2009–10 Boston Bruins season


The 2009–10 Boston Bruins season is the Bruins' 86th season in the National Hockey League. Their regular season began with a nationally-televised home game against the Washington Capitals on October 1, 2009, and ended with a road game against the same Capitals team on April 11, 2010. The Bruins failed to defend their regular-season division and conference titles from the 2008–09 season.

Off-season

At the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the Bruins chose Jordan Caron with their first-round pick, 25th overall. The NHL announced on July 15, 2009, that the Bruins would face the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2010 NHL Winter Classic on New Year's Day at Fenway Park.
Due to salary cap constraints and free agent movement, General Manager Peter Chiarelli made substantial changes to the Bruins' lineup in the offseason. Most notable was the trade of leading goalscorer Phil Kessel, who declined contract offers and was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs for three draft picks on September 18. Other departures included winger P. J. Axelsson—at 11 seasons, the longest tenured Bruin—center Stephane Yelle, defensemen Shane Hnidy and Steve Montador, and goaltender Manny Fernandez. These veteran players were considered expendable due to competition from younger, lower-paid players in the Bruins organization.
Chiarelli entered the 2009 off-season with the goal of acquiring an offensive-minded defenseman, in part due to Boston's weakness in that area during the previous playoffs. On July 24, defenseman Derek Morris signed a one-year contract with the team. Gritty forward Steve Begin was also signed to provide forward depth. In goal, Fernandez was replaced with rookie Tuukka Rask, who had spent several seasons playing in the American Hockey League.

Pre-season

Regular season

The Bruins were slow to gain traction with their retooled roster, alternating wins and losses in the early weeks of the season. Chiarelli quickly dealt popular winger Chuck Kobasew to the Minnesota Wild, while penalty-killing expert Daniel Paille was brought in from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for draft picks, a move that was interpreted as a sign of dissatisfaction with the team's productivity.
In particular, the team struggled offensively in Kessel's absence. Having nearly finished first in scoring the previous season, the Bruins lingered near the bottom of the league in goal production. However, they were able to stay competitive due to their exceptional defense and strong goaltending tandem. While defending Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas was recovering from an early injury, rookie netminder Tuukka Rask emerged as a potential Calder Memorial Trophy candidate. A four-game winning streak in November set the Bruins back on course, and a 5–1–0 home record in December got them back into the divisional race by Christmas.
Perhaps the most memorable game of the season was the Winter Classic, which the Bruins hosted at Fenway Park in Boston. Despite trailing for most of the game, the team rallied in the final moments and won in overtime before a large national audience. After the game, Thomas was announced as a member of the United States men's hockey team, joining five teammates who would represent various countries in Vancouver.
The Bruins went on a long losing streak lasting from mid-January to just before the Olympic break.
In the 81st game of the season, the Bruins scored three shorthanded goals in a span of 64 seconds. This outburst during a single penalty kill not only equaled their previous shorthanded goal total for the entire season, it was a NHL record for the fastest three shorthanded goals during a game. The 4–2 victory over the Hurricanes secured a playoff spot for the Bruins.
The Bruins finished the regular season having scored 196 goals, the fewest in the NHL. They were the most disciplined team in the League, with a league-low 37 power-play goals against.

Divisional standings

Conference standings

Game log

Playoffs

The Bruins clinched a playoff spot for the third consecutive season.

Playoff log

Skaters

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = Plus-minus; PIM = Penalty minutes
Note: GPI = Games Played In; MIN = Minutes played; GAA = Goals Against Average; W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime/Shootout Losses; SO = Shutouts; SA = Shots Against; GA = Goals Against; SV% = Save Percentage

Awards and records

Awards

On April 8, prior to the game against the Buffalo Sabres, the team announced its award winners for the season.

Milestones

On December 23, Claude Julien coached his 200th game for Boston, a 6–4 win over Atlanta.

Transactions

The Bruins have been involved in the following transactions during the 2009–10 season.
;Trades
July 24, 2009To Carolina Hurricanes:
Aaron Ward		To Boston:
Patrick Eaves
4th-round pick in 2010
September 18, 2009To Toronto Maple Leafs:
Phil Kessel		To Boston:
1st-round pick in 2010
1st-round pick in 2011
2nd-round pick in 2010
October 18, 2009To Minnesota Wild:
Chuck Kobasew		To Boston:
Alexander Fallstrom
Craig Weller
2nd-round pick in 2011
October 20, 2009To Buffalo Sabres:
3rd-round pick in 2010
Conditional 4th-round pick in 2010		To Boston:
Daniel Paille
March 2, 2010To Anaheim Ducks:
Conditional 4th-round draft pick in 2010		To Boston:
Steven Kampfer
March 2, 2010To Edmonton Oilers:
Matt Marquardt		To Boston:
Cody Wild
March 3, 2010To Phoenix Coyotes:
Derek Morris		To Boston:
Conditional pick in 2011
March 3, 2010To Florida Panthers:
Byron Bitz
Craig Weller
2nd-round draft pick in 2010		To Boston:
Dennis Seidenberg
Matt Bartkowski

;Free agents acquired
PlayerFormer teamContract terms
Steve BeginDallas Stars1 year, $850,000
Drew FataBinghamton Senators1 year
Dany SabourinEdmonton Oilers1 year
Rob KwietWindsor Spitfires1 year
Drew LarmanRochester Americans1 year
Zach McKelvieUnited States Military Academy1 year
Trent WhitfieldSt. Louis Blues2 years, 2-way contract
Derek MorrisNew York Rangers1 year, $3.3 million
Andy WozniewskiWilkes-Barre Penguins1 year
Guillaume LefebvreSpringfield Falcons1 year
Miroslav SatanPittsburgh Penguins1 year, $700,000

;Free agents lost
PlayerNew teamContract terms
Steve MontadorBuffalo Sabres2 years, $3.1 million
Shane HnidyMinnesota Wild1 year, $750,000
Martin St. PierreOttawa Senators1 year, 2-way contract
P. J. AxelssonFrolunda HC4 years
Patrick EavesDetroit Red Wings1 year, $500,000
Stephane YelleCarolina Hurricanes1 year, $550,000

;Player signings
PlayerContract terms
Jamie Arnielundisclosed
David Krejci3 years, $11.25 million
Byron Bitz1 year, $675,000
Johnny Boychuk1 year
Mark Recchi1 year, $1 million
Matt Hunwick2 years, $2.9 million
Milan Lucic3 years, $12.25 million
Tuukka Rask2 years, $2.5 million
Marc Savard7 years, $28 million
Andrew Ference3 years, $6.75 million contract extension
Jordan Caronentry-level contract
Joe Colborneentry-level contract
Michael Hutchinsonentry-level contract
Steven Kampferentry-level contract
Matt Bartkowskientry-level contract

Personnel

Final roster

Updated May 2, 2010.
-->
-->
-->

Staff

Draft picks

Boston's picks at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in Montreal, Quebec.
Round#PlayerPositionNationalityCollege/junior/club team
125Jordan CaronRight wingRimouski Oceanic
386Ryan ButtonDefensePrince Albert Raiders
4112 Lane MacDermidForwardWindsor Spitfires
6176Tyler RandellRight wingKitchener Rangers
7206Ben SextonCenterNepean Raiders

Farm teams

;American Hockey League – Providence Bruins