The 2024-25 NHL season is drawing closer and closer with training camp set to start next month. The Boston Bruins have made a number of changes this offseason. While the core group of players is still the same, this season’s roster will have some pretty noticeable differences. Long-time players Matt Grzelcyk and Jake DeBrusk departed at the start of free agency, goaltender Linus Ullmark was traded to the Ottawa Senators, and Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov were brought in to address areas of weakness.
Related: 3 Bruins Who Need to Improve in 2024-25
The Bruins should once again be a top team in the Atlantic Division and make the playoffs, barring any disasters or injury bugs. While the team has benefitted from guys stepping up and playing better than anticipated, if they are to make a real run at the Stanley Cup this season, there are a few guys who will be the most impactful in determining their success.
5. Brad Marchand
The Bruins’ captain, Brad Marchand, may not be a guy who averages above a point per game anymore, but he is still a major part of this team. He turned 36 years old in May and is the last remaining member of the core that saw the franchise through three Stanley Cup Final appearances, including a victory, in the 2010s. Luckily, he seems to be following in the footsteps of his long-time teammates, Patrice Bergeron, Zdeno Chara, David Krejci, and Tuukka Rask, by finding success on the ice well into his 30s.
Marchand finished second on the team in points last season with 67 in 82 games, including 29 goals. The team will be relying on him to get in the 60-plus point range again this season in order for a successful 2024-25. Hopefully, someone will emerge as another option for the Bruins to look to for 25-plus goals in a season, but for now, they only have him, David Pastrnak, Lindholm, and Charlie Coyle, who hit the marker for the first time last season.
Luckily, the hip surgery Marchand had in 2022 hasn’t seemed to slow him down like some were concerned about. Barring no injuries, he should continue to be a major contributor to this team, daring others to surpass him.
4. Charlie McAvoy
Charlie McAvoy enters the 2024-25 season coming off of a disappointing performance in the playoffs last season. He had a concerning number of turnovers and just couldn’t seem to clear the puck out of his own zone like he typically can. It was…
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