The Boston Bruins made a surprising run to a 100-point season in 2025-26, making the playoffs but bowing out in six games to the Buffalo Sabres. It was a great step in the right direction after a down season, but it'll take some more players getting on board to get them over the hump. Boston was in the mix last season, but in reality, they still need a few pieces to be contenders.
JJ Peterka was one piece the Bruins added this offseason to help build the supporting cast around the core, with Connor Clifton being the only other notable addition. The rest of the help will have to come from within, and at least two prospects should see some more time in the NHL this season.
Matthew Poitras
The movement for Matthew Poitras to get a full-time opportunity in Boston is growing, but it's going to take a special performance in training camp for the right-shot center to get that opening-night roster spot. The Bruins currently have 13 forwards who it'd be hard to see not playing in the NHL this season if they are still in the organization, and that doesn't include two returnees from last year in James Hagens and Lukas Reichel.
Michael Eyssimont and Sean Kuraly seem like two players the Bruins could sacrifice to make room. At the same time, the futures of Pavel Zacha and Casey Mittelstadt on their expiring contracts would also open up another opportunity for Poitras. The majority of fans would prefer to see the young center on the roster over Eyssimont, Kuraly, and Mittelstadt, but it's unclear where the front office stands.
Poitras will have to get a foothold in Boston this season, as another full year in the AHL would set him on a path reminiscent of Fabian Lysell's failed Bruins career. The 22-year-old should get at least some time, but what he does with it will be a massive indicator of whether he has a future in Boston.
Michael DiPietro
The 27-year-old career AHLer Michael DiPietro is a bit old to be considered a "prospect", but his four career NHL games make him a rookie entering his first opportunity to be a full-time backup goalie. Joonas Korpisalo was a capable backup to Jeremy Swayman, but his salary and the push from DiPietro's 2025-26 MVP season in the minors led to a trade with the New York Rangers.
The problem with goaltenders is that DiPietro waited all this time for his opportunity, but the team won't be as patient with him now that he finally grabbed the job. If he is unreliable early, it wouldn't be too surprising to see the Bruins find a better fit, and the amount of relief he can give Swayman will be a massive storyline early in the season.
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