Season Preview – 8. Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins entered this season with renewed ambition and a revamped roster, aiming for a strong playoff push after being projected to finish 8th in the league. Key offseason acquisitions, including defenseman Nikita Zadorov and center Elias Lindholm, have injected fresh talent into the lineup. While the Bruins made some difficult decisions, such as letting Jake DeBrusk walk in free agency and trading star goaltender Linus Ullmark, they retained Jeremy Swayman through a hard-fought negotiation. However, despite boasting a rock-solid defensive core, questions remain about their secondary scoring. For the Bruins to make a deep run, players like Matthew Poitras, Mason Lohrei, and Pavel Zacha will need to step up into larger roles. The established culture of excellence will be a driving force again for how far the Bruins can go.

Season Expectations

The Bruins enter the season with high expectations, driven by a roster overhaul and the hunger to reclaim their status as one of the NHL’s top contenders. With their core veterans still intact and new pieces added via free agency, the Bruins are projected to finish in the top eight in the league standings. Their defense, headlined by stalwarts like Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm, remains one of the strongest in the league, further bolstered by the addition of Nikita Zadorov on a long-term deal. Elias Lindholm’s signing brings a two-way center with proven scoring ability and defensive reliability, filling the void left by the aging core up front.

However, despite these improvements, the Bruins will be under intense scrutiny following the departures of key players like DeBrusk and Ullmark. Swayman’s eventual eight-year, $66 million contract solidified the Bruins faith in him as their franchise goaltender, but the loss of Ullmark will undoubtedly be felt. The Bruins are once again aiming for a deep playoff run after last year’s early exit, and this season will test their ability to blend veteran leadership with fresh talent in their pursuit of Stanley Cup glory.

Projected Lines

The projected lines for the upcoming season emphasize a balance between veteran experience and emerging talent, crucial for shaping the team’s success. Finding the right combinations will be key to boosting offensive production and maintaining defensive stability, with lineup chemistry playing a significant role in the team’s overall performance. We already have some examples of what seems to work, and what will need to change is the Bruins plan to make a deep run.

To clarify, these line projections are meant to only predict the start of the season. With so many potential combinations possible, its almost certain that there are tweaks and additions of new faces by the end of the year. Expect the season to start as such:

Pavel Zacha – Elias Lindholm – David Pastrnak
Brad Marchand – Charlie Coyle – Matthew Poitras
Morgan Geekie – Trent Frederic – Justin Brazeau
John Beecher – Mark Kastelic – Cole Koepke

Nikita Zadorov – Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm – Brandon Carlo
Mason Lohrei – Andrew Peeke

Jeremy Swayman
Jonas Korpisalo

Scratches: Max Jones, Riley Tufte, Parker Wotherspoon

Line 1
Having Lindholm enter the fold into the Bruins top 6 makes a massive difference when it comes to center depth. Anchoring him on the top line makes sense, and we have already gathered some evidence of their production together, and while its not positive, it is still too early in the season to make decisions based on the start of the season. So far this year, they have played 6 games together for 52.8 minutes of ice time together, and have posted an unimpressive 39.4% xGoals For % along with a net -0.79 xGoals For Per 60 Minutes. Zacha seems to have a good sense of chemistry with Pastrnak on his other side, and his big power forward play style is a compliment to the top line overall. He will need to step up and find a consistent scoring touch in order for the Bruins to be successful, but having elite linemates should help him get the job done. Lindholm is a steady two-way center that can contribute effectively on both ends of the ice. While he may not have the offensive output like he did in Calgary, he will be relied on heavily for speciality minutes and pushing for offense on the Bruins go-to line. Pastrnak is a franchise winger that has a natural scoring touch and has been working hard on becoming a better play maker. No doubt he is the best player on the Bruins and he will need to shoulder the load for goal scoring and being an overall difference maker like he has done in the past.

Line 2
In order for the Bruins to be successful this year and compete for a Stanley Cup, they will need to spread out the scoring effectiveness of their top two lines, and this second line has potential to provide reliable secondary scoring. We have yet to see how this line has played this year, but given the fact that Marchand is coming off a rehabilitated offseason where he underwent three surgeries, it gives him a chance to get his game in tune against lesser matchups. Coyle on the other hand just needs to be a steady two-way presence to mitigate the pressures on both ends, while still competing hard in the offensive zone. His big body and willingness to get to the net is something the Bruins thrive off of. Poitras has shown glimpses of brilliance in his young career and he does play center well, yet it would be more beneficial to add his speed, offensive vision, and playmaking skill to the top 6. He has struggled to stay healthy from last season and currently now, yet he is the x-factor for the forward group that can make or break the balance and responsibilities of being a one scoring line team.

Line 3
The Bruins rely on an identity of hard nose, gritty, wearing down opponents every game sort of style. This line can be the heartbeat of the Bruins energy and momentum throughout the regular season and playoffs. While we have yet to see this combination at all, on paper it makes sense when they are in desperate need of balancing their forward group to stay competitive. Geekie has come into his own since joining the Bruins last offseason, and he has a ton of speed in rushes, can create turnovers with his stick checking, and has a sneaky powerful wrist shot that can be utilized on the powerplay. Putting him on his offside can help open up a cross seam pass or set up a powerful one timer when they are hemming in opponents in the offensive zone. Frederic showed last playoffs he is a capable middle-six centerman and it would be wise for Boston to slot him in the third line where he can dominate with his size and net crashing style. He is a tough player who leaves all of his effort on the ice and can use his physicality to generate momentum and set the tone in big games. Brazeau is a bit of a wild card when it comes to playing the full season. There have been moments he is the most dominant player on the ice, and other moment where his 6’5″ frame is unnoticeable. If he is able to thread some consistent games together where he can showcase his overpowering shot and use his frame to his advantage, then the Bruins should ensure he has the right amount of ice time to stay even keeled in his performances.

Line 4
This is the best fourth line in the NHL as of right now. To start the season, many would never have guessed that the Bruins fourth line would be their most effective and highest scoring line, yet here we are. To start the season we have witnessed this line player every game together for 60.7 minutes, while generating an outstanding 67.3% xGoals For along with an impressive net 1.78 xGoals For Per 60 Minutes, which leads the Bruins. Beecher was drafted by the Bruins in the first round in 2019, and there have been high hopes for him to turn into a stalwart in their top-six. However, he is still adjusting to the league since he just entered his second season, and the coaching staff has done a good job finding a role for him to grow his game and develop into a player they were hoping for when they drafted him. For now he sits on the fourth line, but as the season progresses, don’t be shocked to see him get opportunities on every line considering his hot start. Kastelic seemed like a through in contract slot when the Bruins acquired him from Ottawa in the Linus Ullmark trade during the offseason. Yet here his is establishing himself as an anchor on the fourth line. He has had some stints in Ottawa where he proved he could be a tough defensive-first forward on a bottom line role, though this season he has found a different gear with already 2 goals and 5 points in just 8 games. Koepke has been the biggest surprise since training camp, where he found chemistry with this line and has already posted a career high in points with 3 goals and 6 points in 8 games. For his entire career he has been a fringe NHL player, playing a career high of 17 games in 2022-23 with Tampa Bay. Though it seems he has forced himself onto this team for good, and it would be smart for the Bruins to keep him playing as long as he can continue to contribute.

Pair 1
The Bruins mantra this offseason was to become tougher and harder to play against after two playoff runs in a row where they lost to the Florida Panthers. This offseason they did just that by bringing in highly sought after free agent Zadorov. While they had to empty their pockets to sign the coveted defenseman, they clearly met their goals with adding him to their already tough blue line. We have already seen how effective this pair has been in just 8 games, where they have posted even stats across the board with a 50% xGoals For and a net 0.0 xGoals For Per 60 Minutes. Zadorov on the top pair makes a lot of sense when the Bruins are trying to create balance throughout their entire roster. He is a massive presence and defensive-first player who will compliment McAvoy’s elite abilities. McAvoy is one of the league’s premier defenseman who can do it all. He creates rushes out of nowhere, throws his body around like a wrecking ball, and can shut down the top opposition players while munching heavy minutes every night. He is also the smallest Bruin defender on the roster and he still stands at 6’1″, illustrating Boston’s vision for having monsters on the back end.

Pair 2
This has been a match made in heaven for the Bruins in the last few seasons and having Lindholm on the second pair essentially gives the Bruins two top pairs to utilize in their matchups. Last season they played a total of 67 games for 672.2 minutes, which was first overall on the Bruins time on ice as a pair. They managed to post a 51% xGoals For along with a net 0.09 xGoals For Per 60 Minutes, which shows that they are neither massive difference makers or liabilities when they are on the ice. They have already started this season together and have posted a 48.6% xGoals For along with a net -0.11 xGoals For Per 60 Minutes, which is not great, but considering how early this season is, these numbers will certainly improve. Lindhom is a skilled two-way defender that understands the game well enough to time when to take risks and when to stay back and defend. He has some offensive flair, posting 10 goals and 53 points in his first full year with Boston in 2022-23 season. However, with McAvoy leading the charge as the offensive minded defender for the Bruins, Lindholm is able to focus on being a shutdown machine. Carlo has always been a defensive-first player for the Bruins and has found success shutting down top opponents and being a key proponent of an effective penalty kill. Considering he is naturally defensive in all aspects of the game, the coaching staff will utilize this pairing, like they have in the past, to matchup against opponents top players.

Pair 3
This is an extremely effective third pairing on paper, but they will need time to adjust together and become more comfortable with the Bruins defensive structure before more responsibilities are given to them. They have already played 41 minutes together as a pair this season unfortunately posting an abysmal 36.7% xGoals For and a net -1.17 xGoals For Per 60 Minutes. However, given the adjustment period and early season woes, these numbers should increase substantially with more reps as a pair. Lohrei has started this season with the Bruins full time for the first time in his young career and there is a high ceiling for him around the league, understanding he has all the right tools to become a stalwart in the Bruins top-four for years to come. With only 47 regular season games under his belt, he has already posted 17 points which translates to 30 points in a full 82 game schedule. If Lohrei is able to continue his development, we could see him playing up on the first pairing with McAvoy as soon as next year. Peeke is redefining his career after a disappointing end to his tenure in Columbus. So far this year he has looked like the player that had most of defensive responsibilities for the Blue Jackets a few seasons ago. If he can continue to find comfort and adapt to the Bruins system, he will be a very reliable penalty killer and defensive option on the third pair.

Goalies
After a drama filled camp surrounding the long awaited extension of Swayman, he finally finds himself as the legitimate starter for the Bruins. Last year Swayman broke out and proved the Bruins should put their faith in him as the long term franchise solution in net. He posted a 18.4 Goals Saved Above Expected, which ranked 4th in the entire league, along with 25 wins, 2.53 goals against average, and a 0.916% save percentage in 44 regular season games. He then went on to carry the Bruins to the second round of the playoffs posting a 2.15 goals against average with a outstanding 0.933% save percentage. While the offseason drama may have created a speed bump early on for the Bruins, it will be intriguing to see how Swayman responds after getting the deal he wanted along with the sole responsibilities of leading the Bruins in net. Korpisalo had an abysmal year last season in Ottawa and quickly established himself as one of the worst contracts in the league. However, given the culture associated with being a Bruin, and the strong defensive structure they are known for, there is no reason Korpisalo cannot become an effective backup to the Bruins star Swayman.

Scratches
Jones is a big power forward type player that has already seen games this year, yet the Bruins dire need of secondary scoring and Koepke’s breakout as a fourth line star, have bumped his place as an every day bottom-six player. He will continue to find games as the season progresses, though the current projected lines seem more effective overall with him sitting out. Tufte is a fringe NHL player that has yet to establish himself as a first-man up type. Nevertheless, he has all the tools and a complimentary frame to become a injury replacement player that can be effective on a fourth line. Wotherspoon is an extremely effective seventh defender that the Bruins were wise to keep up in the NHL. He can fill in for injuries or slot into the bottom pairing when certain defensive matchups call for it. However, we will likely see him continue his role as a seventh defender unless their is a catastrophe on the Bruins blue line.

Keys to Success

For Boston to thrive this season, several factors must fall into place. First and foremost is the ability of their younger players to step into larger roles. Matthew Poitras, Mason Lohrei, and Pavel Zacha are crucial to the team’s success. Poitras has the potential to provide much needed depth scoring, and his development will be closely monitored throughout the season. Lohrei, a promising young defenseman, will need to continue his upward trajectory, particularly on the defensive end, to solidify the Bruins already strong blue line. Zacha, who is expected to play a key role at both ends of the ice, must elevate his offensive production to help mitigate the team’s lack of secondary scoring.

Another key will be Swayman’s ability to fully embrace his role as the Bruins primary goaltender. With Ullmark traded to Ottawa, Swayman will face greater responsibility in net. After signing a lucrative eight-year deal, the pressure is on for him to deliver consistently throughout the season. Swayman’s play will be pivotal to the Bruins success, especially in tight games where the defensive structure holds but offensive production could be limited.

The Bruins veteran leadership, including Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, and McAvoy, will also be critical in maintaining a winning culture in the locker room. Their leadership, combined with Lindholm’s arrival, should bring stability to a forward group that will be relying on young players to take significant strides.

Potential Downfall

Despite their high expectations, the Bruins face several potential downfalls that could derail their season. One major concern is the lack of proven secondary scoring depth beyond their top-line stars. While they boast a strong top six, their offensive depth drops off considerably, especially after letting DeBrusk leave in free agency. If forwards like Poitras and Zacha fail to deliver offensively, the Bruins may struggle to keep pace with more offensively potent teams, especially in the later stages of the season.

Additionally, while Swayman has shown promise, there is some risk in entrusting him with the full-time starting role after trading away Ullmark. Swayman has yet to shoulder a full season workload without a strong 1A/1B tandem. Any inconsistency in net could expose the team’s lack of offensive firepower, putting more pressure on their defense to carry the load.

Another looming issue is injury risk, particularly with their aging core. Marchand had a busy offseason with three surgeries, still fighting back to play as the season started. However, there are already injury issues with Poitras, which could hurt the chances of building momentum early on. Should any key players like Pastrnak, Marchand, the Lindholm’s, McAvoy, and Swayman, the lack of depth could become a major issue and cause a ripple effect throughout the roster.

Future Outlook

The future of the Boston Bruins looks promising, driven by a blend of emerging talent and seasoned veterans. Poitras, their number one prospect, has the potential to be a game changer for the franchise. His playmaking ability and offensive upside could help fill the gap in secondary scoring that the Bruins have been searching for. If Poitras continues to develop and reaches his potential, he could become a key contributor not just this season but for years to come.

Lohrei has already evolved into a reliable NHL defenseman, proving that his steady development has paid off. His calm presence on the blue line complements the Bruins defensive core, and his long-term future in Boston looks bright as he continues to refine his game. Lohrei’s progress is emblematic of the Bruins success in developing defensive talent.

Beyond Poitras and Lohrei, the Bruins have a deep prospect pool that shows promise. Winger Fabian Lysell stands out as another potential offensive contributor with high-end skill and creativity, while center Dean Letourneau has been making strides toward becoming a well-rounded player with strong two-way potential. Oskar Jellvik offers versatility and scoring touch, while defensemen Frédéric Brunet and Elliott Groenewold continue to develop into solid options on the back end. In goal, Philip Svedeback is a promising prospect in the system, providing hope for future stability in the net behind Swayman.

The combination of these prospects gives the Bruins a foundation to build on, ensuring that they stay competitive as their veteran core ages. If a few of these young players reach their potential, Boston’s long-term future could remain bright.

Final Thoughts

The Boston Bruins are poised for another strong season, projected to finish in the 8th in the NHL and make a significant playoff push. With key offseason acquisitions like Zadorov and Lindholm, combined with a solid defense and the retention of Swayman, the Bruins have the tools to succeed. However, their lack of secondary scoring and reliance on younger players stepping into big roles could be potential stumbling blocks.

Ultimately, the Bruins season hinges on the balance between veteran leadership and the performance of their younger, unproven players. If those unexperienced players can rise to the occasion and Swayman proves to be the franchise goalie they’re betting on, Boston could be looking at a deep playoff run and return to playoff glory.