Plus/Minus: Boston Bruins Predictions for the 2015-2016 Season

Sep 24, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center Zac Rinaldo (36) skates in the defensive zone during the third period against the New York Rangers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

The weekly “Plus/Minus” segment will review the top (plus) three and bottom (minus) three Bruins players, coaches, management decisions, or anything else that has anything to do with the Bruins.

Pluses

Zac Rinaldo– As I’ve said before, I feel like I’m the only one who liked the addition of Rinaldo. Sure the third round pick to acquire him was a bit much, but with the Bruins stockpiling prospects this past off season, the decision to move the pick became an easy one. He will bring the nasty back to the Bruins that was greatly lacking last season.

As long as he can keep from going over the edge and staying out of the penalty box, he will quickly become a fan favorite. His speed and presence on the ice will influence opposing defenders into mistakes turning those into opportunities for the Bruins offensively.

Sep 20, 2015; Providence,RI, USA; Boston Bruins center Ryan Spooner (51) warms up prior to a game against the New Jersey Devils at the Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Spooner– The 23-year-old center finally made a significant enough impact at the NHL level last season to warrant an extension with the Bruins during the off season. He is the most gifted offensive center on the Bruins roster and that’s saying a lot since David Krejci isn’t a slouch in that department.

He will even lead the Bruins in points this season as long as he can develop chemistry quickly with his new line-mates Brett Connolly and Jimmy Hayes, as well as, continuing to get ice time on the power play unit. The new-look Bruins third line could potentially be a huge match-up problem for opposing teams if Spooner can replicate his production in his brief stint with the Bruins last season.

Sep 28, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Colin Miller (48) shoots the puck on goal during the first period against the Detroit Red Wings at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Colin Miller– The young defenseman looked like a great return for Milan Lucic during the off season with his fantastic play during the preseason. He has the ability to shoot the puck, break out of the defensive zone with ease and showed the awareness to play well defensively that was presumed to be a glaring weakness for him.

With the logjam of bottom pairing defensemen on the Bruins roster, he most likely won’t be a full-time player for the Bruins this season, but he will show enough in the time he gets on the ice to warrant a position on the roster next season, eventually making Torey Krug expendable.

Next: Minuses