I will be rating each team on three different areas which of course are goalies, defensemen and forward. The ratings are from 1 to 10. The rating consists of his personal ability and his importance to the team. This means that a player who scores way more points might get the same rating as someone who does not. There are two categories that i will rate: Every position as whole and then every single player. I will also put in the lines that i think/hope they will play next season. Then last i will give a grade to the whole team.
Goalies
Tim Thomas: He took home Conn Smythe and Vezina trophies last season and with that he is arguably the best goalie in the entire league. Rating 10
Tukka Rask: Had an ok season as backup, but did not play anywhere near the level as he did in 09-10 season. If he can get back to that level he has a bright future. With Thomas getting more age he will get more starts. Rating: 8
Maybe the best duo in the entire league. Boston has two potential world-class netminders and won´t have to worry bout a thing in that department. Rating: 9
Defensemen
Dennis Seidenberg: Started 81 games out of 82 in the regular season and averaged over 25 minutes per game in the playoffs. That shows how important he is to the team. Rating: 9
Adam McQuaid: Played 67 games and recorded 15 points to go along with +/- rating of +30. Averaged ~12 minutes per game in the playoffs so is not and won´t be the most important defender, but a solid 5th or 6th defender. Rating: 7
Steven Kampfer: Young defender 38 games during the regulars season, but didn´t get a single playoff game on his belt. Will, unfortunately, remain as backup. Adds depth to Bruins defense. Rating: 6
Andrew Ference: Will start his 6th season with the Bruins. Averaged over 20 minutes in the playoffs which puts only Seidenberg and Chara above him in minutes. Solid and trustworthy defender. Rating 8
Joe Corvo: The replacement brought in for Kaberle. Averaged ~25 minutes with Carolina franchise, but will have to settle for less with the Bruins. Probably will pair up with Ference to form the second d-pair. I am a huge fan of Carolina which is my favorite team so my rating might overrate him but... Rating: 9
Zdeno Chara: The literally big man in Boston. Carries the C on his chest for a good reason. 44 points to go with a league best +/- of +33. Averaged ~28 minutes in the playoffs. With Tim Thomas he is undoubtedly the most important player in Boston. Rating: 10
Johnny Boychuk: Played 69 games during the regular season. Also averaged 20 minutes per game in the playoffs. He is a good defender, but with the current squad he is stuck as a 5th or 6th defender. Rating: 8
Boston has a good solid d-line with some serious firepower and puck moving ability in Chara and Corvo. Perhaps even more defensive ability in the rest of the players, but a well balanced and gifted bunch nonetheless. Rating: 9
Forwards
Shawn Thornton: Good physical player that should fit well to the checking line. Won´t get too much minutes but will battle the few hard. Rating: 7
Tyler Seguin: Tipped to be a superstar, but did not exactly flourish during the regular season, but showed some crafty moves and in my opinion improved a lot in the playoffs. One more year will add physical aspects and bring some more maturity. Rating: 8
Marc Savard: I am not aware how much longer his injury will limit his playing, but one thing is for sure: If he plays he is an asset to the team for sure. If he can not play he might have to think about retirement. Rating: 7
Benoit Pouliot: Has not answered to the expectations of being drafted 4th overall but is a good guy for the third line. Put up 30 points last season and there is no reason why that count would not raise the following one. Rating: 8
Rich Peverley: Good center who provides has so far provided 30+ points in each of his full NHL seasons. Sad fact is that Bruins have three better centers in Bergeron, Krejci and wonderkid Seguin. Hopefully they find a spot for him. If Seguin plays as a winger he should fit well to the role of 3rd line center.. Rating: 8
Daniel Paille: Is quite similar to Thronton and that might just prove to be a stumbling block to him. If he is adapted to play the right wing might make it in the 4th line. Rating: 6
Brad Marchand: He had a real breakthrough season and will hopefully pickup from where he left it last season. His line will have to go through some change with the retirement of Mark Recchi. Rating: 8
Milan Lucic: The power-forward added an impressive amount of points last season and should contribute similarly next season. Will continue to form the first line with Krejci and Horton. Rating: 9
David Krejci: Centers the Bruins first line as a playmaker between above mentioned Milan Lucic and Nathan Horton. In my opinion an underrated player who is a very good playmaker. Rating: 9
Chris Kelly: Kelly should challenge Gregory Campbell for the role as 4th line center. Assuming that they both will play as centers... Decent center and can add some points to the tally. Rating: 7
Nathan Horton: Completes the first line and is one of the most important players to the Bruins. Piles up over 50 important points per season. Rating: 9
Gregory Campbell: Solid lower line center. Is capable of adding decent amounts of points per season. Should keep his roster spot even though Bruins are loaded with talent in the middle. Rating: 8
Patrice Bergeron: Alternate captain of the Bruins. A really good center who has established himself as a playmaker but is quite good at scoring as well. Really important player for the team. Rating: 9
Overall a well balanced bunch of players. Depth upfront is really admirable and they have all the pieces for another successful season. With that said overall attack rating: 9
Lines:
Lucic-Krejci-Horton
Seguin-Bergeron-Marchand
Pouliot-Peverley-Campbell
Thornton-Kelly-Paille
Chara-Seidenber
Corvo-Ference
Boychuk-McQuaid
Thomas
Without a doubt one of the best teams in the league. Only missing factor is a real offensive superstar, but the pick number that Seguin was taken with suggests that one might be coming. Solid team all around deserves rating: 9
Key factors:
+Two really good goalies
+Wide material
+A true Captain
-Lacks a real offensive superstar
By the way I am really sorry about Gregory Campbell and whole team analysis part, I do not know how to fix the typing and to be honest I am way too tired to keep trying. Hope you still enjoy the text!
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