The Boston Bruins have opened training camp ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season and have some intriguing roster competitions.
The Bruins are looking to build off the struggles of last season, as Boston finished the year with the fifth-worst record in the league. Yet, the Bruins enter camp with higher expectations and a deeper team, and there are plenty of camp competitions to be had.
One player who’s vying for a role is Johnny Beecher, who’s projected to fill a bottom-six role. NHL insider Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic expects the former first-round pick to earn a full-time role with the Bruins.
“Beecher started camp on the wing, taking shifts with Fraser Minten and Fabian Lysell,” Shinzawa wrote. “Beecher has the speed and size to be a two-way No. 3 left wing. He’ll need to be more consistent with his competitiveness and offensive pace-pushing. That he can play center is a checkmark in Beecher’s favor. The 2019 first-rounder requires waivers for an AHL assignment.”
Beecher was selected 30th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft by Boston. He became a full-time player for the Bruins last season, skating in 78 games, but he isn’t guaranteed a roster spot this season.
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Beecher is in camp competition with the likes of Tanner Jeannot, Mikey Eyssimont, and Sean Kuraly, but Shinzawa expects him to do enough to earn a roster spot.
Beecher recorded three goals and eight assists for 11 points last season. He’s skated in 130 games, recording 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points in his NHL career.
Boston opens their season on the road on Oct. 8 against the Washington Capitals.
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