Boston Bruins 2016-2017 Regular Season Preview

Do the Boston Bruins need to make the playoffs for this season to be a success?

The Boston Bruins had a very disappointing season last year by not making the playoffs for the second year in a row. Will they be able to turn it around this year with some help from some young talent?

There were many questionable moves made like the acquisition of forward Zac Rinaldo for a third round pick in the 2017 NHL Draft. Rinaldo was a 6th round pick in the 2008 draft and only had eight goals, 24 points and 572 Penalty Minutes in the time he was traded to the the Bruins. So why would the Bruins trade a 3rd round pick for a 6th, I think it was because they thought that the player would be able to bring some of the grit back that the team lost with the loss of Shawn Thornton. But luckily for us Bruins fans they have released Rinaldo to Waivers.

The Bruins also recently re-signed top 6 forward Brad Marchand to and eight year $49 million dollar contract (Average annual value of 6.125 million) beginning with the 2017-18 season. This is a good/bad signing for the Bruins yes I like that they are keeping Marchy but that means he is here until he is 35, I understand that he came off a career high season and that is a good time to negotiate a contract but I think it is a little to long cause we all know what happened with Marc Savard.

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Now to this upcoming season, I believe that the Bruins have a very good chance to make the playoffs with all of the offensive talent the team has, especially with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand coming off of career years: but what worries me is their defense. Yes, they have a solid defense but what they do not have is a top 2/4 shutdown d-man.

Some may argue that Zdeno Chara is still a top 4 D but that is only if he does play to many minutes in the regular season, which means that he belongs nowhere near the powerplay.

Chara is a very effective d-man in his own zone which makes him a great guy to have on the penalty kill. He should not be on both the P-kill and the power play units.

I do not know why Claude Julien puts Chara on the powerplay, the guy does not move that well, if the Bruins need a heavy shot on the point then put David Backes and if you need a big body in front, well then isn’t that what the Bruins acquired Jimmy Hayes for?

The Boston Bruins also have many new faces like Dominic Moore, Riley Nash, and David Backes who all happen to be centers: this is where my line predictions will become a little more difficult but I still think they will bring something to the Bruins.

I also would say to not be shocked if Matt Grzelcyk out of Boston University, is called up if the Bruins run into some injury issues.

These lines are subject to change due to injuries the Bruins currently have as well as other roster transactions.

Forwards:

Marchand-Bergeron-Spooner

Beleskey-Krejci-Pastrnak

Hayes-Backes-Nash/Czarnik**

Heinen-Moore-Acciari

Defense:

Chara-Carlo

Krug-Morrow/McQuaid*

Liles-C.Miller/K.Miller*

O’Gara

Goaltenders:

Rask

Khudobin

*Adam McQuaid and Kevin Miller are currently injured, as well as

**Austin Czarnik, who was wearing a red shirt at practice which means no contact.

Next: Bruins Assign players to waivers

The Boston Bruins kick of their season Thursday October 13th at 7pm on the road against the Columbus Blue Jackets. For the latest Bruins information check back daily here on Chowder and Champions.

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