2011 National Hockey League (NHL) offseason assessment: Boston Bruins
Having one of the best regular and postseasons in history of their franchise, Boston Bruins might not have had it as good in the offseason so far, something which might be intentional, since the Stanley Cup winning team had announced keeping the original
championship team intact.
Whatever the plan might have been entering their Stanley Cup winning offseason, the 2011 champions lost one of their top contributors, who had in advance announced to retire if the team was to win.
No matter how hard Boston tried to retain the original team, so that it could go into the next season with the same momentum, there were some losses, which currently the team is having a tough time replacing.
Veteran forward, March Recchi, who had been with the team for three seasons, had decided even before the playoffs began that he would be retiring for sure if Boston could manage to win a Stanley Cup. It was his good luck that the team did and Recchi retired
in the best way possible after having played nearly 22 seasons in the major league.
31-year-old Michael Ryder was lost by the team to Dallas Stars after his 41 point (18 goals, 23 assists) regular season, which he amped up during the playoffs for 17 points (8 goals, 9 assists) in 25 games. Ryder scored it big by signing on the second day
of the free agency with Dallas to a two-year, $7 million contract, an amount he was sure Boston would never offer him.
Tomas Kaberle also jumped at the opportunity to re-sign for a bigger amount from which he was already making. Carolina Hurricanes picked up the veteran defender who shone brightly throughout the regular season with 47 points (4 goals, 43 assists) and playoffs
with 11 assists in 25 matchups after Bruins had traded him for a smaller player, Joe Corvo, in a move to clear salary cap space. Carolina signed him on for three-years worth an estimated $12.75 million.
Benoit Pouliot was another addition onto the team as Boston wishes to allow him another year into the NHL in order to find his game, which easily could be his last if he continues on the current track he is on.
Having scored only 30 points last year (13 goals, 17 assists) in 79 games, the Alfred, Ontario, Canada native, needs to boost up his performance if he wishes on staying in the major league.
Throughout the offseason, Boston focused on cutting costs while retaining performance. It might not have been the best following Stanley Cup victory, but it still keeps them strong on the map.
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