By: Eamonn McLean | Follow me on Twitter/X @EamonnMcLean44
The end of August in Boston typically represents a lot of different things. Some years, it’s the beginning of a playoff push for the hometown Red Sox. Sometimes it’s the gradual change from hot and humid summer air to cooler autumn temperatures. However, the calendar flipping to September always represents the beginning of the Boston Bruins’ season. With only 22 days until the B’s preseason opener against the Washington Capitals, now feels like a good time to look ahead to three potential battles for spots on the team’s regular-season roster.
Backup Goaltender
While many factors contributed to the Bruins’ difficulties last year, their goaltenders were nowhere near good enough. Jeremy Swayman never really got going after missing training camp due to a contract dispute. While Swayman’s struggles were significant (-9.1 goals saved above expected), it seems likely that he will return to his previous form from past seasons.
I’m not quite sure the same can be said about Joonas Korpisalo. After being dealt to Boston as part of the return for Linus Ullmark, the Pori, Finland, native was unable to significantly improve upon his dreadful 2023-24 campaign with the Ottawa Senators. While he has shown flashes of what he’s capable of with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Los Angeles Kings the past two seasons have been a challenge.
In terms of internal competition, look no further than Michael DiPietro. DiPietro put together a fantastic season in the American Hockey League for Providence, winning the Baz Bastien Memorial Award for the league’s best goaltender. If he were to win the role, his $812,500 cap hit would help the B’s cap picture. The Windsor, Ontario, native would require waivers to be sent back to Providence. Other goaltenders signed to NHL deals are Simon Zajicek, and Luke Cavallin, but given DiPietro’s waivers status’ they both seem like longshots.
Third Line
The B’s top-six is virtually locked in for next season, with the addition of Viktor Arvidsson via trade with the Edmonton Oilers. However, the same cannot be said for the team’s bottom-six, specifically their third line. Outside of Tanner Jeannot, who seems destined for the left-wing, both the center and right-wing positions should be up for grabs.
Matt Poitras is a leading candidate for a role on the team, given his ability to play both positions. He’s made the opening night roster two seasons in a row and produced at over a point-per-game pace in the AHL last year. While Fraser Minten might not have the scoring prowess of Poitras, the Vancouver native could very well wind up as the team’s third line center. Acquired in the Brandon Carlo trade, Minten made the Toronto Maple Leafs’ out of camp the last two years.
Matej Blumel’s goal-scoring could also land him a role in the NHL. The Czech forward has lit up the AHL the past few seasons with the Texas Stars, and chose the Bruins in Free Agency this summer in part due to a pitch made by Bruins’ teammate and countryman David Pastrnak. Blumel can play both wings, and won the Willie Marshall Award last season for the most goals in the AHL.
Sean Kuraly, Marat Khusnutdinov, Mark Kastelic, and Michael Eyssimont all also seem like realistic candidates for a spot on the third line. Meanwhile, Fabian Lysell and Georgii Merkulov have talent, but it seems unlikely that either will land a long-term role with the Bruins.
Seventh Defenseman
If healthy, Boston’s defense core is largely intact headed into next season. However, with Parker Wotherspoon heading to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the B’s will need some more depth at the NHL level. Haverhill native Jordan Harris seems like the leader in the clubhouse to win the role. The Northeastern alum has over 150 games of NHL experience with both the Columbus Blue Jackets and Montreal Canadiens. The Bruins signed Harris as a Free Agent this summer after he was not tendered a qualifying offer by Columbus.
Victor Soderstrom could also compete for the job. The 11th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Soderstrom is returning to North America after a year in his native Sweden with Brynas IF. It was a successful season in the Swedish Hockey League for Soderstrom, as he won the Borje Salming Trophy for defenseman of the year. Boston acquired him in an off-season trade with the Chicago Blackhawks, in exchange for Ryan Mast and a 2025 seventh round draft pick.
Finally, Michael Callahan is also a realistic possibility for the spot. The Franklin, Massachusetts native appeared in 17 NHL games towards the end of the season, and scored his first NHL goal against the New Jersey Devils. In addition to the three players mentioned, Frederic Brunet could also provide some internal competition.
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