The Hub of Hockey finds itself in an unfamiliar position heading into the 2025-26 season. After a genuinely dismal 2024-25 campaign that saw them plummet to the league’s fifth-worst record, the Boston Bruins are in full retool mode. The glory days of recent memory feel distant, and the organization is now looking inward, focusing on youth and potential to claw their way back to contention. This isn’t just a transition year; it’s a foundational one, with new head coach Marco Sturm at the helm, tasked with forging a fresh identity.
For us die-hard fans, this preseason isn’t just about knocking off the rust. It’s an audition, a proving ground, and a glimpse into what the future might hold. Who’s ready to seize the moment? Who will become the cornerstones of the next great Bruins team? Let’s dive into the roster, focusing on the breakout candidates poised for crucial roles and the intriguing players who demand our attention as training camp opens its doors.
The New Blood: Breakout Candidates with the Weight of Boston on Their Shoulders
When a team limps out of a season with a whimper, it often means the established veterans didn’t deliver, or simply aren’t there anymore. This opens the door for fresh faces, and the Bruins have several young guns who simply must break out if this retooling year is to be anything more than a glorified AHL season.
DiPietro: The Goalie of Providence, Now Aiming for Boston
Remember Michael DiPietro? Acquired in the Jack Studnicka trade back in 2022, he’s been quietly honing his craft in Providence, showing flashes of NHL potential. Last season was his coming-out party in the AHL, where his sparkling .927 save percentage ranked third in the league, earning him an All-Star nod. The Bruins brass clearly noticed, rewarding him with a two-year, one-way deal this offseason. That’s a significant vote of confidence.
He’s not just competing for a backup spot; he’s pushing Joonas Korpisalo out the door. Jeremy Swayman is the undisputed starter, but a reliable backup is paramount. If DiPietro can translate his AHL brilliance to the big show, he could solidify a crucial piece of the puzzle and offer the Bruins some much-needed stability between the pipes. This isn’t just about saving pucks; it’s about saving salary cap space and validating the organization’s development pipeline.
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Poitras: The Playmaker Boston Desperately Needs
With the highly touted James Hagens still a ways off, the Bruins’ immediate need for skill and speed down the middle is glaring. Enter Matthew Poitras, a player whose natural position – center or wing – remains a tantalizing question mark. What isn’t a question is his playmaking ability. If he continues to develop, he could become an assist machine, injecting life into a stagnant offense.
Last season was his development year, split between Boston and Providence. He put up a combined 56 points in 81 games, including an impressive point-per-game pace in the AHL regular season (17 goals, 41 points in 40 games). The expectation is for him to center the third line and become a full-time NHLer, but his sights might be set higher. Poitras could even slide into a second-line center role. His success hinges on translating those AHL skills and finding the right linemates. He’ll have Fraser Minten breathing down his neck for that third-line center spot, making this an interesting camp battle to watch.
Lohrei: The Blue Line’s Offensive Sparkplug
Oh, how the Bruins have yearned for a defenseman who can consistently drive offense from the backend. Mason Lohrei, with his towering presence and slick puck-handling, looks like the answer. His emergence could provide the power-play engine and even-strength creativity the team has been missing.
We saw glimpses of his potential last season. When Charlie McAvoy went down with a shoulder injury, Lohrei was thrust onto the first power-play unit and responded with 33 points in 77 games, leading all blueliners with 28 assists. He even won gold at the World Championship, further solidifying his standout performance. More importantly, when Hampus Lindholm was sidelined, Lohrei stepped into a top defensive pairing and, by all accounts, “passed the eye test with flying colors,” showcasing improved awareness and discipline. With McAvoy and Lindholm returning, Lohrei can further refine his defensive game while letting his offensive instincts flourish. He’s predicted to start on the first pair with McAvoy, and many see him as the long-term successor to a player like Torey Krug. This is his job to lose, and his breakout is critical for the Bruins’ offensive aspirations.
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The Wildcards: Intriguing Players to Watch in Training Camp
Beyond the absolute must-have breakouts, training camp always offers a stage for other players to shine, prove their worth, or even play their way onto the trade block. As the 2025-26 season rapidly approaches, these players will be under the microscope.
Lysell: Make or Break for the First-Rounder
Fabian Lysell, the Bruins’ 2021 first-round pick, is at a crossroads. At 22, this season feels like “make-or-break” for him. He’s put up solid numbers in the AHL (50 points in 56 games in 2023-24), but his NHL debut last season – a mere 12 games with 1 goal and 3 points, all in the final four contests – left much to be desired.
The front office needs to give him legitimate minutes to build on any momentum he’s generated. Otherwise, his value as a trade chip might start to diminish. Will he crack the opening night roster? Get sent back to Providence? Or find himself on another team? This camp will be telling for Lysell’s future in Black and Gold.
Minten: The Two-Way Intrigue
Fraser Minten arrived in Boston as part of the Brandon Carlo trade at the 2025 Trade Deadline, and he’s an intriguing prospect. Touted for his high ceiling as a potential top two-way center, the 21-year-old made his NHL debut in 2023-24 and played a total of 21 NHL games last season, including six with the Bruins.
He’s already shown comfort within the Bruins’ system, tallying 8 points (4 goals, 4 assists) in a combined 17 games with Providence and Boston after the trade. Minten has a legitimate shot at a bottom-six forward spot, potentially even snatching that third-line center role from Poitras. To do so, he’ll need to impress at camp, particularly in the face-off circle and with his shot blocking.
Edward: A Diamond in the Rough?
Jackson Edward, a 2022 seventh-round pick, is a solid defender who isn’t afraid to jump into the rush. While he spent the 2023-24 season with the London Knights in the OHL, he gained some AHL experience last year, potting 1 goal and 6 assists in 31 games with Providence.
He’s unlikely to crack the NHL roster out of preseason, and there’s a queue of defensemen ahead of him for injury call-ups. However, he’s a player to keep an eye on for the future. Development takes time, and Edward’s eagerness offensively combined with his defensive foundation makes him an interesting long-term project.
Arvidsson: The Veteran Wildcard
The only notable addition to the Bruins’ forward group this offseason was Viktor Arvidsson, acquired from Edmonton for a fifth-round pick. This is a fascinating acquisition. Arvidsson has 30-goal potential, having hit 31, 29, and 34 goals in previous seasons. The caveat, of course, is that he’s only broken the 20-goal mark twice since then.
He’s got one year left on his deal, which could make him a trade deadline candidate if things don’t go according to plan. The big question is where he slots into the Top 6. Could he play alongside David Pastrnak to alleviate some of the scoring pressure? The current projection has him on the third line with Matthew Poitras and Fraser Minten, which would certainly add some veteran scoring touch to that group. His performance will be a key indicator of how aggressive Don Sweeney might be at the deadline.
Lindholm: The Crucial Return
Perhaps the most significant “addition” to the blue line this season isn’t a new face at all, but a returning one: Hampus Lindholm. He missed most of last season with a fractured kneecap suffered in November. Before his injury, he was arguably the Bruins’ best defenseman next to McAvoy, with 7 points and 17 blocked shots in just 17 games.
His return is expected to be a massive boost for a defensive corps that struggled immensely in 2024-25. Don Sweeney didn’t bring in any big defensive pieces this offseason, placing immense pressure on the 31-year-old Swede to solve last season’s woes. Lindholm’s ability to transition the puck and his positional awareness are invaluable. He’s predicted to form the second defensive pair with Henri Jokijarju. If he returns to form, the Bruins’ blue line immediately looks far more respectable.
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A New Era Dawns
The 2025-26 season is more than just another year on the calendar for the Boston Bruins. It’s a reset, a retool, and a true test of the organization’s ability to develop talent. New head coach Marco Sturm has his work cut out for him, setting the tone and building an identity for a team in transition. The integration of youth will be the overarching storyline, and the habits formed this season will undoubtedly shape the team’s long-term future.
For us, the fans, it means a lot of anticipation, a lot of analysis, and a lot of hope. Who will rise to the occasion? Who will grab their opportunity by the horns? The answers will begin to unfold when the puck drops on September 21st against the Washington Capitals. Get ready, Boston, it’s going to be a fascinating ride.
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