The 2026-27 season comes along with the return of some of our favorite former Bruins, albeit on opposing teams. Let's lock in on what that means with 3 of our prior skate mates. While it's always nice to see a familiar face, their returns this week could also bring stronger skills they've acquired, which can now be used against us.
Linus Ullmark: Monday, October 5
On Monday night, recent former goaltender Linus Ullmark will be bringing his friends from the Ottawa Senators to the TD Garden. Ullmark made it very clear when he was sporting the black and gold that he wanted to play more regular season games. There are only so many games in a season, and the B's went with the younger netminder Swayman, bidding adieu to Ullmark.
"Linus was a really good addition to the Boston Bruins. And (we) made a decision that, you know, in this case, both goaltenders (Ullmark and Swayman) wanted to play 55 games. And that's tough, unless someone gets hurt, to have both guys be playing. So, we wish him well. "Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney
Ullmark was traded to the Senators in the summer of 2024, and went on to drop in save percentage from .915 to .891 under the direction of a new team. Currently sporting a .931 save percentage for the 1 game the Sens played this season, measuring his performance over that initial game alone doesn't seem fair.
Meanwhile, the Bruins beefed up their d-line in his absence thanks to Coach Sturm. While the Bruins got hotter, Linus had to adapt to a whole new system rather than plugging in some more talented d-line players. When Ullmark returns, he's now playing against the revamped lines, something to which he is unfamiliar. Ullmark had a win and a loss last season when playing against the boys, but we've only gotten better. Monday's Prediction - Ullmark and Sens to pick up their first L of this season.
Andrew Peeke: Thursday, October 8
Defenseman Peeke left the Bruins this July as a free agent and signed with the Utah Mammoth for a 1-year contract. Andrew has already gathered a goal and an assist during their opening game, and is sitting at a +2 ranking currently. He is averaging less time on ice with the Mammoth than he was when he played for the home team. Could this be because he is not as strong on their team, or perhaps some of their other players are a bit more skilled than he?
Peeke brings a strong presence to the ice, standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing in at 214 lbs. The stature is there. But when that third d-line of Peeke and Parker Wotherspoon got wiped out and replaced in 2025, the trajectory changed, and the bond between the Bruins' defense got stronger. The d-pairing has been our saving grace and has been pulling out ahead this season and last. Thursday's Prediction: Peeke is always welcome back, but won't have any game-changing moments when he returns to the Garden.
Dan Vladar: Saturday, October 10
We haven't seen Vladar as a Bruin since the 2020-2021 season. Since departing from greatness, he then went on to work in Calgary, and most recently, the Philadelphia Flyers. Vladar started in 5 games with the B's, going 2-2-1 that year. Most recently, he returned to Boston for the 2026-27 preseason matchup, only to leave due to injury at the end of the first period. The Flyers are currently sitting at 0-1-2 this season and are chilling at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division, while we are leading the top of the Atlantic Division.
What does Vladar bring back to the ice upon his return? Not too much so soon post injury. Look for him to be favoring that right arm, as he appears to have injured his left hand when attempting to catch the flying puck courtesy of Tanner Jeannot back in September. Prediction: as long as he steers clear of Tanner and his stick...well, either way, the Flyers would do a great job continuing to hold down that bottom spot for the Metro.
The Bruins historically fare better at home than away, as most recently seen on their mini-road trip to Minnesota on Saturday. This week's back to back to back games are all going down in the TD Garden on home ice, and the boys will be seeking retribution to bounce back from their first loss of the season against the Wild. Will these returning Bruins players shake up the ice? Stay tuned, Spoked-B Nation!
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