First – Bergeron was given a much bigger role. One that he needed. The best thing is that he could easily make the top line center on any team. Yet, right now, Bruins are playing him on the second line! Having two potential top line centers is key, especially when we have both over the next 4 years!

Second – Thank you for mentioning Brad Stuart! I love this guy. He’s been doing a hell of a lot better than Chara in my opinion. I think he’s leading the team in blocked shots too. He does everything you need to stop the puck from getting to the net. This guy deserves a huge pay raise next year!

Third – YES! Finally, somebody mentions Savard. I was one of the VERY VERY few people who believed Marc Savard was the real deal. I always had faith in him. I knew he could still easily average a point a game, no problem at all for him. And look, career potential on TSN a second line center? That’s BS and you know it! This guy IS the #1 center for the Bruins. And I am so thankful that we also have this guy locked up long term. Analysists already said at the start of the year that the Bruins will be a serious Cup contender in 3 years, I personally see them as contenders now, but with a 1-2 punch like Savard and Bergeron and the rest of the youth on the team maturing, we’ll be amazing.

Fourth – Phil Kessel is amazing. I know he isn’t have that great of a season, but he’s just 19! He shouldn’t be doing amazing or anything just yet. He’s shined in his opportunities. He’s still making some rookie mistakes and needs to work on his defense, but that’s ok! Give him a few years and he’ll be scoring goals left and right.

As for the UFA situation, here’s what I think will happen:

Stuart – Resign this guy, we need to keep him, he was the main part of the trade.
Sturm – We will probably trade him at the deadline. He already announced he’s going to test the market. Maybe he’ll change his mind.
Primeau – We’ll probably drop him, he is a good presence and always puts forth 100%, but I think the B’s need to free up a bit of Cap space with him. I think it would’ve been smarter if we kept Travis Green than Primeau.

Also, I just have one more thing to say, how about that Andy Alberts? Just a sophomore, leading the team with +/-! He’s already smart enough to know how to handle any situation and always lays the body. I love this guy. He was definately a steal in the draft!

I am not sold on Brad Stuart. However he is playing better now. For a period of time it seemed like he was on the ice for every goal scrored by the opposition. He single handedly costed them a few games early in the season. He has defensive breakdowns in the neutral zone and in his own end which really cost them. I won’t even get into Jason York, because he looks like he should be playing Junior B somewhere. They really need to stop dressing him. Maybe that is bringing Stuart down because York is his defence pairing.

Stuart has the tools to really excell as a front line blueliner, he is a great skater, with a good shot and good offensive instincts. but still needs some grooming.

An no point am I going to justify the Thornton trade. That was a huge mistake and the Bruins are very fotunate that Mr. Chiarelli has been able to re assemble this club back to legitmacy in a short period. Thornton is worth the league maximum, has heart, and is awesome. You don’t let those guys get away. Thornton was shown no credit, for carrying this team on his back for several years. Took the blame for losing to Montreal in the first round with cracked ribs. The city didn’t rally behind their captain and neither did management. That was joke! The guy shouldn’t even been playing. But if he didn’t play they would have questioned his heart. He was screwed either way. I guess the city of Boston didn’t deserve Big Joe.

It’s too bad Boston couldn’t have kept Thornton, and simply upgraded their back end. That would have given them (2) quality centerman, other teams would drool over.

All in all I am happy with how Boston is sitting now. They are competitive and will continue to get better.