points in 71 games as an 18-year old rookie. The Bruins bucked their trend of trade-deadline stinginess by acquiring playmaking center Michael Nylander and high-scoring defenseman Sergei Gonchar in hopes of making a strong postseason run.

Facing the seventh-place Canadiens in the first round, the Bruins took a seemingly invincible 3-1 series lead on Murray’s deflating double-overtime goal in Game 4 that made a complete goat out of Alex Kovalev. Unfortunately, the goal served as a wakeup call for the Habs, who forced a seventh game, battering the Bruins by a combined score of 10-3 over the next two contests. Theodore went on to post a shutout in Game 7 in Boston, marking the second time in three years that the Bruins had fallen victim to the underdog Canadiens in the first round--except this time, Boston allowed Montreal to win a series in which it trailed 3-1 for the first time in franchise history. Ugly indeed.

2) 2001-2002 (43-24-6-9, 101 points, 1st in Northeast, 1st in conference)

Everything came together for the ’01-02 squad in the regular season. The offense thrived: Guerin posted 40 goals for the second straight season, Samsonov and Thornton each produced at a point-per-game clip, and Rolston set a team record with 9 shorthanded goals. The Bruins were further boosted up front when Jason Allison’s holdout produced a trade to Los Angeles for Glen Murray and Jozef Stumpel; Murray put up 35 goals and Stumpel dished out 47 assists after the exchange. Sean O’Donnell anchored the blueline with a +27, P.J. Stock became everyone’s favorite '5-10 enforcer, and Byron Dafoe returned to form with 35 wins and a 2.21 GAA. All in all, Robbie Ftorek’s first season in Boston was a smashing success--until the playoffs, of course.

The Bruins looked as if they’d pounce all over the eighth-place Canadiens, who snuck into the postseason on the shoulders of MVP candidate Jose Theodore. But Boston struggled in the first three games, falling behind 2-1 while allowing 14 goals to a team that averaged just 2.5 goals per game all season. The Bruins seemed poised to turn the series around in Game 4, running down the clock on a 5-2 victory that would send them back home with a fresh start, when Kyle McLaren unnecessarily clotheslined Richard Zednik in the final minutes of the game. McLaren’s services were lost for the remainder of the series after he was suspended by the NHL, and the Canadiens seemed to find some spark from the situation; Theodore held the Bruins to just two goals over the next two games as Montreal went on to win the series 4-2--a disappointing finish to an otherwise strong season.

1) 2008-2009 (53-19-10, 116 points, 1st in Northeast, 1st in conference)

116 points. A first round sweep of the Canadiens (extended footage featuring Jack Edwards here). Coach of the year. Defenseman of the year. Goaltender of the year. Things didn’t quite go as planned in the end, but this was one of the NHL’s marquee regular-season teams of the past decade, and, without contest, the best Bruins team we’ve seen in recent years. No need to say anything more--it’s pretty fresh in everyone’s memory.

B's fizzle, extend losing streak to 4 games

2009-12-20T18:12:00.000-08:00

Blah.

That’s the best phrase to describe the Bruins’ effort last night. One game after clawing back to force overtime against the Blackhawks–one of the league’s best–they delivered an absolute stinker, losing 2-0 to the lowly Leafs.

That’s right, the same team that gave up 12 goals to the Bruins in their first two meetings this season. The same team that, heading into the game, had allowed the most goals in the NHL.

And as for the Bruins getting back into that “one of the league’s best” category–after a four-game losing streak, it’s starting to look like some of the early-season problems are reemerging. The night-and-day difference between the last two games sums up what has plagued the players and driven fans insane: flashes of last year’s brilliance–as demonstrated by Friday night’s impressive display of resilience–but no consistent finish, few timely plays and little sense of urgency.

The offense continues its torturous path of unpredictability. With Milan Lucic on the shelf, Marc Savard simply doesn’t have anyone to dish the puck to. His revolving door of wingers in the past few weeks, from Blake Wheeler and Byron Bitz to Marco Sturm and Michael Ryder, has produced virtually nothing; Savard is pointless in the last five games. Claude Julien himself may as well have suited up and skated alongside Savard last night, because Sturm and Ryder basically served as Joey Galloways to Savard’s Tom Brady: completely useless.

As for the rest of the forwards, Julien has had difficulty finding balance. The Bruins have outstanding depth at center: Savard, David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron are all exceptional talents and first-line NHLers, in my opinion. But it’s a problem when your three best forwards play on three different lines, and can’t seem to find anyone to finish the scoring chances they create.

Maybe it’s time to play Bergeron and Krejci together, perhaps shifting Krejci to the wing because of Bergeron’s value in the faceoff circle. As evidenced by Krejci’s tying goal on Friday night off of Bergeron’s rebound, good things happen when your best players are on the ice together.

Three Up:

-The Bruins can largely thank Krejci for that point Friday night. His first multi-goal game in exactly a year wasn’t necessarily the prettiest display, but he showed a willingness to drive to the net that has been lacking for many of the Bruins this year. After an ice-cold start to the season, many people wondered whether his 2008-09 breakout–which included a stretch of 39 points in 25 games–was a costly aberration. If you recall, Krejci’s multi-year deal this past offseason was a significant nail in the coffin for Phil Kessel’s career in Boston. But with nine points in his last nine, complemented by a serious uptick in his playmaking and puck-possession game, he appears to be gaining steam.

-Tuukka Rask’s first goal against Toronto was a softie, and Tim Thomas demonstrated persistent issues with his seemingly enlarged five-hole on Friday night, but let’s face it–goaltending isn’t the issue. Both goaltenders bailed out their defense on numerous occasions over the weekend, giving the players in front of them a chance to stay in the game.

-Johnny Boychuk is making his case for a permanent spot in the lineup, registering his second goal of the season against Chicago and temporarily stirring viewers from their boredom with his monster open-ice hit on Matt Stajan in the third period last night.

Three Down:

-Byron Bitz is a -7 in his past four games; Andrew Ference is a -6 in his past eight–although he registered a primary assist on Chicago’s first goal with his beautiful feed out front to Kris Versteeg.

-Tim Thomas is winless in his past four appearances and has just three wins in his past 13 starts.

-Derek Morris missed Saturday night’s contest with an undisclosed injury; with Mark Stuart and Dennis Wideman already out, the Bruins are now missing half of their regular defensive corps.

Ramblings on the past week

2009-12-09T17:26:00.000-08:00

The NHL sure has an odd scheduling policy, particularly in seasons condensed to accommodate the Olympic break. The Bruins are currently in the midst of a four-day layoff sandwiched between home meetings with Toronto, making "Kessel-mania" an extended doubleheader. Even stranger is the fact that the B’s hadn’t faced the Leafs--a division rival--in the first two months of the season, but face them three times in a 14-day span in December and three more times in the final month of the season.

Personal nitpicking of the schedule aside, I found Saturday night’s game--Part I of #81's return--to be both satisfying and thoroughly entertaining. The 7-2 score was perfectly lopsided (though it was even better at 7-0 before Toronto mustered two late goals). It was fitting that Kessel’s ex-setup man, Marc Savard, finished with a hat trick after inking a 7-year bargain of an extension ($28.5 mil). It was nice to see Johnny Boychuk snag his first NHL goal.

In terms of Kessel's performance--while one game certainly doesn’t even come close to putting the trade in perspective--the Bruins have to feel good about themselves after shoving him around to the tune of zero points and a -3 rating. At the very least, the blowout gave us some temporary fulfillment after longing for his scoring prowess through the early season droughts.

The game also diverted our attention from Friday night’s Montreal massacre, which I won’t linger on too much because of the team’s otherwise strong play in recent weeks. Some of the abominable play was fluky--Hunwick and Morris both whiffed on passes that led to Canadiens’ goals. The power play remains an issue, as the Bruins unacceptably wasted two 5-on-3 chances, and remain in the bottom five in the NHL with a 17.1% conversion rate.

But the game didn’t worry me too much overall--the Canadiens were facing heightened pressure on the night of their centennial celebration and came out with bite that the Bruins, probably somewhat distracted by the idea of Kessel’s return the next night, couldn’t match. Interestingly enough, the Bruins themselves seem to come out with the most bite when revenge is on the docket--along with the blowout of the Leafs, they shattered the ‘Canes by an identical score of 7-2 back in October.

Looking ahead to Thursday night’s game, I’m not expecting any 7-0 leads. The Leafs--I’m sorry to say--are on the rise, having played strongly in recent weeks with three wins (by three goals each) in the past four games. Kessel will play better now that he has a game in front of his old fans under his belt, and may even come out with some vengeance. Before you disregard that last statement, consider that he got in his first NHL “fight” last week against Columbus in response to a cross-check from defenseman Kris Russell (you can even see the angry little guy snarl around the 15-16 second mark):

Other thoughts:

-Wasn’t last year the centennial season for Les Habitantes? Enough with the celebrations already. Seems like the folks in Montreal are focusing on the past as a diversion from the worrisome state of affairs in the present--though, to their credit, the Habs really got up for the game on Friday. I’ve always liked Mike Cammalleri as a player, and I can’t say he bothers me much yet as a Canadien, despite his three goals on the night. It’s almost a little disappointing to see him and BC boy Brian Gionta on the Habs these days and not Kovalev and Komisarek, our favorite villains of recent years.

-That’s the best I’ve seen from Carey Price against the B’s since the first four games of the 2008-09 playoff series when he was being touted oh-so-wrongfully as a prodigy, sensation, next coming of Patrick Roy, etc. etc.

-I was happy to see Matt Hunwick sit out Saturday night. It had gotten to the point where enough was enough. Hunwick has definitely shown symptoms of the sophomore slump; perhaps we laid expectations too high for him coming into the season. I predicted 40 points for him, but at this rate, he’ll be lucky to get 20 if he can even stay on the roster all season.

What Bruins fans should be thankful for

2009-11-25T14:22:00.001-08:00

With Turkey Day right around the corner, it's only appropriate that we recognize what we're thankful for this season from the B's, who are finally gaining steam after busting out of the gate with the energy of an overweight grandpa in a tryptophan-induced coma:

Patrice Bergeron's return to form

Without a doubt, Bergeron has been Boston's most reliable forward this season, resembling the star player he was becoming before Randy Jones nearly ended his career back in 2007. While it's taken him considerable time to regain his edge, he currently leads the team in scoring and is already one goal shy of his total from last season. Monday night's contest with St. Louis was an accurate summation of his value to the team: an assist on all four Bruins goals--one on the shorthand and two on the man-advantage--in 17:20 of ice time. It's pretty scary to imagine what the Bruins' offense would have been like last season with a healthy, aggressive Bergeron in the mix.

The emergence of Tuukka Rask as a much better and younger Manny Fernandez for Tim Thomas

While Thomas' numbers have been solid (.918 SV%, 2.33 GAA), this season hasn't exactly been a cakewalk for the defending Vezina winner, who sports a sub-.500 record and is currently sidelined with an undisclosed ailment (the Bruins are downright Belichick-ian in terms of secrecy with injuries). Rask spelled Thomas admirably in limited duty early on, and has really shined in his last six starts (5-1, .932 SV%). Should Thomas begin to deteriorate over the next few seasons, it's comforting to know that we have a promising young goaltender who can ably fill his shoes. Plus, he's just as much of a hotheaded psycho:

The Winter Classic

For those of you who are worried (or glad, take your pick) that the Bruins' slow start has emptied the bandwagon from last year, you'll see how that changes on January 1st. Bruins fans past and present--whether or not they are self-proclaimed boycotters of Jeremy Jacobs' product or just plain bitter souls about the Thornton trade--will be watching the NHL's most exciting regular-season event. Even Boston fans that don't have a clue about hockey will tune in just for the sheer spectacle. I think I know at least five people who are going that can't name a single player on the Bruins; hopefully, after attending this game, they'll see the light.

The recent state of affairs

Heading into the current road trip, the Bruins were presented with a pivotal juncture in the season: continue losing and face potential changes, or get their shit together and re-establish themselves as a team to be reckoned with. After winning the first three games of the road trip in all-around impressive fashion, the Bruins appear to be getting the message. Couple that with the returns of Lucic and Savard and the Bruins look to be in good shape heading into the month of December.

The Maple Leafs

I don't care if Phil Kessel scores 40 goals this year--as long as the Leafs finish terribly and we make the playoffs, it's all good, because their first-round pick could ultimately bring us a much better player. Plus, it's just funny to watch the most important team in hockey continue to flounder despite all the changes that have been made up there.

Honorable Mentions: Jack Edwards, Signs of life from Dennis Wideman, Shawn Thornton & Byron Bitz, Jeremy Jacobs' enthusiasm and presence at home games (just kidding), The guy in the conductor hat who dances in the stands at games, Rene Rancourt

Preview: Bruins @ Thrashers, 7 PM

2009-11-19T12:49:00.001-08:00

One of the sole benefits of being an NHL team in the South is the fact that your Ice Girls are probably substantially hotter than those elsewhere. Bruins fans should at least have some eye candy to occupy themselves with should the offense continue to put everyone to sleep tonight.

The Basics

Barring any last-minute setbacks, Milan Lucic is expected to return tonight. The Thrashers, meanwhile, should prove more of a formidable opponent than in years past; they're riding a four-game winning streak and have scored 18 goals over that span. By comparison, the B's have scored just 17 goals in their past 10 games, and have just three wins over that stretch. They are in the midst of a three-game losing streak (0-1-2).

What to Watch For

Bruins: Lucic's progress is worth monitoring, but David Krejci may be on the verge of an explosion. He seems to have fully shaken the effects of swine flu and offseason surgery, and was far and away the Bruins' best offensive player over the last two games. I get the sense that his re-emergence is approaching--something that would be huge for Michael Ryder, who seems unable to find his game by himself. Look for Krejci's line to be buzzing in the early going tonight.

Thrashers: Ilya Kovalchuk is one of the best players in the league and will be the center of Zdeno Chara's attention. But, unlike past seasons, he's surrounded by a decent supporting cast. Second-line winger Rich Peverley has emerged from obscurity to post 8-15-23 totals in 17 games, and has been a factor on special teams with 5 power-play goals. Look for him and the Thrasher's power-play unit--2nd in the NHL at 26.5%--to give the Bruins fits should they encounter penalty trouble.

Fact of the Day

Through November 17 last season, Krejci had 9 points in 19 games. From November 19 through January 27, he scored 44 points in 30 games. Just sayin'.

Lucic nears return, Savard on schedule

2009-11-18T14:33:00.001-08:00

Finally, some good news!

The Bruins, searching for an offense that can compete above Pee-Wee level, have seen encouraging progress from injured first-liners Milan Lucic and Marc Savard. Brendan Hall of The Boston Globe reported today that Lucic is participating in full-contact practice drills and may be close to returning:

Coach Claude Julien said Lucic is “a game-time decision’’ for tomorrow night’s game at Atlanta. But considering the Bruins’ recent scoring slump, don’t be surprised if the left wing suits up. After putting up a plethora of shots against the Panthers (40, to no avail) and Penguins (33, in a 6-5 overtime loss), the Bruins struggled to create open looks in front of the net in a 4-1 loss to the Islanders Monday.

Lucic's return would be a major boost for the 8-8-4 Bruins, saddled all season long by mediocrity and inconsistency up front. They've failed to sufficiently replace their injured stars, receiving minimal contributions from David Krejci, Michael Ryder, Mark Recchi, and Marco Sturm, who have combined for just 13 goals all season. While Lucic didn't score in six games before being sidelined, he potted 17 goals in 72 games last season. The rugged winger--one of Boston's most physical players--will also provide plenty of help on the forecheck, which should create more scoring chances for the rest of the struggling forwards.

Hall also relayed some good news regarding Savard's injury:

Meanwhile, Marc Savard skated for roughly 20 minutes before the team practiced. Savard, who was also put on long-term injured reserve last month with a broken left foot, was still wearing a protective boot as recently as Monday.

While Savard will remain sidelined for the foreseeable future, he is progressing on schedule and should return by the beginning of December. The power play, dead-last in the league at 12.9%, will certainly re-welcome his playmaking abilities.

Looking for more from the 3 "M"s

2009-11-17T15:53:00.000-08:00

Since I'd rather not explore the abyss of Boston's embarrassing 4-1 loss to the Islanders last night, and since Dennis Wideman is just way too easy to pick on, I figured I'd analyze our most underachieving, high-profile offensive players not currently injured or named "David Krejci."

At the quarter mark of the season, none of the following are on pace to crack the 40-point barrier. Viewed as key forwards heading into the campaign, all three will certainly need to pick it up over the last 3/4 of the season if the Bruins hope to overcome their dismal start. Along with pinpointing their struggles, I provided an appropriate "Bermanism" for each player (for you sports fans who grew up under a rock, those are nicknames punning off of the player's last name):

Mark Recchi: He's morphed into the second coming of Glen Murray during his final stages with the B's--an old, tired, and frequently invisible spare part. While Recchi is a highly respected member of the NHL community and an extremely tough cookie--he played Game 7 within 24 hours of kidney stone removal last year, for Christ's sake--one has to believe that he's on his last legs. Mark "Train" Recchi is only appropriate as the former star barrels downhill into the twilight of his career. Mark "Tyrannosaurus" Recchi also received votes for the old-timer, as he appears to be better suited for the set of Jurassic Park than an NHL rink these days.

Michael Ryder: The enigmatic winger was just as ineffective at the beginning of last season as he is now, scoring just 3 goals in his first 22 games. The difference is that Ryder had the "fortune" of struggling while the rest of the B's were gaining steam last November; this season, now that the losses are beginning to pile up a little, he can hardly fly under the radar. While he provides the occasional flash, he usually proceeds to disappear for shifts at a time--earning himself the nickname, Michael "Ghost" Ryder. After all, Bruins fans have recently received him about as well as movie critics received the Nicolas Cage flop back in 2007. Honorable mention Michael "Easy" Ryder also enjoys tokin' it up with Peter Fonda before games, which may explain his sluggish skating on the forecheck.

Marco Sturm: Sturmy--normally dependable for 25 goals and 40-50 points over a full slate--deserves a bit of a break after coming back from a completely lost season, but I can't say I expected him to struggle this much. He went a month between goals, with his second goal of the season coming on October 8th, his third on November 7th. And, after scoring 25 combined goals on the man-advantage in his first three seasons in Boston, he still hasn't scored on the power play this season. The bottom line is that Marco "Infertile" Sturm just seems unable to produce anything these days. Marco "The Perfect" Sturm also received votes because, much like George Clooney's crew in the movie, he vanished long ago and still hasn't returned. Then again, the same can be said for the rest of the Bruins at this point.

Bruins' offense rises from the dead--for now

2009-11-06T13:28:00.000-08:00

Just when it was beginning to seem like it was no longer possible, the Bruins pulled it off. They shocked the world. They scored a goal.

More as a result of sheer relief than jubilation, Patrice Bergeron’s tying marker against the Canadiens with 52 seconds remaining--Boston’s first in 192 minutes of play--launched the restless Garden crowd into a frenzy on Thursday night. The Bruins ultimately fell 2-1 in the shootout, but they at least managed a point, and steered clear of a dubious feat they hadn’t accomplished since 1929: three straight shutout losses.

While the Bruins will gladly accept the compensatory point, Bergeron’s goal was merely a temporary bandage for a deep-running wound. The injury-ravaged squad has now scored just four times in the past five games, falling to 1-3-1 in that span despite having allowed just seven goals against. One would think that a showdown with the Habs would trigger some sort of spark from the depths of Boston’s offensive abyss, but that wasn’t the case until crunch time--perhaps because the players realized that riots may have ensued had they not tucked one behind Carey Price before the buzzer.

To the Bruins’ credit, it’s not like they haven’t been getting their chances. They peppered Price with 43 shots through regulation and overtime. But therein lies the problem: their mishmash of forwards lacks a bona fide finisher. No one in the current lineup, aside from maybe Bergeron, is capable of putting a team on his back with a long streak of offensive production.

The Bruins are just have to tough it out until the likes of Savard, Krejci, and Lucic can make their way back into the lineup, and take advantage of all the opportunities they are presented with in the meantime. For now, it's a battle for every inch.

Punchless Bruins seek to reacquaint themselves with the scoresheet tonight vs. Detroit

2009-11-02T21:17:00.000-08:00

Good as new after an offseason of shoulder surgery, extensive rehabilitation, and equally tedious contract negotiations, Phil Kessel will reportedly make his debut when the abominable Leafs host the Lightning tonight. Needless to say, should the Bruins’ offense continue to sputter against the Wings, Kessel’s performance will garner plenty of attention from a growing number of concerned Black ‘N’ Gold enthusiasts.

Kessel’s scoring touch has eluded his former teammates thus far, as the Bruins rank just 22nd in the NHL with 31 goals in 13 games. Last season, they finished second overall in scoring, thanks in part to Kessel's 36 goals. Boston certainly hasn’t been helped by the recent absences of Marc Savard and Milan Lucic--injuries that appear to finally be catching up to a beleaguered, constantly-shuffling forward unit. Offensive deficiencies have been exposed in the past three games, a span in which the Bruins have gone 1-2 while managing just three goals.

The upcoming weeks could serve as a strong determinant of just how much Kessel’s services are missed. The Bruins returned to the .500 mark after being shut out 1-0 by the Rangers on Sunday afternoon, continuing their bizarre, frustrating trend of alternating wins and losses each game. They currently sit ninth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 6-6-1.

Now, for an expanded look at Boston’s offensive woes:

-The Bruins are currently averaging 2.34 goals per game, almost a full goal less than last season’s rate of 3.25 goals per game.

-Patrice Bergeron, Boston’s leading scorer with eight points in 13 games, is on pace to finish the season with 50 points. Last season, six different Bruins topped the 50-point plateau.

-The defensemen have combined for just five goals, three of which belong to Matt Hunwick. Dennis Wideman and Derek Morris have accounted for one apiece, while Zdeno Chara, fourth among NHL defensemen with 19 goals last season, still hasn’t found the back of the net.

-David Krejci has just one goal in 13 games. Michael Ryder has three goals in 13 games. Savard remains tied for first in goals (4) and second in points (7) on the team despite having been placed on injured reserve nearly two weeks ago.

-The Bruins have just six goals on 49 power-play attempts. Their paltry 12.2% success rate ranks 29th in the league, sandwiched between offensive juggernauts Nashville and Florida. Other than Savard, Ryder is the only forward with a power play goal this season.

Bruins storm back against the Sens, but still seek 60-minute effort

2009-10-26T18:51:00.000-07:00

Down 3-1 to the Senators with under two minutes to play, the Bruins’ fifth loss of the season was inevitable. In fact--loyal fan that I am--I turned off the TV and chucked the remote, feeling I had better things to do on a Saturday night than watch the clock run out on yet another setback in a perplexingly inconsistent season. Seeking an outlet for complaint, I went so far as to prematurely inform my sister of the defeat via text. I figured, Boston hadn’t shown much fight through its first nine games, so what was there to indicate the possibility of a last-minute comeback?

Of course, karma capitalized on my pessimism, as my sis (apparently still watching the game) texted me back moments later: Mark Recchi goal, 3-2 Ottawa with a minute left. Feeling slightly ashamed of my mercurial Boston-sports-fan nature, I scrambled back to the TV to see if there was a faint glimmer of hope for the Bruins to even the score. Surely enough, I had just resumed my seat on the futon when a wide-open David Krejci buried a one-timer from the slot off a cross-ice feed from Derek Morris.

Three-all and headed into overtime, it couldn’t have been more apparent that the Bruins were going to win this game--which they did, as dramatically as they tied it. After two scoreless rounds in the shooutout, Patrice Bergeron just barely slid the puck under Ottawa netminder Brian Elliot on Boston’s third attempt. Tim Thomas proceeded to stonewall Jason Spezza on Ottawa’s final chance, sealing the improbable victory--and my status as a terrible Bruins fan.

Mind you, this was just the tenth game in an 82-game regular season--not exactly a Game-Seven postseason barnburner. But the comeback was impressive and significant on multiple levels. With Marc Savard and Milan Lucic sidelined for the next month, the Bruins were forced to play shorthanded, putting the onus on the rest of the offense to provide the depth that it boasted so effectively last season. Krejci and Recchi are prime examples of players that needed to step up; obviously, both did their part with key goals in the closing minutes of regulation. Those kinds of contributions will need to continue in order for the Bruins to survive without their leading scorer and most dominant physical force up front.

The Bruins also demonstrated a sense of urgency that they’ve sorely lacked, particularly when playing from behind. The pressure they applied at the end of the third period hasn't been a constant feature in their 60-minute game, only surfacing in spurts. They must maintain that aggressive approach, because they’ve often been far too conservative, staying back on their heels when they should be getting the puck to the net with more desperation.

Finally, the true backbone of the team lies in between the pipes, where Thomas has sought to regain his Vezina-worthy level of performance. He looked sharper and more comfortable on Saturday night, keeping the Bruins in the game at crucial junctures in the early going. While his stats weren’t eye-popping--he yielded 3 goals on 30 shots--some of his saves were truly spectacular, and his insistence in never quitting on the play triggered memories of last season's bold, aggressive approach. His diving save on Daniel Alfredsson may have been one of the best saves of his career:

Searching for answers after a slow start

2009-10-12T20:52:00.000-07:00

Less than two weeks into the regular season, the defending Eastern Conference champs face a myriad of unexpected concerns--inconsistent scoring, sloppy puck control, inability to win physical battles, shaky goaltending and downright abysmal special teams play. Effort and mental toughness have been called into question and, thus far, there seems to be a general absence of the swagger that carried the Bruins to their best record in decades last season.

Fans have hastened to point fingers, from revisiting the Kessel trade to reopening a Pandora’s Box of questions regarding Tim Thomas’ effectiveness as a full-time starting goaltender. Some may be willing to go so far as to proclaim last year a fluke, a mere aligning of the stars for a group of overachievers in the midst of miraculous career seasons.

However, it would be ludicrous to leave the Bruins for dead at such an early juncture in the season. True, they mustered just two wins out of a season-opening homestand in which they surrendered 19 goals in five games. True, one of those wins came against the lowly Islanders in the shootout after erasing a three-goal, third-period deficit--one of the Bruins' few exhibitions of intensity and desperation this season, and all that stands between them and a 1-4 record.

But we must remember, as the season is in its infant stages, that there is plenty of time for the kinks to be worked out. In the long run, the first five games mean virtually nothing. There are too many experienced members of the organization--from the players on up--to allow mediocrity to rear its ugly head. Lest we forget, the Bruins have last season’s coach, goaltender, and defenseman of the year, and those honors were not unjustly awarded. That being said, there is a substantial amount of work to be done as Boston embarks upon its first road trip of the season.

The power play sits atop the list of problems, with the Bruins clicking at an anemic 4-for-29 rate through the first five games. In fact, if you throw out the Bruins’ 7-2 romping of Carolina in their second game, they have actually allowed more goals while on the man advantage than they’ve scored, as the power play has gone 0-for-21 in the other four games while giving up two shorthanded goals. The penalty kill has been equally dismal, allowing 8 goals over 26 attempts--perhaps a testament to how valuable P.J. Axelsson was on the shorthand during his career in Boston.

The Bruins’ ineffectiveness on special teams is an accurate reflection of their struggles as a whole. Their power play has sputtered because of its inability to create traffic and get the puck to the net, something that has plagued Boston in its failed attempts to play a cohesive, 60-minute game. In Monday afternoon’s matinee with the Avalanche in particular, the Bruins seemed unable to penetrate the shooting lanes, dancing around the perimeter until they either lost possession of the puck or took shots from the blueline that were blocked with ease.

Boston’s play in the defensive zone has been similarly underwhelming. The Bruins have appeared overmatched in one-on-one battles, either getting outmuscled or losing races to the puck. The defensive corps has been burned multiple times by the speed of opponents’ top lines, particularly in the blowout losses to Washington and Anaheim. Neither Thomas nor Tuukka Rask has been impressive in net; then again, neither netminder has received much support from the five guys in front of him.

Despite all of these issues, the Bruins have the coaching and the talent to overcome their slow start. The fact that the offense has shown improved chemistry--at least in 5-on-5 situations--in the past few games is encouraging. The fourth line continues to be a silver lining with its gritty play, and Patrice Bergeron and Marco Sturm have shown that they are ready to make a difference this year.

For the rest of the team, much of the struggle seems to be mental. Thomas has been fighting the puck, looking oddly uncomfortable, and the skaters have been far too hesitant to get physical in the corners and take offensive risks. It's almost as if there's a hangover from last season--as if the players expect the success of 2008-09 to just present itself on a silver platter alongside a free playoff berth. Simply put, the Bruins need to prove that they are hungry, because they aren’t sneaking up on anyone this year.

So, my general advice is not to panic, but to exercise some patience--a rarity for Boston sports fans, myself included, who live in a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately type of world. Look for the Bruins’ upcoming road trip to serve as a wakeup call--a chance to return home with a fresh look next week--and expect a strong performance from an angry Thomas in net on Friday night in Dallas. This team is too good to fumble away its high expectations, and we all know that, once they string together a few wins, the good vibrations will return to the TD Garden. It's just a matter of translating skill into effort, intensity and focus.

Eight to anticipate: Games you won't want to miss this season

2009-09-29T19:58:00.000-07:00

1. Fri, Jan 1 vs Philadelphia: The Winter Classic

Forget about the All-Star Game--the Winter Classic is the regular season's marquee event, and Fenway Park is the perfect venue for its continued success. The traditional appeal of the old ballpark will combine with the blustery winter weather to create a dynamic recipe for old-time hockey, and Chris Pronger and Zdeno Chara will be counted on to deliver some equally chilling physical play. Just like last year’s Classic at Wrigley, the buzz of the crowd and intensity of the game will further highlight the rebirth of an Original Six city that had recently struggled to keep professional hockey on its radar.

2. Sat, Dec 5 vs Toronto

Obviously, the focal point of this matchup will be Phil Kessel’s return to Boston, assuming he is ready to go after offseason shoulder surgery. It will be interesting to see how the exiled sniper is received by the hometown faithful, as his departure was less than amicable, and it will be even more intriguing to see how he plays against his former teammates. Considering his tendency to avoid body contact, he probably won’t like the idea of going one-on-one in the corners against Chara’s 6-9, 255-pound frame.

3. Thu, Jan 14 @ San Jose

Through two periods of Joe Thornton’s much-anticipated return last season, the game was shaping up to be everything fans expected--the B's led 2-1 in a tight duel between the league's top teams. Then they suffered a most uncharacteristic meltdown: San Jose came out firing in the third, and the Bruins surrendered four goals in a frustrating exposure of defensive vulnerability that proceeded to trigger their worst slump of the season. The Bruins head to the Shark Tank for a redo this January, and the matchup should again serve as a clash of elite teams; hopefully, the Bruins are better prepared this time.

4. Thu, Nov 5 vs Montreal

While I endorse any Bruins-Canadiens contest as entertaining television for even the most clueless of sports fans, this one will be particularly important in setting the tone for the season series. In the first of six games between the division rivals, Montreal will be seeking payback after its embarrassing playoff performance, and its revamped offense appears ready to create problems for the Bruins. The game should feature plenty of scoring, and it should also contain plenty of the post-whistle scrums and chatter that make this rivalry one of the best in sports.

5. Thu, Oct 1 vs Washington

Thursday’s season opener in Boston features two hungry, powerful Eastern Conference teams left unsatisfied by shortened playoff runs. Initially viewed as legitimate contenders, neither team made it out of the second round last spring; both fell in Game 7's at home. The Bruins and Capitals enter the new campaign facing heightened pressure and expectations, and the atmosphere in the Garden will be booming come game time. What better way to kick off the season than a clash between Ovechkin, the league’s most potent sniper, and Chara, its most prominent shutdown defender?

6. Sun, Mar 7 @ Pittsburgh

As the season winds down and teams jockey for final playoff positions, the Bruins and Penguins will most likely be in the thick of the struggle for top seed in the Eastern Conference. This game could go a long way in providing momentum for either one of the teams, and it will also be a strong gauge of where the Bruins stand in preparation for postseason play. Last season, the Bruins matched up fairly well with the Pens, splitting even over the four-game series between the two teams. However, once Pittsburgh heated up down the stretch, the B’s were unable to contain their explosive offense in a 6-4 March loss.

7. Sat, Oct 3 vs Carolina

While the Canadiens have cemented their role as the Bruins’ arch-rivals, the 'Canes held the temporary post of Public Enemy #1 in the wake of Boston’s second-round exit. The series created plenty of dislike between the teams, most notably as a result of Scott Walker’s sucker punch on Aaron Ward. Ironically, Ward was shipped to Carolina in the offseason, but that doesn’t render the rivalry obsolete; there should be plenty of bad blood simmering on Saturday night, and bad blood generally equals a good hockey game.

8. Thu, Jan 7 vs Chicago

It’s unfortunate that the Bruins play Western Conference teams so infrequently, because there are plenty of talented and dynamic players that fans don’t become familiar with over the course of the season. The Bruins’ tilt with Detroit on November 3rd will garner plenty of hype, but I’m looking forward to the Blackhawks' arrival in January even more. Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are two of the game’s most exciting young players, and Chicago parallels Boston in the sense that it's an upcoming powerhouse franchise that has regained the interest of its fan base. It’s going to be entertaining to see how these two teams match up against each other.

Kessel to the Leafs

2009-09-21T09:30:00.000-07:00

Turns out we'll see plenty of Phil Kessel this year--he just won't be playing for the home team. According to TSN, Kessel signed a 5-year, $27 million contract with Toronto on Friday after the Leafs acquired his rights from Boston. In exchange, the Bruins received a first and second-round pick in the 2010 draft, as well as a first-round pick in the 2011 draft.

The deal signals the end of Kessel’s tenuous relationship with the Bruins. Drafted fifth overall in 2006, his talent never really came to fruition until last season, when he spearheaded Boston's much-improved offense with 36 goals in just 70 games. Prior to his breakout he had never scored more than 19 goals in a season, and questions of his work ethic and character lingered. In the 2008 first-round playoff series against Montreal, Kessel was benched due to his unwillingness to commit to the physical and defensive aspects of the game. While the benching served as a wake-up call heading into last season, he continues to be criticized for his one-dimensional play; his softness was again exposed in the conference semi-finals against Carolina last season, when he failed to score in six of the seven games and often seemed invisible in an intensely physical series.

Nonetheless, Kessel's emergence as a game-breaking offensive force in the regular season raised his value considerably heading into free-agency. The Bruins, faced with the dilemma of keeping both Kessel and David Krejci despite limited cap space, prioritized by inking Krejci to a 3-year deal early in the free-agent signing period. Kessel supposedly maintained negotiations with the Bruins for much of the summer but the two sides didn't see eye-to-eye, and the Bruins were forced to shop the disgruntled winger--despite his claims that a contract would be in place by the start of the season.

Toronto originally expressed interest in Kessel before the draft, when he was rumored to be heading to the Leafs for defenseman Tomas Kaberle and a first-round pick. While Kaberle would’ve provided much-needed offensive prowess for a somewhat depleted defensive corps, Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli vetoed the trade, seeking a better return package. The Predators and Rangers were also rumored to have expressed interest in Kessel’s services, but Toronto ultimately made a satisfying pitch, and Chiarelli pulled the trigger.

Kessel’s departure will certainly be felt in some regards, but it shouldn’t take anything away from the success that Chiarelli and coach Claude Julien have built over the past few years. If Kessel really is the selfish player that he has been rumored to be for much of his career, then the $5 million that he commanded seems an awful steep price to pay for attitude. And while Kessel will be the go-to guy in an offensively-starved system, the fact that he won't find a playmaker anywhere near the caliber of Marc Savard has me thinking that he could be in for a trying season. Meanwhile, the Bruins should only continue to get better as their young, raw talent further develops; Kessel's flight is merely a bump in the road.

Preparing for life after Phil Kessel?

2009-09-14T22:26:00.000-07:00

The start of the 2009-10 season draws nearer, and the chances of Phil Kessel donning the spoked B have never looked slimmer. According to Kevin Paul DuPont of The Boston Globe, the disgruntled winger is exploring greener pastures:

Phil Kessel has made it clear that he doesn't intend to negotiate any longer with the Bruins, his Toronto-based agent in recent days informing the Boston front office that the right winger's priority instead is to sign a free-agent offer sheet with one of the league's 29 other teams.

There’s no debating that this whole situation has become tiresome. From fizzling trade rumors to false notions of progress towards a new contract, fans have been pulled every which way to the point where any sort of solution would be welcome. Unfortunately, a solution still eludes us, although it appears official that the one non-solution is Kessel lighting up the scoreboard with Marc Savard come November.

While Kessel would leave a substantial void--he potted 36 goals despite missing 12 games last season--his departure wouldn't go uncompensated. Since it's unlikely that the Bruins would match an offer sheet (considering that only $1.7 million remains in salary cap space), he would potentially walk in exchange for a first, second and third-round draft pick courtesy of his new team. Boston also has the option of trading Kessel’s rights, which may be the route of best interest since the return package can be negotiated--if, say, the Bruins are seeking a current player in lieu of/alongside draft picks.

Of the teams who have expressed interest in Kessel (Toronto, Nashville and the Rangers), only Toronto has made a serious pitch. One rumored swap involving Leafs defenseman Tomas Kaberle flopped in July due to miscommunication between the two suitors. Toronto GM Brian Burke reportedly maintains an interest in Kessel and may be willing to offer draft picks for his services. Rumors have also swirled involving the Predators, but no specifics have emerged from the dust. Personally, I would much rather Kessel flew coop for the Western Conference so I don’t have to watch him play for a division rival. Of course, Kessel won’t find a setup man of Savard's caliber in Toronto's thin offense, so his one-dimensional style of play may suffer without sufficient support anyways.

In terms of replacing Kessel's production--although draft picks wouldn't pay immediate dividends, the Bruins have plenty of offensive depth to cover for his absence. Marco Sturm will be returning after missing most of last season; he can be counted on for at least 20 goals over a full slate. Patrice Bergeron is due to rediscover his scoring touch, and Blake Wheeler and Milan Lucic are expected to continue their development as young stars. Mark Recchi also gets a stab at a full season in Boston, and he will provide experience the team will need to stay on track throughout.

In conclusion, a little bit of history proves that Kessel’s deadlock with management is not an unfamiliar or necessarily foreboding situation for Bruins fans. Earlier in the decade, two productive Boston forwards, Anson Carter and Jason Allison, met the end of their contract disputes via trade. In hindsight, both players peaked during their careers here and their departures were beneficial; Bill Guerin, Glen Murray and Jozef Stumpel were the products of those trades and became centerpieces of some relatively successful early-decade Bruins teams. Hopefully, Kessel’s departure would yield similarly effective results, although his youth and potential make him that much harder to give away.

Looking ahead to the 2009-10 season

2009-08-11T12:51:00.000-07:00

While the end of summer brings school and cold weather, it also brings us gloriously close to puck time. Training camp commences in little more than a month, so here are some general questions for Bruins fans to ponder heading into the 2009-10 campaign:

What becomes of Phil Kessel?

Contract negotiations with Boston’s lone 30-goal scorer remain at an impasse. Kessel was already slated to miss significant time recovering from shoulder surgery, but one has to wonder if his future beyond that lies outside of Boston--especially considering the lack of available cap space and the upcoming free-agent mess in 2010 (Lucic, Savard, Wheeler and Stuart will all be seeking new contracts). Management has stated that it would match offer sheets from elsewhere, but who’s biting? And if the Bruins are set on Kessel’s return, which player is heading out the door to make room?

How will the new faces fit in?

Steve Begin was a menace to the Bruins during his time in Montreal, but he's the type of player anyone would want on their side, providing plenty of grit and energy on the fourth line. Aside from Begin there aren’t any new forwards of note, although a healthy Marco Sturm will be a welcome sight. Much like Bergeron's return last season, Sturm's presence is akin to having added another forward in the offseason.

On the defensive end, signing Derek Morris at 3.3 million for one year raised plenty of eyebrows. Morris, coveted for his puck-moving ability, hasn’t cracked the 30-point barrier since 2002-03 and is a career minus player. He’ll need to do better than that in order to justify his lofty contract, but there's no doubt he could have provided the skill and acuity with the puck that Bruins' defenders frequently lacked against Carolina.

Which players should we keep an eye on?

I'm particularly interested to watch Hunwick, Wheeler and Bergeron play this season. The pressure will be on Hunwick and Wheeler to avoid the so-called "sophomore slump," but Hunwick's combination of poise and offensive instinct could aid him in breaking the 40-point barrier over a full slate. Wheeler wore down as the season progressed, but rumor has it that he's been training extra-hard this offseason, which bodes well for continued improvement and more consistent play.

Aside from last year's rookies, Bergeron is the real wild card. I'm unsure of whether or not he can return to form as the prominent scorer he was just a few years ago, but I often forget that he's only 24. A strong start to the season offensively would be key in putting him back on his feet as a potential 30-to-40-goal scorer to complement his steady defensive presence. I think he'll put at least 20 in the net this season; in my opinion, anything more would be gravy.

What’s the outlook for division rivals?

The soap opera that is the Montreal Canadiens can expect plenty of media scrutiny in the aftermath of a disappointing season. Or should I say, a centennial season in which hockey's most celebrated franchise was expected to win its 25th Cup but instead bumbled its way to an eighth-place finish--only to be humiliated in a four-game sweep by its rival. So farewell, Koivu, Komisarek and Kovalev, and welcome, Cammalleri, Gionta and Gomez, to a season of renewed expectations under Montreal’s unforgiving microscope. If everything breaks right, Carey Price still has a chance to be the next Patrick Roy.

Elsewhere in the division, Toronto and Ottawa remain in "rebuilding" stages, so I don’t expect them to keep pace with the Bruins this season. The Sabres are potential spoilers--particularly head-to-head--but I think the Bruins hold a pretty clear advantage both offensively and defensively; the Sabres lack scoring depth and depend too heavily on their goaltending. In my opinion, the Canadiens are once again the main concern.

Lastly--can the Bruins improve?

The Bruins’ regular season was nothing short of marvelous and will be difficult to replicate, let alone improve upon. Thomas, Krejci, Wideman, Lucic, Wheeler, Hunwick, Kobasew and maybe even Kessel will be expected to build on career-best seasons--a notion that isn't out of the question based on their combined youth. Last season also took a costly physical toll on key players. Krejci and Kessel--should he return--are both expected to miss months of action, so who knows how their play will shape up upon returning? Fortunately, I think the Bruins have the offensive depth to cover for those losses; I just don't expect another November and December like last year.

But the real issue for me isn’t improvement in the regular season. I fully expect the Bruins to qualify for the postseason whether or not they perform at the same level as last season, so I'd rather they didn't waste energy padding their record late in the season only to succumb to injuries and sloppy play in the postseason. Their runaway first place finish did nothing to prevent me from feeling sick after leaving Game 7. So hopefully, a tougher mental and physical approach to the upcoming season will prepare them for the battles further along the line that matter most. And these growing pains are to be expected from a young team, so I'm thinking that us Bruins fans have to be pretty excited about the future.