The 2024-25 season will not be far off. With free company and growth camps now completed, coaching camp is subsequent, after we’ll see place battles and gamers preventing for roster spots.
For probably the most half, groups know what their roster will appear to be. The Boston Bruins improved their roster with key free agent signings Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov. Nevertheless, the staff additionally noticed key departures from goaltender Linus Ullmark and winger Jake DeBrusk, so the Bruins will look fairly completely different from the 2023-24 season.
That’s to not say that this roster can’t ship and there may be a lot to preview for the 2024-25 Bruins. Final season, there have been questions in regards to the staff’s depth on the heart place and scoring. Right here’s a have a look at Boston’s 4 key storylines heading into the 2024-25 season.
Can Jeremy Swayman Deal with the Workload
The goalie hug is not a factor in Boston. After buying and selling Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators, the crease formally belongs to Jeremy Swayman, and he deserves it. Final season, Swayman proved that his efficiency in 2022-23 was no fluke. He completed the common season with a 2.53 goals-against common and a .916 save share. He additionally ranked fourth in objectives saved above anticipated (18.4). Whereas many anticipated that there could be a rotation through the playoffs, Swayman put that to mattress together with his standout efficiency.
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The storyline relating to Swayman will not be whether or not he can ship however whether or not he can shoulder the heavier workload. During the last two seasons, head coach Jim Montgomery has opted to rotate his goalies to maintain them contemporary, and the choice paid off. On any given night time, Swayman and Ullmark gave the Bruins an opportunity to win, and the duo turned the spine of the staff’s success. Now, it’ll be as much as Swayman to shoulder the load.
The 2020-21 season was a small pattern dimension for Swayman, with solely ten begins. His numbers have been respectable, and we bought a glimpse of his potential. Throughout the 2021-22 season, he began 39 video games (a fair cut up). In 2022-23, he missed time attributable to harm, and with Ullmark having a Vezina Trophy-winning marketing campaign, he bought fewer begins (33). Nevertheless, Swayman had probably the most begins in his profession (43) through the 2023-24 season and confirmed he may deal with that kind of workload. However now he could also be requested to tackle extra.
Throughout the staff’s playoff run, Swayman made it clear he wished to play. “Personally, I don’t need relaxation,” Swayman advised reporters after a 4-2 win in Sport 3 of their first-round playoff collection towards the Toronto Maple Leafs. “I simply wish to maintain taking part in. Regardless of after I get the decision, whether or not it’s back-to-back or each different sport, I wish to be sure that my physique is prepared and I’m able to carry out at my finest.”
With the crease formally his and a heavier workload to go together with it, we’ll see how and if he can rise to the event.
Bruins Sophomore Slumps or Development
Throughout the 2023-24 season, it was by no means anticipated that younger gamers would make the leap. Common Supervisor Don Sweeney assembled a roster that would compete. With the core items in place, he solely wanted to search out complementary items. Sweeney aimed for worth signings and so they outperformed expectations. Nevertheless, the Bruins bought a blessing from the Hockey Gods and noticed children come onto the scene.
The largest shock was the emergence of Matthew Poitras who got here into coaching camp able to work and gave the teaching workers each purpose to maintain him. Poitras was tabbed with centering the third line. He was an incredible injection of youth and completed the season with 5 objectives and 15 factors.
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The Bruins’ finest defensive prospect, Ohio State standout Mason Lohrei, got here onto the scene, scoring three objectives and 13 factors, taking part in up and down the lineup.
Each gamers are greater than more likely to make the opening-night roster. The staff bought a glimpse of what they will do and the way they will make an influence. Because the Bruins proceed to intention to get youthful, seeing these two develop their video games is big. After making sturdy impressions throughout their rookie seasons, keep watch over whether or not they can stick throughout their second seasons.
Younger Bruins Stepping Up
Anticipate some younger gamers who’ve already made their mark on the roster to take the subsequent step of their growth. Nevertheless, the Bruins will want younger gamers to return onto the staff, step up and solidify a place. The Bruins want somebody to fill the vacant second-line right-wing spot and supply depth. This can be a comparable situation to the Dallas Stars whose core group is already in place, however younger gamers like Logan Stankoven have joined the roster and stepped up. Now, he’s a shiny spot in a deep ahead group, and that’s precisely what the Bruins want.
The Bruins’ core group of forwards is about, apart from the obtrusive want on the top-line right-wing spot. This spot has been left open for a younger participant to earn out of coaching camp, and there are two prime candidates: Fabian Lysell and Georgii Merkulov. Each had sturdy seasons with the Windfall Bruins of the American Hockey League, particularly Merkulov who scored 120 factors in 134 video games. Each gamers have progressed and are poised to take the subsequent step.
For a very long time, the Bruins have relied on veterans to shoulder the load. Now could be the time to provide younger gamers a shot. This can be a storyline to keep watch over throughout coaching camp.
Can Lindholm Ship as Quantity One Heart?
The Bruins formally have their number-one heart in Elias Lindholm. Whereas Charlie Coyle and Pavel Zacha carried out above expectations, it was clear the Bruins ought to add extra depth down the center. They’ve it now, however can Lindholm ship because the top-line heart?
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Lindholm brings a whole lot of components that can make the Bruins higher down the center in comparison with final season. He is an efficient two-way heart who excels within the faceoff circle, which can enable the Bruins to have higher puck possession numbers in comparison with the 2023-24 season. This transfer additionally means Zacha will transfer to the left-wing place.
Taking part in alongside famous person David Pastrnak could have its perks. Lindholm hasn’t had that luxurious since 2021-22 and it ought to assist enhance his total manufacturing. The brand new duo of Lindholm and Coyle needs to be thrilling, as each are good at each ends of the ice. All eyes shall be on the middle place, because it was a looming query going into the 2023-24 season.
Bruins Will Be a Workforce to Watch
Sweeney made quite a few strikes this offseason to shuffle the deck, and the items at the moment are falling into place. Swayman (who nonetheless wants a brand new deal) is formally the primary goalie and seeing how he shoulders the load shall be attention-grabbing. The staff is aiming to get youthful and will see younger gamers step up in 2024-25, and all eyes shall be on the big-ticket newcomers and the way they influence the membership.