Fear Cam Neely.
David Krejci is participating in the five-on-five scrimmage. Krejci has yet to rule out a return in the season opener.
Boston Bruins
LW: John BucykC: Phil Esposito
RW: Cam Neely
D: Bobby Orr
D: Raymond Bourque
G: Gerry Cheevers
One of the members of the Original Six, the Boston Bruins have a rich history with several of the best players in NHL history. Power forwards were rich with Boston and they had two of the best in Esposito and Neely. Esposito loved to park himself in front of the net and is one of the most deadly power play players to ever play the game. In addition, Esposito has saved some of his best performances with Team Canada, and if not for his legendary speech in the ‘72 Summit Series, Team Canada would probably have lost to the Soviet Union.Though injuries robbed Neely of a long career, he was the model for the modern power forward who fought, bodychecked, and scored loads of goals.
As for Bucyk, he is a Bruin lifer. Having been with the organization for over 50 years, “Chief” Bucyk was one of the best left wingers of his time and consistently put up points no matter how bad or good the team was during his time. Bucyk currently is the career Bruins leader for goals, second in assists, points, and games played.
Orr, simply put, changed the game of hockey forever. Orr is the best defenceman to ever play the game, and I consider him to be the greatest hockey player ever.
Bourque followed the impossible shadow of Orr and became a legendary defenceman in his own right. Bruins career leader in games, points, assists, and power play goals, Bourque won five Norris trophies and would easily be ranked amongst the top 10 defencemen all time.
Cheevers, known for his iconic stitch-patterned mask, was an excellent goalie that often proved his worth in the playoffs (53-34 record, a phenomenal ratio). Cheevers was also known to venture out of his net (some say way too much) to become an effective “third” defenceman.
Just for fun, pre-WWII and Honourable Mentions:
RW: Rick Middleton (holds NHL record of most points scored in the playoffs by player not advancing to finals with 33)
C: Milt Schmidt (Superstar in his own right; anchored the ‘Kraut Line’ one of the most famous lines in hockey)
LW: Wayne Cashman (one of the toughest players in history, Cashman also had deft scoring skills; one of my favourite players ever)
G: Tiny Thompson (I consider him to be Boston’s greatest goalie)
D: Eddie Shore (I consider him to be better than Bourque)
D: Dit Clapper (first player to play 20 seasons, all-star as both a D and RW)
