EHEC 30 in 30: Boston/Providence

[Bruins_GM]

Overview:

The 2014-2015 season promises to be a season of change for the Boston Bruins. Following a season where Boston led both the EHEC and AHL at the same time, yet fell in 5 games to Tampa Bay in the opening round of the playoffs, it was determined that a different direction for the team was needed. In order to do so, the team parted ways with several veteran players, including Matt Stajan and David Legwand, and brought in playmakers in Simon Gagne and Sebastien Collberg.

"When we looked at last year's team, a select few players were doing the majority of the scoring for the team, and that isn't sustainable over an 82 game season," said GM Jason Katerburg. "Our main goal was to add playmakers to the team, to give guys like Caron, Tanguay and Lucic options going ahead, so the pressure isn't solely on them to carry the team. I think that adding Gagne and Collberg gives us options, and gives our 3rd line a scoring edge that was missing last year. I want to get production from our top-3 lines, rather than just the top like like the last couple of seasons."

Unlike their competitors in the Atlantic Division, the Bruins have maintained a significant amount of salary cap room, giving them the mobility to make mid-season changes if necessary. However, with several talented players in the farm system, the Bruins believe they ultimately have the solutions to their shortcomings "in the room," to borrow an oft-used phrase.

Additions:
Simon Gagne, Sebastien Collberg, Jack Skille, Cameron Gaunce

Subtractions
Riley Sheahan, Matt Stajan, David Legwand, Ryan Smyth, Matt Smaby, Sammy Pahlsson, Nikita Zadorov

Draftees:
Keegan Iverson, Kevin Labanc

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Projected Lineup:

Forwards:

Simon Gagne – Jordan Caron – Alex Tanguay
Sebastien Collberg – Joe Colborne – Milan Lucic
Sven Baertschi – Tomas Hertl – Mikael Salmivitira
Ludvig Rensfeldt - Jack Skille – Greg Nemisz

Jordan Weal – Matt Puempel

Boston aims for a sustained offensive presence from its top-3 lines, yet strong defensive play from its bottom 6 as well. The addition of Gagne and Collberg should create more offensive chances from the top-2 lines, and the addition of Skille should help increase puck possession in the defensive end as well. With that in mind, the lines will be very flexible, to give prospects such as Jordan Weal and Matt Puempel ample opportunities to improve their game at the EHEC level, and to eventually fight for spots in the top-6.

Defensemen:

Victor Hedman – Alex Grant
Mark Stuart – Ben Wright
John Negrin – Dominik Bittner
Derek Joslin

Much of the defensive core, with the subtraction of Smaby, remains untouched from the 2013-2014 campaign. Derek Joslin has proven himself to fight for a bottom-pairing position for the team, and will substitute for Alex Grant while he completes his recovery from a chest injury.

Goaltending:
Tuukka Rask
Anthony Stolarz

Tuukka Rask will remain as the team's starting goaltender; however, Anthony Stolarz will see more icetime, to prove himself in a contract year.

Coming Up: An in-depth look at the Providence Bruins and the farm system.

[Bruins_GM]

*FILLER PAGE FOR PROVIDENCE INFO*