By: Chad Jones | Follow me on Twitter/X @ShutUpChadJones
Many Boston Bruins players had productive, quality performances during the 2025-2026 season. The Black and Gold produced a 100-point campaign, a record of 45-27-10, and a playoff berth in Marco Sturm’s first season as Bruins head coach.
One of the most pleasant surprises of last year was how well Fraser Minten adapted and grew over his first full campaign in the NHL. The young centerman put together a productive year and proved he belonged in the Bruins lineup each game.
Minten had appeared in 25 games over parts of two seasons coming into last year’s training camp. Despite his lack of experience, he would soon earn the trust of the Bruins coaching staff.
Minten’s durability proved to be a key aspect of his game. Three Boston skaters were able to appear in all 82 Bruins contests during 2026. Sean Kuraly, Mark Kastelic, and Minten were the only Boston players to accomplish this impressive feat.
A few of Minten’s attributes jumped out immediately. His high motor and compete level were obvious very early on. Over the season, he also started to find his scoring touch and playmaking 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. 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 came 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 skill set 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. But he was mostly deployed as Boston’s third-line center.
During the playoffs agaisnt the Buffalo Sabres, Minten struggled 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 productive and versatile player for Boston. He took on a lot of responsibilities this past season and exceeded expectations.
This year, Minten will only strengthen his skill set. He will continue to sharpen his offensive repertoire while maintaining his stout defensive details. His durability, versatility, competitive streak, and growing offensive game are proof that Minten will be one of Boston’s most impactful players for years to come.
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