By: Declan Flavin | Follow me on Twitter / X @FlavinDeclan
The fourth line is where the National Hockey League Boston Bruins bring their deeper grit and grind. General Manager Don Sweeney is hoping the acquired physicality will deliver for the fourth line, which remains an underrated part of a team’s capability. The energy and toughness from the bottom group can make or break the foundation of the roster.
Hopefully, this unit can be more of a presence than it was last year. Injuries and inconsistent energy plagued the group throughout last season, limiting its overall impact. If opposing players target Charlie McAvoy and David Pastrnak a little less because of the line’s physical makeup, that alone would be a welcome change.
Let’s start with the newly acquired Tanner Jeannot for this fourth line. Jeannot totaled seven goals and six assists in 67 games with the Los Angeles Kings last season. Of course, sheer production is not what Jeannot will be known for this season, barring an unexpected return to his 2021‑22 season totals.
At 220 pounds, Jeannot will be expected to set the precedent with his physicality, which will both protect other players and wear down opponents’ stamina. This will ease the burden on Mark Kastelic, whose tone‑setting last season was not conducive to his health or the team’s production.
Kastelic himself tallied five goals and nine assists with the Bruins in an injury‑cluttered season. Before the injuries set in, he exceeded expectations with his physical play and showed real upside as an energized forechecker in a bottom‑six role. If he is feeling recovered, Kastelic is more of what the Bruins need this season on the forecheck, and there are players around him who can emulate his game.
The most important thing for him is health, as concussion issues for a relatively young player can quickly become bad news. Whether Kastelic plays consistently or not, look for John Beecher or Sean Kuraly to emulate his energized game.
New addition Michael Eyssimont scored nine goals and added seven assists last season between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Seattle Kraken. Similar to Kastelic, he brings a forechecking energy that will be refreshing, and he leans into that ability more than any other aspect of his game.
He will be right in the middle of the forechecking machine, trying to create an energy that can compete with the NHL’s best. Although his offensive upside is not very high, the team’s pest mentality is arguably just as critical to its success.
Again, this fourth line just needs to keep opposing players thinking and create turnovers with the physicality they bring. That will provide momentum for the rest of the lineup to jump in on the action and start wearing down the opponent too. Although the higher lines are called on for more nuanced tactics, the fourth line should be a key reminder of what serves as the foundation for every unit’s attack.
This team has new additions that can help put this together, regardless of their previous output. Believe in the line’s importance and keep an eye on how this unit is imposing its will.
Check out my other Bruins Line Breakdowns in this offseason series below as I continue to give my thoughts on the potential 2025-26 regular season lineup. Thanks in advance!
Leave a Reply