The Bruins are back at it tonight, and the first thing worth watching is how Marco Sturm lines up his forwards after shaking things up at practice yesterday.
Boston hosts the Utah Mammoth in the opener of a two-game set with the league’s newest team, and it comes with a little bit of a reunion feel on both sides. Defenseman Andrew Peeke is back in Boston for the first time since leaving this summer after three seasons in black and gold. On the other bench, JJ Peterka is set to see his old team for the first time.
Sturm hasn’t locked in his full forward setup yet, but yesterday’s practice gave a clear hint at where his head is. Pavel Zacha and Morgan Geekie skated on the top line with David Pastrnak.
The kids line was split up, with Fraser Minten and Marat Khusnutdinov alongside JJ Peterka, while Casey Mittelstadt, Elias Lindholm, and James Hagens formed the third line. Both Sturm and Zacha also addressed the Bruins’ power play issues.
The matchup also brings a special challenge in Utah’s special teams. The Mammoth are only five games into the season, but their power play has already clicked on more than 50% of its chances. They’re in the fourth game of a five-game road trip, while the Bruins are in the second game of a three-game homestand.
Before the puck drops, the Bruins will get one more look at things in their morning skate in Brighton at 10:30 AM. They’re set to practice again tomorrow at 11:00 AM before Saturday afternoon’s game.
There’s also plenty swirling around the Bruins off the ice. According to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, Boston and Pavel Zacha are not close on an extension.
Zacha said at the start of camp that he did not expect extension talks over the summer, and Don Sweeney has said he remains in contact with Zacha’s representatives. LeBrun also reported that the Bruins had Zacha in trade discussions with the Blue Jackets for Kirill Marchenko, and there was “sticker shock” when Boston first saw Zacha’s number.
Around the league, the Florida Panthers are dealing with injuries and now have some cap space to look outside the organization for help. Aleksander Barkov could return in 6-8 weeks, Brad Marchand was helped off the ice Tuesday night, and there is still no update on Marchand yet. Florida Hockey Now also noted a former Panther among the free-agent options.
The injury news got worse elsewhere, too. Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov tore his ACL after getting tangled with Mika Zibanejad, and the 26-year-old is headed for surgery after already missing the last five months of the 2025-26 season with a shoulder injury.
There was also movement in the prospect and trade chatter. Frank Seravalli reported that the Edmonton Oilers are among the teams keeping tabs on Matt Poitras, though a small trade yesterday may change that team’s plans on the Bruins prospect.
Separately, the Oilers made a deal of their own, sending Filip Hallander to Edmonton and Spencer Stastney to Pittsburgh. Penguins assistant GM Jason Spezza said another move is coming when Kuzmenko comes back, and the NHL granted Andrei Kuzmenko non-roster status.
Elsewhere, Fanatics and the NHL unveiled the sweaters for the 2026 Heritage Classic, set for Sunday, October 25, at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg. The Jets’ throwback leans into the 80s and 90s, while the Canadiens’ look is, as expected, very Canadiens.
In Other News...
Bruins Are Sending James Hagens A Clear Message After Another Loss
After consecutive losses, the Bruins used Wednesdays practice to shuffle their forward groups and give rookie James Hagens a different look. The experiment put Hagens with Elias Lindholm and Casey Mittelstadt, a sign that Boston is still trying to find the right mix up front while leaning on one of its younger players in a season that has already demanded some adjustment.
Hagens had Bostons only goal in the recent loss, but coach Marco Sturm made it clear the organization is looking for more from him even as it manages his development carefully. The message is straightforward: Hagens is young, but he has to keep growing, and the veterans around him are expected to help bring him along as the Bruins try to stop the skid. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Could Still Have A Matthew Poitras Decision Coming
Matthew Poitras has already become one of the more watchable names on Bostons roster-building board, and now his future is drawing outside interest as well. Reports say Edmonton has checked in on the young center, a sign that other teams still see upside in a player the Bruins would rather not move casually.
Bostons stance appears to have slowed things down, with the asking price believed to be steep enough to make any deal hard to line up. Edmontons recent addition of Filip Hallander may ease some of the pressure there, but the idea has not fully gone away, especially with the possibility that injuries or changing needs could reopen the conversation later. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Fans Have A Real Matthew Poitras Trade Question Again
The Matthew Poitras trade conversation has resurfaced, and from Bostons side it comes with a familiar mix of curiosity and caution. The Bruins forward has drawn interest from the Edmonton Oilers, who have kept tabs on him even as they sort through their own roster questions, and the possibility alone is enough to get Bruins fans thinking about what kind of return would make sense if the team ever moved him.
For now, nothing has been completed, which leaves the real question hanging over the discussion: how far apart are the sides on value? Bostons willingness to listen is one thing, but these talks only matter if another team is prepared to meet the asking price, and that is where this one still feels unresolved. [Read more 🡒]