2024-25 Bruins roster projection too early after NHL free agency originally appeared in NBC Sports Boston
The Boston Bruins were a very busy team at the start of the NHL offseason, making moves in both the free agent and trade markets to improve their roster heading into the 2024-25 campaign.
Elite goalkeeping duo Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark are no more after the Swedish goalkeeper was traded to the Ottawa Senators a few days before the 2024 NHL Draft in June. Free agency featured veterans like Danton Heinen, Matt Grzelcyk, Derek Forbort, Kevin Shattenkirk, James van Riemsdyk and Jake DeBrusk leaves the franchise.
The Bruins I made some eye-catching additions with its salary cap space. They signed top-six center Elias Lindholm (seven years, US$54.25 million) and veteran defenseman Nikita Zadorov (six years, US$30 million) on Day 1 of free agency.
The B’s integrated some young prospects onto the NHL roster last season, most notably centers Matt Poitras and John Beecher, as well as defenseman Mason Lohrei. We could see a similar scenario play out at the start of next season, especially in attack where multiple position battles are expected to occur.
Here’s a look at our very early Bruins roster projection now that free agency has slowed down significantly and the normally slow (at least in hockey terms) month of August approaches.
Forwards
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The most interesting position is the right wing on the second line, alongside Brad Marchand and Charlie Coyle. Jake DeBrusk departure in free agency created a hole in the top six on the wing. DeBrusk has been very inconsistent, but has scored an average of 23.7 goals over the last three years. It is not easy to replace this type of production.
The Bruins had cap space, but chose to spend it on a top-six center, Elias Lindholm. It was the right decision because two-way centers are more valuable and the B’s needed an upgrade at that position, but now they lack scoring from the wings.
This situation should create intense internal competition in training camp and pre-season. Fabian Lysell is a right-back and has the kind of shooting, playing ability and speed that would work well in a top-six position. After two full seasons in the AHL, it’s time for the 2021 first-round pick to take the next step and become an NHL regular.
Georgii Merkulov has led the P-Bruins in scoring in each of the last two seasons. He is versatile enough to play in the center or on the wing. His offensive talent is impressive, and after experiencing four games of NHL action last season, he could have the opportunity to earn a lot more playing time in camp.
Max Jones has the potential to be a sneaky good player as a bottom-six player for the B’s. He signed as a free agent in July after spending the past six seasons with the Anaheim Ducks. The 2016 first-round pick brings size (6-foot-3 and 213 pounds) and the type of two-way ability defines the B’s value. He could also provide 15-20 points of scoring depth.
“Max has been an intriguing player, not just because of where he was drafted, but the size of the player, the ability to predict, the ability to possess pucks,” Bruins general manager Don Sweeney told reporters on March 1. July, first day of Free Agency.
“He showed a desire to get to the net, can he finish a little more if he increases the lineup and plays with the guys, that’s what we’re going to find out in terms of Max. the possession game that (Jim Montgomery) wants to have, he created a little more anxiety, to be honest, getting to the check on time is a big part of identifying a lot of these players.”
Defenders
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It wouldn’t be surprising if Nikita Zadorov starts the season with Charlie McAvoy. Both are physical players who aren’t afraid to throw big shots, block shots and win puck battles in difficult areas of the ice.
“The presence that (Zadorov) brings is important for us,” Sweeney told reporters on July 1. “Playing a lot of the first four minutes in the playoffs against the best players is a bit arrogant. grow and probably become a little more defined in what you are capable of doing.
“Early in his career, a lot of nights he came out to make an impact and sometimes he did that for both teams, as all young players do who are aggressive in that sense. on the table. He is very excited to join the Boston Bruins and have the chance to play with Charlie McAvoy if that’s what it’s like.
Hampus Lindholm and Brandon Carlo have played nearly 1,400 minutes together at 5-on-5 over the past two seasons, which is easily the most of any Boston defense duo. The B’s also have a plus-27 goal differential during that time on the ice. These two veterans have tremendous chemistry, so it makes sense to keep it intact heading into the new season.
Mason Lohrei and Andrew Peeke are two players to watch closely. Lohrei had a very good debut campaign with 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in 41 games. He also had some strong moments in the playoffs, showing great balance with the puck and the ability to identify when to rush in to create scoring chances. He has the ability to be a legitimate top-four defenseman in the near future, so his development will be a storyline to watch all season long.
Peeke was one of the Bruins’ 2024 trade deadline additions and made a seamless transition. He is a good penalty killer and brings a lot of brutality to the ice. He also showed flashes of offensive potential with eight points in 23 regular season games after the trade.
Parker Wotherspoon will likely be the odd man out at the start of the season, which would be a shame for him because he exceeded expectations last season.
Goalkeepers
Now it’s the Jeremy Swayman show, assuming he signs an extension soon. He is the undisputed number 1 goaltender in Boston following the June trade that sent Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators. Swayman is Coming off a stellar playoff run during which he ranked first among all goaltenders with a .933 save percentage and 11.29 goals saved above expected.
Swayman has never started more than 43 games in a regular season and will likely surpass that number next year without a Vezina Trophy-caliber backup. Handling that kind of workload will be a new challenge for him, but after starting a career-high 11 consecutive games in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, he should be fine. He is also only 25 years old.
The competition for backup work can be quite interesting.
The Bruins signed Joonas Korpisalo to a contract (four more years, $4 million salary cap hit) in the Ullmark trade. He’s coming off a horrible campaign in which he posted a 21-26-4 record with an .890 save percentage and a 3.27 GAA in 55 games for the Senators. But if there’s anyone who can get him back on track, it’s Bruins goaltending coach Bob Essensa. “Goalie Bob” is the best in the business and one of the main reasons the B’s have developed so many quality goaltenders this century.
Korpisalo was an above-average goaltender for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Los Angeles Kings in 2022-23, so he definitely has talent. Whether he can return to that level in Boston remains to be seen.
Brandon Bussi will have a chance to earn the backup job in training camp and the preseason. He played very well for the Providence Bruins of the AHL the last two years, posting a .918 save percentage in 73 games.
“I don’t want to lose sight of Brandon, in the sense that he’s paid his dues and wants the opportunity to be in the National Hockey League. If he wins, in this case, probably Joonas, then we’ll have to give him the opportunity,” Sweeney said. told reporters ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas last month.
