By: Eamonn McLean | Follow me on Twitter/X @EamonnMcLean44
After a lengthy offseason, it’s finally time to drop the puck. With the Boston Bruins beginning their campaign tonight against the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, here are five predictions I have for the 2024-2025 season.
Elias Lindholm scores 30 goals
On July 1st, the Bruins took a big swing on Elias Lindholm, signing him to a seven-year, $54,250,000 contract. A native of Boden, Sweden, Lindholm has only eclipsed the 30-goal mark once in his career when he found the back of the net 42 times as a member of the Calgary Flames.
Lindholm will have plenty of opportunities to score in Boston. He’s expected to center the Bruins’ top line between Pavel Zacha and David Pastrnak and will also be the bumper on the B’s top power-play unit. A new opportunity in Boston will bring the best out of Lindholm, and he will reach the 30-goal plateau.
Joonas Korpisalo bounces back
Acquired from Ottawa in the Linus Ullmark trade, Korpisalo comes to Boston after a rough year in the Canadian capital. Korpisalo played 55 games for the Senators last season, posting a .890% save percentage and a 3.27 goals-against average.
With Jeremy Swayman likely to handle most of the heavy lifting for Boston, a lesser role can help Korpisalo get back to form. With help from Goalie Coach Bob Essensa, I expect Korpisalo to cement himself as a solid backup to the Alaska native.
Charlie McAvoy scores 60 or more points
With the summer signing of Nikita Zadorov, as well as an entire season of Andrew Peeke, the Bruins’ defensive core is expected to be stronger this season. Having a stronger partner should positively affect Charlie McAvoy’s performance this season.
The Long Beach, New York, native is expected to quarterback the top power-play unit this season, allowing McAvoy a chance to eclipse his career-high point total of 56. If he stays healthy, I think he does it.
Fabian Lysell cements a spot in Boston
Before the annual trade deadline, teams typically turn to call-ups from the American Hockey League for a mid-season spark. Last year, the Bruins did this several times, promoting Justin Brazeau, Johnny Beecher, and Mason Lohrei.
Despite being sent back to Providence, Fabian Lysell showed promise with a highlight-reel snipe against the Washington Capitals in preseason. Injuries are an unfortunate reality of professional hockey and the Bruins will, at some point, need reinforcements. Lysell should be in pole position for a call-up, and if given the chance, I believe he will stick around.
Six Bruins are Four Nations Participants
For the first time since 2016, best-on-best international hockey is back. In February, the National Hockey League season will pause as the best players in the world pull on their nation’s sweaters in Boston and Montreal.
How many Bruins will participate in the tournament? Unfortunately, Czechia and Russia have been excluded, which rules out Pastrnak, Zacha, and Zadorov. Bruins captain Brad Marchand was named to Canada’s first six players, and Charlie McAvoy to Team USA’s initial participants. In addition, I expect both Elias and Hampus Lindholm to make Team Sweden’s roster, Joonas Korpisalo to be a backup to Juuse Saros for Team Finland, and Jeremy Swayman to join McAvoy on a stacked USA lineup, which will win it all.
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