NHL Insider Keeps Faith In Bruins’ Playoff Chances

Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney promised a roster that could compete again, and at least one national voice believes the playoffs could still be part of that equation.

The Bruins will “be shocked if they’re not better than last season,” James Mirtle wrote in a recent mailbag for The Athletic, noting that the late-season collapse that dropped Boston to the NHL’s fourth-worst record in 2024-25 was unlikely to repeat.

While acknowledging the roster is thinner up front, Mirtle added that they still have enough talent to be “in competition for a wild-card spot” if their younger players produce.

That optimism is rooted in key returnees. David Pastrnak remains one of the NHL’s most dynamic scorers, fresh off his third straight 100-plus point season. Charlie McAvoy is healthy, Hampus Lindholm is back after missing nearly all of last season and Jeremy Swayman is poised for a rebound following a summer of extra work with goalie coach Bob Essensa.

Swayman’s strong performance at the World Championships — including a shutout in the gold medal game — was a reminder of his top form.

“The juice is coming and we expect to be a much more competitive team. The improvements now come from within,” Sweeney said, as transcribed by Wes Crosby of NHL.com.

New head coach Marco Sturm, a former Bruins forward, likes the leadership foundation already in the room along with the influence of Bruins greats.

“They learn from (Patrice) Bergeron, they learn from (Zdeno) Chara,” Sturm said, via NHL.com. “I know we’ve just got to guide them again and again.”