Admittedly, Boston’s Eastern Conference semifinal loss to Philadelphia stings. And you can bet it stings players, coaches and management much more than it could possibly affect the most die-hard fan. Despite a 3-0 series lead — and a 3-0 first-period lead in the decisive Game 7 — the B’s have no choice but to step aside and sit back as the Flyers forge ahead against the hated Canadiens for a chance to move on to the Stanley Cup finals.
That’s the bad. For a while, there’s going to be a lot of bad written about and dissected on TV and radio airwaves. But how about the good?
As the onion that has everyone shedding a few tears over the 2009-10 season begins to be pulled apart layer by layer, there is much to be excited about at its core, looking ahead. Forget, for a moment, the number of players GM Peter Chiarelli has been able to lock up over the last year (such as Marc Savard, David Krejci and Milan Lucic) and focus on the emergence of some of the farmhands.
A year ago at this time, Tuukka Time didn’t exist — at least not to the mainstream public. You certainly couldn’t find that slogan on a T-shirt outside the TD Garden. Johnny Boychuk, meanwhile, had padded his resume with the AHL’s Outstanding Defenseman award after leading the P-Bruins in scoring, not to mention all AHL blue-liners. And Brad Marchand had just finished a Rookie of the Year campaign in Providence, where his game centered on making those around him better and those on the other side worse, courtesy of, well, distraction.
All three of those players contributed to the Bruins in varying ways and degrees in 2009-10. Goaltender Tuukka Rask found a way to unseat reigning Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas as the team’s No. 1 goaltender throughout much of the regular season and throughout the entire playoff run, becoming a fan favorite along the way.
Boychuk, though not the last line of defense, was awfully close, playing 21-34 minutes per game during the postseason alongside captain Zdeno Chara. Does anyone remember that, entering December, this guy had only played three games?
Marchand ultimately did not appear in a playoff game, but he did see 20 games worth of callups as a second-year pro, showing great promise for the future and making many question whether another tour in Providence will be necessary.
These three men were among 12 players to suit up for both Boston and Providence over the last eight months, joining noteworthy contributors such as Vladimir Sobotka, Adam McQuaid and Trent Whitfield. Go back through the years and add Thomas, David Krejci, Patrice Bergeron, Matt Hunwick and Mark Stuart to the list of current Bruins who have enjoyed considerable time in Rhode Island.
The fact is, more often than not, NHL success begins in the AHL. Yes, the Bruins have the second-overall draft pick to look forward to, and whether they end up with Taylor Hall or Tyler Seguin, either youngster will almost assuredly have what it takes to bypass the minor leagues. But future Bruins aside, there is reason to be excited over those already in the system, learning under the tutelage of P-Bruins coaches Rob Murray and Bruce Cassidy.
Zach Hamill, selected eighth overall in 2007, had his long-awaited first taste of the NHL in the regular season finale and showed the patience and creativity that may earn him more than a late-season look in 2010-11. Fellow center and speedster Jamie Arniel has just over a year of pro experience under his belt, and he has steadily improved many facets of his game. Forwards Joe Colborne and Max Sauve will officially be rookies next year, and along with 2009 first-rounder Jordan Caron — who waits in the wings — all three are expected to contribute big things offensively.
Defensively, Andrew Bodnarchuk and Jeff Penner both received NHL callups as reward for their second successful seasons at the AHL level. Though both differ in style — Bodnarchuk is more defensively oriented, while Penner adds a bit more offense to his game — the two almost certainly project to see more big league time as their development continues. Don't forget about rookie-to-be Steve Kampfer, who has been solid on the back line in his limited pro experience coming out of college and has shown shades of Hunwick in his game. The two played together at Michigan.
In net, Boston is already as good as any NHL team could wish to be, boasting the tandem of Tuukka and Thomas — who, barring trade, will occupy the crease for years to come.
While things will likely be somber on the Bruins’ side of the Garden for a short while, when it comes to the future, there are many reasons to smile.
