Just like every year, the Boston Bruins are gearing up for a serious bid for the Stanley Cup in the 2024-25 season. Before they can dream of representing the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Final, they first need to navigate the challenges of the Atlantic Division. Unfortunately, recent seasons have seen the Bruins’ championship aspirations cut short in the playoffs, with their last appearance in the conference final dating back to 2019.
This summer, however, the Bruins made significant investments and bolstered their roster, leading their competitors to see them not only as a formidable opponent but also as potential leaders of the division this year.
Boston Can Challenge for Atlantic Division Crown
The Boston Bruins have faced tough competition from the Florida Panthers in recent years, with the Panthers eliminating the Bruins from the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. However, the Panthers were forced to make some tough decisions due to salary cap constraints after winning the Stanley Cup, leading to key players like Brandon Montour, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Ryan Lomberg leaving the team.
On the other hand, the Bruins made significant moves in the offseason, shelling out a record-breaking $92 million in free agency. This has only raised the bar for the Bruins, with high expectations for another strong season. Teams are definitely not underestimating the Bruins this time around.
The Bruins’ strategic acquisitions addressed key gaps in their lineup and overall team composition. By enhancing their skill level and adding size, Boston has become an even tougher opponent to face on the ice. Boston’s rivals in the division are crossing their fingers, hoping that the remaining weaknesses in the Bruins’ lineup will be their downfall.
What the Atlantic Division Brings to the table
Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres hockey team made a big move by bringing in veteran forward Jason Zucker to add experience to their young roster. Another major move was acquiring Ryan McLeod from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for prospect Matthew Savoie. The Sabres boast a strong top line with Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, and Dylan Cozens leading the way. The addition of McLeod brings balance to the team, as he is a reliable two-way centre who adds depth. With more playing time, McLeod’s performance is expected to improve. He also finished with a solid 50.8% faceoff win percentage, which is a valuable asset. While players like Sam Lafferty and Beck Malenstyn provide depth, the top players will still need to carry the heavy load. The Sabres may be trailing the Bruins, but they are a promising team that everyone is eagerly anticipating to make their mark in the league.
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers, despite being a strong hockey team with talented players, had to make some difficult decisions due to salary cap constraints. While they lost some valuable depth players, the departure of Brandon Montour was particularly hard to accept. His skills in moving the puck and contributing offensively were crucial for the team. On the bright side, they were able to retain Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe. As for the Boston Bruins, they are gearing up to challenge the reigning champions. Although the Panthers remain a top team in the division, the losses they’ve incurred have definitely impacted their roster.
Detroit Red Wings
Re-signing Patrick Kane was an obvious choice for the team. Since his return from hip surgery, he has shown remarkable improvement, playing as if he never missed a beat. Over the course of 50 games in the 2023-24 season, he racked up an impressive 47 points. With a full 82-game season ahead, fans can expect him to continue his strong performance. Kane will also reunite with Vladimir Tarasenko, who recently signed a two-year deal with the team. Tarasenko’s addition is expected to enhance the scoring depth that the lineup desperately needs. However, the loss of Gostisbehere is significant, as he contributed greatly to the team’s offensive production from the blue line. While the Bruins may be a stronger team, the Red Wings will certainly pose a challenge in the division and will fight hard for their place.
Montreal Canadiens
The Bruins can breathe easy knowing they won’t have to compete with this team for a playoff spot. The Canadiens didn’t make many big moves during free agency, but locking in Juraj Slafkovsky for eight years was a major win. He had a stellar season, scoring 20 goals and 50 points in all 82 games. With Slafkovsky, Lane Hutson, Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Kirby Dach on the roster, the Canadiens have a solid foundation to build upon.
Ottawa Senators
Similar to the Canadiens, the Ottawa Senators have assembled a solid roster. The challenge now lies in effectively integrating these components and advancing as a cohesive hockey team. Recently, they made the decision to trade Jakob Chychrun to the Washington Capitals, acquiring shutdown defenceman Nick Jensen in return. While it may not have been the ideal outcome, securing Jensen on an expiring contract is a smart move. The forward lineup has also seen improvement with the addition of David Perron, a tenacious player who adds a physical presence and depth scoring, having enjoyed two productive seasons with the Red Wings. However, the most significant acquisition was undoubtedly goaltender Linus Ullmark. Bringing Ullmark over from the Bruins was a crucial step for the Senators. With a strong core and the right players in position, a dependable goaltender like Ullmark could very well elevate the Senators into playoff contention.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The team has experienced some significant losses, particularly with the departure of Steven Stamkos. It’s difficult to imagine him playing for any other team, but now he’s proudly representing the Nashville Predators. While his absence is a major setback, the addition of a top-tier player like Guentzel helps to soften the blow. Overall, the Lightning will still be a strong contender, especially with a core lineup that includes Point, Kucherov, Victor Hedman, McDonagh, Brandon Hagel, and Andrei Vasilevskiy. The show will definitely go on for this team.
Toronto Maple Leafs
This roster has certainly seen some significant changes, and the coaching shift is just the beginning. Sheldon Keefe has stepped aside, making way for Craig Berube to take the helm. The departure of Tyler Bertuzzi is a blow to the team’s offensive depth, but the focus was on strengthening the defence, and that’s exactly what they accomplished. General Manager Brad Treliving successfully brought in Chris Tanev, a top-four defenceman who excels at shutting down opponents. To enhance their offensive output from the blue line, they also signed Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who just came off a Stanley Cup victory and had his most productive offensive season since 2018-19. Re-signing Max Domi was a smart move; versatile in various roles, and adds valuable depth to the center position. Notably, Domi was tied for the most playoff points for the Maple Leafs.
The Atlantic Division Put on Notice
In recent years, Boston has seen a rise in intense rivalries within the Atlantic division. Whether it’s facing off against the Maple Leafs in the playoffs, engaging in classic Original Six battles with the Canadiens and Red Wings, or constantly competing with the Panthers and Lightning, the Bruins have no lack of adversaries in their division. Leading up to the season, there is a widespread belief among many that the Atlantic division belongs to the Bruins, but that also means it’s theirs to potentially lose.
The acquisitions of Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov have strengthened the team’s centre and defence. In addition, the trade involving Linus Ullmark, Joonas Korpisalo, and a first-round draft pick has further solidified the team’s roster. While the core group remains intact, the Bruins have undoubtedly improved and are poised for a successful 2024-25 season.
Success Can Be Achieved Despite Roster Subtraction
Despite losing key players like Jake DeBrusk, Danton Heinen, and Ullmark, they have strengthened their roster and are more solid than they were last season. The Sabres, Red Wings, and Senators are looking to progress, while the usual top four teams battle it out for the top spot. The Bruins are a good match for the Panthers, Lightning, and Maple Leafs, positioning themselves well to clinch the division title. While these teams pose a challenge, the Bruins have what it takes to compete with them.
The Newbies on Causeway Street
The Bruins are gearing up for an exciting 2024-25 season with a roster full of talent. From established superstars like David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy to promising young players like Poitras and Mason Lohrei, this team is poised for success. With new additions like Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov, the Bruins are addressing their weaknesses and building a competitive lineup. Keep an eye out for unexpected players to step up and contribute, just like they did last season.
“I heard a lot about the city – players and families that love being there and being a Bruin. So, obviously we’re super excited and just can’t wait to get going. We’re thrilled.”
Getting to Know the #NHLBruins 2024 Free Agent Signings ⤵️ https://t.co/Fbk5RQW3sD
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) July 5, 2024
It won’t be easy, especially with tough competition in their division, but there’s plenty to look forward to when the puck drops in October.
Main Photo: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
