Hocky

4 Bruins’ Bold Player Predictions for 2023-24

[ad_1]

Now that we’ve got entered the month of September, the 2023-24 NHL season is getting nearer and nearer. The Boston Bruins kick off coaching camp on Sept. 20 at Warrior Ice Arena for the primary time with out both of their prime two facilities, Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. Not solely are the Black and Gold dropping two excellent face-off males but in addition two good play-makers.

Without their prime two facilities, simply how a lot offense will they get? That stays to be seen however with camp on the horizon, it’s time to make 4 daring participant predictions for the 2023-24 season.

Jake DeBrusk Scores 30-Plus Goals

You could be considering, how is that this a daring prediction as he has twice scored a career-high 27 targets? This season, in contrast to final season, Jake DeBrusk is just not going to have Bergeron as his middle, which performed a job in his resurgence the final yr and a half. He’s taking a look at both Pavel Zacha or Charlie Coyle as his facilities, not likely the play-makers that Bergeron was.

Jake DeBrusk, Boston Bruins (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

DeBrusk enters the season playing in a contract year and he lately spoke about wanting to stay in Boston past this season. If historical past tells us something, basic supervisor (GM) Don Sweeney indicators gamers earlier than the season begins and it will likely be fascinating to see how he handles the 14th total choose within the 2015 Entry Draft. If the Edmonton native goes to receives a commission and take the subsequent step in his profession, a 30-plus purpose season will assist him obtain that.

Charlie McAvoy Has 50-Plus Assists

Scoring is anticipated to be down slightly bit with out Bergeron and Krejci round. With the offseason additions made by Sweeney, it seems that there are going to be loads of 2-1 or 3-2 video games this season with the Bruins banking on their protection and goaltending to win them video games. Charlie McAvoy is their finest offensive defenseman and will probably be seemed upon as somebody to contribute.

(*4*)
Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

McAvoy’s career-high in assists is 46 in 2021-22 in 78 video games. This season, he’s anticipated to quarterback the highest power-play unit that’s going to have to provide loads and it has the expertise to take action. He remains to be the Bruins’ prime offensive defenseman in transition, the place he picks up a fair proportion of his assists. Boston goes to want as a lot manufacturing from the protection this season and McAvoy offering it’ll be key. If wholesome, 50 assists is just not out of the query.

Morgan Geekie Scores 20-Plus Goals

Last season, Zacha had a breakout season in Boston enjoying with an even bigger function on the second line. This yr, the Bruins are hoping that they discover the identical luck with Morgan Geekie who many assume has extra capacity than he has proven. Signed to a two-year contract, his earlier career-high in targets is 9, which he set final season with the Seattle Kraken.

Related: Bruins’ Success in 2023-24 Hinges on Zacha & Coyle


Latest News & Highlight


This season, he’s coaching camp wild-card and may play a number of positions on the wing and at middle. He’s not going to have the posh of getting gamers like Krejci and David Pastrnak on his line like Zacha had, however getting a extra expanded function in Boston could possibly be helpful. He’s going to get time on the second power-play unit, possibly even a while on the primary, however don’t be stunned to see him within the prime six sooner or later. There is only a intestine feeling that it is a breakout candidate that may shock lots of people in 2023-24 and he finds a constant goal-scoring contact.

Jeremy Swayman Wins More Games Than Linus Ullmark

All eyes this season will probably be on Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark who was fingers down the very best goalie final season within the NHL. He went 40-6-1 with a 1.89 goals-against common (GAA) and a .938 save proportion (SV%). Nobody noticed that season coming and repeating that efficiency is sort of unrealistic. Jeremy Swayman quietly had a powerful season as properly in 2022-23.

Linus Ullmark Jeremy Swayman Boston Bruins
Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire through Getty Images)

Last season, Swayman was 24-6-4 with a 2.27 GAA, a .920 SV%, and 4 shutouts. There is little question that Ullmark will take a step again this season, however Swayman is enjoying on a one-year contract and will probably be motivated. What the variety of wins for every is a complete toss-up because the protection will probably be good in entrance of Swayman and Ullmark, however simply how a lot rubber are they going to see on a nightly foundation and the way a lot offense their forwards can present is the important thing. The prediction right here is that Swayman wins 30-plus video games and takes management of the crease for the season just like what his teammate did final season.

Entering this season, there are loads of questions surrounding the Bruins, however with the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference getting higher, it’s going to be very troublesome for them to search out their approach into the postseason. If they’re, they are going to want most, if not all, of those predictions to come back near being right.


Substack The Hockey Writers Boston Bruins Banner

[ad_2]

Source link

Related Articles

Back to top button