2008 NHL Season Preview: Boston Bruins Putting Weight on Youngsters

Despite season long injuries for the Bruins top players Patrice Bergeron and Manny Fernandez, the Bruins did manage to have a much improved season last year. The Bruins moved from finishing 13^th place in 2006-2007 to finishing 8^th in 2007-2008. The Bruins featured 8 rookies during the season, some of which will have a great chance at making this season's club full time.

The first of the youngsters is Zach Hamill. Hamill lead the WHL in scoring with 32 goals and 93 points last season. He only posted 26 goals this past season with a weaker team, but Hamill definitely has the scoring touch. Hamill spent the end of the season in Providence helping them during their Calder Cup run and will play a vital role for the team this season.

Carl Soderberg is the next of the crop of youngsters the Bruins could be featuring next season. Soderberg was one of the best players in the Swedish Elite League until he suffered from an eye injury that nearly ended his career. Soderberg did recover however and put up 15 goals and 44 points in 32 games for Malmo of the Swedish Elite League last season. Soderberg made his way to Boston in the deal with St. Louis for goaltender Hannu Toivonen last summer. Soderberg is coming to training camp this year fully expecting to make the team. The Bruins has been patient with Soderberg and his eye injury, but fully expect him to play in Boston or Providence this coming season.

In 2004 the Phoenix Coyotes selected Blake Wheeler 5^th overall. Wheeler spent 3 seasons playing with the University of Minnesota but decided he would not return next season. He also told Phoenix that he would not be signing with them. Instead, Wheeler signed a free-agent contract with Boston. Wheeler will attend both development camp and training camp for Boston this season. Part of Wheeler's decision to make the move to Boston could have been that he played with Bruins star Phil Kessel at Minnesota during the 2005-2006 season. Look for Wheeler to make a strong showing for himself at this year's training camp.

Matt Hunwick is a defenseman who could make a difference for the Bruins next season. Hunwick spent 4 years at the University of Michigan where he captained the team his senior year. Hunwick is a puck moving defenseman who spent time paired with Jack Johnson at Michigan. Hunwick was plus-24 in his senior year at Michigan and should have a strong chance to play for the Bruins next season. He played 13 games for Boston last season but only notched one assist. Hunwick will continue to grow but needs to improve his strength and offensive skills in order to be a serious defenseman in the NHL.

Tuukka Rask is arguably one of the best young goalies coming up in the NHL. He spent time last year with the Bruins but will probably see full time duty in Providence next season. The Bruins expect goaltenders Tim Thomas and Manny Fernandez to be the one two punch they need next season, giving Rask minor league duty for at least one more season. Last season he went 27-13-2 with Providence and look for him to do similarly as well this year.