Today TheNeilShow sits down with Fluto Shinzawa the Bruins beat writer from The Boston Globe to discuss the state of the Bruins for the 2007/08 season.

TheNeilShow -What does Zdeno Chara have to do to his game to improve on a disappointing season last year?

Fluto Shinzawa -First, Chara has to be mean. Really mean. In 2006-07, Chara had zero fighting majors. Now that doesn’t mean he has to spar with everyone he comes across. That’ll be left to Shawn Thornton and Jeremy Reich. But Chara has to let everyone know that he’s the biggest and strongest guy in the league and that he’s not going to let anybody push him or his teammates around. It looks like Julien will trim his minutes, which should make him less prone to mental mistakes and d-zone turnovers. Would like to see him in front on the power play instead of at the point, but that remains to be seen.

TheNeilShow -Who has a honest shot as a rookie to crack the Bruins lineup this year?

Shinzawa - Mark Stuart and David Krejci could break camp with the team. Nate Thompson will push Mark Mowers for fourth-line centerman duties. Matt Lashoff should also get a look when guys get hurt. Jonathan Sigalet is a darkhorse.

TheNeilShow -Do the Bruins hope one goalie will take a stand and grab the number one roll? Or are they happy with the Thomas-Fernandez tandem?

Shinzawa - If all goes according to plan, look for Fernandez to get about 60 percent of the starts. But it could be a straight rotation too if Thomas makes a strong push.

TheNeilShow -With the Red Sox getting ready for the playoffs, and the Celtics getting ready to get going with Superstar Kevin Garnett. Is there any buzz on the Bruins team this year with fans?

Shinzawa - Hardcore Bruins fans will always follow their team. But in terms of casual sports fans around town, absolutely no buzz. Lifeless.

TheNeilShow -Who do you see stepping up offensively this season with the Boston Bruins?

Shinzawa - Phil Kessel should be better as a second-year pro. Brandon Bochenski projects to be a top-six winger, and if he works hard and gets decent minutes, he should score goals. Patrice Bergeron was hurt much of last year and still put up points, but if he’s healthy, he should be a more dominant offensive presence.

I’m really on the Krejci bandwagon, but that depends on where the Bruins believe he fits. They’re not going to waste him in a fourth-line role, so he’ll play a second year in Providence if he’s not a top-three center. But management is considering putting Kessel on the wing so Krejci can play center.

TheNeilShow -There were rumors that Stanislav Chistov might be playing in Russia this season. Is that true? Will he be at Bruins camp?

Shinzawa - Chistov is headed to Salavat Yulayev Ufa. So he won’t be in camp and the Bruins will clear his $800,000 salary.

Shinzawa - There will be a good battle for fourth-line center. Also a top-line left wing to play with Marc Savard and most likely Glen Murray. P.J. Axelsson was on the No. 1 line last year, but he’s more of a defensive-minded winger and might be a better fit lower down in the lineup. Peter Schaefer might be in the mix for No. 1 left wing. There’s an opening or two on defense. Stuart, Lashoff, Bobby Allen, Dennis Wideman will be part of this fight.

TheNeilShow -The Bruins revamped their coaching staff this summer. What will the new coaches bring to Boston?

Shinzawa - Julien will play an aggressive style that starts with a heavy forecheck. Obviously he was part of the NJ system during his last stop, but the trap isn’t necessarily his thing. He’ll demand accountability from his players and is known for developing young talent. They’re depending on Julien a whole heck of a lot. They’ve got a new goalie in Manny Fernandez, but there isn’t that much roster turnover from last year’s club.

TheNeilShow -What date do the Bruins open camp? And where are they holding it?

Shinzawa - The Bruins start on Sept. 13 at TD Banknorth Garden.

TheNeilShow -If you were a betting man, where do you see the Bruins placing this year in the Eastern conference?

Shinzawa - I see them fighting for the eighth spot. Could see a scenario like last year when NYI, Montreal, and Toronto were all fighting for that last spot until the end. Wouldn’t be surprised if the Bruins end up in a similar situation.

TheNeilShow -Did the Bruins make any pitches to players in the free agent pool that you know of?

Shinzawa - No specific names to mention here. They didn’t have much cap space. Thornton was their biggest UFA pickup.

TheNeilShow -Are the Bruins ready for the season positional wise? Or should we expect some roster changes before the season starts?

Shinzawa - This is probably it.

TheNeilShow -The Bruins dealt highly touted Hannu Toivonen to the Blues recently, and with camp around the corner another strong goaltending prospect will be there Tuukka Rask. Were the Bruins higher on Rask then Hannu Toivonen?

Shinzawa - Rask is considered a brighter prospect than Toivonen. The Bruins, as well as other insiders around the league, believed Rask was the best goalie not playing in North America last year. Rask will spend 07-08 in Providence, adjusting to the North American game and putting on weight. But he’s considered the future. The Bruins traded for Fernandez because they needed a bridge to get to Rask when he’s ready.

TheNeilShow -There have also been rumours that Patrice Bergeron’s name has been linked to Montreal Canadiens in talks. With the fan backlash over the Joe Thornton deal could this ever happen? Does this “rumour” have any legs to it?

Shinzawa - No truth to any Bergeron rumors. Bob Gainey inquired about Bergeron’s availability a month before the trade deadline last year, but the two sides never even talked about any possible names.

TheNeilShow -Any prospects Bruins fans should look out for this training camp?

Shinzawa - Krejci and Stuart. Rask should be interesting to watch, but he’ll be in Providence this year.

TheNeilShow - We here at nhldigest.com would like to say thank you for taking the time to sit down with us. Can you please let us know what you do and where we can read your work.

Shinzawa - This will be my second season as beat writer for the Boston Globe. Best way to access our material is through http://www.boston.com

You can access his blog at: http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/extras/bruins_blog/

http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/

Look for more from TheNeilShow as he interviews various sports media members as well as coaches and players from around the NHL.
If you have any questions or comments please feel free to share a comment on the site or email Neil at theneilshow@nhldigest.com.

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