FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — As of Monday evening, despite the approach of Hurricane Milton, the Boston Bruins are scheduled to play the Florida Panthers on Tuesday at Amerant Bank Arena. The Panthers will raise their 2023-24 championship banner before the game.
“You get to a point where there’s no more celebrations of something that has happened in the past, and you need that mental closure to move forward,” said Panthers coach Paul Maurice. “It’s unfortunate with the safety concerns and the weather. But seemingly for us, raining on celebrations is kind of what we do here.”
On Sept. 30, Bruins coach Jim Montgomery designated Joonas Korpisalo as his Game 1 starter. Montgomery was not as firm Monday following the Bruins’ practice at Baptist Health IcePlex. Jeremy Swayman was satisfied with his first practice with his teammates after signing Sunday.
“I feel ready to play,” said Swayman, who trained at Boston University while he was unsigned. “I put myself in that position. I’ve had great training over at BU during this training camp. I feel like I put myself in a really good position to be ready for tomorrow if I get my name called.”
Here are 10 bold predictions for 2024-25, starting with the goaltending:
1. Swayman struggles early
BU is an elite college program. But Swayman spent two-plus weeks against shooters who are dreaming of the NHL, not in it. It will take time for Swayman to acclimate.
Not only that, he’ll also need to adjust to life without Linus Ullmark. This was the perfect setup, physically and mentally, for both goalies. They could manage their off days and optimize themselves for each start. With more action comes more stress.
Lastly, Swayman is now the fourth-highest-paid active goalie in the league. He has to live up to his $8.25 million average annual value. That will not be easy.
So for as good as Swayman is, there will be a break-in period.
2. Elias Lindholm gets back to his former level
He will not reach his career season of 82 points in 82 games in 2021-22, when he centered Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk. But running with Pavel Zacha and David Pastrňák will move him past the 0.46 points-per-game rate he averaged with the Vancouver Canucks.
Lindholm will do it all: drive the five-on-five offense, defend in critical situations, work the bumper on the power play, kill penalties, take important faceoffs.
3. Hampus Lindholm also gets back to his former level
The all-situations defenseman scored only 26 points last year after recording a career-best 53 in 2022-23.
With Charlie McAvoy as his top-pair partner, Lindholm will be counted on to check and push the offensive pace. Lindholm skated well during the preseason. His game starts with his legs.
4. Charlie Coyle scores 30 goals
No. 2 center Coyle scored a career-high 25 goals last season. This season, with the confidence of knowing he helped his club turn the page on Patrice Bergeron and David Krejčí, the veteran center takes another offensive step.
The 32-year-old is in excellent condition. As early as June, Coyle was back on the ice for skills sessions. With a shot-first approach, Coyle will be an offensive dangerman.
5. Matt Poitras becomes a legitimate NHL center
Poitras, 20, is not starting on the right foot. He will be unavailable for the season opener on injured reserve because of an undisclosed injury. He has to learn how to protect himself from hits.
But Poitras is smart, skilled and competitive enough to learn how to manage the puck and reduce danger. He will be a good No. 3 center behind Lindholm and Coyle.
6. Justin Brazeau becomes the No. 2 right wing
The Bruins did not replace Jake DeBrusk. Morgan Geekie will get the first opportunity to play in DeBrusk’s old spot with Coyle and Brad Marchand on the second line.
But Brazeau will make the most of his third-line start. He will open with Max Jones and Trent Frederic against the Panthers. Sooner rather than later, Brazeau will force Montgomery to give him a promotion. He has the soft touch, smarts and chip-on-the-shoulder attitude to be a top-six forward.
7. Marchand does not re-sign during the season
The sides have discussed an extension. Player and team would like him to retire as a Bruin. But the team will take its time evaluating the 36-year-old’s future.
He has 1,029 games of NHL mileage. Marchand knows nothing but playing all-out. This takes a physical toll, as evidenced by his three offseason procedures. General manager Don Sweeney will be patient about investing another season in the captain.
8. Mason Lohrei signs a long-term extension
The rookie is in the last season of his entry-level contract. Some clubs would prefer a short-term bridge deal.
But the Bruins are confident enough in their forecast of Lohrei as a forward-turned-defenseman to give him a generous bump. They’ve been aggressive in the past with under-the-radar players such as Matt Grzelcyk and Sean Kuraly. They follow the same template with Lohrei on a six-year, $36 million contract.
9. Lysell spends the entire season in Providence
The Bruins were hoping the 2021 first-rounder would contend for the No. 2 right wing job. But Lysell’s habit of being a solo attacker proves a difficult one to mend. More AHL reps are needed.
10. Reilly’s buyout ties Sweeney’s hands at the deadline
The Bruins believed they had a good third-pair defenseman and power-play specialist when they signed Mike Reilly to a three-year, $9 million contract on July 27, 2021. But after burying him in AHL Providence for most of 2022-23, the Bruins bought out the final season of his deal.
As a result, they’re carrying $1,333,333 of idle money in 2024-25. It keeps Sweeney from executing a major trade.
(Photo of Jeremy Swayman: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)
