Our Boston Bruins, Will small changes be enough?

Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Now that the dust has settled on the 2013-14 Bruins season, management is left with the unenviable task of figuring out who will stay and who will go. During their usual media exit meeting, it was mentioned that there may be changes in store but not of the large variety because they like their team. Even though there was a lot to like about this years team, there were also some “weaknesses” that became apparent in the Post season.

Problem number one being their lack of speed to compete with the Montreal’s of this League.

Problem number two (or perhaps 1A) was their lack of ability to “finish”, IE not having a true sniper on staff.

Problem number three, (which has been a problem off and on for years now) quality depth on Defense. Losing Dennis Seidenberg was a huge loss that they couldn’t make up for.

So how do they add speed without changing the team too much?

Well that wouldn’t mean trading Brad Marchand, who worked very hard at driving fans crazy on an almost nightly basis by taking stupid penalties (64 mins in Regular season, 18 mins in 12 Playoff games). Unless they could get an equally fast Winger in return.

So how do they add more “Finishers” or Snipers without changing the team too much?

It sounds like they would like Jarome Iginla to return but he isn’t a pure goal scorer anymore and didn’t make enough of a difference in this Playoff season to propel the B’s into the next round. I would like him back but not on the top line and certainly not for $6m.

Here is a short list of Free Agent Forwards to consider:

Mike Cammalleri (C/LW)-26G, 19A, 45P, in 63 games.

Jussi Jokinen (LW)- 21G, 36A, 57P, in 81 games.

Ryan Callahan (RW)- 17G, 19A, 36P, in 65 games.

Matt Moulson (LW)- 23G, 28A, 51P, in 75 games.

Thomas Vanek (LW/RW)- 27G, 41A, 68P, in 78 games.

So how do they improve the defense without changing the team too much?

Besides the return of a healthy Seidenberg, I do expect the B’s to make a change or two on “D”. This is an area that has been in dire need of attention from Peter Chiarelli and I’m not referring to adding another number seven D-man.

It has been rumored that they may trade Adam McQuaid,which is all well and good but who will they add?

With a new GM in Vancouver will they still be able to acquire Alex Edler?

Here is a short list of Free Agent Defenseman to consider:

Nikita Nikitin (Left shot)- 2G, 13A, 15P, in 66 games.

Anton Stralman (Right shot)- 1G, 12A, 13P, in 81 games.

Kyle Quincey (Left shot)- 4G, 9A, 13P, in 82 games.

I have no idea what the Bruins will come up with for improvements but I for one can’t wait to find out. Personally I think more than one or two changes need to occur. I know what I would do, what would you do?  Go B’s!