Blue liners shouldering big load
In goal, the Bruins upgraded by acquiring Manny Fernandez.
Up front, they acquired some jam and touch in Peter Schaefer and a wide-shouldered presence in Shawn Thornton.
But during the offseason, general manager Peter Chiarelli didn't trade for help on the blue line, choosing instead to go with the same pack of defensemen who finished out 2006-07.
It was a unit that underwent significant turnover during the second half of the season - Andrew Ference arrived Feb. 10, Dennis Wideman and Aaron Ward arrived less than three weeks later at the trade deadline - churn that no doubt led to the team's ability to allow a startling number of goals.
So even though the 2007-08 version of the Bruins defense wasn't present for the entire season of net-torching carnage that took place, they're still saddled with the ugly number: 289 goals against, the second most allowed by any team in the league.
It's a number that won't be tolerated this season.
"It's on our shoulders," Ference said. "The GM gave this team the opportunity to prove what he believes is our potential. We have to take that and run with it. It's in our hands, and that's good. Guys have to realize that it's a good responsibility."
The change, acknowledged by all who call TD Banknorth Garden their home, must start with Zdeno Chara, a turnaround that coach Claude Julien hinted at yesterday after the veterans' final optional skate of the preseason. Chara logged an NHL-high 27:57 per game last season, a workload that is all but certain to diminish under Julien's watch in hopes of jacking up the defenseman's performance.
"Part of our job as a coaching staff is to make sure that he doesn't try and do too much," said Julien, "and does what he does well even better. If he does that, people are going to be extremely happy to have him on the hockey club."
But after Chara, the defensive depth drops off. The Bruins don't have an established No. 2 defenseman. Ward will be 35 in January. Two youngsters (Mark Stuart and Matt Lashoff) are battling for spots on the team.
Julien has been through this before. Last season, he heard similar questions about his defense in New Jersey, which featured Brian Rafalski as its only big-time D-man. But that same defense posted a 2.35 GAA last season, the third-lowest mark in the league that was undoubtedly spurred by the presence of goalie Martin Brodeur.
"You could say we had a good goaltender then, but the team in front of him did a real good job," Julien said. "It's about working as a group. With the guys that we have here, we're very confident they can do that job."
Ference pointed to the three Stanley Cups Ward has won. He acknowledged Andrew Alberts as being on the verge of becoming a very good defenseman. He referenced his own run to the Cup in 2003-04 when Calgary lost to Tampa Bay in the final.
"It's not a group that should be ragged on too harshly," said Ference, "because there are accomplishments individually among us."
Spinal scare
When Lashoff saw Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett crumple after his helmet-to-helmet collision, the defenseman flashed back to the injury he suffered in last year's AHL regular-season finale.
"That could very well have been myself. Scary," said Lashoff, who missed the entire postseason because of a nerve injury in his neck, sustained during an awkward collision against the boards.
"At the last minute, [Everett's] head went down. My head went over," continued Lashoff, demonstrating how his neck jolted to the side after the hit. "I think if I stayed straight and went down, it would have been bad. Something to be thankful for."
Lashoff had some on-ice limitations during the July development camp, and was unable to perform some lifts in the weight room. But soon after the camp's conclusion, Lashoff said he progressed, allowing him to complete the physical testing, including bench press, required of every player in training camp.
C for Z
Julien confirmed Chara will serve as captain again this season. "He's worthy of it," said Julien. "There's no doubt there. We shouldn't even question that." Julien said he's rotated alternate captains before, perhaps indicating that one or two more players will join Glen Murray and Patrice Bergeron in wearing the "A" on their jerseys . . . During his 10-day visit to Tanzania, Ference kept in shape by playing soccer with local youths. Ference said he's always trained hard at the beginning and end of each summer, factoring in any time off he'll take in the middle. He's traveled to France and Mexico in previous offseasons . . . Julien said he doesn't have a firm plan yet on where Phil Kessel will play in the lineup. Kessel, a natural center, saw time at left wing last season . . . Chuck Kobasew skated hard yesterday and said he's feeling no ill effects from the concussion that ended his 2006-07 season . . . The rookies practiced yesterday morning at Ristuccia Arena. They'll skate at the Garden today from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Fluto Shinzawa can be reached at fshinzawa@globe.com. 