In an offseason that has seen the Boston Bruins select Tyler Seguin second overall and acquire goal-scoring winger Nathan Horton it’s hard to believe the team is still somewhat in turmoil.

Dealing with cap trouble is something that Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli has been dealing with the entire offseason. He does have many pieces he can move, but not a lot of options coming back his way. There is the $4 million dollar owed to Michael Ryder for this season, the three-year, $5 million per for Tim Thomas, not to mention the Marc Savard trade rumors.

According to CapGeek.com the Bruins only have $12,229 remaining in cap space, which does not bode well for signing Seguin to his rookie contract. The Edmonton Oilers signed top pick Taylor Hall to a three-year at $900k per year and with bonuses Hall could reach just over $3 million a season.

Clearly it is a must to get Seguin signed, but if they cannot work something out there is always the option of him going back to Plymouth. All indications from summer camp are that the rook will be in Bruins black and gold this coming season. This kid is going to be a stud, his hockey sense is tops and he makes the players around him better. Reports are that his agent Ian Pulvor is confident that a deal will be made by training camp in September.

Like most, the Savard trade rumors took me by surprise, but in all actuality the depth the Bruins have at centre is deep. Teams that are reportedly interested in acquiring the 33-year-old’s services are the Toronto Maple Leafs and Los Angeles Kings. If the Bruins decide to keep Savvy they could always look at moving someone to the wing. Seguin will probably start off on the wing then get moved to centre eventually.

The question is whether or not Patrice Bergeron or David Krejci would be willing to move off their natural position. Bergeron has tremendous faceoff abilities finishing fifth in the NHL with a %58 winning percentage while Krejci was 50.7%.

Personally if a decision had to be made I would move Krejci to the wing. It may take time for him to adjust, but he could still work his playmaking magic patrolling the left or right wing.

The real question that has been buzzing in Boston is what to do with Ryder. There is the factor that he is a free agent to be at the end of the season and will be playing for a new contract could entice the Bruins to keep the winger who scored 18 goals last season. Waivers is another option if Chiarelli cannot find a trading partner, with his contract Ryder may find himself in the AHL for the season if he is not claimed.

With camp just on the horizon there are still many moves that need to be made in Beantown. The future is without a doubt a bright one, with the likes of Joe Colborne, Jordan Caron, Jared Knight and Brad Marchand getting ready to be full time NHL contributors, it is going to be interesting to see the moves made to create space for the soon-to-be Bears.

Are we there yet?

Brandon Macdonald
NHLHS Boston Bruins Correspondent
bmacdonald@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter @bMacdonald8

A day after they acquired four Chicago Blackhawks, including Dustin Byfuglien, they are set to announce Craig Ramsay as their new coach. Also, they will be adding another Hawk, John Torchetti as his assistant.

Ramsay is coming off his third year with the Boston Bruins and he will truly be missed. Ramsay offers a cool-calm-collected head during times when emotions are high. He is often the good cop when it comes to head coaches. During his time in Tampa Bay, where he won a Stanley Cup, he teamed up with John Tortorella. Bruins fans are well aware of Claude Julien’s temper.

I spoke with Jay Feaster, GM of the Lightning during their 2003-04 Cup run and he was quick to point out the many characteristics that Ramsay brought to the table. He said of how he treats the players like they are equal and will work with them on improving their weaknesses, opposed to the yelling and screaming route.

Thrashers GM Rick Dudley definitely knew what he was doing bringing Torchetti, who was serving as a associate coach with the Hawks. If all goes well, chances are he will be leading the ship once Ramsay hangs them up. Having four Blackhawks to boot for him in the locker room will make his transition down south much easier.

I have to give another shoutout to Jay Feaster, because in an April 19^th blog with The Hockey News, he said to expect either Ramsay or Torchetti to be the next head coach in Atlanta.

The Bruins are going to miss having Ramsay behind the bench. He is great with young players, something the Bruins and Thrashers aren’t lacking.

Here is to hoping that Claude Julien and the Bruins will be able to move on without their good cop.

Brandon Macdonald
NHLHS Boston Bruins Correspondent
bmacdonald@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter @bMacdonald8

The Boston Bruins wasted no time after naming Cam Neely President last week and today GM Peter Chiarelli swung a deal with the Florida Panthers that saw Welland, Ont., native Nathan Horton make the move to Boston, along with winger Gregory Cambpell. Going to Florida is defenseman Dennis Wideman and two draft picks, including the Bruins 15^th overall selection.

For Horton, a change of scenery was much needed. After playing under five coaches during his seven-year-career, stability was a key factor. Horton approached new Panthers GM Dave Tallon and asked that he work on a deal that would see him moved.

“It has been tough; I have had some weird injuries,” said Horton during an afternoon phone press conference. “I am just trying to move forward and look to the future. I couldn’t be in a better place and I am looking to embrace the opportunity.”

It had been an interesting story for Horton during his tenure with the Panthers. After impressing everyone with a 28-goal rookie season, and following it up with 31 and 27 in back-to-back seasons of playing 82 games, Horton succumbed to injury problems. He has managed to score 20 or more goals in all five NHL seasons.

Also coming to the Bruins is son of Senior VP of Hockey Operations for the NHL Colin Campbell, Greg Campbell. Campbell made his NHL debut in 2003-04 season and has 29 goals and 85 points in his NHL career spanning over 363 games.

“I am going to have things to prove to the coaching staff and management,” said Campbell during the same phone press conference. “To be a well-rounded player you have to chip in all areas. I like to do the small things that help the team win and hopefully I can bring that to Boston”

It is a bittersweet departure for Wideman from the Bruins. After three full seasons with Boston, Wideman had his best season in 2008-09 where he scored 13 goals for 50 points. Although he had 11 points in the 13 playoff games this year, he made mistakes that stuck out like a sore thumb to Bruin fans. Many times he was booed in his own house and at times seemed unmotivated on the ice. A change of scenery may be the best fit for him. Time will tell if Florida will see an aggressive charging defenseman or a laid back, passive and tired at times Dennis Wideman.

For the Bruins, if Horton can stay healthy they will be filling a huge void for a goal-scoring winger. The potential of playing with either Marc Savard or David Krejci is likely making Horton’s mouth water. A line of Milan Lucic, Savard and Horton would be a force on opposing d-men and goalies.

“They have so many great players that I am very excited to play with a lot of them,” said Horton. “I will give it all I got and things will be good. I want to be a little piece of the puzzle.”

Brandon Macdonald
NHLHS Boston Bruins Correspondent
bmacdonald@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter @bMacdonald8

As reported by Bob McKenzie and Darren Dreger’s twitter accounts, the Florida Panthers have acquired Dennis Wideman, the 15th overall pick and a later round draft pick at the upcoming NHL Entry Draft on Friday in Los Angeles.

In return, the Boston Bruins received Gregory Campbell and Nathan Horton.

Now, we have to see the direction Tallon takes this team, and the other thing to watch is the salary cap situation in Boston as they are now extremely close, if not over the cap.

With the fifteenth overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the Boston Bruins select…

Mark Pysyk

The Bruins decide to go with a defenseman after barely missing out on the Taylor Hall sweepstakes.  With another pick in roughly 15 picks, the Bruins can gamble with their pick and choose this rugged defenseman who is high on talent but failed to play consistently or stay healthy this past season.  In 48 games with the Edmonton Oil Kings he only managed 24 points.

Brandon Macdonald
NHLHS Boston Bruins Correspondent
bmacdonald@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @bmacdonald8

After just three seasons serving as the Boston Bruins Vice President, the Bruins have named Cam Neely the eighth President in team history. It is only fitting that he is the eighth in team history, considering his number eight is retired at the Garden.

“I am honored and proud to be named the eighth team President in Boston Bruins history today,” Neely told Bruins.com. “The last three seasons working in the Bruins front office has been an experience that I have truly enjoyed each and every day. We have made great strides as an organization in recent years both on and off the ice. But having said that, we understand much more progress can be made, and much more progress needs to be made if we are able to meet our ultimate objectives. As President, I embrace these challenges that lie ahead and look forward to taking this organization to new heights.”

So what does this mean for the Bruins organization? They are getting a player who is very passionate about the game, possibly due to his career being prematurely ended. But Neely has been adamant that communication is a key tool of his. Even as VP, he was always in close contact with Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli and doesn’t shy away from talking to the players. Communication is very important thing to have and having Neely and Chiarelli already on great terms is only good news for the Bruins.

Another thing Neely has been involved with, once again staying with the communication theme, is keeping in touch with the hockey operations for the Bruins. He will continue to be a strong voice for anything that has to do with Boston.

Keeping the Great Eight in Boston was the smart thing to do. Neely said that one of the best things that ever happened to him was being traded to Boston in 1986. Neely joined the Bruins and was the definition of a true power forward. He eclipsed the 50-goal mark three times in his short career and was named to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2005. His number eight hangs in the rafters along side Bruins greats like Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito and Raymond Bourque

With a big draft coming up next week, the Bruins wasted no time solidifying their front office. Neely is and will continue to be involved with the big decisions that go down for the black and gold. Not to mention that he will work with Milan Lucic and other Bruins players.

When it comes to heart and determination, no one will ever question Cam Neely.

Brandon Macdonald
NHLHS Boston Bruins Correspondent
bmacdonald@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter @bMacdonald8

We got your fix right here.

We go live tomorrow with our 2009-2010 NHL season wrap-up show.

Be sure to tune in live with us tomorrow from 1-3 p.m. EST.

The Hockey Guys on Blog Talk Radio – link for show tomorrow. Chat room will open approximately 5 minutes prior to show’s puck drop.

With the second pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the Boston Bruins select…

Tyler Seguin

It is clear the Bruins lacked depth on the offensive side of the puck. They finished with the second least amount of goals scored (204) during the season and selecting Tyler Seguin could turn the tides in Beantown. If the Oilers pass on Taylor Hall than obviously the Bruins would jump at the opportunity, but both players are touted to be game changers and future NHL stars. You cannot go wrong with either of these players.

Brandon Macdonald
NHLHS Boston Bruins Correspondent
bmacdonald@nhlhotstove.com

All round two discussion and breakdowns of the games played up to showtime.

Tune in, and join us in the live chat as well by visiting:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thehockeyguys/2010/05/01/the-hockey-guys

We hope to see you all live with us in the chat room. And feel free to call in.

~THG

Philadelphia Flyers by Dave Strehle

The Philadelphia Flyers were the first team to finish off their first round opponent.  And the eight days of rest between series will come in handy as the team limps into round two against the Boston Bruins.

Philadelphia held a 2-1-1 mark against Boston during the regular season.  The Flyers’ two wins against the B’s were early in the regular season, and Boston beat the Orange-and-Black in the NHL Winter Classic on New Year’s Day, as well as a 5-1 thumping at the Wachovia Center in March.

During their regular season set, goaltender Brian Boucher won his only start, and defenseman Kimmo Timonen led the team in scoring with two goals and three points.  Boston outscored the Flyers 11-9.  Philadelphia’s power play was 1-9, and the Bruins were 2-9.

With forwards Jeff Carter, Simon Gagne and Ian Laperriere all out with injuries sustained against the New Jersey Devils, the team will need other players to step up and fill the void left by their absences.  Mike Richards (2 G, 8 P) Claude Giroux (4 G, 6 P), Chris Pronger (2G, 5 P) and Danny Briere (2 G, 5 P) will all need to continue their high level of play exhibited in the first round ouster of New Jersey.  Boucher (4-1, 1.59 GAA, .940 save %) outplayed living-legend Martin Brodeur, and another strong showing will be needed as Boston’s Tuukka Rask has been stellar since taking over the reigns as the number one for the Bruins.

Additional offensive contributions from forwards Scott Hartnell and James van Riemsdyk would also be very helpful.  Both forwards registered just one assist in the first round.

One thing the Flyers must do is be patient and play with a disciplined aggression.  They can ill-afford to be shorthanded as many times as they were in the series with the Devils, especially with the Bruins power play coming to life in the series against the Buffalo Sabres.  And with news that slick-passing center Marc Savard has been given medical clearance to play round two, that aspect is even more important.

To fill Laperriere’s spot, coach Peter Laviolette hinted that he may give van Riemsdyk, and even newly inserted injury-replacement Andreas Nodl, time on the penalty killing unit, with Giroux and Darroll Powe seeing increased time when a man short.

Expect an extremely physical, tight checking, low-scoring, grind-it-out, long series.  And if the Flyers can play a disciplined, defensive brand of hockey where they wait for turnovers to create offensive chances, Philadelphia could make a return trip to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in two years.

Boston Bruins by Brandon Macdonald