OPINION: WHY THE BOSTON BRUINS WILL PLEASANTLY SURPRISE YOU THIS SEASON

by: Sam Tracy 

    Over the summer, it seemed like everyone else in the Atlantic Division got better. Ottawa, Detroit, and Buffalo either went for the big names in free agency or locked down their young talent to long-term deals, in addition to Toronto and Tampa Bay keeping their cores intact. After the B’s first-round elimination at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes, it felt like the Black and Gold needed a big name to get them over the hump of being a perennial second-round exit. However, with each signing by an Atlantic Division rival, it felt like the Bruins were drifting further and further away from making the playoffs, let alone going on another deep playoff run. However, it’s not all doom and gloom on Causeway Street.

    On the surface, what seems like another disappointing roster built by Bruins GM Don Sweeney could have the potential to turn some heads this season, and it all starts behind the bench. Replacing Bruce Cassidy as head coach initially felt like a move to save Sweeney’s job. But in doing so, they found the perfect man to take them to new heights. Ex-UMaine legend Jim Montgomery is a great hire, as it always seems he gets the best of underperforming, young squads.

    When he took over the Dallas Stars at the start of the 2018-19 season, he took over a team that was painfully average at best, finishing two places out of a wildcard spot in the West in ‘17-18. With no big free agent signings over the summer, Dallas looked like a mirror image of what the 2022-23 Bruins look like to some. They were a team that lacked depth, and was too heavily reliant on star players such as Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn, and Alex Radulov. However, with this Dallas squad, the Stars never missed the playoffs and were never eliminated before the second round.

    So, what does this mean for the B’s? With Charlie McAvoy, Matt Grzelcyk, and Brad Marchand all out with injuries until December, the first few months are going to make or break the Bruins season. The return of David Krejci, along with Jake DeBrusk rescinding his trade request will help the Bruins in the short-term, however, it’ll be up to Montgomery to help spread the scoring out, and get the younger players, such as DeBrusk, Trent Frederic, and Oskar Steen to contribute more on the scoresheet. With Montgomery’s track record of winning wherever he goes, I will not be surprised in the least if the Bruins go on yet another deep playoff run this April.