Optimism abounds in Boston.

[Boston Bruins]

BOS(AP) - The new season for the Boston Bruins is going to be one filled with hope and anticipation. After what was a franchise record breaking year that saw the Bruins have their best season ever and making it to the Stanley Cup Final only to lose in Game 7. What Bruins fans wondered was what happens now? There was a closed door meeting with Boston GM Andrew Stoll, head coach Don Cherry, and assistant coaches Cam Neely and Ray Bourque as well as team president Bobby Orr. As revealed later in an interview during the summer, GM Stoll was thinking what could be the missing piece or pieces that could possibly be the difference in actually only not challenging for a Cup but winning it? As fortune would have it, Oilers GM Sebastiano Loconte had approached GM Stoll about the idea of a trade involving Connor Hellebuyck.

The idea of having one of the top goalies in the league appealed to the Bruins GM and as negotiations progressed between the two GM's a deal was struck. Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele were sent to Boston and Roope Hintz along with Adrian Kempe were dealt to Edmonton. "Needless to say I was very sad to have to part ways with Kempe and Hintz but to get quality you have to give quality. They are exceptional young players and we have nothing but the upmost respect for both of them and wish them good luck in their futures in Edmonton. Moving forward I feel the window for the Bruins is now and getting players like Hellebuyck and also Scheifele to join our team I feel gives us a better chance of achieving our goal. I'm super excited to what we may do this season" - Boston GM Andrew Stoll. As of this posting Boston has started out displaying a strong defensive game to go with timely scoring.

In three games played thus far the Bruins have only allowed one goal per game against and that included two games against a very tough division rival Montreal Canadiens. Another stern test awaits the Bruins against yet another division rival Toronto Mapleleafs who always play a hard game. So far the Bruins come as advertised, solid defense with exceptional goaltending. Safe to say the optimism is real in Boston.

[HartfordWhalers]

Good luck Boston. Got what it takes to get to the finals again?

[Boston Bruins]

Hoping so. Fingers crossed