The Bruins Defensive Preview - The Top Tier

They're an odd tandem to say the least. Not as weird as Sean Brown and Sean Hill, mind you - but they are not exactly the peanut butter and jelly of defensive pairings.

"They" are Andrej Meszaros and Lars Jonsson, the top defensive line for the Boston Bruins this year. One is taking his first steps on the top level ice, while the other is turning into a veteran of that game. One saw the dreck of Providence last season, while the other took center stage for eighty games with the Bruins.

Lars Jonnson is an offensive defenseman, scorer of thirteen goals - eighth most on the team - last season, and notcher of thirty-one assists, good for seventh on the team in points. He was also a skilled master of the hit, delivering one hundred sixty-six while racking up only twenty-six penalty minutes. "Act, don't react", he says is his key. "They catch the guy hitting back." Jonnson is seen as a dependable, safe option for the Bruins to pair with the rookie.

Andrej Meszaros is that rookie. The top defensive youth to be seen in Boston since Cam Neely, he will be thrust into a top role with the club, playing first line defense. His defensive acumen, though, will not be question, though his poise may be. While not a loose cannon on the ice like Sean Brown, Meszaros' maturity may be called into question early in the season as teams attempt to bait him into a stupid move.

The Bruins are banking this unit will serve them well. The skills are undoubtable, it will simply be a matter of if they properly mesh.

Projections -
Lars Jonnson - 82 games, 16-30-46
Andrej Meszaros - 82 games, 9-18-27