With many questions surrounding both their present and future, the Boston Bruins will kick off their 99th season Wednesday night against the Washington Capitals.
The close of the first century of Bruins hockey quickly approaches, as does the end of an era marked by cornerstone players like Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. With Bergeron and Krejci returning to Boston on one-year, team-friendly deals, a window that has been kept open for as long as possible may finally be closing.
The Bruins face a significant obstacle for the first two months of the season as they attempt to tread water without Charlie McAvoy and Brad Marchand.