Boston Bruins Preseason Team Analysis

Let's take a closer look at the boys from Beantown.

New Faces

Boston didn't do much this offseason, but they did manage to sign former Hab Michael Ryder. Ryder is coming off a sub-par season and his looking to bounce back with the Bruins. Michael had only 31 points in 70 games last year for Montreal.

Coming into last season Ryder had 113 points in 163 career games. Boston is hoping he returns to his former self. Other new faces include Blake Wheeler, Nate Thompson, and Martin St. Pierre.

Leaving Players

Headlining the departed in Boston is veteran forward Glen Murray who was bought out by the team after a season of struggles. Glen missed 19 games with a hip flexor and managed only 30 points in 63 games.

Murray spent 10 seasons with the Bruins spread out between 1992-1995 and 2001-2008. Also leaving is goalie Alex Auld, who signed a two-year deal with the Ottawa Senators. Glen Metropolit is gone as well as he signed with the Broad Street Bullies of Philadelphia.   

Forwards

Patrice Bergeron (if healthy) will be Boston's strongest forward. He'll receive help from the likes of Michael Ryder, Phil Kessal, Marco Strum, Peter Schaefer, and Marc Savard.

Defense

The top six D-men should include (not lines):

Chara

Widemen

Ward

Ference

Stuart

Alberts/Hnidy

Big man Zdeno Chara will once again lead his defense corp and should be helped by Dennis Widemen, Aaron Ward, and Andrew Ference.

Goaltenders

Manny Fernandez and Tim Thomas will have to show who deserves the starting job when training camp starts. Both of them are legitimate NHL goaltenders.

Captaincy

Captain: Zdeno Chara

Alternates: Patrice Bergeron

Team Management

General Manager: Peter Chiarelli

Head Coach: Claude Julien

Assistant Coaches: Doug Houda, Craig Ramsay, Geoff Ward

Goaltending Coach: Bob Essensa

Strength and Conditioning Coach: John Whitesides

Head Athletic Trainer: Don DelNegro