We’ve made it folks!
So if you’re not a Bruins fan you might kick rocks.
Defenseman Derek Forbort joined them.
The B’s will miss his speed and tenacity (when he was on).
All the best to him as he changes his scenery and moves closer to home.
Heinen made the most of his PTO and cashed in on a 2 year deal with the Canucks.
Can’t blame him.
Linus Ullmark got dealtbefore the draft to Ottawa for a 1st round pick, Mark Kastelic and Joonas Korpisalo.
More on that later.
JVR is a Barstool guy, glad he found a home in Columbus.
Jakub Lauko was a (albeit niche) fan favorite, he was dealt to Minnesota.
So, lots of new faces this year.
While Lindholm isn’t a true No.
Pasta get’s his center and Zacha will be able to open up more offensively.
I think we’re going to defend extremely well.
Are we going to get the offense we’d like?
I mean, that remains to be seen.
I mean, we know who can produce.
We just will still need some guys to step up offensively.
You know… our power play… we talked about that.
It slipped a little bit in the last half of last year.
I think he likes to play there…., so we’ll see how that goes.
But I feel like we’re a strong contender if weve got our full lineup.
Pasta put up 47 goals, 63 assists for 110 points in 82 games last year.
He stayed healthy too, second straight year he played all 82 games.
Brad Marchand had not one, not two, but THREE offseason surgeries.
One on his groin, one on his elbow and one on his abodomen.
Marchand is a workhorse and should get up to speed rather quickly though.
Like Lindholm, I think Coyle will be just as important this year.
He’s a good No.
2 center but an even better No.
If the Bruins can find away to acquire a true No.
2, I would love it.
Both he and Marchand are dogs on the puck but I don’t think Geekie stays their linemate.
The most interesting line and maybe the most fun to watch?!
is the current makeup of the third line with Max Jones, Trent Frederic and Justin Brazeau.
Three BIG boys who aren’t afraid to go and muck it up.
He is practicing in a non-contact sweater.
Couple different options for the kid.
I’m really excited to see how he fares in year 2, though.
Something to keep an eye on.
New faces on the 4th line with Mark Kastelic and Cole Koepke who join Johnny Beecher.
Beecher slides from center to left wing, but he’ll be key for faceoffs should Kastelic get booted.
Again, another line that may not stick together.
Especially with Tyler Johnson (PTO) in limbo.
Like I said, some moving pieces here in the bottom six.
Riley Tufte is available but will most likely be sent down once Poitras is cleared.
Every single member of the back end is above 6 feet and all heavier than 190 pounds.
The Bruins got manhandled at times by the Panthers and they addressed that this summer.
Peeke is no slouch when it comes to punishing people, either.
It starts with 73, though.
Mason Lohrei the Bayou Boy made strides towards the end of last year and the playoffs.
I love his creativity and his reach.
You just hope he doesn’t put himself in bad situations and take too many penalties.
Really my only gripe when it comes to him but its just growing pains.
He’ll start paired with Carlo who is a steady stay at home defenseman in his own right.
I really, really love this defense.
Just hope the Bruins can win games 1-0.
Parker Wotherspoon and Ian Mitchell are waiting in the wings barring any injuries.
GOALIES:
Jeremy Swayman had quite a dramatic negotiation but all that noise is behind him now.
Time for him to deliver as the No.
1 goalie for the B’s.
66 million reasons to play hockey, but all he wants to do is lift Lord Stanley’s Cup.
Brandon Bussi cleared waivers and will head to Providence.
Should Korpisalo falter, Bussi will be right there.
ODDS:
Stanley Cup odds…
Atlantic Division odds…
Odds via DraftKings
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Now, like I said, I live in a state of delusional and rainbows and butterflies.
Every year I buy into this team.
But that’s the beauty of sports, how great is it to love something so much?
I sent this text to Grinnelli and Feits this morning.
Do I send this text every year?
You’re god damn right I do.
Let’s go win a cup.
It’s a great night to win a hockey game.
