2006 Boston Bruins Preview

2006 Boston Bruins Preview from Maddux Sports. With the NHL Hockey Season now is the time to get aquatinted with the 2006 teams and players. Remember if you are NHL hockey betting look no further, as we offer hockey picks and can help you turn a profit betting on the NHL this season.

2006 Boston Bruins Hockey Season Preview

Major modifications in the organization that traded away Joe Thorton and Sergei Samsonov and did not make the playoffs were inevitable. The off-season saw the firing of the teams’ GM and coach and the hiring of Peter Chiarelli as GM and Dave Lewis as coach. Then the Bruins started spending money, signing free agent defenseman Zendo Chara (16 G, 27 A, 43 Pts), winger Mark Mowers (4 G, 11 A, 15 Pts in 47 games) and center Marc Savard (28 G, 69A, 97 Pts).

Adding Savard to the offense gives Boston a quality second line center. Patrice Bergeron (31 G, 42 A, 73 Pts) is a first-rate, young center, sharing the line with Marco Strum (29 G, 30 A, 59 Pts) and last year’s rookie standout Brad Boyes (26 G, 43 A, 69 Pts). Veteran Glen Murray (24 G, 29 A, 53 Pts) provides leadership and his performance should be helped by the wily setup man Savard. The team was 24th in offense and 25th on the power play—both should improve this season.

Chara is one of the best defensemen in the NHL. He’ll certainly improve a squad that was rated 19th in 2005-06. Paul Mara (15 G, 32 A, 47 Pts) brought some much-needed two-way play last season. Brad Stuart (12 G, 31 A, 43 Pts), acquired from San Jose as part of the Thorton trade, is a fine setup man. The Bruins could use some more muscle but should improve their ranking of 10th on the penalty kill.

In goal, longtime minor leaguer and European player Tim Thomas (38 G, 12 W, 13 L, 10 OT, 2.77 GAA, .917 SP) performed well considering how little offense the team generated, as did Hanu Toivonen (20 G, 9 W, 5 L, 4 OT, 2.63 GAA, .914 SP). But can either compete in the NHL?

The team has a chance to be make the playoffs this season, with a good mix of veterans and young players.

For more information on the 2006 Boston Hockey Club check out the Bruins team website.