2025-26
Record: 45-27-10, 100 points, 4th in Atlantic Division
Playoffs: Lost to Buffalo in First Round
Key Losses
F – Viktor Arvidsson (DET), G – Joonas Korpisalo (Trade w/ NYR)
Key Additions
F – JJ Peterka (Trade w/ UTH), D – Connor Clifton (Signed via FA), D – Will Borgen (Trade w/ NYR)
2026-27 Preview
Can The Bruins Still Contend?
The Atlantic Division is expected to be one of the NHL’s toughest once again in 2026-27, and the Bruins will have little margin for error. The Tampa Bay Lightning remain perennial contenders, the Montreal Canadiens have emerged as a legitimate threat after making it to the Conference Final, the Buffalo Sabres are finally playoff contenders once again, and a healthy Florida Panthers squad looks poised to be even more dangerous. Add in a Toronto Maple Leafs team determined to return to the playoffs, and Boston faces a difficult path back to the postseason.
To put themselves in the best position, the Bruins will need to get off to a strong start and bank as many standings points as possible early in the season. Success against divisional opponents will be especially critical, as every head-to-head matchup could have significant playoff implications. In what promises to be a highly competitive Atlantic Division race, Boston will need to be at its best from opening night through the end of the regular season.
Has the Offense Gotten Better?
The Bruins addressed one of their biggest offseason needs by moving on from veteran winger Viktor Arvidsson and acquiring 24-year-old J.J. Peterka. Boston landed Peterka from the Utah Mammoth on June 26, 2026, just one year after he had been traded from the Buffalo Sabres to Utah. Despite changing teams in consecutive offseasons, Peterka has remained remarkably consistent, recording three straight 25-goal seasons. The Bruins are counting on him to replace much of the offensive production lost with Arvidsson’s departure.
Peterka is expected to skate alongside All-Star winger David Pastrnak and center Pavel Zacha, who is coming off the first 30-goal season of his career. That trio projects to be Boston’s top offensive line and will be expected to shoulder much of the scoring load. Beyond that line, the Bruins will need Morgan Geekie to build on his breakout campaign after scoring a career-high 39 goals for his second consecutive 35-goal season. Rookie James Hagens will also be counted on to provide secondary scoring as he begins his NHL career.
One area that remains a concern, however, is offensive production from the blue line. Charlie McAvoy led all Bruins defensemen with 61 points last season, while Mason Lohrei and Hampus Lindholm were tied for second with just 26. That significant drop-off highlights Boston’s reliance on McAvoy to drive offense from the back end. Although the additions of Will Borgen and Connor Clifton should strengthen the Bruins defensively, neither is known for generating offense, meaning Boston will likely need internal improvement if it hopes to become a more balanced attack.
Projected Lineup
Offense
JJ Peterka – Pavel Zacha – David Pastrnak
Marat Khustnutdinov – Elias Lindholm – Morgan Geekie
Casey Mittelstadt – Fraser Minten – James Hagens
Tanner Jeannot – Sean Kuraly – Mark Kastelic
Defense
Jonathan Aspirot – Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm – Will Borgen
Nikita Zadorov – Connor Clifton
Goalies
Jeremy Swayman
Michael DiPietro