We are less than a month away from the Boston Bruins' reporting for training camp. Believe it or not, the Bruins' season opener is just over a month away on Sept. 29 at the TD Garden against the New York Rangers and former goalie Joonas Korpisalo. It is very unlikely he plays in the season opener, but never say never.
As for the 2026-27 Boston Bruins, if they are going to get back to the postseason, they are going to need some players to step up and come close to having a repeat of the season that they had last year, or some other players to step up. With that said, let's break down who is guaranteed to crack, who might crack, and there is a small chance that some players will crack the 30-goal plateau in 2026-27.
Guaranteed to score 30 goals
David Pastrnak: This one is a no-brainer, but remember, he only had 29 last season, but he did register 71 assists to crack the 100-point plateau again. If there is someone who would bounce back and hit 30 against this season, it's Pastrnak.
Morgan Geekie: I mean, why not? Last season, he led the Black and Gold with 39, and if he hadn't hit multiple bumps in the road, he would have shattered 40 goals. Can Geekie continue his upward climb since signing as a free agent a few years ago? Boston needs him too.
Likely to break 30 goals
Pavel Zacha: Last year, Zacha cracked the 30-goal plateau, and he should be motivated this year to do it again as he enters a contract year and questions surrounding what his future is with the Bruins. Sliding up to the top line with Pastrnak and JJ Peterka might help him increase his goal number.
JJ Peterka: Speaking of Peterka, acquired from the Utah Mammoth the night of the NHL Entry Draft in Buffalo for two first-round picks, he is someone whom the Black and Gold need to crack the 30-goal plateau. If he doesn't, then reaching the playoffs will be a longer shot than some think for Marco Sturm's club.
Small chance to break 30 goals
Fraser Minten: Ok, this would mean that Minten would have to come very close to doubling his goals from 17 last season, but hey, why not? You can see the talent and confidence growing in Minten after he was acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs at the trade deadline in 2025. If he does, Sweeney will have to pony up some money for a rising young center.
Elias Lindholm: Ok, so maybe this is a crazy take, but if there is someone who is out to prove that he's better than he has shown since signing with the Bruins, it's Lindholm. He did eclipse the 30-goal plateau in 2021-22 with the Calgary Flames with 42. If Lindholm can come close to cracking 30, then Boston will be in business in 2026-27.
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