The Bruins’ point total fell 33 points from 2023-24 to 2024-25 and the team missed the playoffs for the first time since 2015-16. In the past two seasons, Boston’s point total has dropped 59 points – from 135 to 76 – as the team went from first to 28th in the league. The B’s withstood the loss of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci after the 2022-23 season to still make the playoffs but fell off a cliff last season.

Offensively, Boston saw its goal production fall half-a-goal a game, from 3.21 (13th in league) to 2.71. That might have been passable if the defense and especially goaltending played at a 2023-24 level. This was not the case last season, as Boston went from fifth in league, surrendering 2.70 GF/GP to 26th at 3.32 GA/GP. Poor play in net and on the blue line coupled with the decline in production all contributed to the decline. The Bs went from first in the NHL with 135 points, falling to the eight seed Panthers in round 1, to 28th overall and on the outside looking in.

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Brad Marchand posted the same total in 61 contests before he sent to Florida at the deadline. Trading their captain and leader signaled the team was in a material transition. Boston also did Marchand, who was injured at the time, a solid, by acquiring only a 2027 conditional second-round pick that could have become a 2028 first-round selection. Marchand opted to sign a six-year deal to stay in the Sunshine State.

GM Don Sweeney stayed out of the big boy pool, mainly bolstering the bottom-six. Arvidsson was a salary dump by the Oilers, requiring only a fifth rounder. He is penciled in the second line right winger. Kuraly returns home, bringing his lunch pail, where he should anchor the third line. Jeannot was heavily pursued with Sweeney giving out a surprising five-year, $17 million contract. His presence makes the third line a bruising line, as Jeannot has been a lock for over 200 hits per season when he’s been healthy. but don’t expect much offense. Eyssimont is another physical winger – sensing a pattern? – whose offense is non-existent.

Defensively and in net, the Bruins were a mess. Charlie McAvoy saw his production fall for the second straight season, a pace he was on even prior to being injured. A shoulder injury in the 4 Nations Cup ended McAvoy’s season in February, removing the team’s best blueliner. Nikita Zadorov tried to fill the breach, posting a plus-25 with 219 hits and 10 blocks, as did Mason Lohrei, but the defense was weak. Hampus Lindholm missed most of the season with a fractured patella that required surgery.

Jeremy Swayman, who previously had shared the net with Linus Ullmark, went in 2024-25 as the unquestioned starter. A late start to the season partially due to his holdout and October signing of an eight-year extension contributed to his decline. His 22-29-7 record was terrible, along with a 3.11 GAA and a .892 save percentage over a career-high 58 games, bringing up questions if Swayman was solely a product of the great Bruins teams in front of him.

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Boston had some luck in the draft, as James Hagens fell to the team at seven. The remainder of the system is weak. Fabian Lysell and James Farinacci, each of whom had cups of coffee last season, will get a chance to earn spots on the active roster. Beyond those two, not much.

Their best fantasy options will come from up front (David Pastrnak, Morgan Geekie) and the blue line (Charlie McAvoy). Jeremy Swayman has talent but must show he can “bail out” the blue line in front of him.

Prediction:

Sweeney added around the edges and made the team tougher, but who will take the scoring burden off Pastrnak, who should net 100+ points again, and Geekie. Maybe Lindholm turns back the clock and Zacha produces as he did his first two seasons in Boston. It’s possible Mittelstadt scores as he did in 2022-2024 but beyond the top six, then what? Plus, relying on a return to form for three players is a bit dangerous.

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Swayman should be better, as it’s hard to think he could be worse. But unless the blueline is vastly better, Swayman could be under siege again. The Bruins will need to play a physical and disciplined – the latter being most important – brand of hockey to win, Look for a healthy McAvoy to post 40+, aided by at least half on the PP, with Lysell and Farinacci getting shots in the lineup.

All stats courtesy of naturalstattrick.com, moneypuck.com, hockeyviz.com, allthreezones.com, hockey-reference.com, eliteprospects.com unless otherwise noted.