Just like that, training camp has come and gone for the Boston Bruins. The 2026-27 season is here and begins on Tuesday night at TD Garden against the New York Rangers. After 12 days of camp and four preseason games, the final roster for the season has been set with some surprises. Here are three winners and two losers from the final Black and Gold roster that was announced.
Winner: James Hagens
Believe it or not, there might have been some doubt as to whether or not James Hagens was going to break camp in the NHL, but he put any doubts to rest early in camp. In fact, you could make the case that he secured his roster spot with a dominating Prospect Showcase two weeks ago in Buffalo.
Anyway, he was one of, if not the best, playmakers in the preseason games for Marco Sturm. For now, it appears that the "Kid Line" will begin the season together as the third line for Boston. The James Hagens era in Boston is officially here for a full NHL season.
Loser: Don Sweeney
Why is GM Don Sweeney considered a loser? Well, two of his questionable contract extension candidates are beginning the season in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Providence Bruins. Lukas Reichel, who was acquired from the Vancouver Canucks at the trade deadline in March, was brought back, while a complete overreaction to Alex Steeves' extension last season doesn't look great. They'll be great AHL players once again.
Winner: Matthew Poitras
Another youngster, Matthew Poitras, is hanging around in Boston and will begin the season on injured reserve with an injury he sustained in camp, but he clearly belongs as he has accomplished everything he needed to in the AHL with Providence. Mikey Eyssimont was kept as well as likely the extra forward, but when Poitras comes back, who will be the odd man out? If he comes back, he isn't going to the AHL, as he would require waivers to get to Providence.
Loser: Henri Jokiharju
Speaking of bad extensions with Reichel and Steeves, another one that is right up there is defenseman Henri Jokiharju. Who understands the thinking behind giving Jokiharju a three-year extension at an AAV of $3 million? It looked bad last year, it looks bad this year, and Sweeney can only hope that someone claims him on waivers.
Winner: Frederic Brunet
Charlie McAvoy is suspended for the first six games of the season, and that made it easy for Frederic Brunet to make the roster out of camp, but when McAvoy returns, what does that mean for Brunet? It should mean nothing, as he is one of their top-six defensemen this season. He'll get an early shot that he earned in camp and in the preseason. He's a perfect third-pairing defenseman for Sturm.
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