Bruins will have new captain in Year 2 under Marco Sturm as they try to keep pace in loaded division

Boston Bruins

BOSTON (AP) — Last season: 45-27-10, lost to Buffalo in opening round of the playoffs.

COACH: Marco Sturm (45-27-10, one season).

SEASON OPENER: Sept. 29 vs. New York Rangers.

DEPARTURES: G Joonas Korpisalo, F Viktor Arvidsson, D Andrew Peeke.

ADDITIONS: F JJ Peterka, D Will Borgen, D Connor Clifton, F Marat Khusnutdinov.

GOALIEES: Jeremy Swayman (31-18-4, 2.71 goals-against average, .907 save percentage), Michael DiPietro.

What to expect

Sturm guided the Bruins back to the playoffs in his first season as coach, though it was a brief stay with a first-round loss to Buffalo. Year 2 for Sturm’s club is expected to continue to build upon the investments they are making in rebuilding their young core around top scorer David Pastrnak and netminder Jeremy Swayman in the aftermath of Patrice Bergeron’s retirement in 2023 and the trade of Brad Marchand at the deadline of the 2024-25 season. The Bruins’ commitment was bolstered this offseason when they acquired 24-year-old winger JJ Peterka from Utah for two first-round picks. He will be expected to bring immediate energy to the Bruins lines at forward. Boston also locked up 22-year-old center Fraser Minten with a seven-year, $50.4 million extension.

Another sign this is truly a new era for Boston is a promise to name a new captain after not having one last season. Pastrnak and defenseman Charlie McAvoy were the top candidates to become only the team’s fourth captain since the 2006-07 season. Marchand last held it in 2024-25. The team went without someone wearing the patch in Sturm’s first season. He and general manager Don Sweeney said that won’t happen again. And it seems like Pastrnak’s moment to truly take the reins of the franchise.

Strengths and weaknesses

The good: Pastrnak has proven he’s s more than capable No. 1 winger, coming off his fourth straight 100-point season. It’s earned him respect in the locker room and is someone the team has followed since the trade of Marchand. Swayman is coming off his second straight season playing 50-plus games and his save percentage and goals-against averages were among the best in the NHL.

The not-so-good: The depth behind Pastrnak at forward — Morgan Geekie, Peterka and Pavel Zacha — doesn’t scream that of a surefire playoff team. The question is whether that trio can consistently contribute enough scoring to get the Bruins through any rough patches.

Players to watch

It starts with that young core. Minten played in all 82 games for the Bruins last season, posting career highs with 17 goals and 18 assists, and is expected to get increased ice time, as is rookie James Hagens. Defenseman Jonathan Aspirot (three goals, 10 assists in 61 games) also will be looking to take a step up from last season.

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