Hockey Team #4

As you already know, my favourite team is the Montreal Canadian. So because of that I can only hate Boston. I can still be objective when I talk about a hockey team no matter how bad I hate them when they play my team. The Bruins aren't an exception and I will make a fair overview of the Massachusetts's team. Therefore, let's determine if Boston upgraded in the offseason.

You know the drill, let's start with arrivals and departures for the Boston Bruins. Only one player was added to the team, Craig Smith. A good bottom 6 player who brings some points and some physicality to the table. A great addition to the Bruins. Adding offensive depth is always something positive for a team and Boston did it by signing Smith. Joakim Nordstrom left for Calgary which is mainly a saving for the Boston Bruins' salary cap. The only other loss, and it's a big one, is Torey Krug. The small-scale defenceman proved the last 6-7 years to be one of the best at his position. One of the smartest players at defence decided to go with the St. Louis Blues. His arrangement with St. Louis will certainly leave a hole at the Bruins' blue line. Plus, the fact that we still don't know if the captain, Zdeno Chara, and goaltender, Tuukka Rask, will be back with the team put a big question mark on the defensive aspect of one of the contenders to win the Stanley cup for nearly the past 10 years.

Moving on to the line-up. When we think Boston Bruins, we think of one of the best lines in the NHL. Pastrnak-Bergeron-Marchand are one of if not the most complete first line around the National Hockey League. One of the best snipers (Pasta), one of the best versatile center (Bergeron) and a player who brings toughness, speed plus has a lot of good offensive quality (Marchand). At hem, you add David Krejci and Charlie Coyle, two good second line players. Jake Debrusk is on the verge to become a great asset for Boston. He fits perfectly with their playing style. He is big and disturb the enemy team with his hard body checks. After those players it's becoming a little harder to find players who can make a difference. They have great players don't get me wrong, but we are beginning to see some downside of being a competitive team for so long. They got good players in Kuraly, Kase, Ritchie and Bjork, but personally I think it lacks some elements to be the dangerous Boston Bruins of the last couple years. If they're lucky, Jack Studnicka and Jakub Lauko will reach the NHL team sooner than later, but until then there are some missing pieces at the offence. Defensively, they got a lot weaker with Krug's loss. Brando Carlo and Charlie McAvoy are two great defenceman but the other four who complete the Bruins blue line is nothing dreamy. The only one I can see make big improvements is Jérémy Lauzon and it's far from certain. He is a good young player, but I don't know if he is ready to play a bigger part for Boston. Two of the D-Line who played for Providence last year could also step up their game and get themselves a spot in the big league. Urho Vaakanainen and Jakub Zboril are great prospects with a bright future ahead of them if they can reach their potential. Some doubt is still hanging over the goalies. Will Tuukka honour is contract or will he retire. If he doesn't come back will Jaroslav Halak can be the number one goalie for a shorter season? And if so, will he be able to bring good performances in the playoffs? One thing is certain for me, we are still in the dark concerning whether or not the Big Bad Bruins will be contenders for 2021.

The last bit of the last paragraph nearly answered the most important question. Where are standing the Boston Bruins after the last offseason? With the information we have at this moment. Which is that Boston will be in a Northeast-Atlantic Division with New Jersey, both of New York teams, Buffalo, Detroit, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. I can see them making the playoff since their division is weak/inexperienced. But I really don't see them going far, probably out in the first round. Though, something I learned is to never underestimate the Bruins.

ML