The Boston Bruins failed to make the postseason for the first time since 2016 and find themselves in their first rebuild in almost 20 years. On Wednesday, October 8, in Washington, the Bruins will embark on a quest to make the postseason when many prognosticators have them on the outside looking in. Boston was 27-23-6 in still in the playoff hunt on February 5, but proceeded to go 6-16-4 to miss the playoffs. The Bruins will begin regular season play with many questions regarding secondary scoring, defensive structure, and a new head coach in Marco Sturm, his first NHL head coaching gig. It will be an uphill climb for the Boston Bruins.

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Offseason Moves

Additions:

F – Viktor Arvidsson – Trade
F – Matej Blumel – Free Agency
D – Jordan Harris – Free Agency
F –Tanner Jeannot – Free Agency
F – Michael Eyissimont – Free Agency
F – Sean Kuraly – Free Agency

Re-Signings:

F – Morgan Geekie – 6 years
D – Henri Jokiharju – 3 Years
F – John Beecher – 1 year
G – Michael DiPietro – 1 year

Subtractions:

F – Cole Koepke
F – Vinny Lettieri
D – Ian Mitchell
D – Parker Wotherspoon

2025-26 Boston Bruins Roster

Forwards

Morgan Geekie – Elias Lindholm – David Pastrnak
Matej Blumel- Pavel Zacha – Viktor Arvidsson
Casey Mittelstadt – Matt Poitras – Tanner Jeannot
Michael Eyssimont – Sean Kuraly – Mark Kastelic

The forward group projects to be among the bottom of the league, with many questions centered around secondary scoring. The top line showed a lot of promise at the end of last season and should produce. But after that, the team needs newcomers Blumel and Arvidsson to score goals and some consistent play at center from the likes of Poitras, Zacha, and possibly Fraser Minten. The fourth line should be hard to play against and a matchup problem for some teams, but the middle-six is under the microscope.

Defense

Mason Lohrei – Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm – Andrew Peeke
Nikita Zadorov – Henri Jokiharju

The defensive pairings should be set and much more effective this season. Boston lost Lindholm and McAvoy for large portions of time last season, and it set the Bruins back defensively in a big way. If those two blueliners stay healthy and Lohrei matures defensively, this could potentially be the strength of the team.

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Power Play

Morgan Geekie – Elias Lindholm – David Pastrnak – Pavel Zacha – Charlie McAvoy
Matej Blumel – Casey Mittelstadt – Viktor Arvidsson – Hampus Lindholm – Mason Lohrei

The power play was dreadful last season for Boston and has been an issue for some time. A lack of playmaking centers and a true bumper has forced the Bruins to rely too heavily on the David Pastrnak left-side one-timer. Boston needs more puck movement and more from the back end on the power play. Blumel and Arvidsson could provide some offensive punch, but McAvoy and the two Lindholms will need to create more quality chances.

Goalies

Jeremy Swayman
Joonas Korpisalo

The Bruins desperately need a bounce-back season from their $8.25 million goalie, Jeremy Swayman. If Swayman can get back to form, then the Bruins might have a fighting chance to be a better defensive team and hang around in the playoff picture. Korpisalo expressed some frustration from not seeing more time in net, but he remains as the backup. Look for Swayman to take on another heavy load and play 55-60 games.

Wrap Up:

Boston will struggle to stay in the playoff picture if the goaltending and defense aren’t better, and the offense relies too heavily on Pastrnak. Any type of major injury will be a detriment also. If a few things go their way, Boston could sneak into the postseason. If not, it could be lottery again.

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