There is further evidence that this is truly a bizarre time in Boston sports. Not only do we have three reigning champions but suddenly the Bruins are on the verge of becoming relevant as well.
Yesterday, the Bruins resigned Mark Stuart who was a key young defenseman for them last year. This comes on the heels of them resigning Aaron Ward early in the off season and making the move to sign free agent rookie Blake Wheeler. Now word comes from the front office that they are talking about moving some albatross contracts (Murray & Fernandez being the most prominent names) in order to go after a key free agent like Marian Hossa.
Somebody wake me up as this must be a dream. The Bruins do not make good decisions like holding on to key pieces of their team (Ward & Stuart & seriously trying to keep Wideman). Free agents with a multitude of choices of where to sign do not go to the Bruins because they "like the direction of the club" (Blake Wheeler). The Bruins do not shed aging contracts of players that may have a special place in the team's heart but just aren't getting the job done anymore (Murray). And they certainly don't make good decisions to clear cap space to go after marquee free agents (Hossa).
Somebody is drinking the Kool-Aid. Bill Simmons wrote a great article when the Celtics won about how the three big teams in Boston (Pats, Sox, & Celts) all seem to be hanging out together and how the management of the teams seem to be taking similar approaches to the teams. It is possible that we are seeing a shift with the Bruins. Maybe the signing two years ago of Chara & Savard really was the start of something special. They seem to be drafting smarter as several of the players on this year's team are Bruins draft picks and keeping their players.
Will there be a payoff this year? Only time will tell but the off-season has been a win so far for the Bruins.
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