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Boston Bruins: 5 burning questions heading into the 2018-19 season

By Bruin Belisle

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 21: Boston's tip line of Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37), Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) and Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) skate out for a face off during Game 5 of the First Round for the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Boston Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 21, 2018, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Maple Leafs defeated the Bruins 4-3. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 21: Boston's tip line of Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37), Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) and Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) skate out for a face off during Game 5 of the First Round for the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Boston Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 21, 2018, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Maple Leafs defeated the Bruins 4-3. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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BOSTON – MARCH 31: Boston Bruins’ Jake DeBrusk is congratulated by teammate Ryan Donato after DeBrusk’s first period goal. The Boston Bruins host the Florida Panthers in a regular season NHL hockey game at TD Garden in Boston on March 31, 2018. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

4. Do the Bruins have enough firepower to compete in the East?

The Eastern Conference, specifically the Atlantic Division, has gone from good to great. The Tampa Bay Lightning are looking like they could be even better than they were last season, the Toronto Maple Leafs added one of the better forwards in the game in John Tavares and the Florida Panthers ended their season on a high note, looking to build upon that success this year.

Simply put, the division is going to be tough. The Bruins didn’t add much in terms of scoring this offseason, so the big question is whether or not they’ll be able to keep up. The answer depends on your level of trust and optimism.

Boston has several elite young players working their way up the ranks. We saw it last year with a breakout season and playoff performance from Jake DeBrusk, a flashy but short stretch of games from Ryan Donato and solid rookie seasons from Danton Heinen and Anders Bjork.

DeBrusk showed in the playoffs last year that he’s ready for some of the spotlight. The rookie had a great regular season, with 16 goals and 27 assists in 70 games. His six goals in the playoffs though, showed he could make big plays and score at big moments.

The Bruins second line with DeBrusk, Krecji and one of Anders Bjork or Danton Heinen is going to be potent. There is also the potential that Ryan Donato works his way into the top six at some point this season, if by way of injury or just skill and development (Donato has been working hard with the veterans all offseason).

On defense, the B’s boast one of the league’s best offensive defensemen in Torey Krug (14 goals, 45 assists last season), as well as future Norris Trophy winner Charlie McAvoy (seven goals, 25 assists), who starts the season still a 20-year-old. The Bruins will have no problem putting points on the board. Both of these defensemen could add to their offensive totals this season.

Sure, the offseason wasn’t flashy, but the Boston Bruins got better by not giving up any young talent in their ranks in chase of a free agent who may or may not pan out for them. Trust the process. The B’s also have great prospects in Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson, Jack Studnicka and Trent Frederic (great names) that could contribute at some point this season.

The additions of Joakim Nordstrom and Chris Wagner shouldn’t be overlooked either. These are two players that add depth and experience to the bottom six that could help in a playoff run; something they were lacking last year. Losing Tim Schaller hurts, but the Bruins can make up for it with the aforementioned additions and up-and-comers.

Oh, and if you think there may be three players that have been left out of this section, we’re saving the top line in hockey for our next question.

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