Team Preview: Boston Bruins

2010-2011: 103 points, 3rd in Eastern Conference, 1st in Northeast Divsion, Stanley Cup champions
Key additions: W Benoit Pouliot
Key departures: D Tomas Kaberle, F Mark Recchi

Why they'll contend: The Stanley Cup belongs to the Boston Bruins until June of 2012 and there's no reason to think they can't reclaim it. The Bruins were pretty quiet in the off-season with most of the adieu being made of Tomas Kaberle's departure. Kaberle was quiet in Boston, at times struggling, but a full season in Boston may have done wonders. Instead he bolted for Carolina and the Bruins are left with a very similar roster to 2011 which could pose a problem. The Bruins hunger will be the biggest issue: will they be able to re-create the magic from this past year? The Bruins are still as solid as anyone defensively, with Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenburg anchoring a very promising blue line. Tuukka Rask may be leaned on more in the coming season as Tim Thomas ages and is coming off a season where he played 82 games between the regular season and the playoffs. Rask's play could go a long way in pushing the Bruins back to the top of the Northeast Division.

Tyler Seguin will need a big sophomore year in Boston.

Why they'll falter: The Bruins stayed quiet this off-season while Buffalo and Toronto most notably improved around them. Tim Thomas is aging...can he continue his Vezina-worthy form? Will the Bruins goal scoring deficiencies finally catch up to them? Despite having a similar roster to their Cup team from 2011, the Bruins still have some question marks. Mark Recchi's absence will be huge both on the ice and in the dressing room. Marc Savard's absence will catch up to them some day despite being very well-off at the center position. Tyler Seguin will need a big year up the middle, but is it realistic to expect huge things from a 19-year-old kid who put up just 22 points in his rookie campaign? The Bruins will definitely be intriguing to watch in 2012, but I do expect a slow start out of the gate.

2011-2012 PREDICTION: 6th in Eastern Conference
LEADING SCORER: Patrice Bergeron, 70 points
SURPRISE OF THE YEAR: Tuukka Rask earns the starting job after Tim Thomas struggles out of the gate.

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