By: Chad Jones | Follow me on Twitter/X @ShutUpChadJones
In Marco Sturm’s first year as head coach of the Boston Bruins, the team finished with a record of 45-27-10. Boston’s 100-point season was enough to grab hold of the first wild card slot in the crowded Eastern Conference. While the Buffalo Sabres knocked the Bruins out in the first round of The Stanley Cup Playoffs, there were multiple positive developments that transpired during Boston’s campaign.
One of the most pleasant surprises of the 2025-2026 Bruins season was the play and growth of Fraser Minten. The young centerman put together a productive campaign during his first full year in the NHL.
Coming over from the Maple Leafs as part of a trade deadline deal that sent Brandon Carlo to Toronto, Minten had appeared in 25 games over the past two seasons coming into this campaign. But he would soon earn the trust of the Bruins coaching staff.
Minten was one of three Boston skaters to appear in all 82 games this season. Sean Kuraly and Mark Kastelic were the only other Bruins players to accomplish this impressive feat.
Minten’s skating ability and puck pursuit were obvious from the start. His high motor and quick pace made him noticeable early on. And over the season, he started to find his scoring touch and play-making ability.
Minten lit the lamp on 17 occasions and picked up 18 assists. His 17 goals were tied for eighth best among NHL rookies.
Not only did he show impressive offensive talent, but Minten also scored some important goals for the Bruins this season. The young center potted two overtime scores. One of which occurred in October against the Chicago Blackhawks at TD Garden.
His other extra session score took place in his hometown of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. His pure elation on the Canucks’ ice after potting the game-winning goal was one of the highlights of this Bruins’ season.
Along with his knack for timely goal-scoring, Minten earned the chance to compete in challenging situations. He was trusted to be a part of Boston’s penalty killing unit. He averaged just over a minute and a half of shorthanded time on ice per contest.
Minten’s skillset allowed him to be shuffled up and down the lineup. He found himself on the first line centering David Pastrnak and Marat Khusnutdinov at times this season. But he was mostly deployed as Boston’s third-line center.
During the playoffs in Buffalo, it was clear that Minten was struggling to find consistency in his offensive game. In six matchups, the centerman did not pick up a goal or an assist. But despite a quiet playoff debut, this was a really impressive and productive first full NHL season for Minten.
His play will only sharpen as he continues to acclimate himself to the speed, skill, and physicality of this league. Minten showed he can be a rather productive and versatile player for Boston. He took on a lot of responsibilities this season and exceeded expectations.
Next year, it will be interesting to see how Minten continues to improve his game. If he can sharpen his offensive repertoire, in addition to maintaining his stout defensive details, Minten will be one of Boston’s most impactful players for years to come.
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