OUTLOOK- If the Boston Bruins want to return to the NHL Playoffs for the fourth time in seven years, it will have to do so without many additions in the off-season. In fact the biggest news over the summer was the Bruins giving David Pastrnak a new six year deal for 40 million dollars. After a first round exit in six games to the Ottawa Senators in the playoffs last spring, and with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Montreal Canadiens all making offseason improvements, it is hard to think the Bruins will move up in the standings at all throughout the course of this season. Boston finished third in the Atlantic last season.
RETURNERS/ADDITIONS- Along with Pastrnak, the Bruins return the likes of forwards Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, David Backes, Matt Beleskey, Ryan Spooner, and Riley Nash to a squad that went 44-31-7 a year ago. An addition to the Bruins and a forward is Kenny Agostino. Agostino was named the AHL MVP last season and posted 24 goals and 83 points in 65 games with the Chicago Wolves.
Manning the blue line on defense are veterans Zdeno Chara, Adam McQuaid, and Torey Krug. Krug broke his jaw in preseason and could miss up to three weeks of action. Young defensemen Rob O’Gara, Matt Grzelcyk, Jakub Zboril, and Tommy Cross will help fill the role in Krugs absence. Boston also added Paul Postma, who had a goal and 13 assists in a career high 65 games with Winnipeg last year. Rookie and Long Beach, NY native (Boston University) Charlie McAvoy also returns, after getting his first action in the NHL in the first round series against the Senators in the playoff loss. McAvoy had three assists for three total points in his first six NHL games.
The Bruins should be solid again in net with Tuuka Rask manning the crease. Rask went 37-20 in 64 games started last season, with a 2.23 goals against average and a .915 save percentage. Rask also posted a career high eight shutouts. Rask will need some help and get rest, as he seems to tire as the season goes on. Backing up Rask is Anton Khudobin who posted a record of 7-6-1 in 2016-17, with a 2.64 GAA and a .904 save percentage.
BOTTOM LINE/PREDICTION- The loss of Krug for first three weeks and having the younger defensemen fill in is a recipe for a slow start for this years team. The key will be the production from the forward lines, and getting proper rest for the aging Chara and Rask. This team has the players and ability to win the Eastern Conference, but the minutes logged by the veterans have had an effect on the team in recent years and shouldn’t expect to be much different this season.
I have the Bruins finishing 40-35-6 this season, good enough for a fourth place finish in the Atlantic Division, and a wild card spot in the NHL playoffs come April. I expect another early exit from the playoffs from this team, and fans are going to be left wondering once again what General Manager Don Sweeney is gonna do to improve this franchise. The Bruins do seem to have the right fit on the bench as former Washington Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks, and Providence Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy was hired to replace Claude Julien. Cassidy led the B’s to an 18-8 mark when he became coach on April 26.
