Predict the Bruins Regular Season Finish

[Jean_Jacket41]

One of the deepest forward group in the East.
Julien.
Bergeron.
Rask bouncing back from last year and playing like a 7M player.
Youngsters pushing for spots.

Bruins are getting in.

 

[ranold26]

As the roster stands.... miss the playoffs, no question.
You can bet that injuries and the D as is, will be the catalysts.

 

[RI.B FAN]

WE must remember that they missed the playoffs by 1 point. This team will be a bit faster and younger. THEY WILL GET IN!!!!!!!

 

[wintersej]

I think people remember the first few weeks and last few weeks of last season too vividly. It was a solid average playoff team 90% of the season. I think the upside of the youth more than counteracts the downside of Chara regressing further and the team will be better this season.

 

[radmcfad]

This year management will be pushing hard for a playoff finish, or else.

Desperation will set in quickly.

They'll make it.

 

[BklyNBruiN]

I think they'll make it in by a point or 2. (More like I hope they get in )

 

[ODAAT]

WE must remember that they missed the playoffs by 1 point. This team will be a bit faster and younger. THEY WILL GET IN!!!!!!!

faster is great, younger is nice to see but guarantees little, going to be some growing pains.

I`m interested/scared about how fans here will react this season with what looks to be some kids playing, making mistakes etc....

Most important player for this team, and by a landslide IMO is Rask, he absolutely has to steal more games this year than he has in the past

 

[KnightofBoston]

faster is great, younger is nice to see but guarantees little, going to be some growing pains.

I`m interested/scared about how fans here will react this season with what looks to be some kids playing, making mistakes etc....

Most important player for this team, and by a landslide IMO is Rask, he absolutely has to steal more games this year than he has in the past

He needs to have a 2010 type seasonwhere he saves the team's bacon

 

[TheBigBadB]

Golfing in April, but hopefully with a big step taken for next season

 

[CBove1]

"Bridge Year" -- lots of Tuukka breaking his goalie stick over the crossbar after another one goes in. Tenth place, 89 points.

 

[Sheppy]

Golfing in April, but hopefully with a big step taken for next season

This.

 

[Fenian24]

3rd in division, even with the disgusting lack of grit and toughness. I'm not on the Florida band wagon. I think the progress they made was damaged by the shake ups this off season and I think they will struggle to make the playoffs as the wildcard. Tampa, Montreal, Boston. Florida and my dark horse Ottawa competing with Philly, Islanders and Rangers for the wildcards.

 

[pierre gagnon*]

I am more optimistic then a few weeks ago. I say they make it to the wild card spot. The rookies have been good sparks for each pairing or line. Khobodin the ruskey timmy is back. The health of Krejci and if a big if they can limit Chara's icetime and use he wisely.

For Chara no PP, play the PK he can do that really well. Do not handle the puck a lot, be the inner Lidstrom you can be, poke check and move it faster, don't pinch. He still is a physical presence but his foot speed has dimished. In a perfect world he would be on the 2nd pairing or at least not the top guy right now. He played that way for Europe and was good. The coach was smart but used him perfectly.

All depends on how Claude will coach them. They have more speed than last year and can play a quicker up tempo game. New assistant coaches can work with the youngers guys and bring new ideas in.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

Chara's age cannot be understated IMO.

Any incremental improvements to the defense as a whole are compromised by the continued decline of your your #1.

So, the D will be better incrementally, but Chara falling off the cliff will drag them down? Not sure I'm buying that? Chara's salad days are long gone, but he can still play in this league. The difference this year is that Julien MUST limit his minutes and lean on the other 4 D to pick up the slack. If one (or hopefully more) of the Morrow, Chiller, ROG, Carlo crowd can step up, it would be huge. IMO, Chara needs a Chiller/Carlo type D partner that can skate and handle the puck. If that happens (along with reduced minutes), it should allow him to play at a higher level than last year.

The other thing (always) is health. B's have a Top 5-10 F group and if Rask and the D can hang in there, it should be good enough for 3rd in the Atlantic. FLA will be missing Bjugstad for a month and Huberdeau for 3-4, which could put them in a hole to start.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

3rd in division, even with the disgusting lack of grit and toughness. I'm not on the Florida band wagon. I think the progress they made was damaged by the shake ups this off season and I think they will struggle to make the playoffs as the wildcard. Tampa, Montreal, Boston. Florida and my dark horse Ottawa competing with Philly, Islanders and Rangers for the wildcards.

I had them 3rd also, but forgot about the lack of response to the Gudas hit. I may have to change my prediction to Bottom 5...

 

[LouJersey]

3rd place 95-97 points.

Our division is terrible.

 

[nfld77]

Last season were top 5 in offence and bottom 5 defence..I think we improved in both area's of the ice...ONE single point and Bruins would of made it last season and I think we're better this season!!

 

[MtlBoxFan]

No playoffs. Top 4 defenseman acquired at the deadline and signed for term.
Better next year.

 

[Hali33]

I'm open to a surprise but I think they miss again. I think the offense will be top third in the league but they can't keep enough out of their own net again. Not sure I see a largely different version of Rask this season behind a defense that will likely struggle.

I think that Chara pairing is going to be a big problem. And as much as Clode would like to shave minutes off him, I'm not sure we have players that can handle more minutes without getting exposed. I don't expect them to be as healthy as last season, seems like we're already banged up to start.

Overall I expect them more consistent this season, whatever they are. Not the same dramatic ending of the last two seasons.

 

[DKH]

97 points 3rd in Division

season overshadowed by Anders Bjork becoming one of the best players in college hockey and not signed and likely headed down the Vesey road and eventually to his hometown team unless we can trade Jimmy Hayes there

 

[PlayMakers]

2nd or 3rd in the division.

I'm not usually optimistic, but I like our forwards. I think the young D and think we're slightly improved there.

To me, the season hinges on Rask. If he approaches consistency they're in. If he has a good season, they could bump Florida from the 2 slot.

 

[Ten Thousand Hours]

Fix the D - get in, maybe win the division
Keep the D as is, miss the playoffs or maybe sneak in

For some reason, I think we'll fix the D.

 

[BigBear83]

im voting wild card.. still have the horses to get them there but i really worry about claude's system . ever year they say they are going to tweak it to keep up with the modern NHL play style and every year after a hand full of games they are right back to pucks along the sideboards , attempt to win the battle , kick puck out , hard slapper. pray .. then get to the net for a "hard earned goal" teams have been on to the bruins game plan ever since they were successful, the game plan hasnt changed and the results and the product we view on the ice is very telling

 

[hoss75]

"We're going all the way, Baby!!!!" (Running naked down causeway street)

 

[Brewins]

2nd or 3rd in the division.

I'm not usually optimistic, but I like our forwards. I think the young D and think we're slightly improved there.

To me, the season hinges on Rask. If he approaches consistency they're in. If he has a good season, they could bump Florida from the 2 slot.

Florida has a huge potential to flounder, especially with Huberdeau out long term.