But in the new world of the salary cap era in the NHL, there is almost constant movement as players switch uniforms through trades, waivers and free agency. And every team in the league can find painful reminders of the ones that got away when they spot familiar names on the stat sheets of opposing club.
The Bruins are no exception. It's hard to find another NHL roster without at least one player who spent some time in a Bruins uniform — and more than a few who would still look good in the spoked-B.
There's valuable role players like Toronto's Colton Orr, who has carved out a well-earned reputation as one of the league's toughest enforcers. The Bruins lost him for nothing on waivers to the Rangers in 2005. There are netminders like Andrew Raycroft (8-3-0, 2.05 GAA, .934 save percentage with Dallas) and Alex Auld (3-2-0, 2.20 GAA, .926 save percentage with Montreal), who are among the league's top backup goalies.
And there are plenty of veteran stay-at-home defensemen. The last four Cup winners have all featured former Bruins on the blue line with Sean O'Donnell winning a ring with Anaheim in 2007, Brad Stuart with Detroit in 2008, Hal Gill in Pittsburgh in 2009 and Nick Boynton with Chicago last year.
And none of them even cracked the Top 10 list for former Bruins currently playing in the NHL.
Click here to view our Top 10 list for the best former Bruins active in the NHL today >>