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Three things that should be on the Bruins Christmas List

By Scott Roche

TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 26: Head coach Bruce Cassidy of the Boston Bruins reacts during the first period against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 26, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 26: Head coach Bruce Cassidy of the Boston Bruins reacts during the first period against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 26, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – JANUARY 30: Craig Smith #15 of the Nashville Predators skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on January 30, 2020 in Newark, New Jersey. The Predators defeated the Devils 6-5 in the shoot-out. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – JANUARY 30: Craig Smith #15 of the Nashville Predators skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on January 30, 2020 in Newark, New Jersey. The Predators defeated the Devils 6-5 in the shoot-out. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

2. Secondary scoring

One of the more well-known struggles for the Bruins last season was secondary scoring behind their top line. First-line right wing David Pastrnak tied Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals for the Maurice Rockey Richard Award as the leading goal-scorer in the league with 48. Add in Pasta’s 47 assists and he led the team with 95 points in 70 games.

First-line left wing Brad Marchand was second on the team in scoring with 28 goals and 59 assists for 87 points. Center Patrice Bergeron had 31 goals and 25 assists in 61 games. When the Perfection Line was rolling, there was not a better line in the NHL.

Unfortantuley for the Bruins, they did get much behind the top line in terms of production. A trade deadline deal for Ondrej Kase from Anaheim Ducks did not supply the production that Sweeney had hoped.

In free agency, Sweeny passed on Tyler Toffoli, who ended up signing with Montreal Canadiens. Taylor Hall was another free agent that would have helped to put a dent in the secondary scoring woes, but he ended up signing with the Buffalo Sabres for one-year at $8 million. That was too steep for the Bruins to match.

Instead, Sweeney signed former Nashville Predator right wing Craig Smith. In five of his nine seasons with the Predators, Smith has been a 20-goal scorer and he is more than capable of being a consistent 20-30 goal scorer, which would go a long way in helping the Bruins beyond their top line.

Related Story. Craig Smith could be a bargain free agent signing for the Bruins. light

Jake DeBrusk was re-signed to a two-year bridge deal to return to the second line with David Krejci. Kase or Smith will most likely join them on the right side and hopefully, either one can help fill an opening void with secondary scoring.

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