Going into training camp next month, the Boston Bruins are setting up for some interesting battles to make the2026-27 roster on Opening Night against the New York Rangers at TD Garden on Sept. 29. It feels like the roster is incomplete going into a new season, but it sounds like team president Cam Neely thinks that roster is basically set.
Joining WEEI on Monday during the first of two days of the Jimmy Fund Marathon at Fenway Park ahead of the first game of a three-game Boston Red Sox series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Neely joined the Rich and Ken with Ted Johnson Show and dropped a blunt message on camp next month.
“I’m excited about the competition in camp this year, to be honest with you. See some of the younger kids push for jobs. (James) Hagens got a taste a little bit last year. I know he’s been working really hard this offseason,” Neely said. “Got a new player in (JJ) Peterka. I’m excited to see what he brings to us. But just the competition in camp. These younger kids should be licking their chops and saying I want that spot right there.”
Cam Neely drops potential outlook to impending Bruins camp battles next month
If you're a Bruins fan and you're surprised that the Black and Gold are done adding and are surprised by that, then I don't know what to tell you. The writing has been on the wall since early July. No, the writing has been on the wall for years. However, every year, the front office will tell you that they want to inject youth into the lineup and never do. This might actually be the year they do it.
Last year, Fraser Minten and Marat Khusnutdinov played big roles on the third line under first-year coach Marco Sturm and are expected to play even bigger roles this upcoming season. Will any other prospects join them? The questions will surround James Hagens and Matthew Poitras as forwards and Frederic Brunet on defense.
There is one tiny problem when it comes to Poitras. He is not currently under contract, which is becoming concerning. He'll likely be signed before camp opens, and if he isn't, then his future in Boston is in doubt. Some believe it already is. The Bruins already traded Fabian Lysell and let Georgii Merkulov walk in free agency. Losing Poitras through a trade because no contract could be reached would be another bad look for management.
What do the Bruins do with Hagens? He should make the roster, but nothing is a given. Everyone knows how much general manager Don Sweeney and Neely love to sign and inject bottom-six veterans into the lineup. Nobody blocks prospects from the NHL roster like the Boston Bruins.
Hagens had a short stint with Minten and Khusnutdinov on the "Kid Line" late in the regular season and for three games against the Buffalo Sabres in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, that doesn't mean he'll break camp in Boston. There are going to be some camp battles and some big decisions to keep an eye on as camp unfolds next month. Neely seems to be excited about some of the younger players trying to earn a roster spot. We'll see. We've heard that before.
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