Training camp is here, and the Boston Bruins are looking to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs for a second straight season. Last season, they snuck on teams and surprised many, something that they won't be able to do in 2026-27.
There are a few new faces, but nothing earth-shattering aside from JJ Peterka being acquired from the Utah Mammoth back in June. This will be Marco Sturm's second training camp in charge, and here are three predictions for the next couple of weeks before the season opener on Sept. 29 against the New York Rangers at TD Garden.
Frederic Brunet breaks camp in the AHL
If this becomes reality, it'll be painful as young defenseman Frederic Brunet has a big fan here, but given the Bruins' history of bringing on board young players, especially at a unit that is loaded with a bunch of bodies, it's hard to see Boston making a move to bring him aboard.
Again, we hope we're wrong, but until they do something with defensemen such as Henri Jokiharju and Mason Lohrei, there just isn't room for Brunet. That is even with Charlie McAvoy being suspended for the first six games for his slash on Zach Benson at the end of last spring's first-round playoff series. Again, I hope I'm wrong and will be glad to be wrong, but let's call it like it is: prospects breaking camp in Boston is going to be difficult to do.
Fraser Minten secures No. 2 center spot
It's about time that reality sets in for Elias Lindholm; he's the Bruins' third-line center. Pavel Zacha will begin the season between David Pastrnak and Peterka, we're predicting, but Minten appears to be ready to be the top-six center Boston is hoping he can be.
Now, who plays on his wing is a question that remains: will it be Casey Mittlestadt and Morgan Geekie, or will someone else sneak in there over the next couple of weeks? We have an idea of who that might be, but we'll reserve on holding out our opinion for now.
James Hagens breaks camp as a top-nine wing
If there were any doubts as to whether or not James Hagens was going to begin the season in Boston, well, he answered that at the Prospect Showcase over the weekend in Buffalo. He tallied six goals in the two games, including all four for the Black and Gold in Monday afternoon's 4-3 overtime win. His shot is legit.
Read More: 4 Bruins prospects who opened some eyes in the Prospects Showcase against the Sabres
He was so good that general manager Don Sweeney mentioned to Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe that Hagens might get a look at center. That would be great, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him play a preseason game or two there, but let's be honest, he's destined to be a wing this season. The center spot will have to wait.
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