As the Boston Bruins prepare for the 2024-25 NHL season, they have assembled a formidable, tall, and powerful roster, particularly evident on the blue line.
Below are the heights and weights of the seven defensemen expected to contend for a spot on the Opening Night roster:
- Charlie McAvoy: 6 feet 1 inch, 209 pounds
- Nikita Zadorov: 6 feet 6 inches, 248 pounds
- Brandon Carlo: 6 feet 5 inches, 217 pounds
- Hampus Lindholm: 6 feet 4 inches, 224 pounds
- Mason Lohrei: 6 feet 5 inches, 211 pounds
- Andrew Peeke: 6 feet 3 inches, 214 pounds
- Parker Wotherspoon: 6 feet 1 inch, 195 pounds
“Having a defense that is both large and agile is, I believe, our greatest asset. We possess players who can move exceptionally well on the ice,” said Hampus Lindholm to reporters on Tuesday.
“To excel in this league as a defenseman, mobility and skating proficiency are essential. Fortunately, our defensive unit is currently boasting a lot of strength.”
The Bruins’ remarkable mix of size, strength, and skating capability on defense should contribute to them being a challenging opponent, especially in the playoffs. The signing of Zadorov has brought additional grit to the team. He isn’t hesitant to demonstrate his physicality, whether through delivering significant hits, blocking shots, or clearing the front of the net.
Here is our initial projection for the Bruins’ Opening Night lineup, with the understanding that several changes could occur before their match against the Florida Panthers on October 8.
Forwards
Also considered for the lineup: Max Jones, Tyler Johnson, Georgii Merkulov, Riley Tufte
The first forward line featuring Pavel Zacha, Elias Lindholm, and David Pastrnak shows great promise. Lindholm has been sidelined recently due to an undisclosed injury. Coach Jim Montgomery informed the media on Tuesday that Lindholm is “day to day.”
“I don’t foresee any challenges in establishing chemistry with Lindy. His intelligence and high hockey IQ make him a valuable asset,” Pastrnak stated to reporters after practice.
The Boston Bruins shared an update via their official Twitter account last Friday.
The remaining lines have several possible configurations. While Brad Marchand and Charlie Coyle are set to reunite on the second line, the right wing position alongside them is still up for grabs. This has turned into one of the most intriguing roster competitions during training camp.
Matthew Poitras showcased his talents in the Black and Gold game in Providence last week. Although he ideally would play as a center, his scoring ability and knack for creating chances for his teammates make him a viable candidate for the right wing position as well.
Pretty stuff, Potsy 👏 pic.twitter.com/abUJeSGiYL
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) September 21, 2024
Top prospects Fabian Lysell and Georgii Merkulov encountered some challenges in the preseason opener against the Rangers. Lysell finished without any points, shots, and had two turnovers, resulting in minimal impact. Merkulov was relatively quiet as well, although he did manage to record a secondary assist.
However, both players bounced back impressively on Tuesday night against the Washington Capitals. Lysell netted a power-play goal, earned two penalties, engaged physically more effectively, and registered three scoring opportunities in 17:34 of ice time. Merkulov also played well, contributing another assist and recording two shots on goal. This display was a strong recovery for both players.
Fabian with some FILTH 🎯 pic.twitter.com/5MYfw5uvKR
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) September 25, 2024
“I felt way more smooth out there,” Lysell told reporters after the game on Tuesday. “I had better timing, made smarter decisions with the puck, so it was an overall improved performance.”
Morgan Geekie is also being considered for the second-line right wing spot. His tough, physical style of play aligns well with that of Marchand and Coyle. Last season, Geekie achieved a career-high of 17 goals and could potentially reach the 20-goal milestone if given consistent time in a top-six role alongside them.
It remains too early to make definitive predictions for the second-line right wing position, as numerous preseason games and practices lie ahead before Opening Night. However, Lysell’s performance against the Capitals certainly marked a positive progression. The challenge for him will be maintaining that level of play consistently.
The bottom-six forward group is still developing. Several players—such as Johnny Beecher, Mark Kastelic, Tyler Johnson, and Trent Frederic—can all fill either center or wing positions. This versatility is a significant advantage for Coach Montgomery, offering him a range of potential combinations to consider. Max Jones might also be a contender, but he is currently sidelined with an undisclosed injury.
Defensemen
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Extra: Parker Wotherspoon
Though several questions remain, the defense lineup appears to be largely finalized, assuming no injuries occur.
New addition Nikita Zadorov seems poised to complement Charlie McAvoy effectively. The two have had ample practice time together, yet fostering chemistry between teammates without any prior experience will require patience.
“I just need to make a few adjustments to collaborate effectively with a defenseman like him. It’s important to understand what needs to be done in different situations to create opportunities for him to join the rush and contribute offensively, while also being ready to support him defensively,” Zadorov told NESN’s Judd Sirott last weekend.
“With practice, you get accustomed to it. Building chemistry takes time, but we’re making an effort. We’re communicating frequently about our plays and the system. So far, things are going well.”
The second pairing is straightforward. Hampus Lindholm and Brandon Carlo have amassed an impressive 1382:49 of even-strength ice time together since Lindholm joined the Bruins prior to the 2022 trade deadline, according to Natural Stat Trick. During this time, the Bruins have outscored their opponents 71-46, boasting a plus-27 advantage in scoring chances.
“We are two large players who are both capable skaters. I don’t think opponents enjoy facing us due to these attributes,” Lindholm mentioned to reporters on Tuesday. “With Carlo, you know what to expect—he’s a big, strong player. This allows me to depend on him and look to generate even more offensive opportunities since I always know his position.”
Hampus Lindholm on skating with Brandon Carlo: “We are two big guys that can both skate…I don’t think guys like to play against us because of those two aspects.” <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHLBruins?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Et
The Bruins are looking for increased offensive output from their blue line this season. In particular, Lindholm needs to contribute to this enhancement. He achieved a career-high of 53 points during the 2022-23 season; however, this number fell to just 26 points last year. If he can maintain his health, Lindholm should aim to be a player who scores at least 40 points.
The third defensive pairing is expected to include Mason Lohrei and Andrew Peeke. Lohrei had a promising rookie season, showcasing impressive moments during the playoffs, where he scored goals and demonstrated confidence with the puck. Although he still has room to improve defensively, the organization should be pleased with his development trajectory thus far.
Peeke has surpassed expectations after being acquired at the trade deadline last season. He is a strong penalty killer, plays a physical game, and possesses an underrated offensive skill set. Peeke appeared more at ease in Boston compared to his time in Columbus, and at just 26 years old, he still has significant upside.
Goaltenders
Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2024; Buffalo, New York, USA; Ottawa Senators goaltender Joonas Korpisalo (70) during a stoppage in play against the Buffalo Sabres during the third period at KeyBank Center.
- Joonas Korpisalo
- Brandon Bussi
It’s clear that Jeremy Swayman will take the role of the primary goalie once he finalizes a contract with the Bruins. However, since he remains unsigned, we will exclude him from this discussion.
If Swayman is unavailable at the start of the regular season, who would be the optimal choice to man the net?
Korpisalo appears to be the logical candidate. The Finnish goalie made his NHL debut in 2015 and has since started 250 games over the span of nine years. Last season, he achieved a career-high of 49 starts with the Senators. Although his statistics with the Senators weren’t stellar—21 wins, 26 losses, 4 overtime losses, a .890 save percentage, and a 3.27 GAA—Korpisalo has demonstrated competency at times, notably during the 2022-23 season when he recorded a .916 save percentage while playing for both the Blue Jackets and Kings.
Korpisalo also showed promise in a recent game against the Capitals, stopping all seven shots directed at him during almost 30 minutes of play.
Bussi is an intriguing prospect, known for his impressive size and athleticism. However, he lacks NHL experience, making it a significant challenge for him to start against the reigning Stanley Cup champions on the road. In his preseason debut against the New York Rangers, Bussi struggled, allowing two goals on 12 shots and giving up several juicy rebounds.
There are still five more preseason games and numerous practices remaining for Bruins goalie coach Bob Essensa and his team to assess these netminders. Currently, Korpisalo seems to have the advantage for the starting position while Swayman remains unsigned.
