Unfinished business for the Bruins

The improving Bruins then rocketed to the top of the Eastern Conference last season as goalie Tim Thomas won the Vezina Trophy, defenseman Zdeno Chara won the Norris Trophy and coach Claude Julien won the Jack Adams Award. They swept Montreal in the first round and rallied from a 3-1 deficit before losing in overtime of Game 7 to the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round.

There’s a feeling of unfinished business in Boston, and Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli has made several important moves to make his team strong contenders for the 2010 Stanley Cup.

Chiarelli traded away veteran defensive leader Aaron Ward and replaced him with free-agent Derek Morris. Veteran defensive forward Steve Begin was signed to replace Stephane Yelle. Veteran Mark Recchi, acquired at the trade deadline, re-signed. Top prospect Tuukka Rask will replace Manny Fernandez as Thomas’ backup.

If there’s a dark cloud, the team hasn’t yet come to terms with fourth-year right wing Phil Kessel, who scored a team-leading 36 goals. Chiarelli needs to find salary-cap room to fit Kessel onto the team, so expect one or more departures from the current roster before the season starts.

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