I am cautiously optimistic about the Boston Bruins this year. As entertaining as Sinden can be, the Bruins needed a regime change this off-season after last year’s debacle and while I would preferred Jacobs selling the team, getting rid of O’Connell and Sinden was better then nothing. Now, just a regime change would not matter if it was merely cosmetic and the overall team philosophy did not change. However, new GM Peter Chiarelli was active early and often. He quickly singed Chara and Savard right out of the gate. The importance of Chara can not be stressed. He fills so many needs for the Bruins; Captain, P.P. quarter back, a rock on defense who will consistently play half the game. Combined with Stuart and the Bruins have two very good defensemen which may be the strength of this year’s team unlike last year when it was a glaring weakness. With the signing of Chara, the offense now has 2 legitimate scoring lines. While the B’s don’t have a lot of top of the line scoring threats, they have a lot of young speedy forwards that can cause other teams fits when they get to cycling the puck in the zone. A lot rest on the shoulder of Bergeron; since he arrived he has consistently exceeded expectation. I am prediction this will be his break out year and you will see Bergeron with over 90 points. It will go a long way if rookie Kessel can contribute anywhere near to what Bergeron did his rookie year. The biggest question mark on the team is goaltending. I would not be surprised if the Toivonen and Thomas combo have a great year, but I will also not be surprised if it is a disaster. My prediction for the Bs is 96 points and 6^th in the Eastern Conference. They will get an upset victory in the first round of the playoffs, but lose in the second round.

Here is my pick for the NHL as a whole:

Easter Conference Final:

Buffalo beats Carolina

Western Conference

San Jose Beats Anaheim

Stanley Cup:

San Jose Beats Buffalo

Hart Trophy: Joe Thornton

Norris Trophy: Christ Pronger

Vezina Trophy: Miikka Kiprusoff