The Boston Bruins kicked off the preseason this past Saturday, Sept. 23. After making a run for the cup and exiting in the first round, the Bruins look to be in a place that means the postseason might not be possible. There is some hope with the return of Bruins legend Milan Lucic and new faces to the team that might contribute to this year’s lineup.
Lucic spent eight seasons with the Bruins and was a part of the 2011 Stanley Cup championship team. He remains one of three players on the team still active in the NHL. In 2015, the team traded Lucic to the Kings. From the Kings, Lucic went to the Oilers after one season with the Kings. From there, Lucic went on to play for the Flames. Lucic has always considered Boston home, and he is more than welcome back to the Bruins.
In free agency, the Bruins signed Morgan Geekie, a 25-year-old from Canada. Geekie comes to Boston after two seasons with the Seattle Kraken. With 142 points, 16 goals, and 34 assists with the Kraken, Geekie will add to the Bruins’s defensive forwards and is expected to do well in Boston. Geekie made his NHL debut with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2019.
For now, the goalie tandem continues. Former Black Bear Jeremy Swayman re-signed with the Bruins this past summer after going through arbitration. Swayman is signed on a one-year contract to stay with the Bruins. The goalie hugs will continue for at least the 2023-2024 season. After this season, the Bruins could be in a very different place.
Sticking with the goaltending, Brandon Bussi had a great showing in the first preseason game this past Saturday. Bussi is an upcoming goalie and has spent the past three seasons with the Providence Bruins. Prior to playing in Providence, Bussi played college hockey at Western Michigan for three seasons. After Bussi’s showing at the first preseason game, Bussi could potentially make the roster in Boston.
After 19 seasons with the Boston Bruins, Captain Patrice Bergeron retired. Bergeron passed the torch to Brad Marchand, making him the 27th captain of the Bruins. Charlie McCavoy and David Pasternak will be the assistant captains for the upcoming season. David Krecji retired this past summer from the NHL. Krecji was one of the last 2011 Stanley Cup champions remaining in the NHL. He heads back to play in the Czech Republic.
As it’s only preseason, the Bruins have a lot to work on and a lot of fresh talent. During last night’s game, the Bruins lost 4-3 against the Flyers in a shootout. David Pastrnak scored two goals and Danton Heinen scored the third goal.
Heinen returns to Boston after playing for the Penguins the past two seasons. Heinen had 142 game points, 26 goals and 29 assists with the Penguins. The Bruins signed Heinen from free agency this past summer.
More preseason action continues on Monday, Oct. 2, in Philadelphia at 7 p.m.
