Boston Bruins’ Top Five Scorers For Next Season

Boston Bruins' Top 5 Scorers For Next Season

The Boston Bruins have been extremely active in the offseason with multiple new players, departures, and the potential promotions of some from the lower leagues. Most affected by the changes are the forwards. While the core group of Bruins will stay the same, such as Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, they will not be able to do all of the scoring on their own. This along with a host of other factors that will influence the Bruins next season warrants a closer look at the talent that will help the Bruins win.

The most serious losses to the Bruins' forwards were Nathan Horton and Tyler Seguin. Each contributed big play for the Black and Gold in their own way. Seguin lit up the back of the net during the regular season while Horton made some big waves during the playoffs.

Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli has done a good job of replacing them by bringing in some new players that are now expected to carry the load, such as Jerome Iginla and Loui Eriksson. With developmental camp now in full swing, some youngsters will also have their chance to make their mark on the team and prove they can hold a roster spot.

The older veterans and staples of the squad will be expected to keep producing at a high level too. Their will be no rest for the weary after a long playoffs, a short offseason, and the extra commitment for some who will travel to Sochi in 2014 for the chance to compete for a medal with their national teams.

With all of these factors in play, it becomes a serious question who will step up and perform for the Bruins next season. There will be some new players that are going to shine in combination with the familiar faces that everyone expects to produce. With that being said, here are the likely top five scorers for the Boston Bruins next season.

Tim N. is a Boston Bruins writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @timnikolou

Carl Soderberg

Carl Soderberg has the potential for a big year next season. If he can carry over his excellent form from his playing days in the Swedish league, then he will easily become one of the Bruins' best scorers. As he adjusts to his new team, he will get better and better. The only question remaining is what role he will have? He will likely be slotted in at center of the third line to get the most production out of him.

Loui Eriksson

Loui Erkisson is another new arrival for the Bruins. He was acquired earlier this offseason and there is not much known about him given his years playing in a small market city. However, he is great talent and fits the Bruins system well. He was a star in Dallas, no pun intended, who can play physical and gritty while being able to score goals. He should be a great addition and score plenty of goals with his quick release.

David Krejci

David Krejci took the playoffs by storm with the most points scored, and his regular season play was not that bad either, though the plus one rating does not do him justice. He always finds the back of the net and ranks high in scoring every year. His contract surprisingly runs out the year after next so I would not count on him slacking up or being lazy any time soon. Krejci will continue to perform on a consistent basis, and the lights out display he can bring to a game makes him a great goal scorer.

Patrice Bergeron

One of the players of the season last year, Patrice Bergeron, will again be up there in the stat sheet with a load of goals. Whether they are clutch last minute ones or empty netters, Bergeron always manages to find the back of the net every season despite his other duties on defense and the penalty kill. The big contract extension was an example of faith in him to produce and there is little doubt he will.

Brad Marchand

Brad Marchand was by far and away the Bruins' best offensive player last year, at least according to the stats. He had as many goals as assists during the regular season and a solid playoffs. Also, he had the most game winners last season with five. There is no reason that he won't keep it going. In addition to his ability to get under a team's skin, he can use his fast pace and agility to blow past defenders and take the goalie one on one. Marchand should be able to continue his great form next season as the slightly underrated forward that he is. It would not be surprising to see him top the scoring charts again.