The NHL Network has been releasing the top players at each position this summer, and the Boston Bruins have had their fair share of players mentioned at most positions. The one position where they were omitted was at center, but given the history around the position and the inability to address it by general manager Don Sweeney, it shouldn't come as a surprise.
The NHL Network is in its final countdown before the 2026-27 season starts, and it is counting down the Top 50 players. Starting at 50 and going down to No. 41, there were two Bruins mentioned on the list, and both were back-to-back.
2 Bruins players ranked just inside NHL Network's Top 50 list for the 2026-27 season
Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman came in at No. 42 on the list, one spot behind defenseman Charlie McAvoy, who came in at No. 41. It is not surprising to see Swayman there, and after the 2025-26 season he had, you could make the case that he could be ranked a little higher. As for McAvoy, it is a little surprising to see him that high on the list.
NHL Network's Top 50 Players Right Now list kicks off with 50-41!
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After a disaster of a 2024-25 season in which he missed all of training camp due to his contract dispute, the former University of Maine standout bounced back and bounced back in a big way last winter. He went 31-18-4 with a 2.71 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage. It was a needed season for both Swayman and the team, which surprised a lot of people by being the first Eastern Conference wild-card team. Swayman was also a finalist for the Vezina Trophy.
As for McAvoy, he has been the best Boston defenseman for a couple of seasons, but he will miss the first six games of the upcoming season after being suspended for six games for slashing Sabres forward Zach Benson at the end of their series. The network highlighted him as being underrated offensively, something that the Bruins might agree with. There is no doubt that McAvoy's the best Black and Gold offensive defenseman, but if he were lower on the list, not many fans would argue that.
There is one name still out there for the Bruins who could end up higher on the list, and it's David Pastrnak. Where will Boston's best goal scorer end up when all is said and done? Will he be in the top 10 or Top 5? We might have to wait a few weeks to find out the answer.
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