The Bear Awakens
October 15, 2008
"Starting off with a real healthy squad has convinced me that this team is a better team than last year," said Bruins Claude Julien. I have to agree with him. The addition of a healthy Patrice Bergeron has already made a significant impact in preseason play. GM Peter Chiarelli deserves a lot of credit for his development of a trio of youngsters - Blake Wheeler, Matt Lashoff and Matt Hunwick. These trio plus veterans Michael Ryder and Stephane Yelle have really set the tone for the most exciting Bruins training camp in recent memory.
"It all started when Peter came aboard, then Claude and Cam," said Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs. Mr. Jacobs went on to say that "we went from an old team to a young team management style. Like the [NFL's New England] Patriots we made the decision to build a better team over time." The Bruins have done a great job at adding youthful talent while at the same time maintaining a very competitive team that is one of the toughest to play against in the NHL. The Bruins will continue to feature an aggressive forechecking game and, with a healthy Bergeron, Blake Wheeler and Vladimir Sobotka, the Bruins finally have enough firepower to effectively counter-attack.
The Bruins were only one win from making the second round of the playoffs last year.
They have improved in three main areas.
1. Goaltending will be much improved when Manny Fernandez is finally completely healthy. Manny will be the No.2 to All-Star netminder Tim Thomas to form one of the NHL's best 1-2 tandems. Both goalies are aggressive and tend to be very flashy. Their hybrid butterfly-style relies on quickness and adaptability.
2. Scouting. Boston is now starting to attract players such as Wheeler, Yelle and Ryder. "I feel that Boston has turned the corner in terms of respect around the league," said Cam Neely.
3. Coaching. The man behind the bench continues to be a strength for the Bruins. Since Claude Julien's arrival, he has fostered a competitive and, ultimately, a unified environment. As it was last year - with the notable exceptions of Zdeno Chara, Patrice Bergeron, Marc Savard and Marco Sturm - few jobs have been "pre-won." Youth will once again be served and ability, not contract size, will be the determining factor in who makes the team. Julien has brought much needed structure (Julien's box-plus-one defensive formation is a good example) and has stressed teamwork, chemistry and selflessness since Day 1.
The Bruins still must make some difficult cuts. Said Julien "There are some young guys we haven't seen much and we'll give a last look to in these final games." He went on to say that "The reason we're this high in numbers at this late date is that there still are players who have been really impressive and deserved to stick around." Making matters tougher is that cap issues might force the Bruins to make a big trade. There has been talk of trading Marc Savard (though he has a no trade clause) for a No. 1 offensive minded defenseman, but this remains an unconfirmed rumor, although it has not been ruled out by the Bruins. Another candidate for the block is Peter Schaefer.
I asked Coach Julien how he felt about the play of Peter Schaefer and Julien said "that he was pleased with the play of Schaefer in the second half of last season and that he was approaching that level again before he got hurt again against the Detroit Red Wings." Despite Julien's continued faith in his abilities the fact is Schaefer finished they season with only 9 goals and at $2.1 million will have few takers. I feel that Schaefer may soon find himself released in order to make cap room for Blake Wheeler. This would allow the Bruins to retain their leading scorer Marc Savard and remain a couple of million under the cap which would allow Chiarelli some much need flexibility in the trade market.
In any case the 2008-09 Bruins will feature Norris finalist Zdeno Chara, two first class lines, two solid "blue-collar" lines, and, with the return of Albert Andrews, about four other NHL above-average defensemen and one very dependable goalie. The ownership has also committed more money than ever before and continues to make investments in the long-term success of the club both on and off the ice. Cam Neely confirmed that the Bruins management has discussed upgrading their current practice facilities in Wilmington. The Jacobs, Peter Chiarelli, Don Sweeney, Cam Neely and Claude Julien represent a formidable front office -- the equal of any in the NHL.
For the Bruins to take the next step towards winning sport's most difficult trophy, they must improve their ability to win the close games. Last year the Bruins were 18-21 in one-goal margins. Surprisingly, they were 12-7 in two-goal margins, including an amazing 7-1 mark (best in NHL) on the road. The record was a disappointing 11-13 in games decided by three goals or more. Game 6 against Montreal in the first round of the playoffs last season saw the return of the passion and power that once made the Bruins one of the most feared teams in the league. The Bear has awakened.
2008-09 Boston Bruins Roster
Goalies (3): Manny Fernandez, Tim Thomas, Tuukka Rask
Defensemen (9): Andrew Alberts, Zdeno Chara, Andrew Ference, Matt Lashoff, Shane Hnidy, Matt Hunwick, Mark Stuart, Aaron Ward, Dennis Wideman
Forwards (16): P.J. Axelsson, Patrice Bergeron, Phil Kessel, Chuck Kobasew, David Krejci, Milan Lucic, Peter Nokelainen, Jeremy Reich, Michael Ryder, Marc Savard, Peter Schaefer, Vladimir Sobotka, Marco Sturm, Shawn Thornton, Blake Wheeler*, Stephane Yelle - *denotes rookie.
Article first appeared in Rotowire 10/2/08
-Darryl Houston Smith
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