2 weeks Ago
I have often remarked about my happiness with not betting on hockey. My wallet would be empty. If you want proof of that, consider the 10 bold Boston Bruins predictions issued at the start of 2024-25.
They have aged like Greek yogurt: 1. Jeremy Swayman struggles early. In one way, that prediction came true.
Swayman did not play well after missing all of training camp. He had to adjust to life as the No. 1 following the trade of Linus Ullmark.
Advertisement The qualifier of early, however, meant his issues would not last the entire season. They did. You’ve got to do a whole lot of scrolling on Moneypuck to find Swayman’s goals saved above expected: minus-9.
1, No. 92 overall. 2.
Elias Lindholm returns to his former level. Yikes. Major whiff.
After signing a seven-year, $54.25 million contract to be the Bruins’ No. 1 center, Lindholm hurt his back on Day 1 of training camp.
He finished with 47 points in 82 games, the fewest since he scored the same total in 2020-21. That year, however, he played in only 56 games. Lindholm is a third-line center.
Fortunately for the Bruins, he can play with Morgan Geekie and David Pastrnak on the No. 1 line and not have to drive the offense. 3.
Hampus Lindholm returns to his former level. Partial credit? Lindholm was the Bruins’ best defenseman to start the season. But that lasted only 17 games because of his fractured patella.
He should have returned at some point, but he worsened his condition by accelerating his comeback. The 31-year-old will be ready for camp. 4.
Charlie Coyle scores 30 goals. Another yikes. The right-shot center was at 15 by the time he was traded to the Colorado Avalanche.
Coyle’s shortfall — he scored a career-high 25 in 2023-24 — was one of the reasons the Bruins struggled to generate consistent chances. 5. Matt Poitras becomes a legitimate NHL center.
Uncle! The 2022 second-rounder made the team out of camp for the second straight season. In retrospect, there’s a reason Poitras has been a good preseason player: He was playing against minor-leaguers. By the time the real games started, Poitras was not ready for everyday battle.
That was not his fault. The Bruins rushed his development because they needed help at center. Not only that, they tried him at right wing.
The next time Poitras pulls on a Bruins jersey, the organization better believe he’s up for good. Otherwise, they’re messing with his confidence. Advertisement 6.
Justin Brazeau becomes the No. 2 right wing. Goodness gracious, Shinzawa! Brazeau never found his rhythm as an offensive presence on the third line.
He was a poor fit on the fourth line. He had 10 goals and was averaging 12:58 of ice time per game when the Bruins traded him to the Minnesota Wild. Brazeau scored one goal in 19 regular-season games for the Wild.
He’s likely to hit unrestricted free agency. 7. Brad Marchand does not re-sign during the season.
Finally a winner! The thought here, though, was that the sides would agree to an extension after the year. Instead, after negotiations broke down, the Bruins traded their captain to the Florida Panthers. Unless Marchand is dissatisfied with his offers on the open market, it’s unlikely he considers a Boston return.
8. Mason Lohrei signs a long-term extension. The guess at the time: six years, $36 million.
A season’s worth of data showed Lohrei is a long way from earning such a raise. He is a question mark on defense. A short-term extension will give the Bruins a better idea of what Lohrei will become as a two-way defender.
9. Fabian Lysell spends the entire year in Providence. Not quite.
The right wing wasn’t exactly an AHL standout this season. But he got the call for the Bruins’ final 11 games. The 2021 first-rounder showed some sparks with his speed and puck touch.
But the 22-year-old has a long way to go to become an everyday NHLer. The Bruins are hoping he can be their full-time No. 2 right wing in 2025-26.
That is no guarantee. 10. Mike Reilly’s buyout ties the Bruins’ hands at the deadline.
The Bruins had to carry $1,333,333 toward their number. I thought it would limit their acquisitions. It turned out to be no problem.
The cap is not a concern when you’re a straight-out seller. (Photo of Jeremy Swayman: Bob DeChiara / Imagn Images).
