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The Bruins are still sporting long faces over their first-round ouster from the playoffs. And while the losses of Bill Guerin and Byron Dafoe present a new set of challenges for them, management and the coaching staff believe there is enough on the roster -- in terms of both depth and talent -- to seriously contend again.
They made no significant moves in the offseason, other than signing free-agent netminder Steve Shields. So, finishing at the top of the conference for the second year in a row doesn't seem realistic. However, the Bruins would trade that in a heartbeat for postseason success.
Where will the goals come from? Guerin tallied 41 goals last year. Now, those are gone. The Bruins don't expect to have a new player emerge with that many (with the exception of Glen Murray, who potted 41 last year, as well) but rather, they'll generate offense by committee. They added Michal Grosek in hopes he can add a scoring touch and help replace the toughness Guerin brought to the club.
Who will emerge in goal? With Dafoe still searching for greener pastures, a la unrestricted free agency, the Bruins are setting their sights on John Grahame and Steve Shields. Grahame spent the summer cramming in jeet-kune-do, a martial art that he believes will not only help his overall conditioning but will improve his hand-eye coordination, balance and reaction time. He said he wants the No. 1 job. He'll have to earn it.
Can the defense add any offense? The blueliners were Boston's biggest Achilles' heel when it came to point production. Of the club's 236 total goals, defensemen contributed just 18. Enough said.
Preseason schedule
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DATE
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OPPONENT
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TIME (ET)
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Thu., Sept. 19
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vs. St. Louis at Worcester, Mass. (Centrum Centre)
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7 p.m.
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Fri., Sept. 20
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vs. Washington at Manchester, N.H.
(Verizon Wireless Arena)
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7:30 p.m.
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Mon., Sept. 23
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at Montreal
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7:30 p.m.
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Thu., Sept. 26
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vs. Montreal at Halifax, N.S. (Metro Centre)
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6 p.m.
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Sat., Sept. 28
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N.Y. Islanders
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1 p.m.
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Sun., Sept. 29
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at N.Y. Rangers
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5 p.m.
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Tue., Oct. 1
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at Pittsburgh
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7:30 p.m.
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Wed., Oct. 2
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vs. Florida at Estero, Fla. (TECO Arena)
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7:30 p.m.
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Sat., Oct. 5
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N.Y. Rangers
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7 p.m.
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