At the beginning of last season, Something's Bruin did a small profile on relatively unknown Bruins players called "Know Your Bruin." The main purpose of the articles was to make the fans known about some of the players on the verge of playing for the black and gold. As the pieces on Jeff LoVecchio, Brad Marchand, Vladimir Sobotka and Johnny Boychuk were well received with Bruins fans, they will continue this season.

First, keying in on Johnny Boychuk. The prediction last season was that he'd be the sixth defenseman, paired with Mark Stuart. You can make a case for whether that prediction was correct or not; however, that isn't the point of this article. Whatever the case was, we as a fan base saw Boychuk breakout and have a fantastic season despite spending half of it on the bench while guys like Dennis Wideman and Matt Hunwick played horrible hockey.

When Boychuk did get his shot, he was defined by two things:

• A fast and heavy slapshot, almost Chara-esque
  
• Hard-hitting defenseman

To put it in one word, Boychuk's rookie season was fantastic. Boychuk ended the season with 5 goals, 10 assists, 15 points and a plus/minus of +10, which is good considering that Dennis Wideman ended the season -14 and ate up minutes on the team. The real question though is whether Boychuk will fall into the trap of sports known as the sophomore slump. For those not in the know, the sophomore slump is where someone or something in their second year doesn't perform up to their achievements in their first year. A lot of players see a sophomore slump their second year but the reason for it is virtually unknown. Some players will succumb to injury while others have expectations so lofty that ever meeting them was out of the question. There could also be a change in coaching, change in strategy, change in talent, etc.

For a better idea of the sophomore slump, lets take a look at some prominent Bruins players and the contrast from their first/second year, especially keying on defensive players to see if a change in the number of games played had a positive or negative effect on their numbers (and by virtue of those numbers, their play).

Zdeno Chara

Chara broke into the NHL during the 1997-1998 season where he played 25 games for the New York Islanders and notched just 1 assist while putting up a plus/minus of +1. Chara also registered 50 penalty minutes and 10 shots on goal.

In his sophomore season, Chara's games increased to 59, which is more than double the amount he played the season before. With an increase in his games played, there was also an increase in scoring (2 goals, 6 assists, 8 points) and shots on goal (from 10 to 56). With the positive though comes the negative as Chara's penalty minutes increased from 50 to 83 and his plus/minus went down from +1 to -8. Like I mentioned, a lot can be contributed to these types of numbers. Chara was clearly given a larger role with the team, but the 1998-1999 New York Islanders finished the season with 58 points which was good for the third worst team in the NHL behind Vancouver (58 points but New York had more wins) and Tampa Bay (47 points).

On a bad team, Chara was able to show some positive numbers despite having a poor plus/minus and the increased penalty minutes (which would obviously increase with more games being played).

Mark Stuart

Stuart was drafted by the Bruins with the 21st overall pick in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. In Stuart's rookie season (2005-2006 season), he played 17 games for the Bruins and notched 1 goal, 1 assist (2 points) with a plus/minus of -1. Stuart also had 10 penalty minutes and 9 shots on goal for the Bruins.

The next season Stuart decreased in games played by two (15 total) as did his offensive production from 2 points (1G, 1A) to 1 (1A), but Mark Stuart is not known as an offensive defensemen. The guy is pure defense and we, as Bruins fans, know this. So how can you measure good defense? People believe that stats like hits and blocked shots can accurately measure defensive ability.

In his rookie season, Stuart blocked 29 shots (in 17 games) but the next season that number dropped to 16. While the blocked shots statistic fell, his hits rose, if just a little. In 2005-2006, Stuart laid out 19 hits and his sophomore season he dolled out 22 hits on opponents. Stuart's giveaways also feel from his rookie year (5) to his sophomore year (3) while his takeaways fell from 5 in his rookie year to 1 in his sophomore year.

It's tough to say whether or not Stuart was a victim of a sophomore slump because both his rookie and sophomore season were pretty similar. Something like this could be the way that Johnny Boychuk goes, though Boychuk is more offensive minded than Stuart.

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With a team that, this year, has not changed too drastically, the excuse of change is something that can be thrown out the window. Although the team is one year older, there are only a few new faces in Nathan Horton and Tyler Seguin. Based on Boychuk's play last season, it would be surprising if he doesn't crack the top 6 lineup in favor of guys like Matt Hunwick or Adam McQuaid.

In terms of a sophomore slump, I believe that the 51 games that Boychuk saw will ultimately help him progress from season one to season two. It doesn't hurt that he has someone like Zdeno Chara playing on a line with him, but Boychuk has the speed and the skill (he was the 2008-2009 Eddie Shore Award winner) to become a better player than he was last year. But what do you think? Sophomore slumps are unpredictable, after all...

Tim Thomas was all smiles at Milan Lucic's Rock and Jock Softball tournament two days ago, and why not? He's recovering well from hip surgery, he's outside enjoying the fantastic August weather, and he's poised to become one half of the league's greatest goalie tandem.

Despite naysayers who complain about Thomas' contract, warn against a Tuukka Rask sophomore slump and bemoan Thomas being unable to ever rebound to Vezina form, the two Bruins goaltenders are in good shape. Rask is locked up for far less money than he is worth, making him one of the great financial steals of the league, and the two contracts balance out fairly well. In spite of a bottom-of-the-league offense and struggles on the blueline, Rask managed to lock up the #1 spot in save percentage and goals allowed against last year, while Thomas stuck around #16 in save percentage and #18 in goals allowed against. No other team had a tandem that good, and Rask/Thomas would have won the award for highest combined save percentage if not for the solo efforts of an aging Martin Brodeur.

Cue the oncoming 2010-2011 season. Peter Chiarelli has beefed up the Bruins' offense with the addition of Nathan Horton and has taken a chance on the young Tyler Seguin. With an offense that should be able to put up more than one goal per game, even Thomas' 2.55 GAA doesn't look too horrible. Keep in mind he was also playing through injury for part of the season, and also started in nine fewer games last year than the year prior. A team that wants to seriously shoot for the Stanley Cup requires both a solid offense and solid goaltending - look at Chicago, whose offense for one season was over-the-top, whose goaltending tandem of Niemi and Huet wasn't spectacular but could get the job done.

Regardless of what happens, Boston's goaltending looks promising. According to Justin Goldman of The Goalie Guild, Rask shouldn't suffer from a sophomore slump at all.

"I very seriously doubt Rask struggles enough to call it a sophomore slump. He's too mentally tough and has tons of confidence. There will be some struggling stretches of course, but it won't be a situation where he totally falls apart like Mason did...Thomas coming off hip surgery means he'll be rusty in October. Rask will get the first chance to shine."

True, Rask's mental makeup is fantastic, but what if he does slump? Thomas is proven to perform at his best when allowed to play consistently. Either we get a second year of TuukkaMania with a solid backup in Thomas, or Thomas gets a shot at making his stats look like they did in 08-09, increases his trade value, and possibly gets moved. Or maybe he simply stays in Boston for the duration of the Bruins' 10-11 Cup Run.

Either way, the goalie situation is looking good in Boston.

Summer vacation is almost over for the Black and Gold.

On Friday night, at Milan Lucic's Rock 'n' Jock Celebrity Softball Game, Lucic and fellow winger Shawn Thornton expressed their enthusiasm for getting back on the ice for the start of the season.

Both forwards said they were excited about playing with Tyler Seguin and some of the Bruins' new, young talent once training camp starts, although neither Lucic nor Thornton had seen any of the Bruins' draftees play yet. Although Thornton said he was sad to see good friend Dennis Wideman leave the team, he wasn't upset about it.

"It's the tough  part of the business that you have to put up with every year," said Thornton.

Each said that they were happy with the moves the the Bruins had made in the offseason and were looking forward to being part of a strong Bruins forward presence.

Regarding the rumors surrounding the Bruins possibly trading Marc Savard and Tim Thomas, Thornton said that the team didn't take them too seriously. "Rumors are rumors, you're always going to have them, but until it happens, there's no reason to fret about them."

Although the season is going to start in an unfamiliar venue, Lucic was very excited about what the trip to Prague meant for the team.

"When you have trips like that, everyone overlooks the team bonding that you can make in a trip like that, so I'm looking forward to just being with the boys on the road and hopefully starting the season out with two wins."

All photos courtesy of T. England, staff photographer.

While the Red Sox began the first of four games with their hated rivals in the Bronx, another epic diamond match-up was taking place, this one quite a bit closer to home.

LeLacheur Park in Lowell was the site of Milan Lucic's Rock 'n' Jock Celebrity Softball game, where Bruins past and present and current Boston TV and radio personalities came together to raise money for Health and Education Services. While the focus of the night was on fun and friends, it was hard to ignore the more pressing matters at hand, particularly those involving hockey.

Along with Lucic, Shawn Thornton and Tim Thomas laced up their cleats to take it to the Rocks. Before the game, which Lucic's Jocks won, 5-4 in extra innings, the Bruins' two most popular enforcers entertained the media.

Both Lucic and Thornton seemed excited about the year ahead, and were both pleased with the moves that General Manager Peter Chiarelli made during the offseason. "It feels like it was so long ago," Lucic said when asked about the unfortunate end to last season, "we're just ready to get things going."

Lucic was especially excited about the season-opening trip to Prague, noting that it could be a great chance for the team to bond and come together.

Thornton spent less time talking hockey and more time talking down his softball skills, which proved to be ample. Playing first base and hitting third, Thornton put on a defensive clinic that even someone like Kevin Youkilis would be impressed with, scooping the ball out of the dirt countless times.

If there were any good signs about the Bruins' year ahead, it was the competitive fire that still burns inside of their big men. The game was scheduled to go just five innings, but after the end of the fifth, with the Jocks down 4-2, Lucic and friends decided the game would go two more innings.

In the bottom of the seventh, with runners on first and second, Looch came to bat with two outs and his team down, 4-3. He roped a double to left field, scoring ESPN's Jimmy Murphy to tie the game, but Thornton was throw out at home trying to win it.

Not satisfied with a tie, the Jocks implored the crowd to play another inning. The crowd obliged...twice.

In the bottom of the ninth, Lucic again found himself at bat with two outs and the game on the line. ESPN's SportsCenter anchor John Buccigross had just made an incredible play from deep in the hole at shortstop to slow a Jocks rally, and the crowd was restless.

Never one to disappoint, Looch put a ball into left-center, and Thornton ran all the way around from first to score the winning run.

After the game, Lucic and Thornton addressed the media and Shawn seemed as surprised as anyone that he played as well as he did. Lucic, who manned left field admirably all game long, said that he would welcome any calls from the Red Sox over the next few months if they were still looking for outfielders.

In case you haven't heard yet, Something's Bruin is hosting a pre-training camp party at McFadden's on Friday, August 13th, starting at 7PM.

If you're interested in writing for us, just want to get to know the faces behind the articles or just enjoy a nice, tall beer or nine, come on down. And if you're on Facebook, RSVP so we know to expect you!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=145320178828276&ref=mf

Hope to see everyone there!

-Ryan

Tyler Seguin and the Bruins have agreed to terms on a contract, according to Jimmy Murphy of ESPNBoston.com.

Seguin's maximum entry-level deal is worth $900,000, with bonuses that could make it worth as much as $3.75 million. Only the base salary will count against the Bruins' salary cap for 2010-11, with the bonuses factoring in in the 2011-12 season.

With Seguin signing, the Bruins are now $450,000 over the salary cap, but still well within the 10% operating area that the NHL allows teams until opening night of the regular season. Until Marco Sturm returns from knee surgery, his $3.5 million cap hit will not affect the Bruins.

In just 63 games with the Plymouth Whalers last season, Seguin led the league in points (106) and goals (48). In 124 total OHL games, he scored 173 points (69-104).

Although Seguin is as prized a center as the draft has yielded in recent years, it is likely that he will start the season as one of Marc Savard's wingmen on the first line.

At only 18 years old, the Bruins hope Seguin will be a centerpiece of the team's success not just for years, but decades to come.

In the conference call to announce the Seguin signing, Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli fielded many questions regarding the Bruins' salary cap situation, noting that while the Bruins may make another move to deal with the salary cap, "right now we don't need to do anything." He ruled out the possibility that the Bruins would pursue any buyouts of current contracts.

Chiarelli reflected the team's enthusiasm in signing Seguin, and although he didn't give away any details, made it very clear that Seguin's slotted for the wing at the beginning of the season.

Addressing the contract situations of Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron, both unrestricted free agents at the end of the upcoming season, Chiarelli said that there have been talks and "we'll continue to talk."

When asked about the Bruins' roster situation for its season-opening trip to the Czech Republic, Chiarelli noted that the Bruins are allowed to carry one additional goalie on their roster, but no additional forwards or defensemen.

With training camp only 6 weeks away and their number-2 draft pick locked in, it seems as though the Bruins are happy with what they have on the ice and are ready to get down to business.

A look at the Bruins cap, provided by capgeek.com

Although Peter Chiarelli has a degree from Harvard University, many people in Boston have been questioning his business knowledge based on his recent cap movement and contract offers. As of today, the Bruins are currently $-2,187,771, or $2.1M over the NHL salary cap. This isn't currently a huge issue for a few reasons:

• It is August
• NHL teams can be over the NHL Salary Cap until the start of the season

Don't make the mistake in thinking Boston is the only team above the salary cap, because they aren't. Vancouver ($2.6M), Calgary ($2.3M) and New Jersey ($2.3) are also over the salary cap, though the Bruins are in a class on their own. Why? The teams previously mentioned do not have the #2 overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft waiting to be signed. Chiarelli has always made questionable moves, but allowing Seguin to remain unsigned while going over the salary cap may be the least intelligent move of them all. Many of his contract offers in recent years remain questionable, especially the ones given to Michael Ryder, Milan Lucic, Tim Thomas and Andrew Ference. Add in the 766K Boston is still paying Peter Schaefer (what a waste he was) and you have some big money problems on Causeway Street.

Bad Contracts

Bad contracts have plagued the Bruins for as long as I can remember but it seems that the past couple of seasons have been especially bad. Guys like Greg Campbell should not be making $1M, especially considering he's a fourth line forward that put up 17 points (2G, 15A) all last season. There is absolutely no way he should be making more than a guy like Shawn Thornton (1G, 9A) who had roughly the same stats and is making 812K. Even Steve Begin only made 850K last season and had 5G and 9A (14 points). What makes Campbell so different? The obvious overpayment of Campbell and Daniel Paille should  really irritate fans of the Black and Gold. Although it may be just a small overpayment, saving 20K for each player goes a long way, especially when you have to factor in call-ups and injuries.

It's not just the low-level players that are extremely overpaid. Michael Ryder, who is always a hot topic in Boston (unlike his play on the ice), is the fourth highest paid forward on the team, making $4M this season. Ryder posted 18G, 15A and 33P and played a full season. I have a major issue with a player making $4M and only putting up 33 points. I don't want to hear about the Bruins' offensive woes last season, either. For whatever reason, Ryder has always seemed to be a lazy player and we knew this when we signed him 2 years ago. There were times last year when Ryder was on the ice and was completely invisible. He's a soft player who doesn't deserve the type of money he's making.

Ryder isn't the only one though. Blake Wheeler went through salary arbitration this season and was awarded a $2.2M, one year contract. Honestly, I think the Bruins should have walked away from Wheeler the moment that number was set. Wheeler is a big, bulky forward who doesn't use his body or toughness on the ice like he should. He's not going to go into the corner and battle for the puck and with the way he is built, he needs to. I've never been a big Blake Wheeler fan and will never be, even if the guy nets 50 goals. Much like Ryder, there were large stretches last year when he was invisible. When I say invisible, please don't just look at the scoresheet. Look at his play. He's not a very mindful player (shown by his consistent offsides) and he's not very physical, so when he isn't scoring goals, he's useless. $2.2M is an overpayment for a player like Wheeler, but then again when a team trades the #4 pick overall for a second round draft pick, you have to scratch your head at what's wrong with him.

The last example I'm going to get in to is Andrew Ference. Captain Planet was awarded a fat 3 year, $6.75M contract during the season by Chiarelli and company to the dismay of many Bruins fans. Although Ference is a capable second pairing defenseman, his biggest issue is health. The last time Ference played 60+ games in a season was the year he came to the Bruins in a deal from Calgary (he appeared in 80 games that year). Since then he's played 59 games (07-08), 47 games (08-09) and 51 games (09-10). In a possible 246 games (82 games a year for 3 years), Ference has played 157 of them which boils down to about 63%. Where does playing under 60 games a year net you $2.25M a year? Am I missing something here? A guy like Adam McQuaid, who is slated to be used as the 7th defenseman, comes cheap to the Bruins at 575K for the next two years, so why not let Ference walk and give the younger guy a promotion? You'll save about $1.675M. That contract absolutely disturbs me and makes me believe that Chiarelli has "his guys".

Then there's the obvious Tim Thomas albatross that I won't comment on because I've already done that.

What Happens Now?

Well as a Bruins fan, you know they are going to sign Tyler Seguin...and apparently that has happened while this article was in progress. Seguin and the Bruins have come to terms on a contract (per James Murphy's Twitter account), though there aren't any financials released as of yet. This messes things up even more if the Bruins believe Seguin is ready to play a full year at the NHL level. There are a few things the Bruins can do to shave some salary but I highly doubt any of them will happen.

1. Bury Michael Ryder or Marco Sturm in the AHL - There is no doubt that having both of these guys is a salary cap mess since combined they're making $7.5M. If the Bruins were looking to save a little scratch they would seriously look into burying one of these guys in the AHL, much like they did with Peter Schaefer. The problem here is that Chiarelli likes both guys and they are both in a contract year.
   
2. Trade someone of value - For the Bruins to lower their cap number, someone of that roster is going to be traded. There is no way around it. With a one year deal, Michael Ryder or Blake Wheeler could be traded for relief, but something is always coming back. Ryder has little trade value because he an older, soft player that is considered somewhat lazy and is not very physical. Wheeler would probably net a better return (like a 2nd/3rd round draft pick) because it is only his third year in the NHL and he has "potential." The Bruins have also been looking into trading former Vezina trophy winner Tim Thomas throughout the offseason and that would immensely help their cap issues. The only problem is that Thomas needs to agree to a trade since he has a no-trade clause, and with other goalies of similar age and skill signing for far less around the NHL, it's unlikely that his contract will successfully be moved unless the Bruins include someone of far greater value in a package deal with Thomas.
3. Restructure contracts - There was talk about the Bruins restructuring Patrice Bergeron's contract, but those talks have seemingly died out. If they were able to restructure the contract(s) of either Zdeno Chara ($7.5M) or Patrice Bergeron (4.75M), it would certainly save them some money and get them out of the Salary Cap Dumps.

The Boston Bruins system has two World Junior Camp invitees this year. While one is obvious - Tyler Seguin for Team Canada - newly drafted Zane Gothberg is also making a bid for Team USA. While Seguin will be looked to as a leader as one of the older, more experienced members of Team Canada this year, Gothberg is looking to secure a backup role to gold-medal-winning Dallas prospect Jack Campbell and vying for the second spot with two undrafted rookies, Pennsylvanian Michael Houser of the London Knights, and New Yorker Andy Iles of the USHL Under-18 program.

Gothberg was drafted in the sixth round of the 2010 NHL draft, straight of of Thief River Falls High School in Minnesota, where he won the Frank Brimsek Award, which is given annually to Minnesota's best high school goaltender. He will play for the USHL's Fargo Force next year, and eventually hopes to transition to the University of North Dakota. He participated in Bruins Development Camp in June 2010.

Zane Gothberg, Bruns development camp 2010.

USA Hockey's World Junior Development Camp kicked off this weekend, and right off the bat, Gothberg is looking good. Through two days of camp, he has been assigned to the White squad, and White has defeated Blue three days in a row in scrimmages. Goalies exchange places halfway through the second period of each game, and the tandem of Campbell-Gothberg has proven far stronger than that of Iles-Houser. Campbell isn't carrying the goaltending, either - Gothberg is holding his own. In game 1, which ended 4-1, Campbell let in the lone goal. Similarly, the second game ended 4-2, and Gothberg only allowed one.

Today's game was the third of the three scrimmages, and at first appeared to be going more in the Blue squad's direction, with that team putting three goals past Campbell. At the halfway point of the second period, the score was 3-1. Enter the new goalies. White turned around and scored seven unanswered goals, and Gothberg stood tall - the final score today was 8-3.

Over the course of the next six days, Gothberg and the American squad will face a combination of players from Finland and Sweden, as those teams also work to develop their rosters for the World Junior Championship. The games can all be watched online at USAHockey.com. Gothberg will definitely be the goalie to watch over the course of the next few months, and appears poised to secure a role as backup goaltender in the tournament in January.

The Bruins and forward Blake Wheeler have agreed to terms on a one-year contract, valued at $2.2 million, according to league sources and confirmed by WEEI's DJ Bean.

The Bruins' main priority before training camp starts in September now becomes signing second-overall draft pick Tyler Seguin.

Per a report from Jimmy Murphy of ESPNBoston.com, talks between the Bruins and Seguin's agent Ian Pulver have been progressing and Pulver expects a deal to be done before the Bruins take the ice at Ristuccia Arena for training camp.

The cap hit from Wheeler's contract is an even $2.2 million and it is a possibility that the Bruins may pursue a buy-out of one of the members of their current roster in order to accommodate Seguin's salary, expected to be around $850,000, plus bonuses.

Until Marco Sturm returns from recovering from surgery in his right knee, his $3.5 million cap hit will not be a concern for the Bruins, but the stingy winger is expected back in mid-November and a deal will have to be completed by then in order to keep the Bruins under the cap.

Assuming everyone stays put, the Bruins' offensive lines at training camp in Wilmington this year will probably pan out something like this:

Seguin-Savard-Horton

Lucic-Bergeron-Recchi

Ryder-Krejci-Wheeler

Thornton-Campbell-Paille

Jordan Caron and Brad Marchand are the most likely options as thirteenth forwards.

After signing Seguin, the Bruins front office will not be able to rest on its laurels. Patrice Bergeron, Zdeno Chara and Michael Ryder, among others, are all in contract years. Bergeron and Chara should be big priorities for a team built on grit and energy.

Wheeler brings a lot of promise to a Bruins bench that is going to see an infusion of young talent this year; his 39 goals over two full seasons with the Bruins are not unimpressive, but his lack of physical presence have led many to question his real worth to the franchise.

Wheeler has struggled to find his game in the playoffs each of the past two years, registering only 6 points (1-5) in 21 playoffs games with the Bruins. On a team expected to make another deep run into the playoffs for the third year in a fow, he'll need to improve on those stats if he wants a contract offer for the 2011-12 season.