Offseason Review: Clock Continues To Tick On Aging Bruins Core
After another second round exit in the playoffs, the Boston Bruins had one of the busiest offseasons in the league. They capitalized on some cap space adding depth throughout their lineup. Most notably, they were able to retain the likes of Taylor Hall whom they acquired for dimes on the dollar at the trade deadline that year.
But will the added depth be enough to get them out of the second round? Or will they even make it to the postseason?
What happened in 2021?
All things considered, the Bruins had a fairly solid 2020-21 campaign. They posted a 33-16-7 record laniding them third spot in the East Division. They scored the 14th most goals in the league, while allowing just the fourth fewest. It was that defensive prowess that helped carry them into the second round of the playoffs.
Up front, Brad Marchand (29-40—69) scored the most points in the league for anyone not named Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl and was the engine for the Bruins offense. Patrice Bergeron (23-25—48), David Pastrnak (20-28—48) and David Krejci (8-36—44) all did their part to carry the load.
On the backend, Charlie McAvoy (5-25—30) took a massive step forward cementing himself as one of the best all around defensemen — a season that has since rewarded him with a massive eight-year, $9.5-million AAV that kicks in next season. Another deadline addition in Mike Reilly (0-8—8 in 15 games) was a big addition to the B’s backend in his own right.
In net, however, things were a little crazy. Tuukka Rask (15-5-2, .913 save%, 3.3 GSAA) carried the load before being sidelined after hip surgery, while Jaroslav Halak (9-6-4, .905 save%, -1.6 GSAA), Jeremy Swayman (7-3-0, .945 save%, 10 GSAA), and Daniel Vladar (2-2-1, .886 save%) did their parts, too.
What did they do in the off-season?
Notable Additions: Linus Ullmark, Nick Foligno, Erik Haula, Mike Reilly, Taylor Hall, Derek Forbort
Notable Subtractions: David Krejci, Jeremy Lauzon, Tuukka Rask, Jaroslav Halak
The Bruins, as mentioned before, were busy as can be. Ullmark was brought in to help soften the loss of Rask to surgery and an uncertain future as well as Halak, who left for Vancouver. The additions of vets in Foligno, Haula and Forbort will help only add to that depth throughout the roster.
Boston is a team who has took a step forward in terms of roster construction. Will it be enough to move them forward?
What to expect in 2021-22?
Back in a tough Atlantic Division, the Bruins should be able to fight their way to a top-four spot within the division. Florida, Tampa Bay and the Toronto Maple Leafs will surely be in that conversation, too. But what happens in the Metro could affect the Bruins, too.
Daily Faceoff’s Cam Lewis predicted earlier this month that they would finish third in the division behind the Panthers and Lightning, respectively.
One of the biggest questions for the Bruins this season will be if their goaltending can hold up. Swayman started game one of the season marking the first time in nine-years someone not named Tuukka Rask kicked off the season. Ullmark was a surprising bright spot on an awful Buffalo Sabres, and he should be able to help carry the load.
One bold prediction…
Taylor Hall reminds the league why he is a Hart Trophy winner. He won’t get back to an MVP-level campaign this year, but he will score a point-per-game pace on what will be one of the NHL’s most potent offences.
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