Despite missing the Stanley Cup playoffs last spring for the first time in eight seasons, the Boston Bruins were still considered a contender. Meaning, they could have been a dangerous team to face in the playoffs. Players throughout the league admitted as much. The organization went through major changes during the offseason, but the core group of veteran players remains intact, which bodes well for the 2015-16 season. Also, many Bruins players considered the long offseason as a blessing in disguise because it gave them a chance to rest and heal.
Best new faces
The Bruins lost two critical pieces when first-year general manager Don Sweeney traded veteran forward Milan Lucic to the Los Angeles Kings and 22-year-old defenseman Dougie Hamilton to the Calgary Flames. The decision to move Lucic was based on the team's salary-cap issues, but moving Hamilton (he wanted out) will affect Boston's blue line. However, the Bruins should be in good shape with the players Sweeney acquired during the offseason, including free-agent forward Matt Beleskey. The Bruins also acquired power forward Jimmy Hayes from the Florida Panthers in exchange for forward Reilly Smith. Defensively, the Bruins have a few internal options, including Zach Trotman, who played 27 games for them last season. Colin Miller, who was acquired in the Lucic deal, also has the opportunity to contribute. While he's not technically a new face, forward Brett Connolly could have an impact too. The Bruins acquired him from the Tampa Bay Lightning at the trade deadline, but due to a hand injury he was limited to only five games. Sweeney wants the organization to regain its identity as a tough team to play against, so the GM acquired Zac Rinaldo during the offseason. It'll be interesting to see how he will contribute.
Biggest unknowns
Defense. Defense. Defense. Under coach Claude Julien, the Bruins have been one of the most reliable teams in the defensive zone the past few seasons. It's one of the reasons the Bruins won the Stanley Cup in 2011 and returned to the finals in 2013. Last season, however, the Bruins struggled defensively and it was one of the main reasons they missed the playoffs. Losing Hamilton won't help, but the Bruins do have possible replacements and a healthy Adam McQuaid and Kevan Miller. It also hurts that veteran D-man Dennis Seidenberg will miss the first eight weeks of the season because of back surgery. But the biggest unknown will be the health of captain Zdeno Chara. He suffered a knee injury early last season and wasn't the same after he returned in December. After a long offseason, Chara was healthy, rested and motivated -- until he suffered an upper-body injury in the first period of his first preseason game of 2015-16. The fate of the Bruins in many ways rides on the ability of their big captain to maintain his health and play solid minutes. Then there's Julien's status. After the Bruins fired GM Peter Chiarelli last spring, and even after Sweeney was promoted, Julien was left in limbo for five weeks before the organization decided to keep the coach. It's possible if the Bruins get off to a slow start and the team is out of the playoff picture come Dec. 1, a coaching change could be made. "We believe in him," said Bruins assistant captain Patrice Bergeron. "We have confidence in him. Claude is a very structured coach and he lets guys know what is expected of them individually and as a team, so I think that's what you need when you have new faces coming in." Julien is in his ninth season as coach in Boston.
Sure things
When any team has a core veteran group that consists of a solid goaltender, one of the league's top defensemen and a pair of elite centermen, odds are the team should succeed. Between goalie Tuukka Rask, Chara, forwards Bergeron and David Krejci, the Bruins should be poised for a strong season. Krejci, who was limited to 47 games in 2014-15 because of injuries, is expected to have a better season. It's no secret when Krejci is at his best, the Bruins win. Bergeron is one of the most consistent players in the league and that won't change this season. Rask played a career-high 70 games last season but was gassed by the end of it. Sweeney guaranteed Rask wouldn't play as many games this season because the goalie needs to be fresh for the Bruins to reach the playoffs. Despite that workload from last season, Rask still posted a 34-21-13 record, including a 2.30 goals-against average. He's also remained durable and healthy for the majority of his career and the Bruins are knocking on wood that continues.
World Cup candidates
The Bruins have plenty of players who should earn spots on World Cup rosters next year, including Rask (Finland), Bergeron (Canada), Loui Eriksson (Sweden), Joonas Kemppainen (Finland), David Krejci (Czech Republic), David Pastrnak (Czech Republic), Malcolm Subban (Team North America) and Chara (Team Europe). Even defenseman Torey Krug could have a shot at Team USA, especially with John Tortorella as the coach.
Pending free agents
The Bruins have done a solid job in previous seasons locking up their top talent to long-term contracts. Under Sweeney, the Bruins are trying to fix the team's salary-cap constraints, so it'll be interesting to see how the team deals with its upcoming unrestricted and restricted free agents. Eriksson, who will earn $4.5 million this season, is a pending unrestricted free agent. He was one of the bright spots on the team last season and should have a good season if he plays with Bergeron and Brad Marchand more consistently. Veteran forward and assistant captain Chris Kelly, who will earn $2.5 million this season, is also a pending UFA. Forward Max Talbot, whom the Bruins acquired at the trade deadline last season, will earn $1 million this season and is a pending UFA. Defenseman Kevan Miller will earn $850,000 this season and will be a UFA on July 1. He was limited to 41 games last season due to a shoulder injury. Brett Connolly and Krug are restricted free agents; Krug will earn $3.4 million this season.
Prediction
It's hard to believe that the Bruins won't return to the Stanley Cup playoffs this season. Realistically, things will likely go one of two ways: the Bruins will be either really good and stay atop the standings, or they could fall apart early and not regroup. There will be no in between for this team. Third in the Atlantic Division.