There are still a lot of questions surrounding the Boston Bruins entering the 2026-27 regular season. Is the roster complete? Who is going to step up and help on defense with Charlie McAvoy suspended for the first six games? How will the influx of defensemen shake up the roster?
Read More: One Don Sweeney quote from earlier this offseason that should concern Bruins fans
A lot of questions with not many answers are facing the Black and Gold with a little over a month before training camp begins for the 2026-27 season. Some Bruins players have something to prove, and here are the top three players with the most to prove in Marco Sturm's second season behind the Boston bench.
Morgan Geekie
Is there anyone who has benefited greatly from a move in free agency over the last couple of seasons more than forward Morgan Geekie? Let go by the Seattle Kraken, he signed a prove-it deal with the Bruins, and boy, did he. His first two seasons in Boston led to 50 goals and led to a six-year contract worth $33 million. He followed up with a 39-goal 2025-26 season for the Bruins, despite going through some lengthy droughts during the season. Will he hit 40 goals this upcoming season? He needs to hit 30 again; it is a must to prove that the last two seasons were not a fluke.
James Hagens
After his sophomore season at Boston College ended in the Hockey East semifinals against UConn last March, Boston's top prospect and seventh overall pick in the 2025 Entry Draft signed a PTO with the Providence Bruins in the American Hockey League (AHL) before signing his entry-level deal in April. He got into a couple of regular-season games at the end of the season and three games in the first-round playoff series against the Buffalo Sabres. After getting his feet wet last spring, he needs to jump into the deep end and make the roster on Opening Night and have a good first full NHL season.
Michael DiPietro
General manager Don Sweeney sent a message to prospect goalie Michael DiPietro, we believe in you and are going to the keys to be Jeremy Swayman's backup next season. It's up to him to start the car and drive it all season long as Swayman's backup. Trading Joonas Korpisalo was a no-brainer this summer, and now he gets his chance with the big club beginning in training camp. It's now or never for DiPietro.
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