The Boston Bruins’ early success has come with a twist that should matter just as much as the points in the standings: the kids are getting involved.
Boston sits on top of the Atlantic Division with 15 points in 10 games, a strong start for a club that has not made a habit of selecting high in the draft. The expected names are still doing their part.
David Pastrnak is leading the Bruins in scoring, and Charlie McAvoy is leading them in average ice time. But alongside the usual pillars, a young group is helping drive the opening stretch.
Fraser Minten and James Hagens are part of that wave, and they are not the only ones. Mason Lohrei has had a good stretch, while Matthew Poitras has also come out strong. For a team looking for signs of something more than another fast start, that youth movement is the part that stands out.
That was the focus on Thursday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, where Tyler Yaremchuk and Carter Hutton were joined by Pete Blackburn of the What Chaos! podcast to break down what Boston’s first 10 games have revealed.
Yaremchuk asked Blackburn what has been the biggest surprise from a Bruins point of view, and Blackburn pointed first to the wins before turning to the younger players who have helped make them possible.
“Well, the wins, number one. But I would say the second part, and the reason that I’m so excited about this team to start is the young players.
The contributions from the young players is really what gets you going as a Bruins fan, because it’s one thing to get a bunch of wins at the beginning of the season and have it be the same old story and know that the outlook still isn’t really that great for this team because they don’t have that infusion of youth or that clarity with a bigger picture. So to see guys like James Hagens, Fraser Minten, you’ve got Mason Lohrei who had a good stretch, Matthew Poitras, all of these guys who are coming out of the gate really strong and making very, very strong contributions to this team, it gets you really excited.”
Blackburn said he does not see Boston as a contender right now, even with the hot start. But he also said the difference is that the Bruins have players who now factor into the longer-term picture if they can keep this going.
“Do I believe in this team being a contender right now? Even after their hot start, probably not, but at least you’ve got some guys who are now factoring into your longer-term picture if they’re able to keep this up. That does change what they’ve been missing over the past few years.”
In Other News...
Bruins Have A Nikita Zadorov Problem They Cant Ignore
Bostons strong start has come with a familiar trade-off on the blue line, and Nikita Zadorov sits right in the middle of it. The Bruins have long valued his size, edge and ability to disrupt opponents, because when hes on, he can change the tone of a game in ways few defensemen can. But the early-season picture has been more complicated, with his play drawing scrutiny for the kind of undisciplined mistakes that can undo a good night in a hurry.
The concern is not just the penalties themselves, but the broader impact they have had on Bostons five-on-five play. The Bruins can live with some risk if Zadorov is tilting the ice in their favor, yet there has been a growing sense that the balance has been off lately, enough to lead to disciplinary scratches and renewed questions about how much rope he should get. For a team trying to build on its strong start, the issue is no longer whether Zadorov matters, but whether the Bruins can keep tolerating the version of him they have been getting. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Turn To A Different Goalie In A Spot Fans Will Watch
The Bruins are giving Michael DiPietro another turn in goal against the Nashville Predators, a spot that comes after a demanding four-game road trip and a strong stretch away from home. Boston picked up seven of a possible eight points on that trip, and DiPietro will get the assignment after already logging two previous starts this season, including his first NHL win against the Anaheim Ducks.
For a team trying to keep the momentum going, the goalie decision adds a little extra intrigue to a home matchup that arrives right after the travel grind. Jeremy Swayman handled most of the work on the road, so this start gives Boston a different look in a game fans will be watching closely to see how the crease lines up moving forward. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Fast Start Is Starting To Feel Like Something Bigger
A West Coast trip can tell you a lot about a hockey team, and the Bruins came home looking every bit like a group that belongs in the conversation. Boston won three of four out west, swept through the three California stops and only missed a perfect trip by dropping an overtime decision to Dallas, a run that has already started to reshape how the rest of the league sees them.
The rankings bump followed quickly, with Boston climbing in both major national power lists, but the more interesting part is what comes next. The Bruins now get to bring that momentum back home for a stretch that includes Nashville and San Jose, a chance to see whether this fast start is merely a strong opening or the beginning of something sturdier. [Read more 🡒]