The band is back together for another year. Can the Boston Bruins go on one more deep playoff run before the clock runs out on their core?
2021-2022 Season Performance
Regular Season
The Bruins were one of the best 5v5 teams in the NHL last season. They generated offense at a rate well above average, while limiting chances against at a league best level. Neither finishing or goaltending were exceptional, but they were good enough given the wide edge in play the Bruins created for themselves. With a handful of the best teams in the NHL vying for position atop the Atlantic, the Bruins steady performance saw them sit comfortably in fourth in the division for most of the season.
Playoffs
The Bruins made the playoffs as a wild card team and faced off against the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round. The strong 5v5 play they displayed in the regular season continued, as they held a significant edge in 5v5 xG%. Unlike in the regular season though, finishing and goaltending were both problems. They struggled to put the puck in the net and their goaltenders allowed a lot more goals than expected. The combination was enough to see them drop a 7 game series.
Looking Ahead to 2022-2023
Offseason Moves
The big question in Boston following their exit from the playoffs was the future of Patrice Bergeron. In the end, he returns for another season on a one year deal with a very team friendly $2.5M cap hit. Bergeron is 36, but remains a two-way force. The Bruins followed up Bergeron’s signing by announcing a one year deal to bring David Krejci back from overseas, solidifying their depth at center.
Outside the big free agent signings, the Bruins tinkered around the edges of their roster. The acquisition of RFA Pavel Zacha from New Jersey for Eric Haula was one of the more interesting moves. Zacha was a 6th overall pick by the Devils in 2015 but hasn’t developed into a top talent. He is a capable middle six forward and the Bruins signed him to a deal that looks like it is reflective of his projected value.
According to CapFriendly, the Bruins are slightly over the cap and they will have to get creative to slide under the ceiling before opening night.
22/23 Roster
The Bruins are one of the top rated teams in the NHL going into the 22/23 season. Team defense, goaltending and their forward group are all rated as the best in the league. Forward depth looks like a concern, but in the Bruins’ case is more a reflection of how strong their top few forwards are.
Atlantic Division Landscape
The Atlantic Division’s four incumbent playoff teams all look strong again. After a wide gap in the standings between the playoff and non-playoff teams last season, there could be more competition this year with some rebuilding teams seemingly making improvements over the summer.
Long Term Outlook
The Bruins window is still open this season, but we should expect some change in the not-too-distant future. Players like Bergeron and Krejci that have been pillars in the Bruins organization are going to retire eventually and Boston will need a new crop of stars to fill the holes. With a prospect pool that is ranked 32nd in the league by Hockey Prospecting, they’ll likely have to look outside the organization to do so.
Want to check out more projections for the 22/23 season? Sign up for an annual membership to get access to all 22/23 team and player projection plots and peruse the full set of free agent player cards. Plots will be updated through the offseason as the 22/23 rosters take shape and updated to track progress through the season.
Historical player data from Natural Stat Trick. Contract data from CapFriendly.
