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
The Bruins have finally put all the pieces together for the 2013-14 season. While some of us may not agree with who finally made the roster, and some people may lament the loss of certain players, we’ve finally got a team. So let’s take a quick look at the team.
The Bruins top line will be centered by our new alternate captain David Krejci. Milan Lucic will be on his wing, along with newcomer and future Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla. The second line will be held together again by Patrice Bergeron, and backed up by the “Little Ball of Hate” Brad Marchand, and Dallas acquisition Loui Eriksson. The struggling third line will try to stabilize this year under Chris Kelly, backed up by Carl Soderbergand Reilly Smith. The Merlot Men will be back in action as the best fourth line in the NHL. Centered by a healthy Gregory Campbell, Daniel Paille and Shawn Thornton are back and ready for business.
The blueliner situation has finally been cleaned up with Kevan Miller be put on waivers and sent down to Providence.(One more reason why the Providence Bruins will be the most dangerous team in the AHL.) In order to be cap ready, the Bruins (on paper at least) sent Torey Krug and Dougie Hamilton down to Providence, and placed Marc Savard on long-term injured reserve. This will be the last year of Savard’s contract with the Bruins.
Bruins captain Zdeno Chara and Johnny Boychuk will probably be the Bruins starting line tomorrow night. Behind them will be Dennis Seidenberg and Dougie Hamilton. The last pair of defensemen will be Torey Krug and Adam McQuiad, with Matt Bartkowski being the spare blueliner.
In the crease for Boston will be # 40 Tuukka Rask. Rask proved to the Bruins he was worth his contract, and he’ll be aiming for the Vezina this year. He’ll also be taking a solid shot at the Conn Smythe too. (Hey, it’s all too likely.) Backing him up will be Chad Johnson, and don’t be surprised if you see Niklas Svedberg stopping by every once in a while to check out the crease and see if he still fits in it.
The season opens up tomorrow night, Bruins Nation. Tampa Bay might be bringing the lightning, but the Bruins will be bringing the thunder.