Boston Bruins 2014-15 Season Preview

Feb 8, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins right wing Shawn Thornton (22) skates with the puck during the third period against the Ottawa Senators at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

CHANGES

IN – none

OUT– Jarome Iginla, Shawn Thornton, Andrej Meszaros

It was a quiet off-season in Boston as the Bruins were fighting cap issues that resulted from the previous season, tying their hands.  The contract bonuses to Jarome Iginla, Dougie Hamilton and Torey Krug carry over almost $5M to the cap for the coming season, and they are already over the cap with Krug and Reilly Smith still to sign.  Marc Savard‘s $4+M will come off the cap, but the Bruins still might have to make a move to get below the number.   The Bruins will look to Ryan Spooner and a number of other young players to step up and create competition, and to make up for the loss of Iginla, who tied with Patice Bergeron for the club lead in goals.

Don’t underestimate the loss of Thornton, who was a heart and soul Bruin that the club had to make the difficult decision to move on without, because they didn’t have room for a head cheerleader on the roster.