An NHL preseason was once a long slog, including rigorous fitness testing that took up most of a player's summer and many exhibition games featuring players who were unlikely to don the jersey in a regular-season NHL contest. With the new CBA rules shifting more toward players, the days of fitness testing are gone, and the exhibition schedule is now only four games. It means happier players, but it also means the first preseason game is now very important for some of the Boston Bruins.
The shortened preseason doesn't give coaches much time to both evaluate their young roster hopefuls and get their veterans in shape for opening night. With the final one or two preseason games likely mirroring the lineup we will see in Game 1 against the New York Rangers, this could be one of the few chances for young players to put themselves in a good position to be in that lineup.
The roster for the exhibition opener. pic.twitter.com/wDW6A7LqIT
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) September 19, 2026
The Bruins' first preseason roster for their Saturday afternoon game against the Washington Capitals featured a very young group. Charlie McAvoy is included with the baby Bruins, but only because he has to serve a six-game suspension at the start of the season, which makes the preseason crucial for him to get into game shape so he can hit the ground running in Game 7.
Bruins roster hopefuls to watch vs. Washington Capitals
James Hagens entered this training camp with eyes on making the NHL roster, but some weren't sure the rookie's spot was guaranteed. He has impressed the front office with his six-goal showing in the Rookie Games, and he has been a mainstay on a line with Fraser Minten and Marat Khusnutdinov throughout camp. If the trio looks good today, you can nearly pencil them in as a line for opening night.
Frederic Brunet will get the chance to carry his chemistry with McAvoy into a game, as he will likely suit up alongside the veteran on the first pair. Brunet could have the most to gain, as a solid showing alongside a star defenseman looking for a reliable partner could book his ticket to Boston this season.
Matthew Poitras will also be a player everyone is watching closely in this game. He has two linemates from practice, Attilio Biasca and Lukas Reichel, also dressing, which means they'll likely be the trio. If the line doesn't do much to impress, and with the two wingers already looking like strong candidates to start the year in the AHL, Poitras could have one foot out the door with Providence's training camp starting Monday.
What happens if Hagens struggles against NHL competition and Poitras excels? We could see Poitras get another look Tuesday night against the Philadelphia Flyers, with Hagens fighting for his spot on the roster this week. Regardless, this could be some players' only chance to show they deserve another look.
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