Boston Bruins Preview: Team looking for vengeance in 2019-20 season

After a crushing blow in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals, the Boston Bruins look to write a new chapter, perhaps with a better ending. 

You can now officially thank Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney.

The fourth year GM was stuck in one of the biggest financial dilemmas he has yet faced. That was re-signing two of Boston’s best defensemen Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo.

The pair were huge pieces to their Cup run last season, and their youth only makes them more irreplaceable. With that, Sweeney getting the deals done at the costs that he did might have just made him the NHL’s biggest offseason winner.

Charlie McAvoy was finally signed Monday morning, inking a 3 year, 14.7 million dollar deal.

Considered a “bridge-contract” that would get him to the prime of career, McAvoy knew taking a less-worthy deal would keep the Bruins core together.

Same goes for Brandon Carlo, once parameters were met with McAvoy, the Bruins had their remains to give to the 22-year-old Carlo.

This sped up the process, and a deal was struck just two days later. Two years, with a cap hit of 2.85 million per season.

You might be asking yourself how the B’s are paying two of their most valuable pieces a combined 8 million dollars for the year.

Mentioned before, the two realize what’s at stake.

Boston Bruins win in now approach

With aging veteran stars like Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, David Krejci, and Zdeno Chara, the time to win is now. In a very difficult Atlantic Division, the Bruins margin for error is far slimmer than most other teams. The Lightning, Maple Leafs, and Bruins set sight at another quest for the division title.

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With the band finally all together, head coach Bruce Cassidy aims to get ready for a fast approaching season.

Rumor around the block is that prospect Jack Studnicka could be fighting for a roster spot. The 20-year-old has shown flashes of stardom for the Niagara Ice Dogs (OHL) and in Providence late last year. In just 30 games a year ago with Niagara, Studnicka posted an absurd 49 points, totaling 24 goals and 25 assists. It will be interesting to see whether the Bruins give him a shot early, or return him to the minors.

Other than that the Boston Bruins are carrying almost the same team as last year.

The departures being Marcus Johansson and Noel Acciari.

An addition being somewhat notable was signing forward Brett Ritchie from Dallas. He should be a fringe starting winger.

The Boston Bruins roll out with the lethal first line of Patrice Bergeron, David Pastrnak, and Brad Marchand. “The Perfection Line” were all but perfect in the last year’s playoffs, falling quiet in many games down the stretch where the team needed them most. But it’s hard to imagine they carry that burden into this seasons start.

Defense remains exactly the same with all returning players. Zdeno Chara and Charlie McAvoy will resume as the top pairing.

Brandon Carlo and Torey Krug, who meshed well together last season, will take the second pair. For the third, you’ll see a committee of Kevan Miller, Matt Grzelcyk, John Moore, and Connor Clifton mix and match as the season goes along.

A name to keep an extensive eye on is Urho Vaakanainen. A defensemen drafted with the 18th overall pick back in 2017. The Finnish product shows off to be another Boston Bruins top prospect.

He tallied only 2 career NHL games last year before being concussed. The injury would end his rookie campaign. But his road to the NHL was shorter than most, which gives a sign that Bruins really like his skillset.

Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak tandem the goal crease. Halak complimented Rask better than any of his former backups. This generated the most workload taken off of Tuukka in the regular season since named the starting goaltender. A reason of why No. 40 was playing his best postseason to date. It’s hard to imagine the Bruins change this approach after working so well last year.

Opening night is just over two weeks away versus the Dallas Stars. The first four games are all against non-Eastern Conference teams. A west coast road trip to start the year?

Yeesh, the NHL is not doing a favor here. The pain of losing a Finals Game 7 leads most fans to think that the “Black and Gold” will come out hungrier than ever.

Do you think the Boston Bruins get their vengeance?