After a tough 2024-25 season, the Boston Bruins will be looking to have a bounce-back season in 2025-26. For this to occur, they will not only need their top players to have a strong season but will also look for their depth players to step up.
After a tough 2024-25 season, the Boston Bruins will be looking to have a bounce-back season in 2025-26. For this to occur, they will not only need their top players to have a strong season but will also look for their depth players to step up.
The Bruins will also be hoping that exciting prospects like Fraser Minten, Matthew Poitras, and Fabian Lysell can hit new levels for them next season. They certainly have the potential to, but the Bruins also have some other less-talked-about players who could end up being pleasant surprises for them next season.
Exciting Bruins Center Is Prime Breakout CandidateThe Boston Bruins have been doing a good job of improving their prospect pool. While they still have far more work to do with it, there is no question that they have brought in some solid new prospects since the trade deadline. Fraser Minten is undoubtedly one of them.
Due to this, let's take a look at four under-the-radar Bruins who could be big surprises for the Original Six club next season. Please note that this list will not only include prospects, as the Bruins also have a proven NHL player who has the potential to make a more significant impact next year.
Casey Mittelstadt
Casey Mittelstadt may have had a tough start to his Bruins tenure after being acquired by the Colorado Avalanche at the trade deadline, but fans should not give up on him yet. The 26-year-old forward has shown during his career that he can be a difference-maker offensively, and he could get things back on track with a clean slate next season.
The Bruins did not add a big name down the middle in free agency this off-season, so there is a very good chance that Mittelstadt will start the season as their second-line center. Furthermore, given his playmaking ability, Mittelstadt should receive power-play time. Because of all of this, Mittelstadt should be put in a position to succeed with the Bruins, and this could lead to his numbers going back up.
With Mittelstadt still being in his mid-20s, he certainly has the potential to turn things around for the Bruins and be a nice surprise for them in 2025-26. Keep in mind, this is a player who recorded 57 points in 2023-24 and 59 points in 2022-23, so he could end up being a strong piece for the Bruins.
Matej Blumel
The Bruins signed forward Matej Blumel to a one-year, $875,000 contract in free agency. While this was one of the Bruins' smaller moves on July 1, Blumel could end up being a big surprise for them next season.
Blumel has shown a lot of promise down in the American Hockey League (AHL), and the possibility of him taking that next step and becoming an NHL-caliber player is there. During the 2023-24 season with the Texas Stars, he recorded 31 goals, 31 assists, and 62 points in 72 games. He then had an even better year with Texas in 2024-25, posting 39 goals and 72 points in 67 contests.
With the Bruins needing more scoring on the wing, taking a chance on a young forward who has dominated the AHL like Blumel ultimately makes sense. The 25-year-old forward has thrived in the AHL but had trouble cementing himself as a full-time player with a stacked Dallas Stars. Now that he has joined the Bruins, the possibility of him getting more opportunities is there, and he could break out because of it.
Michael DiPietro
Michael DiPietro could have become a Group 6 unrestricted free agent (UFA) this off-season. However, the Bruins successfully re-signed him to a two-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $812,500. Now, he should compete for the Bruins' backup spot with Joonas Korpisalo at training camp because of it.
While DiPietro has not played at the NHL level since the 2021-22 season with the Vancouver Canucks, he chas a real chance of changing that with the Bruins next season. The 2017 third-round pick was nothing short of magnificent down in the AHL with the Providence Bruins in 2024-25, posting a 26-8-5 record, a .927 save percentage, and a 2.05 goals-against average. With numbers like these, it is clear that he has talent, and he could be a nice surprise for Boston next year.
If DiPietro takes that next step and emerges as a true NHL-caliber goalie, it would be great news for the Bruins. There is no question that they could use more reliability at the backup goaltender spot, and it will be interesting to see if DiPietro can provide them with just that.
Alex Steeves
Alex Steeves is another intriguing Bruins newcomer who could end up being a surprise for the Original Six club next season. Like Blumel, Steeves has had plenty of success at the AHL level but has not received many chances in the NHL just yet. However, with the Bruins sporting a weaker forward group than the Toronto Maple Leafs, perhaps Steeves could earn a spot on Boston's roster with a strong training camp.
When looking at Steeves' offensive production at the AHL level, it is fair to argue that he could have some upside there. The 26-year-old forward has consistently put up strong numbers with the Toronto Marlies since starting his career in 2021-22, but this was especially the case this past season. In 59 games with the Marlies in 2024-25, he set new personal AHL career highs with 36 goals and 62 points.
If Steeves makes the Bruins' roster and takes another step forward with his game, he could end up being a very nice addition to their group.
Former Bruins Forward Still Among Free Agents LeftEarlier this off-season, the Boston Bruins elected not to send forward Oliver Wahlstrom a qualifying offer. Because of this, the Maine native hit the market as an unrestricted free agent (UFA) on July 1.
Photo Credit: © Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Category: General Sports
