BT's 2009/10 NHL Season Preview: Boston Bruins

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It's finally here: The end is in sight.

After five weeks we've made it through the Central, the Atlantic, the Northwest, the Southeast, and the Pacific.

Now? We're simply left with the Northeast. And it looks like I've saved the hardest for last.

To be honest, there's no predetermined way that this division can finish. For many, Boston is a foregone conclusion to finish on top, but after that there are so many intricacies facing the teams that two through five is completely up for grabs.

Right now I feel like if I had done this division first I wouldn't have these questions, but then where would the fun come from?

Probably this. Although he uses the transition too often, it's still worth spending three months of your life doing.

Boston Bruins

2008/09 Record: 53-19-10, 116 points, First in East—Lost to Carolina Hurricanes in seven games in second round

Additions: Derek Morris—D (1 year/$3.3 mil), Steve Begin—F (1 year/$850k), Dany Sabourin—G (FA)

Subtractions: Stephane Yelle—F (FA), Shane Hnidy—D (FA), Steve Montador—D (FA), Manny Fernandez—G (FA), Peter Schaefer—F (FA), Phil Kessel—F (Trade w/Toronto), Aaron Ward—D (Trade w/Carolina), Patrick Eaves—F (FA), P.J. Aexelsson—F (FA)

The Boston Bruins took the league by storm last year with a slew of young scorers, a mobile and exciting defense, and a goalie whose style is electrifying.

Then they ran into a Carolina Hurricanes team that was simply winning in playoff style.

Mark Recchi has faith that the younger players on the Bruins will be better and that this team will be well-prepared to battle for the cup this upcoming season—otherwise he wouldn’t have resigned.

The faith from one of the most-respected NHL veterans and another year of experience for the young players could soon turn this into the Big, Bad, Bruin Crew.

Timmy T, Tuukka Rask, and the Prevention of the Tickled Twine…

There is not a person who follows the NHL that isn’t familiar with Tim Thomas’ name now.

After two solid (full) seasons in Boston that saw him net 30 and 28 wins respectively, the well-traveled netminder made his mark and proved that he belonged at the NHL level last year.

Not only did he lead qualifying netminders in save percentage and goals-against average, but Thomas lost the fewest games (11) in regulation of any goalie in the top fifteen in wins (Thomas had 36 wins in sixth place).

Based on that track record its no wonder Thomas won every conceivable piece of hardware for a goalie last year.

While Thomas is a very athletic (and very unorthodox) goaltender whose effectiveness was unquestioned last year, his age (35) and the fact that he only played in 54 games last season are detractors, no matter how minute.

It’s not to say that Thomas’ age will hinder him, because if his numbers stay in the 50-60-start range it’s very manageable for a goalie of his abilities. The Bruins are just fortunate that they have a goalie of Tuukka Rask’s abilities backing him up.

Unfortunately, there are more than a few players around the NHL that have Leafs’ fans holding their heads in dismay that they got away from the franchise. One of those is Rask.

Rask’s one start in the NHL last year was a shutout, he had a 2-1 record in the NHL the year before, and he’s looked outstanding in his AHL stints over the past two seasons.

Then with the way he’s played early in the preseason, Rask looks like a bona-fide starter in net for the Bruins, and Thomas’ age and Rask’s development may work perfectly in tandem, one day offering the B’s a seamless transition.

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