The Boston Bruins’ fortunes in 2008-09 will depend greatly on how well center Patrice Bergeron bounces back from a devastating concussion he suffered early last season. The 23-year-old played just 10 games last year, and after piling up 143 points the previous two seasons, his offensive contributions were greatly missed by the Bruins.
But Boston does have Marc Savard, who had 78 points last season and is still one of the most underrated playmakers in the NHL. He will likely play on a line with newcomer Michael Ryder, a UFA the Bruins signed over the summer. Ryder’s output dropped dramatically with the Montreal Canadiens last season – from 30 to 14 goals – and being teamed with Savard may be the spark he needs to rejuvenate his career.
The Bruins also boasts a pair of talented 20-year-olds in Milan Lucic and Phil Kessel, who are both primed for breakout campaigns.
The defense is anchored, literally and figuratively, by 6-9 blueliner Zdeno Chara, who is off to a slow start in training camp after undergoing shoulder surgery in the offseason, but who should be close to 100 per cent by the opening of the regular season.
In net, there likely will be more of a legitimate battle for the No. 1 spot this season with former Minnesota Wild stopper Manny Fernandez fighting with incumbent Tim Thomas. The Bruins acquired Fernandez, a bonafide No. 1 goalie, in a trade in 2007, but he missed almost the entire season last year (73 games) with a knee injury.
The Bruins are at staggering +3300 odds (33-1) to win the 2008-09 Stanley Cup in NHL future betting odds at Sportingbet.com. |
