Five Bold predictions for the Bruins heading into 2024-25
In only two months we should see NHL teams take the ice, and while it may seem an eternity until October 8th, where the Bruins play the Panthers, here a five bold predictions regarding the team in 2024-2025.
David Pastrnak hits 60 goals
The Boston Bruins have one of the best wingers in the league, in 28-year-old Czech forward, David Pastrnak. This will be his 11th season, and in 674 games has built an impressive resume scoring 727 points total. He recently came off of a 110- point season, alongside Charlie Coyle, and Pavel Zacha, the offensive wunderkind, should experience another boost with the addition of Elias Lindholm to the lineup.
We think with Lindholm as a linemate, he should score 60 goals this season. Only two seasons ago did he score 61 and win the Maurice "Rocket" Richard trophy.
The Bruins Will be A top-5 team in the league
Despite all of the exits from the organization in the past few years, the Bruins have been a top-ten team, the last seven seasons.
With the exit of Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, the Bruins have had to rebuild and stay competitive. Of which they have under the leadership of Jim Montgomery who led the team to a President's Trophy in 2022-2023.
They have managed to remain Stanley Cup contenders beyond what was expected even with cap constraints, even after losing Tyler Bertuzzi, they managed to do better than what was expected of them.
With Swayman, McAvoy, Marchand, and Pastrnak, the team should fare just as well if not better in 2025.
Poitras Tallies 40
Matthew Poitras wa drafted 54th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft and the Bruins have been eagerly awaiting his development. He turned heads at camp last year, resulting in Poitras getting a look in the NHL. The 20-year-old center's year was cut short due to a shoulder injury. With 33 games of NHL experience, he will look to build upon his rookie season and elevate his game in 2024-2025. He could slot into the middle-six or top-six depending upon team needs.
Of course it's likely we'll see growing pains for Poitras, for someone who scored at a 37-point pace last season, it wouldn't be unreasonable to think he could score 40 points in 2024-2025.
Joonas Korpisalo rebounds
Korpisalo had the weight of the world on his shoulders, being a starting goalie in Ottawa. However, in Boston, he will be relegated to a back-up role which he should assume with ease, taking pressure off of Korpi.
His last season in Ottawa was fairly weak, with a 3.27 GAA, and a .820 save percentage. And will look to improve his play this season under Jim Montgomery and the Bruins.
You could think he will do better than Linus Ullmark in Ottawa this season. And he should consider, that the Bruins have his $3 Million dollar contract, with Bob Essensa, Korpisalo should find success here.
Lindholm for Selke
Elias Lindholm is a player the Bruins have had their eye on for a while now, and on July 1st the Bruins got lucky and signed the 29-year-old center to a 7-year deal.
As someone with Bergeron qualities, Lindholm was coveted by the Bruins, his ascension was interesting, starting out in the middle-six in Carolina, the first 5 seasons of his career, until landing in Calgary to become a top-six, two-way center.
While just two years removed from his 82-point season, he will look to recapture his game in Boston. He was also once nominated for a Selke Trophy in 2022, something that undoubtedly stuck out to Sweeney and company.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 4 | 72 ANSWERS Five Bold predictions for the Bruins heading into 2024-25 Will Elias Lindholm win the Selke in 2025? | ||
| Yes | 31 | 43.1 % |
| No | 41 | 56.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
