2010-11 Record: 34-36-12, 80 points (4th Southeast Division; 12th Eastern Conference; did not qualify for the playoffs)
Bruins record vs. Thrashers: Boston leads the all-time series 26-12-2-4, and went 2-1-1 last season against the then-Thrashers. Atlanta did snap a 10-game losing streak with a 4-1 win in Atlanta in the first meeting on Nov. 28, but the Bruins answered with a 4-1 win of their own on Dec. 23 in a game best remembered for a series of fights that began with Shawn Thornton and Eric Boulton fighting two seconds into play and ended with a full-scale line brawl in the closing minutes.
When to watch: The Bruins play their first game against the new Jets in Boston on Saturday, Nov. 26, then make their first return to Winnipeg since New Year's Eve 1995 on Tuesday, Dec. 6. The Bruins also host the Jets on Tuesday, Jan. 10 and play in Winnipeg on Friday, Feb. 17.
Familiar faces: Former Bruins Mark Stuart and Blake Wheeler will begin their first full seasons with the Jets, after both signed new deals following the trade that sent them to Atlanta at the trade deadline for Rich Peverley and Boris Valabik. The Jets have also brought a pair of players with New England ties up to Winnipeg in defensemen Ron Hainsey (Bolton, Conn./UMass-Lowell) and forward Tanner Glass (Dartmouth College).
Key additions: F Tanner Glass (free agent); D Randy Jones (free agent); F Kenndal McArdle (trade with Florida); F Eric Fehr (trade with Washington); F Jason Jaffray (free agent); D Derek Meech (free agent); F Jason Gregoire (free agent); F Aaron Gagnon (free agent)
Key losses: F Eric Boulton (signed with New Jersey); F Rick Rypien (deceased); D Freddy Meyer (signed with MoDo, Sweden); F Anthony Stewart (signed with Carolina); F Rob Schremp (signed with MoDo, Sweden); F Radek Dvorak (signed with Dallas); F Angelo Esposito (traded to Florida); D Noah Welch (signed with HV71, Sweden)
Burning question: How will the NHL's second stint in Winnipeg fare?
The NHL has had a mixed record when returning to previously abandoned stops. Ottawa, Colorado and Minnesota have all enjoyed relative success the second time around with the Senators, Avalanche and Wild, respectively, after the original Senators, Rockies and North Stars had moved on. But this very franchise failed in Atlanta just as the Flames had decades before. Now it will try to make a second go of it in Winnipeg 15 years after the first Jets flew to Phoenix. The Canadian dollar is much stronger than it was a decade and a half ago and a salary cap implemented after a season-long lockout evens the playing field a bit. But Winnipeg still is a tiny market compared to most around the league and the cap limit, and more importantly cap floor, has risen dramatically since the cap was introduced, leaving many small-market clubs struggling to keep up once again. The passion for the game and the ability to fill the building in Winnipeg was never in doubt. The question is whether the economic conditions will make this venture more successful in the long haul.
2011-12 outlook: The franchise never enjoyed much success in Atlanta, but there is some talent on hand. The defense is particularly dangerous, with Dustin Byfuglien leading all NHL blueliners with 20 goals and also adding 33 assists in his first season back on defense after playing mostly forward in Chicago. He is joined on the blue line by Tobias Enstrom (10-41-51), hard-nosed former Bruin Stuart and Zach Bogosian, the third overall pick in 2008 who has yet to live up to his potential and currently remains unsigned as a restricted free agent. Up front, Andrew Ladd (29-30-59) did get signed to a five-year, $22-million new deal. Bryan Little (18-30-48), Evander Kane (19-24-43), Nik Antropov (16-25-41) and Wheeler (18-26-44) round out the attack. Ondrej Pavelec (21-23-9, 2.73 GAA, .914 save percentage) overcame a scary incident at the start of the year when he collapsed in the crease in the season opener to post a solid season in net.
Did you know? The new Winnipeg Jets will try to do something the franchise never accomplished in 11 seasons in Atlanta: Win a playoff game. The Thrashers qualified for the postseason just once, and were promptly swept in four games by the Rangers in 2007. The original Jets didn't fare much better, winning just two of 13 playoff series in the NHL's first stint in Winnipeg. And those Jets never got past the second round. The move of that franchise to Phoenix hasn't helped much either, with the transplanted Coyotes carrying on the tradition of postseason frustrations by losing all seven of its playoff series to date.
With the bulk of the offseason moves complete and the start of another NHL season inching closer, NESN.com Bruins beat writer Douglas Flynn will be previewing one team from each conference every day through August 26.
Saturday, Aug. 20: Washington Capitals and Phoenix Coyotes
Monday, Aug. 22: Buffalo Sabres and Calgary Flames