The Boston Bruins were fortunate this past off-season, only losing two free agents, one of which was going to be let go regardless, and the other was expendable anyway.
This may not be the case at the conclusion of the 2011-2012 NHL season. With three players becoming restricted free agents and six becoming unrestricted next July, there may be only one way to keep them from going elsewhere.
Winning a Stanley Cup Championship, again.
Boston Bruins goaltender of the future, Tuukka Rask, will become a restricted free agent when this upcoming season is over.
In the 2009-2010 regular season, Rask was the only goalie with a goals against average of less than 2.00 and the only goalie with a save percentage over .930, making him the only qualifying rookie in NHL history to lead the league with a GAA below 2.00 as well as lead the league in save percentage.
David Krejci will also become a restricted free agent next summer. If the Bruins lose him, that will leave a gaping hole at the center position on the Bruins first line.
Krejci finished the 2011 playoffs with a league-leading 12 goals, 23 points and four game-winning goals, making him arguably one of the best centers in the league.
Chris Kelly, Rich Peverley, Daniel Paille, Shawn Thornton, Joe Corvo and Johnny Boychuk will all become unrestricted free agents in July of 2012.
Kelly's solid defensive-zone play, strong penalty killing and faceoff work (53.7 winning percentage), provides much-needed depth up front.
Thornton is a fan favorite for multiple reasons. He was a part of the gritty fourth line that was often clutch for the Bruins. Even when only seeing a mere five minutes of ice time, Thornton's effort remained at a consistent 100% night in and night out.
The Oshawa, Ontario native exudes leadership both on and off the ice, and often times took it upon himself to wake up his teammates, leading the team in fighting majors with 14.
Peverley and Paille bring much needed speed to the Bruins front lines and Corvo and Boychuk round out the blue-liners, both bringing intimidation and aggressiveness.
Corvo led all Carolina defensemen in goals (11), was second in assists (29), only being beat out for first by one goal by defender Joni Pitkanen.
He also led all team defenseman in points (40) and power-play goals (5), was third in blocked shots (119), led the team in power-play assists (18) and was second on the team in short-handed goals.
Corvo will bring much needed offense to the blue-line to compliment Chara's offensive capabilities.
If the Bruin's fail to win the Stanley Cup this coming season, or worse, fail to make the playoffs, I fear that these dominant players will take their services elsewhere.
I believe that the only way to keep the Boston Bruins intact is to give these players the opportunity to win back-to-back-to-back championships.
Milan Lucic, Nathan Horton, Tyler Seguin, Gregory Campbell, Andrew Ference and Tim Thomas all become free agents in 2013.
If these players had the chance for a three-peat, there would be no way they would leave Boston and miss that chance, no matter how much money they would be offered by other teams.
As unrealistic as that may sound, it is the only way the Bruins will stay dominant in the Eastern Conference without having to give up their star players.
Mark Eaton Trent Hunter Andy Hilbert Bruno Gervais Dustin Kohn Andrew McDonald
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