Bruins labeled as 'underdogs' heading into the year

Colorado Avalanche (+800), Carolina Hurricanes (+900), New Jersey Devils (+1,100), Edmonton Oilers (+1,100), and the Toronto Maple Leafs (+1,200).

Nevertheless, there are a handful of teams beyond this group that warrant attention due to their potential to compete for the Cup. These teams include the Boston Bruins (ranked eighth with odds of +1,500), Dallas Stars (ranked ninth with odds of +1,600), and Florida Panthers (ranked tenth with odds of +2,000).

Following a season of record-breaking achievements that concluded in bitter disappointment, the Bruins suffered a first-round defeat at the hands of the Panthers after seven games.

During the offseason, they experienced the departure of key contributors: Connor Clifton and Tyler Bertuzzi, who was acquired near the trade deadline, both departed in free agency, and Taylor Hall was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks to create salary cap space.

That being said, the Bruins managed to perform remarkably well in the first half of their record-breaking season without Bertuzzi, and Hall ranked only tenth on the team in terms of points.

While Clifton's physical presence will be missed, the Bruins' top defensive pairing of Hampus Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy remains intact, as does their dynamic goaltending duo of Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark (Swayman's contract status is pending as a restricted free agent).

This is not to suggest that the departed players will not be missed, but rather to emphasize that the Bruins remain a formidable team, especially if centers Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci decide to return for another season.