Vitt's Voice: A look forward

The Bruins have 10 players hitting the free agent market this summer. Add that to the fact the that the B’s have the 2nd overall draft pick and prospects like Joe Colborne and Zach Hamill waiting in Providence, and there is no doubt that the overall shape of the team will look different at the start of next season.

Re-sign: The B’s have already locked in several of their star players to long term contracts, including Milian Lucic, Marc Savardand, and David Krejci to insure a better future but they’re going to have to make some additional signing come this summer. First – Blake Wheeler; he is a developing player. Boston fans expect him to be the next Phil Kessel, which he is not, but he is a great secondary goal scorer. He can net 20-25 goals in a season. He needs to learn how to use his size and speed more, but he will be valuable. The B’s need to resign him.

Second – Vladimir Sobotka – to put it simply, Sobotka knows what it takes to be a Bruin. After going back and forth between Boston and Providence for the past two years, Sobotka has earned his permanent spot on the Bruins roster. He is a natural center and though the B’s have their top three centers locked up long term, he would be a good fourth line player due to his grit and passion, as well as one that could bring an offensive punch every now and then.

Lastly – Mark Recchi: the ageless wonder. This decision is kind of out of the Bruins’ hands, pending on if Recchi decides to retire after this season. If he doesn’t, it is a clear decision to sign him. Recchi netted 18 goals and 25 assists playing primarily on the B’s third line. He has chemistry with Patrice Bergeron and is a fan favorite; there is no doubt that the B’s should show interest in him next season.

The Bruins are also going to have to try to sign a proven goal scorer. They were dead last in the league for goals scored and need to sign a proven player that can net 30+ goals. A dream would be that of Patrick Marleau, with his 44 goals and 39 assists during the 2009-2010 season, but his $6 million contract might make that impossible. Unless the Bruins could move some dead weight (Michael Ryder) it is unlikely that Marleau will be in a Bruins uniform.

The more likely situation would be that of Ray Whitney who netted 21 goals and 37 assists last season. He is the winger that would mesh perfectly with Marc Savard and could be affordable on the Bruins’ end.

It is a likely situation that the 2nd overall pick that the B’s get will start the year on the NHL roster, though it is uncertain if Joe Colborne will start with Providence or Boston. This will ultimately affect the moves the Bruins make in the off season.

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