As the 2026 NHL Entry Draft in Buffalo was about to get underway, all signs were pointing toward the Boston Bruins and Don Sweeney using their pick. However, just before the Toronto Maple Leafs were going on the clock to pick Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick, news broke that the Bruins were trading two first-round picks, including their 2026 first-round pick, to the Utah Mammoth for forward JJ Peterka.
This could end up being an under-the-radar move for the Bruins when all is said and done, adding Peterka to the top line with likely Pavel Zacha and David Pastrnak. Recently, Peterka was in Germany and spoke with NHL.com/de and explained what is important not only to him, but to his teammates when the puck is dropped on the season on Sept. 29 against the New York Rangers at TD Garden.
"A good start is always important,'' said Peterka, per NHL.com/de. "We're playing the season opener right away, which is super cool. Staying in the moment will be key overall. Momentum is important, so we need to be as consistent as possible. It's going to be a really long season. We shouldn't look too far ahead, but rather focus on one game at a time. We have to give our best in every single game.
JJ Peterka explains key to bruins 2026-27 season
Playing the season opener early could be a benefit for the Bruins, which will come quickly once training camp begins next month. Last season, the Bruins got off to a horrible start in the first couple of months under first-year coach Marco Sturm, but were able to turn things around and make the playoffs. However, another start like this season could spell doom early in the season. Not only has a lot of the Atlantic Division gotten better, but so has the Eastern Conference.
One big obstacle that the Black and Gold will have to navigate this year is that defenseman Charlie McAvoy will miss the first six games serving his suspension for slashing Zach Benson at the end of last season's Game 6 loss that eliminated the Bruins from the postseason.
The schedule is going to challenge the Bruins as there is a West Coast trip in October and difficult road games against Western Conference playoff teams from a year ago. Boston is not going to be able to have a tough start to the season like they did last year and recover. Peterka is right: a good start is important for a team looking to play with the top teams in the conference, who are improved.
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