3 Bruins Players on the Hot Seat for the 2023-24 Season
The upcoming 2023-24 NHL season raises questions about the Boston Bruins' performance after their record-breaking 2022-23 campaign.
Many Eastern Conference teams, especially in the Atlantic Division, have improved, making a playoff return challenging for the Black and Gold.
With significant losses, including franchise cornerstones David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron, the Bruins rely on their top players for success. Here are three Bruins facing a "prove-it" season in 2023-24.
Linus Ullmark: After an impressive 2022-23 season, Ullmark aims to maintain his form and stay injury-free. With a Vezina Trophy win and strong stats, he was crucial to Boston's success.
General Manager Don Sweeney retained both Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman, expecting another strong season. Ullmark's challenge is to perform well enough to keep the Bruins in playoff contention and stay healthy.
Morgan Geekie: Signed from the Seattle Kraken, Geekie brings versatility and offensive potential to the Bruins' forward depth. He had career-high stats with the Kraken and can slot into various positions in the lineup.
Geekie's faceoff skills and partnership with Trent Frederic can bolster the third line's offensive capabilities. If he thrives in the top nine, it could be an underrated signing by Sweeney.
Charlie Coyle: With Bergeron and Krejci gone, Coyle faces higher expectations as a top-six center. While he showcased his abilities in the playoffs, he must now produce consistently over an 82-game season.
Coyle's offensive consistency in recent years makes him a key player, needing to replicate or exceed his past performances. The Bruins enter a post-Bergeron and Krejci era, relying on these players to prove that last season's success was no fluke, aiming for a postseason berth in 2023-24.
Source: Thehockeywriters
| POLL | ||
Who do you think has higher expectations to live up to? | ||
| Geekie | 38 | 9.2 % |
| Ullmark | 206 | 50 % |
| Coyle | 168 | 40.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
