Get pumped Bruins Nation!

Jun 19, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Fans pass a large Boston Bruins flag around the arena bowl before game four of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final against the Chicago Blackhawks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

With the Bruins training camp a short five weeks away, and opening night just two months away, it’s time to forget about the sun and start to focus on the best sport on Earth. The Bruins will start to gather back in New England. They’ll catch up, reminisce on last season, and then get down to work. The Bruins will integrate new players into the squad as they likely go for another deep run for the Cup.

The new Krejci line will be an exciting draw. With Nathan Horton moving on to Columbus, we’ll have the services of Jarome Iginla this season. We traded one likely Hall of Famer for a guaranteed Hall of Famer. Iginla will have the ferocity of Milan Lucic, and the skill set of David Krejci. The new Bruins front line will be devastating when it takes the ice against Tampa Bay on October 3rd.

The Bergeron line will also improve with the arrival of Loui Eriksson from Dallas. While we gave up the future potential of a player like Tyler Seguin, the Black and Gold are getting a thirty goal scorer in the here and now. Brad Marchand led the team in scoring last season, and his maturation from team pest to an all-around player was not only needed last season but greatly welcome. Patrice Bergeron, what else can you say about a man who can manipulate time and space better than a theoretical physicist.

The Merlot Men will be back again, out to dominate on the ice (with likely frequent visits to the sin bin). Daniel Paille had an incredible year last year and he could be promoted up for his efforts. We all know and felt what Gregory Campbell did for the team in the playoffs. His stand against the Penguins playing with a broken leg defined what it meant to be a warrior on the ice. Shawn Thornton will be his usual be everywhere and punch anyone self. If Campbell’s leg is healed in time for training camp, we’ll have three powerful lines ready to go.

The defense situation will also look like an improvement. Dougie Hamilton will be ready to take the ice full time this season, and other younger players like Torey Krug and Matt Bartkowski will be able to generate a lot of sparks on the blue line. Captain Zdeno Chara will be getting the new defensemen ready with the coaching staff, and we could have a serious one hundred point plus season on our hands.

It’s going to be Tuukka time again in Boston, and that means the clocks will be set to awesome.  While he was robbed (in my humble opinion) of a Vezina nomination last season, he should easily be a finalist this year if he plays with the same intensity he did in 2013.

My only concerns are who will end up being the third line (if Paille and Campbell don’t get promoted), and who the official #2 goalie will be for Boston. Then again, they’ve got two months to figure that out. It’s hard not to get excited. August is about to arrive, and then it’s training camp and scrimmages in September, and the big dance starting October 3rd. Get pumped Bruins Nation, hockey is almost here.