My Bruins Team of the Decade

Well this past decade didn’t bring a Stanley Cup to Boston, and overall it was a pretty poor decade. The Bruins only managed to win one playoff series despite appearing in the playoffs several times. The Bruins did have several good teams though.

The Bruins have had a ton of excellent players though through this decade, so I have decided to make my Bruins Team of the Decade!

1^st Line:

Samsonov-Thornton-Murray

This line brings a very unique gift of speed with Sergei Samsonov. Samsonov had the unique ability during his tenure with the Bruins to skate circles around everyone. The speedy Russian has not had a very good career since the Lock-Out, but was one of the best during the early part of the decade. Joe Thornton has been one of the best players throughout the decade with the Bruins and Sharks. Jumbo Joe has been one of the best set up men throughout the decade. Glenn Murray’s career in Boston may have ended in a buy-out, but Muzz was one of the best sniper’s in the early part of the decade. He was one of the best snipers in the league for the early part of the decade.

2^nd line:

Knuble-Allison-Bergeron

Mike Knuble who was on that “Big” Line with Thornton and Murray during the 2003-04 campaign, was an important part of the Bruins during the early part of the decade. The rugged wing made his presence known on the ice, and “loved to dish it out” as the play by play guy on NHL 10 would say.  Jason Allison had some great seasons with Boston. He was only around for 2 seasons during this decade but he did have a 95 point season. Patrice Bergeron came onto the scene during the 2003-04 campaign. Bergeron finished in the top 5 voting for the Calder Trophy. Bergeron has become the Alternate Captain for the Bruins today. Bergeron is the best 2 way player on the Bruins and has arguably been their best players this year.

3^rd Line:

Rolston-Savard-Guerin

Brian Rolston was one of the Bruins best penalty killers during the early part of the decade. Rolston was acquired from Colorado for Ray Bourque. Rolston had several 20+ goal seasons for the Bruins. He played center during his time in Boston, but has since become a winger, which is why I have him on the wing here. Rolston also led the league in shorthanded goals a few times during his time in Boston.  Marc Savard was signed in the off-season before the 2006-07 season.  Savvy has been the Bruins top point producer since his signing. He is right up there in top set-up men in the league with Joe Thornton. The Bruins pivot has really improved his game under coach Claude Julien becoming a good 2 way player. Billy Guerin was not a Bruins very long, but while he was here he was very good.

4^th Line:

Lucic-Krejci-Recchi

-Stock

Well you probably see Stock and are like is he serious? I couldn’t leave him off the roster. He is the Bruins goon of the decade. I believe it was hockeyfights.com that rated his fight with Stephen Peat the best fight of the decade. Stock is an extra on this roster though. Bruins power forward Milan Lucic has become a fan favorite only 3 years into his NHL career. Lucic is a heavy hitter with a ton of upside. If he didn’t get hurt last season he would have easily had 20 goals. I put Krejci at center here. I was questioning whether to go with Michael Nylander or Krejci.  I went with Krejci though because of how impressive he was last season. I already had Rolston and Bergeron at wing so Krejci was the next choice. Finally, future Hall of Famer Mark Recchi grabs the right wing. He should probably be a little bit higher up, but he is finishing his career here. He wasn’t here during his prime, but makes my cut anyways because of his track record. This is why two of my defensemen make the cut.

Defensive Pairs

Bourque-Chara

Bourque only played 2 months for the Bruins during the decade, but I couldn’t possibly leave Raymond off this roster. Just imagine if Chara and Bourque could have played together during their primes. Both have rockets from the point and play well in both ends. The Bruins would have some power play with these two on the blue line.

Gonchar-Boynton

After picking Bourque and Chara it was kind of hard to decide the rest of the defense. I decided that there was no way Hal Gill was making this roster. Gonchar played a half a season for the Bruins after coming over during the trade deadline. Gonchar is one of the best defensemen of the decade, and is a force on the power play. Nick Boynton had a solid career with the Bruins, but is no superstar.

Leetch-Sweeney

Brian Leetch ended his career with the Bruins, so why not put Leetch on the roster. Leetch was a tremendous force on the power play throughout his NHL career. During his one season with the Bruins in 2005-06 he was pretty good, but not his best season. Finally Don Sweeney who played his college hockey at Harvard and most of his career with the Bruins is my 6^th defensemen. Sweeney was never really a wizard with the puck, but Sweeney was a good solid player for the Bruins.

Goalies

Thomas

Dafoe

In goal it’s a toss up of who would start for the Bruins, but I go with Tim Thomas because of the Vezina he won last season. Thomas went from a journeyman goalie, to the Vezina winner. Lord Byron is the back up as the English native back stopped the Bruins too several good seasons

Honorable mention:

Michael Nylander

Marco Sturm

Phil Kessel

Dennis Wideman

Anson Carter

Jiri Slegr

PJ Axelsson

Petr Tenkrat (kidding hahaha)