Opening night lineup projection 1.0: Bruins D looks set, battles for wing vacancies continue

The Boston Bruins had a pretty good idea of what the top of their lineup would look like heading into the preseason. But the outlook for the remaining roster spots is starting to look a bit clearer nearly halfway through the seven-game exhibition slate.

Between the ongoing battles for vacancies and Jeremy Swayman’s status, Jim Montgomery and the coaching staff will have a better idea of what their opening night lineup will look like over the next week. For now, here’s the first projection of Boston’s potential depth chart for the Oct. 8 opener against the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

Pavel Zacha-Elias Lindholm-David Pastrnak

An undisclosed injury to Elias Lindholm interrupted a week of reps for the top trio. But even with the one-time Selke finalist still labeled day-to-day, there’s no reason to believe he won’t return to a top-line role next to Zacha and Pastrnak.

Indeed, the Zacha-Lindholm-Pastrank trio will want as much time as possible to work on their attention to detail and communication habits. Even without the benefit of spending time together in a preseason tilt, the trio meshed pretty well during their first two days of training camp.

Brad Marchand-Charlie Coyle-Fabian Lysell

An energetic Marchand skated in his first full-contact practice on Wednesday. Afterward, his comments encouraging progress within the prospects ranks a day removed from the Bruins’ 4-2 victory over the Capitals generated a fair amount of attention.

Marchand’s message should resonate with one of his potential linemates. Indeed, Lysell bounced back from a shaky preseason debut against the Rangers last Sunday and looked more assertive with and without the puck with a productive performance two days later.

Between another productive camp from Matt Poitras, another bounce-back outing from Georgii Merkulov on Tuesday and a steady veteran in Tyler Johnson hoping to make the most of his PTO, Lysell doesn’t have that second-line spot locked up yet. But he’ll have his chance to solidify that role over the next week after the trio skated together for the first time upon Marchand’s return on Wednesday.

Trent Frederic-Morgan Geekie-Matthew Poitras

The Bruins face a dilemma with Poitras upon his return from a season-ending shoulder injury in 2023-24. But unlike last year, where Poitras had to return to juniors if he didn’t make the club, the Bruins could send their 2022 second-round selection to Providence if they want to give him some added reps and time to reacquaint himself with a regular season pace.

Poitras remains pointless through two preseason tilts. Yet, between the quality offensive looks he’s generated, his initial faceoff success and his engagement level tracking pucks along the boards and net-front areas, the 20-year-old forward hasn’t looked out of place.

Johnson could slot in here if the Bruins think they need more faceoff stability within their middle-six. But Poitras’ continued progression, Geekie’s versatility and Frederic’s emergence as a solid middle-six power forward present a more intriguing third line in the long term.

Johnny Beecher-Mark Kastelic-Justin Brazeau

Riley Duran and Trevor Kuntar showcased some strides within the last year. They still face a bit of a log jam against more established veterans, but both continue to prove they’re worthy of a trip or two up I-95 during the 82-game slate.

Max Jones remains out with an injury but should insert himself into a rotation with Brazeau whenever he returns. Both provide a net-front presence to compliment Beecher’s speed and Kastelic’s heavy skillsets.

Nikita Zadorov-Charlie McAvoy

Zadorov encountered a blip in his preseason debut after committing a rough turnover at the attacking zone blue line, leading directly to Othmann’s breakaway tally late in the first period. Nonetheless, he remained active in his first meaningful action next to McAvoy on Boston’s top pairing.

Between Zadorov’s explosive physical and skating traits and McAvoy’s well-rounded skillset, the Bruins could possess one of the league’s top defensive duos.

Hampus Lindholm-Brandon Carlo

Even after navigating through a down year during his second full season in Boston, Lindholm and Carlo remained an effective 5v5 pairing. Yet Zadorov’s arrival should ease some burdens Lindholm had to carry during Boston’s transitional centennial season.

Unlike last year, the Bruins will possess a deeper and heavier defensive core. Still, they could use more offensive production from their back end. With the added depth following Zadorov’s signing, a fully healthy Lindholm has a prime opportunity to re-establish his scoring touch to complement Carlo’s stay-at-home traits.

Mason Lohrei-Andrew Peeke

Lohrei kept emerging with each call-up before encountering a bit of a breakthrough during the postseason. Peeke established his footing as a reliable defender around the front of the net and stout penalty killer after arriving from Columbus at the trade deadline.

Ideally, the Bruins will want more defensive growth out of Lohrei and for Peeke to play more of a supporting role in Boston’s counterattack. If anything, Lohrei’s puck-moving skillsets and Peeke’s defensive traits resemble Boston’s philosophy with their first and second traits, thus providing potential steadiness across the defensive depth chart that also includes likely seventh defenseman Parker Wotherspoon.

Joonas Korpisalo
Brandon Bussi

Between a war of words involving Don Sweeney and Spittin Chiclets and the multiple other reports from insiders, the tense negotiations between the Bruins and Swayman seemingly have no end in sight. Thus, the likelihood of a Korpisalo-Bussi tandem for the beginning of the regular season continues to inch closer to reality.

Coming off three stellar seasons with Swayman and Linus Ullmark, a Korpisalo-Bussi duo isn’t the most glamorous situation by any means. For one, Bussi remains an unproven commodity and Korpisalo ranked among the worst goaltenders in every statistical category during his lone season in Ottawa.

Korpisalo wasn’t tested much in his first 20-plus minutes of preseason duty. Bussi, meanwhile, struggled to track rebounds in his first full 60-minute outing of camp during Thursday’s setback in New York.

The defensive depth and Bob Essensa’s track record at least provide Korpsialo and Bussi ideal scenarios to work with. But, signing Swayman to a long-term deal remains Boston’s best path to success in 2024-25.