BOSTON — All the pieces are now seemingly in place.
With goaltender Jeremy Swayman agreeing to an eight-year contract that will keep him in Black-and-Gold through the 2031-32 season, the Boston Bruins have exactly the $86 million dollar roster that they want.
Naturally, there will be some tinkering along the way. But by and large, they’ve assembled all the requisite parts needed to make a serious run at their first Stanley Cup in 14 seasons.
The 25-year-old Swayman, who won’t start in Tuesday’s season opener in Florida. But could be ready to go as soon as next Monday in a matinee home tilt against Los Angeles, has a new $66 million dollar contract, reason enough to both put any acrimony between him and management behind him while also proving he is, indeed, a Top 5 money puckstopper in the NHL.
“All I’m worried about is being in net for the Boston Bruins right now,” Swayman told the masses at Sunday’s media availability.
Boston may have the most complete defensive corps in the NHL, one that’s big, nasty and skilled. There isn’t a shrinking violet to be seen; No. 1 backliner Charlie McAvoy, at 6-foot-1 and a rock solid 210 pounds, is the smallest of the bunch.
Newcomer Nikita Zadorov is a hulking 6-6, 248-pounder who’ll likely start on McAvoy’s left, giving his more skilled teammate plenty of room to join the rush and/or jump into the play while he wrecks bodies that venture near the Bruins cage. Hampus Lindholm (6-4, 225) and Brandon Carlo (6-5, 217) are pillars on the second pair, with Mason Lohrei (6-5, 210) ready for full-time employment in the big leagues alongside Andrew Peake (6-3, 215).
This D-corps was assembled with a very clear goal in mind: the days of teams like the Panthers coming in and physically beating up the Bruins in their own end come playoff time are over. Limiting shots and keeping pucks alive in the offensive zone should become a trademark of theirs.
While he may not be a traditional franchise No. 1 center, the Bruins signed Elias Lindholm for $7.75 million a year during free agency to fill that role. The former 40-goal scorer will be tasked with feeding David Pastrnak, both in even strength and power play situations, as often as possible. Together with left wing Pavel Zacha, they could make some real offensive magic.
Captain Brad Marchand, center Charlie Coyle and another big body, 6-3 200-lb., Morgan Geekie, should make up the second line and continue to put offensive pressure on foes. A Trent Frederic-Matthew Poitras-Justin Brazeau third unit brings speed, brawn and net drive. If Boston agrees to sign two-time Cup winner Tyler Johnson following a training camp PTO, he could bump Brazeau down a line.
Fans are going to love new fourth line sandpaper guy Mark Kastelic, a 6-4, 225-pound right wing acquired in the trade that brought in backup goalie Joonas Korpisalo, as a burr under opponent’s skin who’ll also drop the mitts without hesitation. He’ll likely be flanked by Johnny Beecher in the middle and either Riley Tufte or Max Jones on the portside.
The Eastern Conference remains a gauntlet the Bruins must navigate and eventually emerge from. The defending titlist Panthers aren’t going anywhere; the Maple Leafs will again be right there, as will the Rangers, Hurricanes and much improved Devils. No one is proclaiming the Lightning dead yet, and squads such as the Senators, Red Wings, and Flyers should all be better.
But it’s plainly clear where you finish after 82 regular season games doesn’t mean nearly as much as it does once you’ve earned your invitation to the dance and start playing games that truly matter. Health willing, that’s where the Bruins could shine.
Is this finally the year they live up to, and exceed, expectations for the first time in a decade-plus? It just might be.
Contact Phil Stacey
@PhilStacey_SN