Boston Bruins aim for a comeback with new coach Marco Sturm | iNFOnews.ca
FILE - Boston Bruins' David Pastrnak (88) watches during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker, File)

Boston Bruins aim for a comeback with new coach Marco Sturm

Boston Bruins

Last season: 33-39-10, missed playoffs.

COACH: Marco Sturm, hired June 5. First-time NHL coach.

SEASON OPENER: Oct. 8 at Washington.

DEPARTURES: Coach Joe Sacco, F Vinny Lettieri, D Ian Mitchell, D Parker Wotherspoon.

ADDITIONS: F Viktor Arvidsson, F Matej Blumel, D Jordan Harris, F Tanner Jeannot, F Michael Eyissimont, F Sean Kuraly.

GOALIES: Jeremy Swayman (22-29-7, 3.11 goals-against average, .892 save percentage), Jonas Korpisalo (11-10-3, 2.90, .893).

BETMGM STANLEY CUP ODDS: 200-1.

What to expect

The Bruins bailed on coach Jim Montgomery after 20 games last season and didn’t improve under interim Joe Sacco, having a fire sale at the trade deadline in which they jettisoned captain Brad Marchand, forwards Justin Brazeau Charlie Coyle, Marc McLaughlin and Trent Frederic along with defenseman Brandon Carlo. They finished with 76 points, last in the Eastern Conference and tied for the fourth-worst record in the NHL. This season will be a transition and then some.

Strengths and weaknesses

The good: Swayman never really found his groove last season after holding out in training camp and signing an eight-year, $66 million contract two days before the opener. If he can post anything resembling his 2022-23 season, when he went 24-6-4 with a 2.27 GAA, the Bruins might be able to eke into the playoffs.

The not-so-good: The forward lineup for this season looks weak beyond David Pastrnak. The defense could be better with the healthy return of Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm, but depth beyond that is thin.

Players to watch

Blumel and Alex Steeves were the top two goal-scorers in the AHL last season. Swayman needs to bounce back from his off season. Will the team play without a captain after trading Marchand last season? If not, the elder statesman is Pastrnak, who may not fit the mold, with McAvoy emerging as the veteran with the most sway in the room.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL

Boston Bruins aim for a comeback with new coach Marco Sturm | iNFOnews.ca
FILE – Boston Bruins new head coach Marco Sturm smiles as he speaks during an NHL hockey news conference, Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm, File)

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles