The Boston Bruins were a very busy team early in the NHL offseason, making moves in both the free agent and trade markets to improve their roster heading into the 2024-25 campaign.
The elite goalie duo of Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark is no more after the Swedish netminder was traded to the Ottawa Senators a few days before the 2024 NHL Draft in June. Free agency saw veterans such as Danton Heinen, Matt Grzelcyk, Derek Forbort, Kevin Shattenkirk, James van Riemsdyk and Jake DeBrusk all leave the franchise.
The Bruins did make some splashy additions with their salary cap space. They signed top-six center Elias Lindholm (seven years, $54.25 million) and veteran defenseman Nikita Zadorov (six years, $30 million) on Day 1 of free agency.
The B’s integrated a couple young prospects into their NHL roster last season, most notably centers Matt Poitras and John Beecher, as well as defenseman Mason Lohrei. We could see a similar scenario unfold early next season, especially up front, where multiple position battles are expected to take place.
Here’s a look at our way-too-early Bruins lineup projection now that free agency has slowed significantly and the normally slow (at least in hockey terms) month of August approaches.
The most interesting spot is second-line right wing alongside Brad Marchand and Charlie Coyle. Jake DeBrusk’s departure in free agency has created a hole in the top-six on the wing. DeBrusk was very inconsistent, but he did average 23.7 goals scored over the last three years. It’s not easy to replace that kind of production. The Bruins had cap space but chose to spend it on a top-six center in 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’re lacking goal scoring on the wings.
This situation should create some intense internal competition in training camp and the preseason. Fabian Lysell is a right wing and has the kind of shot, playmaking ability and speed that would work well in a top-six role. After two full seasons in the AHL, it’s time for the 2021 first-round pick to take that next step and become a regular NHL player.
Georgii Merkulov has led the P-Bruins in scoring each of the last two seasons. He’s versatile enough to play center or on the wing. His offensive talent is impressive, and after getting a four-game taste of NHL action last season, he could have an opportunity to earn much more playing time in camp.
Max Jones has the potential to be a sneaky good pickup as a bottom-six player for the B’s. He signed as a free agent in July after spending the last 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 skill set the B’s value. He could also provide 15-20 points of scoring depth, too.
“Max has been an intriguing player, not just because of where he was drafted, but the size of the player, the ability to forecheck, the ability to possess pucks,” Bruins general manager Don Sweeney told reporters July 1, the first day of free agency.
“He’s shown a willingness to get to the net, can he finish a little bit more if he’s pushed up the lineup and play with guys, that’s what we’re going to find out in terms of Max. But he just plays both sides, the possession game that (Jim Montgomery) wants to have, created a little more anxiety, to tell you the truth, with arriving on time on the forecheck is a big part of the identification of several of these players.”
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