NHL Preview: Boston Bruins

Saturday, 21 October 2006

NHL Preview: Bruins 2005 record: 29-37-16 (74 points)

2005 offense rank: 24th (2.78 goals per game)

2005 defense rank: T-19th (3.15 goals allowed per game)

Key Additions: D Zdeno Chara, C Marc Savard, RW Shean Donovan, LW Jeff Hoggan, LW Petr Tenkrat, RW Mark Mowers, D Paul Mara

Key Losses: G Andrew Raycroft, D Nick Boynton, RW Tom Fitzgerald, D Hal Gill, C Travis Green, RW Brad Isbister, LW Dan LaCouture, D Brian Leetch, LW Shawn McEachern

Overview: The best word to describe the Boston Bruins’ 2004-2005 season might be tumultuous. Joe Thornton, the face of the franchise, was traded away in late November, followed closely by Sergei Samsonov. The departure of these two players, along with the near player mutiny that soon followed, led the Bruins to a last-place finish in the Northeast Division. New GM Peter Chiarelli quickly put his stamp on the Bruins this offseason by signing monster defensemen Zdeno Chara away from Ottawa and centerman Marc Savard from Atlanta. Chara gives the Bruins a true No. 1 defender, while Savard is a smooth playmaker who should help the Bruins improve their 24th-ranked offense. D Paul Mara adds depth on the blue line and will also provide another weapon on the power play, which was a dismal 25th in the NHL last season. G Hannu Toivonen was the Bruins’ No. 1 goalkeeper until he suffered an ankle injury in early January. The Bruins were so impressed with Toivonen that they traded former Calder Trophy winner Raycroft. Toivonen will also benefit from the added presence of Chara and Mara on defense.

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WagerWeb.com odds : +5000 to win the Stanley Cup

Players to Watch: Chara is a 6-foot-9 monster who can dominate the blue line and also jump into the offensive attack. Savard scored 28 goals and had 69 assists for Atlanta last year, and needs to be just as productive for the Bruins. Toivonen was superb in the 20 games he played during the season, but has yet to complete a full season in the league. LW Marco Sturm scored 23 goals in 51 games after arriving from San Jose in the Thornton trade, and could be a 40-goal scorer.

Outlook: Boston’s defense was significantly upgraded with the addition of Chara, and its offense will also improve with the addition of Savard and a full season of Sturm. Even with these additions, the Bruins still have a lot of work to do to catch Ottawa and Buffalo in the Northeast Division. Boston finished last in the division in 2005, 16 points behind Toronto, and many sportsbooks project another last-place finish for the Bruins.

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