Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins

One thing that popped for the Bruins in their preseason opener at the Garden was their sharp new uniforms that harken back to the 1980s vintage. But the unis topped a very short list of positives for the B's in their 5-2 loss to a Washington Capitals lineup that was lighter on projected NHLers than the Black-and-Gold side.

But Pavel Zacha, drafted by the Devils sixth overall in 2015 as a centerman but has bounced between pivot and wing throughout his career, looks at his versatility more as a blessing than a curse. He just wants a little heads-up for what's expected of him. That has been the case for Zacha in his first three seasons as a Bruin.

"I take a lot of pride in it," said Eyssimont. "It's a big part of my game. And it's not just grit and tenacity that gives me that kind of reputation. It's the skill that I play with that is a pain the ass, the plays that I make are a pain in the ass. Obviously, there are times when I get under a player's skin but a lot of times that, if you watch the film, it's because of the plays that I made and being on guys, turning pucks over and knowing how to play."

"I'm sure nobody that's interviewing me now thought I was going to score 33 goals last year," the 27-year-old winger said. Geekie's sentiments were about as accurate as the sharp wrist shot that he used to shred opposing defenses last season. Once viewed as more of a bottom-six, ancillary player during past stops in Carolina and Seattle, Geekie has emerged into a legitimate top-six weapon since arriving in Boston.

As the Great Retool now begins for the Bruins, GM Don Sweeney did not duck the fact that with the way this roster is constructed, offense at times will have to be "by committee." But if the B's are are to have any kind of success, there are certain players who will have to produce. David Pastrnak is one of them, of course, as are presumptive linemates Morgan Geekie and Elias Lindholm.

Aside from elite forward David Pastrnak the offense will struggle. A few players will have good seasonsbut the lack of offense is one reason this team will not make the playoffs next season. In the offseason, GM Don Sweeney made moves to make this team more competitive but nothing new for the offense. Coming into the fold are forwards Viktor Arvidsson, Matej Blumel, Michael Eyssimont, and Tanner Jeannot.

A lot has changed since the last time Hampus Lindholm took to the ice with the Boston Bruins. When the veteran blueliner labored off the ice at St. Louis' Enterprise Center on Nov. 12, 2024, Jim Montgomery was still on the Bruins' bench - not the Blues'. Brad Marchand, Brandon Carlo, Charlie Coyle and several other stalwarts were still donning black-and-gold sweaters.

Bruins "We're going to be a much more competitive team and held to the standard that Marco was talking about the other day."

After arriving from Vancouver, Soucy played just four games before sitting as a healthy scratch, ironically as Adam Fox returned from injury. But Soucy was exceptionally bad in those four games, looking like he was skating in mud and becoming yet another punch line about Chris Drury's moves on defense. The criticism was fair. Soucy's numbers, along with the rest of the Rangers, weren't good.

After six long years, Arseni Gritsyuk has finally arrived in the United States. The 24-year-old was drafted 129th overall back in 2019, but opted to remain in Russia so he could develop in the KHL. Since then, he has proven to be one of the league's top forwards for his reliable play in all situations as well as a breakout offensive performance in 2024-25. With SKA St. Petersburg, Gritsyuk potted 17 goals and 44 points in 47 games played, his best single-season output to date.

Lucic entered the league's Player Assistance Program, completed it, and has been reinstated by the NHL. This indicates his commitment to addressing personal issues.

"I said it from day one, we didn't have enough cap space to go after the big fish. But it's small steps that are not hurting us for the future... It brings some hope and shows the fans and players on the team that we're taking steps forward."

Joe Thornton, a former Boston Bruins captain, played his final NHL season with the Florida Panthers and was recently inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.