The Bruins training camp roster is mostly set after the Bruins filled several roster spots in the last week. There will be no contract disputes this year and as of now, no injuries that should affect the start of camp.
Who will make the team and how will Marco Sturm choose to arrange his chess pieces?
Three of us took a stab at what the four lines, six defenseman and two goalies will be in early October when the new-look Bruins take the ice for their still-to-be-revealed schedule.
Boston Bruins center Elias Lindholm. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)APForwards
1. Morgan Geekie-Pavel Zacha-David Pastrnak
2. Casey Mittelstadt- Elias Lindholm-ViktorArvidsson
3. Matěj Blümel-Sean Kuraly-Tanner Jeannot
4. Michael Eyssimont – John Beecher – Mark Kastelic
Defense
1. Mason Lohrei -Charlie McAvoy
2. Hampus Lindholm- Andrew Peeke
3. Nikita Zadorov — Henri Jokiharju
Goalies
Jeremy Swayman
Michael DiPietro
There is a prevailing assumption that the Bruins will open the season with last year’s effective No. 1 line intact. They very well might and it wouldn’t be a wrong decision. But I’m guessing they’ll break it up to start the season, knowing it will be an option they can turn to eventually if they need a spark.
The logic is this. 1. Elias Lindholm and Viktor Arvidsson have history playing on a line together for Sweden. 2. If they can perform well together, it would give the Bruins a second line with some offensive potential.
I think Matt Poitras and Fraser Minten will both be part of this team this season. But on opening night, both can be sent to Providence without passing through waivers. That’s not true of Matej Blumel, Andrew Steeves or Marat Khustnutdinov. So I’m guessing the Bruins will open the year with Blümel in the lineup and Steeves and Khustnutdinov on the roster, but scratched.
I think this is the way the defense will look on the line sheet to open the first game. However, I think when circumstances call for it, McAvoy and Lindholm will be paired up, especially late in games.
If the DiPietro and Joonas Korpisalo competition is close, there are good reasons for the Bruins to choose the kid.
Boston Bruins center Matt Poitras. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)APForwards
1. Morgan Geekie-Elias Lindholm-David Pastrnak
2. Viktor Arvidsson-Pavel Zacha-Matt Poitras
3. Marat Khusnutdinov-Casey Mittelstadt-Tanner Jeannot
4. Michael Eyssimont-Sean Kuraly-Mark Kastelic
Defense
1. Hampus Lindholm-Charlie McAvoy
2. Nikita Zadorov – Henri Jokiharju
3. Mason Lohrei-Andrew Peeke
Goalie
1. Jeremy Swayman
2. Joonas Korpisalo
After a strong stretch in Providence, a more-seasoned Matt Poitras is the young player who seizes his opportunity and lands a Top 6 spot at training camp this fall, while Fraser Minten and Fabian Lysell begin the year in the AHL.
With the Bruins still thin at center, Casey Mittelstadt bumps down to the third line and allows for a hyper-irritating fourth line of Michael Eyssimont, Sean Kuraly, and Mark Kastelic.
TAMPA, FL – MARCH 8: Casey Mittelstadt #11 of the Boston Bruins looks for a pass against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period at the Amalie Arena on March 8, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)Getty ImagesForwards
1. Morgan Geekie — Elias Lindholm — David Pastrnak
2. Pavel Zacha — Matt Poitras — Viktor Arvidsson
3. Marat Khusnutdinov — Casey Mittlestadt — Tanner Jeannot
4. Mikey Eyssimont — Sean Kuraly — Mark Kastelic
Defense
1. Hampus Lindholm — Charlie McAvoy
2. Nikita Zadorov — Henri Jokiharu
3. Mason Lohrei — Andrew Peeke
Goalies
1. Jeremy Swayman
2. Michael DiPietro
With how many bottom-six forwards Don Sweeney signed on Day 1 of free agency, there are several possible line combinations. Ultimately, I think Matt Poitras earns back a starting role in the lineup after playing in just 33 games for the Bruins last season. While Fabian Lysell and Georgii Merkulov deserve looks, the players Sweeney signed have veteran experience and that could be the difference in them making the team out of camp.
But the young players (Lysell, Merkulov, Fraser Minten) have the chance to make it difficult to be sent to the AHL, and that could leave the lineup looking very different than my predicted one. But it’s not uncommon for a young player to impress in camp and begin the season in the minors to further develop.
After expressing the desire to play more, I think Joonas Korpisalo gets traded to a team where that can happen and Michael DiPietro backs up Jeremy Swayman.
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