bruins depth chart - what does the team need

In light of the upcoming free agency period (beginning July 1st), I thought it wise to post the Bruins depth chart, to show who the B's have and what holes they need to fill.

Here's an interesting interface to view the Bruins lineup on the CBS page.

After a season with several players over-achieving and the development of some younger talent, the Bruins are hoping to build on last year's successes.

Noting, of course, that for a team that missed the playoffs in two previous seasons, had their top scorer crushed by a season-ending concussion, and replaced a brand new coach after just one season behind the bench, the benchmarks for team "successes" are a little lower than most clubs.

As the Bruins head into this year's Free Agency period, there's a lot of media chatter than the team will aim to pick up Marian Hossa, the mercenary sharpshooter who went to the Finals with the Penguins in 2008.

There's also some evidence that the Bruins are part of a select few with authority to talk to Brian Campbell, the former Buffalo defender who brought his free-wheeling defensive play to San Jose last year.

And while there's no denying that the Bruins, or any team, would benefit from the impressive numbers that these players bring (seriously, click the link and check their stats), there's a price to pay for trying to land the big-ticket free agent. Often it comes at the expense of salary cap flexibility, and if the marquee player goes down with an injury, so too does a disproportionate amount of the team's success.

The question that needs asking is: are the Bruins one big free agent away from making a lot of noise in the Eastern Conference?

Should the Bruins be filling out the roster with one Restricted Free Agent giant, or should they, instead, be looking to fill holes in the club with fast, efficient talent, and build on their 2008 successes incrementally?

I'm of two minds. Last year's acquisition of Marc Savard and Zdeno Chara certainly paid dividends, and showed that management is willing to spend money. However, it was the delicate balance of players that surrounded these two that brought the team into the post-season for the first time since 2004-2005.

Team chemistry is a mix and a balance, in other words, and I'm not convinced that adding a new player at the expense of a serviceable role player already on the team, or a few moderately priced players available as free agents, is the best option.

So which way will the Bruins go?

As is always the case with the Black, White and Gold, only management knows for sure.