3 Areas of the Boston Bruins’ Roster That Need To Be Evaluated – The Hockey Writers – Boston Bruins

It is more likely than not that the Boston Bruins will miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs. At this point, it is not about this season, but about the 2025-26 season. The fans have gotten their wish, as the Bruins have recalled skilled winger Fabian Lysell from the Providence Bruins. It will be great to evaluate him and see what he can bring. Furthermore, the biggest thing for the Bruins is to evaluate what they currently have and see how they can build for the 2025-26 season. 

Establishing Where Casey Mittelstadt Plays in 2025-26

This is one of the bigger things to look for in my opinion. The addition of Casey Mittelstadt gives the Bruins options on the depth chart. Mittlestadt is a versatile player, as he can play center and wing. Before the move to the Bruins, he was playing wing with the Colorado Avalanche, but has primarily been playing center with the Bruins. Depending on how they plan on integrating youngster Matthew Poitras into the fold, evaluating where they should slot Mittelstadt for the 2025-26 season is important.

This is a player who has shown to add an extra layer of production in his career. During the 2022-23 season, he finished with a career-high 59 points and 44 assists. He finished the 2023-24 season with 39 assists, and his playmaking ability was evident. Being at the center position allows him to creatively make crisper passes and showcase his playmaking ability more. The only caveat to him playing center is his faceoff win percentage. He has never finished above 50% in his career. One thing the Bruins could try is plugging him on the wing. 

I’ve admired what Morgan Geekie has done alongside David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha. That trio has combined for 33 goals, so splitting them apart is certainly difficult to do. But, the Bruins have nothing to lose at this point, and it is about finding what works for next season. 

Given the skill set that Mittlestadt possesses, seeing him playing alongside Pastrnak would be great. Because if you enter the season with a center depth chart of Zacha, Elias Lindholm, Poitras, and Mark Kastelic, it’ll be telling where they could or should slot Mittlestadt. There is a possibility that Poitras isn’t ready and Mittlestadt is a center, but this is about seeing where he could truly be a fit. 

Jokiharju Becoming the New Third Pair Defenseman

It was quite funny that in the midst of the Bruins…