BOSTON BRUINS
Not many folks would take Felix Potvin over Curtis Joseph. But Potvin is younger, much cheaper, and has just as many Stanley Cups. Despite some mid-career troubles, Potvin had several good stretches during his years in L.A. He's a gamble. But after trying five goaltenders last season, the Bruins might finally gain a little stability in net.
Also lacking stability, as well as mobility, is the Boston defense. A trio of free agents bolted over the summer, Bryan Berard remains unsigned, and Jonathan Girard will miss the season after a car accident. But capable veterans like Nick Boynton and Dan McGillis remain, while first-rate prospect Jeff Jillson is 23 years old and ready for a little ice time. The defense can do better than last year (Boston allowed more goals than any other playoff team) if Potvin is a steady partner.
The best news is up front, where Joe Thornton is evolving into a superstar, Glen Murray is a true finisher, and Sergei Samsonov is a speedy little tank with great moves. P.J. Axelsson and Brian Rolston are fast and versatile. Boston can score.
Trouble: Trading Jozef Stumpel, declining Berard's arbitration award, letting Jeff Hackett walk as a free agent: these are all defensible moves. But the end result is that Boston again lacks depth at just about every position. A couple of key injuries could sink this team.
On the Spot: After an up-and-down career, Murray finally put together a pair of great seasons, scoring 85 goals in the last two years. If his production falls off again, he will be the first man pegged as the source of the Bruins’ woes.
The Forecast: There are holes, but if Potvin is at all reliable, this is an intiguing team. Assuming they get Berard, Samsonov and Boynton under contract, and they get a little bump from new coach Mike Sullivan, the Bruins should hold their place, maybe even move up a spot.
The Call: Sixth in the Eastern Conference.
Who's In:
Left winger Ted Donato (free agent from New York Rangers)
Right winger Sandy McCarthy (free agent from New York Rangers)
Assistant coach Norm Maciver
Who’s Out:
Goaltender Jeff Hackett (free agent to Philadelphia)
Defenseman Sean Brown (free agent to New Jersey)
Defenseman Don Sweeney (free agent to Dallas)
Center Jozef Stumpel (trade to Los Angeles)
Left winger Krzysztof Oliwa (free agent to Calgary)
Right winger Lee Goren (free agent to Florida)
2002-03 Regular Season Numbers:
Payroll:
$37,325,000, 18th overall
(Hockey News, November 15/02. Bonuses not included.)
- Record: 36-31-11-4 for 87 points.
- At home: 23-11-5-2.
- On the road: 13-20-6-2.
- Finish: 15th overall, 7th in Eastern Conference, 3rd in Northeast Division.
- Goals for: 245 (2.99 per game), tied for 6th overall.
- Goals against: 237 (2.89 per game), tied for 24th overall.
- Goal differential: Plus-8, 13th overall.
- Power play: 18.2 percent, 8th overall.
- Penalty kill: 82.7 percent, tied for 17th overall.
Goaltending:
- Steve Shields, 36-12-13-9, 2.76 GAA, .896 SV PCT, 0 SO.
- Jeff Hackett, 36-15-17-2, 2.86 GAA, .911 SV PCT, 1 SO.
Leaders:
- Scoring: Center Joe Thornton, 77-36-65-101.
- Power play points: Joe Thornton, 77-12-22-34.
- Game-winning goals: Right winger Brian Rolston, 5.
Right winger Glen Murray, 5. - Ice time: Defenseman Nick Bonyton, 22:40 per game.
- Plus/minus: Defenseman Hal Gill, plus-21.
2002-03 Playoff Numbers:
- Round One: Lost to New Jersey 4-1.
Goaltending:
- Jeff Hackett, 3-1-2-0, 1.68 GAA, .934 SV PCT, 1 SO.
- Steve Shields, 2-0-2-0, 3.03 GAA, .897 SV PCT, 0 SO.
Leaders:
- Scoring: Defenseman Dan McGillis, 5-3-0-3.
Center Joe Thornton, 5-1-2-3. - Power play points: Dan McGillis, 5-2-0-2.
Center Jozef Stumpel, 5-0-2-2. - Game-winning goals: Dan McGillis, 1.
- Ice time: Defenseman Nick Bonyton, 23:21 per game.
- Plus/minus: Left winger Marty McInnis, plus-1.
