Bruins' Potential New Lines For Next Season

It has been a busy off-season for the Boston Bruins, as they have added multiple new players to their group. The Bruins also moved on from a handful of last season's players, so their lineup will certainly look different.

It has been a busy off-season for the Boston Bruins, as they have added multiple new players to their group. The Bruins also moved on from a handful of last season's players, so their lineup will certainly look different.

Several of the players the Bruins brought in are forwards, so there will be plenty of competition to land a spot on their NHL roster. Furthermore, the goalie battle between Joonas Korpisalo and Michael DiPietro for the backup spot will be something to keep an eye on. 

Nevertheless, let's now take a look at what the Bruins' lineup could look like at the start of the season. Please share what you think the Bruins' lines will look like in the comments. 

Bruins' Potential Forward Lines

First Line: Morgan Geekie - Elias Lindholm - David Pastrnak

This is probably the easiest line to predict, as this trio found great chemistry during the final portion of the year together. This was especially important for Lindholm, as he struggled to find his fit on the Bruins' roster for much of this past season. Yet, he ended last season with four goals and nine points in his final seven games. 

With all of this, I fully expect the Bruins to start next season with this first line. The Bruins need to put Lindholm in the best position to succeed, and he picked up his play while on a line with Geekie and Pastrnak. Furthermore, there is no way the Bruins should break up their new top forward duo of Pastrnak and Geekie. 

Bruins Made Smart Move Signing Ex-Maple Leafs ForwardBruins Made Smart Move Signing Ex-Maple Leafs ForwardThe Boston Bruins have brought in plenty of new players this off-season as they continue their retool. Among the bunch expected to be on the Bruins' opening night roster are Tanner Jeannot, Viktor Arvidsson, Sean Kuraly, Michael Eyssimont, and Jordan Harris. However, they also signed some intriguing depth players who could end up being solid additions to their group. 

Second Line: Pavel Zacha - Casey Mittelstadt - Viktor Arvidsson 

The Bruins' second line is undoubtedly a wild card heading into next season, but I think they will go with a trio of Zacha, Mittelstadt, and Arvidsson. The Bruins' hope is that Mittelstadt can regain the previous top-six forward form he had with the Buffalo Sabres. The Bruins giving him a longer shot as their 2C would make sense because of this. Meanwhile, with the Bruins desperately needing help at right wing, it would not be shocking in the slightest if Arvidsson is also on the second line.

Ultimately, for this line to work, the Bruins would need both Mittelstadt and Arvidsson to bounce back from their tough 2024-25 seasons. Playing with a skilled forward like Zacha could help with just that, as he has shown throughout his time in Boston that he can create offense with his teammates. 

Third Line: Marat Khusnutdinov - Matthew Poitras - Tanner Jeannot 

For the Bruins' third line, I could see them going with Khusnutdinov, Poitras, and Jeannot. With Khusnutdinov and Poitras being two skilled players, they could benefit from playing with one another. As for Jeannot, he would offer the two young Bruins forward some much-needed protection on the ice, as he offers plenty of toughness and physicality. 

If not Poitras, Fraser Minten also stands out as a prime candidate for the third-line center role. However, with Poitras having a bit more NHL experience, it would not surprise me if he ends up starting the year on Boston's roster. Meanwhile, Minten could benefit from a bit more time in the AHL before making another jump to the NHL level later in the season. 

Bruins Forward Could Be Boston's Next Big SurpriseBruins Forward Could Be Boston's Next Big SurpriseThe Boston Bruins have brought in several new players since being major sellers at the 2025 NHL trade deadline. Among them is forward Marat Khusnutdinov, as the Bruins acquired him from the Minnesota Wild as part of the Justin Brazeau trade. 

Fourth Line: Michael Eyssimont - Sean Kuraly - Mark Kastelic 

The Bruins have a ton of options to consider for their fourth line, but I ultimately think they will go with Eyssimont, Kuraly, and Kastelic. Eyssimont and Kuraly were two of Boston's free-agent signings this year, and they are expected to provide a boost to the Bruins' bottom six. As for Kastelic, his immense physicality and high-energy style of play should land him a spot on Boston's fourth line yet again next season. 

It is no secret that the Bruins want to be tougher to go up against, and this line would certainly help things on that front. John Beecher also stands out as a candidate who should sub in from time to time on Boston's fourth line. 

Bruins' Potential Defense Pairings 

Top Pairing: Mason Lohrei & Charlie McAvoy 

McAvoy will obviously be on the Bruins' top pairing yet again next season, as he is their No. 1 defenseman. However, when it comes to finding a partner for McAvoy that is where things get interesting. While they could pair him up with their top left-shot defenseman, Hampus Lindholm, it also would make sense for them to split them up so they have two very good defensemen on different pairings. Due to this, I could see Lohrei getting a chance on Boston's top pairing.

Lohrei's offensive potential is high, but with him being a young defenseman, he has more work to do defensively. Playing with a steady blueliner like McAvoy could benefit Lohrei because of this, so I see them as a good potential match. 

Second Pairing: Hampus Lindholm & Andrew Peeke 

Assuming Lindholm is good to go at the start of the season, I see him having a home on the Bruins' second pairing instead of playing on the top pairing with McAvoy. When it comes to his partner, I see Peeke being a potential fit there. 

While Peeke has primarily played third-pairing minutes since joining the Bruins, he could work well playing alongside Lindholm on Boston's second pairing. Furthermore, Peeke's defense-first style of play could allow Lindholm to take more chances offensively. 

Third Pairing: Nikita Zadorov & Henri Jokiharju 

Zadorov and Jokiharju looked solid together during the final portion of this past season, so I predict them sticking together on the Bruins' third pairing next season. 

Zadorov and Jokiharju certainly could move up the lineup when needed, but they would make for a very solid third pairing if this is where they end up. 

Bruins' Potential Goaltenders

Jeremy Swayman & Michael DiPietro 

While Swayman has created speculation as a trade candidate after his poor season, he will be the Bruins' starting goalie next season. The former William M. Jennings Trophy winner has a $8.25 million cap hit until the end of 2031-32, so the Bruins will do everything they can to try to get him to have a bounce-back year. 

When it comes to the backup position, I am going with DiPietro over Joonas Korpisalo. DiPietro had a fantastic season with the Providence Bruins in 2024-25, and I could see Boston going with him over Korpisalo because of it. This is especially so when noting that the Bruins just re-signed DiPietro to a two-year deal. Korpisalo also struggled in his first season with Boston, so this goalie battle will be fascinating to watch. 

Bruins Mailbag: Swayman, Korpisalo, Pastrnak & MoreBruins Mailbag: Swayman, Korpisalo, Pastrnak & MoreIn this latest edition of The Hockey News Boston Bruins' mailbag, we will answer questions about Jeremy Swayman, David Pastrnak, Joonas Korpisalo, and more. 

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Category: General Sports