The 2024-25 season has been a tough one for Boston Bruins fans. Missing the playoffs for the first time since 2015-16, dealing with the emotional trade of Brad Marchand, and firing head coach Jim Montgomery have made this one of the toughest seasons in recent franchise history. With one game left before the offseason, the Bruins are staring at a rebuild – or at least a reset.
But even in the darkest of seasons, there’s always something to be optimistic about. As the Bruins wrap up this tough year, some bright spots have emerged that can be built upon. Here’s what stands out:
Core Talent Still Shines Bright
Even in the mess, the Bruins have a base to build on. David Pastrnak is still one of the best in the NHL and a Hart Trophy contender. Charlie McAvoy before his injury was reminding everyone why he’s a #1 defenseman and Jeremy Swayman has bounced back after a rough start to the season due to contract negotiations.
And there’s hope for Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov too who have gotten better this year. For a team in transition, these core pieces are stability and a foundation to build on for next year.
Fabian Lysell Breaks Through
One of the few bright spots in a dull stretch has been Fabian Lysell. The 22 year old rookie finally scored his first NHL goal and added an assist he had earlier in the week against the Devils.
Lysell’s game is built on aggression and confidence—he’s not afraid to shoot the puck, as seen by 6 shots in 12 minutes on Sunday. In 10 games since being called up, he’s had 3+ shots in 3 games. He’s had some defensive lapses (minus-3 against Buffalo and minus-2 against Chicago) but the Bruins need to see what they have in him. So far, Lysell is showing flashes of what could be a big player down the line.
Korpisalo Looks Like a Keeper
When the Bruins got Joonas Korpisalo, everyone raised an eyebrow. Compared to Linus Ullmark, Korpisalo is a reliable backup goalie. His 2.90 GAA this season is a big improvement over his 3.06 career mark entering the year.
His save percentage has dropped a bit, but Korpisalo looks more like the goalie from his early days in Columbus than the inconsistent one we’ve seen lately. With Jeremy Swayman expected to be better next year, Korpisalo is solid depth in the crease – a must have for any rebuilding team.
The Baby B’s Are Buzzing
If you’re a Bruins fan looking for more reasons to smile, look to Providence. The P-Bruins are in the playoffs and loaded with young talent ready to contribute. Georgii Merkulov and Matthew Poitras are both over a point a game, and Dans Locmelis has 8 points in 4 games since signing last week.
Fraser Minten, acquired in the Brandon Carlo trade, got an NHL call-up after 7 points in 10 games with Providence. Will Zellers, part of the Charlie Coyle deal, has 71 points in 52 games with the Green Bay Gamblers in the USHL. These are good signs, the Bruins pipeline is deeper than it seems.
Small Wins Can Add Up
Fabian Lysell, Joonas Korpisalo, and prospects like Merkulov and Minten won’t fix everything overnight, but they are small wins. With cap space this summer and talent coming back, these on the margin gains can complement smart offseason moves.