The Bruins keep managing to keep their core intact while building a contender around them. Once again that’s just what they did. A strong season saw them finish second in the Atlantic Division and tied for second overall. In the playoffs they needed 7 games to knock off the Leafs for the second year in a row but it was smooth sailing from then on out. They came as close as you can to winning it all, losing in Game 7 to the Blues in the Stanley Cup Final.

Additions: Brett Ritchie, Par Lindholm

Subtractions: Marcus Johansson, Noel Acciari, Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson

Forwards:

The Bruins didn’t make many moves to their forward group, essentially swapping depth players for depth players and losing Trade Deadline acquisition Marcus Johansson. They still have one of the most dominant top lines in the league and the third best top-6 group.

Defense:

No changes on the back-end for the Bruins but more importantly is that they locked up both Brandon Carlo and Charlie McAvoy to new contracts. They’re the future of their blue line and both were signed at fair value.

Goalies:

Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak were one of the best goalie tandems in the league last season. Their 1A, 1B strategy gave Rask enough time off to be spectacular in the playoffs. With the same set up again this year, the Bruins have nothing to worry about in their crease.

The Point Prediction:

The Bruins continue to be a dominant team finishing 4th overall but this season the Leafs will surpass them, forcing them to finish 3rd overall in the Atlantic Division. They’re in a stacked division so the slightest miscue can put them in a dangerous situation.

 

(Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)