What's Next for the Boston Bruins?

The 2009-2010 season for the Boston Bruins was filled with up and downs. They were very inconsistent in the regular season, but they finished strong entering the playoffs. They determined their No. 1 goalie, Tuukka Rask, and they surged into the playoffs.

Once in the playoffs, the Bruins appeared to be a different team. They were playing like the 2008-2009 Bruins, who had the best record in the Eastern Conference. The B's dominated the best goalie in the world, Ryan Miller, and knocked off the Buffalo Sabers in a significant upset. 

Boston rode their momentum into the second round where they would play the No. 7 Philadelphia Flyers. With momentum going their way, the B's, as we know, jumped to a 3-0 series lead. And, you know the rest.

Myself, as a Bruins fan, can say that I am over "the collapse," enough that I am able to discuss it.

As we all know, consistency killed Boston this year. So, what's next for the Boston Bruins?

First, let me just point out that the Bruins led the league in GOA, but they were at the bottom with goals scored; that needs to change. 

The Bruins have two quality goaltenders, Tuukka Rask and Tim Thomas, and both have proved that they can play in the post-season. It would be ideal that Bruins' General Manager, Peter Chiarelli could move Tim Thomas, who is the older one, for a potential goal scorer.

Well, that doesn't look like it's going to happen due to the fact that Tim Thomas just under went back surgery, so his stock value has dropped a bit. Making a move that includes Thomas still can happen, but not until later in the 2010-2011 season. 

But, keeping Thomas isn't a bad idea. I truly believe that he could be a very solid back-up on a Stanley Cup contending team, so it will be interesting in seeing what Chiarelli will do. 

Obviously, there needs to be changes made to this Bruins squad. It's just this simple: They have no goal scorers. The Bruins might have the best platoon of centers in the NHL with Patrice Bergeron, Marc Savard, and David Krejci. If you put a few play-making wingers on their sides, then the Bruins' offense will change tremendously. 

One way Boston can bring in a goal-scorer is via free agency, but another way, is the draft. And as we all know, the Bs are in for a treat. From looking at multiple mock drafts, the Boston Bruins with the second overall pick will be selecting Taylor Hall. 

Taylor Hall is an outstanding forward with tremendous talent and endless potential. He might not affect the team right away, but he will definitely be a cornerstone of the franchise if Chiarelli plays his cards right and Hall stays healthy. 

For the blue-liners: They're pretty solid, well, maybe not Dennis Wideman. I'm sorry if anyone of you are Wideman fans, but he sucks. He is vastly overrated and his minutes need to be cut majorly, or he just needs to be moved.

Wideman lacks mobility while defending the break away, and he isn't physical enough in front of the net. Other than Wideman, the Bruins defense-man are pretty good: Zdeno Chara, Johnny Boychuk, Marc Stuart, and Dennis Seidenberg. 

Look Bruins fans, I am a fan too, a die-hard. I live and die with this team come playoff time; nothing beats the "Battle for the Cup." I have accepted the fact that I shouldn't be mad at this Bruins team; they weren't even supposed to be there.

They struggled all year long, and they just caught fire all at once. We just didn't know when it was coming to an end, and it just happened to end in the worst possible way. It's not like the Bruins didn't lose four in a row in the regular season; they did that multiple times. 

What I'm trying to say is that here in Boston, we have a great future ahead of us and last year was just maybe a bridge year. No need to be disgruntled or upset, let's just look foward to Tuukka Rask, David Krejci, and possibly Taylor Hall leading the Bs to the Stanley Cup for years to come.