from Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe,

Four is a number always associated with the Boston Bruins.

Bobby Orr — the greatest hockey player of all time — wore No. 4. Black-and-Gold No. 4 jerseys pepper the stands wherever the Bruins play. The best Boston sports bar is The Fours on Canal Street.

Now, as the Bruins get ready for a new season, they once again are all about number four . . . but this time not in a good way.

There is little dispute as to where the Bruins rank on the local sports totem pole at this hour. In terms of overall interest and championship hopes, they are a distant fourth. When it comes to fireworks and buzz, the local hockey team ranks far behind the Patriots, Red Sox, and Celtics.

Being Fourth In The Market: It’s Called Bruins.

The Bruins simply aren’t in the conversation. They can’t even see the medal platform.

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