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Boston Bruins News: Kevin Dean promoted, Zac Rinaldo traded

By Brendan Bettez

Feb 20, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Boston Bruins center Zac Rinaldo (36) skates in warm-ups prior to the game against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Bruins defeat the Stars 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Boston Bruins center Zac Rinaldo (36) skates in warm-ups prior to the game against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Bruins defeat the Stars 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the end of the Stanley Cup Final, the offseason has officially arrived with all sorts of Boston Bruins news and rumors.

The Boston Bruins announced on Tuesday that Kevin Dean is going to be their new assistant for the 2017-2018 season. Mark Divver of the Providence Journal gave a good summary of Dean’s experience with Cassidy and the Bruins organization.

"Dean was an assistant coach under Cassidy in Providence for five seasons from 2011 to 2016. A former NHL defenseman with New Jersey, Atlanta, Dallas and Chicago, Dean guided Providence to a 43-23-6-4 regular season. After beating Atlantic Division rivals Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Hershey in the Calder Cup playoffs, the P-Bruins reached the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2009 before losing to Syracuse."

After reading that I have two major takeaways from this hire.

1) This is yet another example of the Boston Bruins embracing the youth movement, as the addition of Dean to the big club’s staff provides another familiar face to young prospects making the jump from Providence.

As someone who firmly believes that developing prospects is the key to success in pro sports, this is exciting.

Must Read: Bruins Offseason Preview

2) Dean must have some chemistry with Cassidy after coaching together for 5 years. Generally chemistry is thought to be important between players, but don’t underestimate its impact on a coaching staff. When tough decisions have to be made it’s better to have someone you trust by your side.

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Overall, I give a thumbs up.

Zac Rinaldo will not be returning

Not exactly a surprise. From the day this trade happened it left people scratching their heads.

Just look at the reaction from Broad Street Hockey, SB Nation’s Flyers Page.

"A third-round pick for Zac Rinaldo. A THIRD ROUND PICK FOR ZAC RINALDO!Rinaldo was a fan favorite in Philly for a lot of reasons, but the reality is that he’s a below-replacement level player who has done nothing to prove that he deserves a regular job with an NHL team."

Not exactly rave reviews.

Rinaldo’s two seasons with the Bruins organization were subpar to say the least. He had 3 points in 59 games played in 2015-16, and this year he tallied 7 points in 29 games…for Providence.

Safe to say he will not be missed.

Next: Bruins Expansion Draft Preview

With the offseason heating up, make sure to keep it locked here at Chowder and Champions for even more Bruins news!

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