Bruins
‘I nonetheless count on the identical factor from them.’
Loads of questions encompass the 2023-24 Bruins after an offseason full of wage cap struggles and the retirement of longtime star Patrice Bergeron.
After their Stanley Cup desires have been crushed by the Florida Panthers final season, some count on the Bruins to have a down yr with out the previous captain and Selke Trophy winner.
Bergeron disagrees.
In an interview with NHL.com’s Hugues Marcil, Bergeron mentioned that even with out himself and probably with out David Krejci, who’s rumored to retire alongside Bergeron, he nonetheless believes Boston will probably be robust to beat.
“I nonetheless count on the identical factor from them,” Bergeron informed Marcil. “I’ve received plenty of confidence within the gamers who’re on the group for the time being. I’ve received plenty of confidence within the gamers who’re on the group for the time being. There’s a great combine. Some guys have been in Boston for a number of years now, they usually know run issues and get the brand new guys to get on the identical web page as them and to play the Bruins’ fashion. I’m anticipating a great season from them.”
The Bruins went all in to win the Stanley Cup within the 2022-23 season, forcing them to ditch giant contracts like Taylor Corridor’s and miss out on re-signing free brokers like Tyler Bertuzzi.
On paper, the 2023-24 Bruins have a a lot weaker lineup than the group that preceded it, significantly up entrance. Boston had an opportunity to make use of the upcoming season as a rebuilding yr, giving alternatives to youthful gamers because it awaits elevated cap house in the summertime of 2024. Don Sweeney and firm opted towards that, signing veterans to low-end offers with hopes of competing.
Even with the additions of Milan Lucic, James van Riemsdyk, and Morgan Geekie up entrance, in addition to Kevin Shattenkirk on the backend, Boston’s opening night time roster feels underwhelming. However the entrance workplace appears to place confidence in its returning gamers. So does Bergeron.
“It’s a group that, yearly, finds a strategy to play the identical,” Bergeron mentioned.
If Krejci does determine to hold up the skates, Charlie Coyle and Pavel Zacha look to be the Bruins’ high two facilities to begin the season. Each have the potential to excel in these spots, however they’ll have to play confidently and achieve consistency on the ice.
Coyle, particularly, could have his work reduce out for him trying to interchange top-of-the-line two-way facilities within the NHL. Thankfully, he’s coming off one among his finest years of two-way hockey since getting into the league in 2012. He recorded 45 factors (16G, 29A) in 82 video games and had a plus-minus score of +29, by far the best mark of his profession. Coyle additionally tied his profession excessive in blocked photographs with 63.
Zacha slotted into the second heart spot final season throughout Krejci’s harm and if he resumes that function, he’s prone to play alongside van Riemsdyk since Corridor’s departure. The 26-year-old heart has loads of offensive upside, coming off a 57-point (21G, 36A) yr final season.
The Bruins’ backside six forwards lack offensive firepower, however sturdy protection and goaltending might assist mitigate that. Boston retained a majority of its defensive core and likewise stored each Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman on for subsequent season.
If the Bruins need to compete once more in 2023-24, they’ll have to depend on their protection and hope to get sturdy contributions from forwards exterior of Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak. However a Bergeron seal of approval on this unit isn’t a foul begin.
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