While the Bruins hardly sent shock waves through the NHL with the free-agent addition of Michael Ryder, something else has to be remembered about the Boston roster as the offseason wears on.

The Bruins will be getting Patrice Bergeron and Manny Fernandez back for the start of the 2008-09 season.

Isn't that like adding two key players? And to a team that came on at the end of last season and almost pulled off the playoff comeback against the Canadiens?

In a word, yes.

Bergeron is the club's No. 2 center and one of its young leaders. His season ended last Oct. 27 after a hit from behind into the boards by Philadelphia's Randy Jones. Bergeron was close to returning late in that playoff round and may well have played had the Bruins continued; but as things worked out they worked out for the best. He wasn't rushed and continued working on coming all the way back.

Fernandez was acquired before the start of last season in a trade with Minnesota and his season also ended before it ever really began. His absence led to Tim Thomas becoming an All-Star but now the Bruins expect to have both goalies when the season begins.

So, you see, there are two other "new" players joining this team.

Both were on the ice with the kids when the Bruins held their second annual development camp. Bergeron immediately opened eyes.

"I'm not sure that there are a lot of guys in the National Hockey League right now that would come out and do what he's doing," said director of hockey operations and player development Don Sweeney.

Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.