The Bruins will report to camp on Wednesday and take the ice on Thursday in what could be one of the most interesting preseasons in recent memory for the team.
In addition to the goalie drama with Jeremy Swayman still unsigned, there’s a lot of players competing both for jobs and roles at forward.
Here are 10 players to watch heading in the 2024-25 preseason:
Brandon Bussi — It’s been a long time since the Bruins have had a real battle for a goalie roster spot, but that will be in play over the next few weeks.
In early October, Bussi could be the Bruins’ opening night goalie. He could be their back up goalie or even be on another team. The rookie goalie with zero games of NHL experience only has limited control of what happens.
If Swayman signs, Bussi will be competing with Joonas Korpisalo to be the Bruins backup. If the they elect to keep Swayman and Korpisalo, Bussi would have to clear waivers to be sent to Providence, meaning another team could claim him.
If the competition is close, the Bruins might be more likely to send Korpisalo down because his $3 million cap hit make it less likely a team would claim him.
If Swayman doesn’t sign, Bussi will be competing with Korpisalo to be the the starter.
Matt Poitras — The fun story of last year’s camp will come in fighting for a roster spot again. Unlike a year ago, he’s eligible to be sent to Providence. If he comes back, bigger and stronger while still displaying his offensive creativity and puck-control skills, Poitras will compete for a top-nine forward spot, most likely as a third-line center.
Trent Frederic — His offensive production has increased each year under Jim Montgomery and now he’s playing for a contract. Could be play himself into a top six role or be a key piece of a strong third line?
Max Jones — The Bruins have had success taking flyers on players they thought were underutilized or misutilized in their previous spots. Morgan Geekie, Danton Heinen and Parker Wotherspoon all turned out to be useful pieces last year. Jones is a trendy choice to be this year’s version, after being non-tendered by Anaheim. He profiles as a potential grinding, physical presence in a bottom-six role.
Boston Bruins’ Justin Brazeau plays during a preseason NHL hockey game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)AP
Justin Brazeau — Last year, Brazeau offered the Bruins a dimension they’d been missing, a 6-foot-5, 220-pound forward with some scoring touch. This year there’s a lot more size in camp – Max Jones, Riley Tufte and Mark Kastelic and he can still be sent down without going through waivers.
Fabian Lysell — The Bruins would love to see the right-shot Swedish wing earn a shot playing alongside Brad Marchand and Charlie Coyle. The 21-year-old forward had 50 points in 56 AHL games last year. He’ll have to be responsible enough in the defensive end to get a chance to test his offensive gifts in the NHL. But he could play his way into a shot alongside Brad Marchand and Charlie Coyle.
Georgii Merkulov — In four NHL games last year, he made little impact or impression, but he had 65 points in 67 games at Providence. Like Lysell, he’s got to prove he’s ready.
Riley Duran — The Providence College product has impressed the Bruins since he signed in the spring. He’s expected to someday challenge for a bottom-six role and that someday could be now.
Tyler Johnson — The two-time Stanley Cup winner, who signed a professional tryout agreement, had 17 goals and 31 points last year. He can play center or wing and has been a very good penalty killer over his career. If things go well, he can replace some of what Jake DeBrusk provided and some of what Danton Heinen did too. He’ll have to battle to make the roster, but that wouldn’t surprise anyone.
Jeffrey Viel — It would be very surprising if he made the Bruins roster, but the former Shark has quite the resumé as a fighter. He even took on Zdeno Chara which takes some mixture of bravery and recklessness. He could certainly make the exhibition games a little more interesting.
