DEFENSE

Nikita Zadorov – Charlie McAvoy

Zadorov should give the Bruins a much-needed element when it comes to his bruising style of play and imposing demeanor.

The 6-foot-6-inch defenseman also provides additional mobility, an underrated transition ace, and a D-zone stalwart capable of snuffing out scoring chances.

Above all else, Zadorov gives the Bruins options when it comes to how Jim Montgomery wants to augment the team’s blue line.

After rolling with Derek Forbort and Matt Grzelcyk over the last couple of seasons, a player such as on the left side gives the Bruins more stability — and a much higher return in terms of individual impact.

Zadorov can block shots and kill plays like Forbort, but presents a lot more snarl and greater offensive upside (four 20-point seasons).

When Grzelcyk was on his game, the transition game hummed along. But Zadorov can offer a similar result with his puck-retrieval skills, while providing a stronger force who should be able to hold his own against the physicality of the postseason.

The case can be made that Zadorov will fit in seamlessly on either of the top two pairings.

Zadorov can serve as McAvoy’s defensive stopper and bruising partner, capable of doing the dirty work and freeing him to be more assertive offensively.

Or Zadorov can join more of a traditional shutdown pairing next to Brandon Carlo, giving Montgomery the luxury of slotting Hampus Lindholm next to McAvoy.

For now, we’ll opt for Zadorov and McAvoy at the top of the depth chart.

“[Zadorov’s] exits are good . . . finding middle ice, which is something Monty likes to do. So his first pass ability, I think complements,” Sweeney said. “Charlie gets a lot of focus on the forecheck and takes some physical hits as a result of that.”

Hampus Lindholm – Brandon Carlo

Lindholm’s play might have dipped last season when weighed against the Norris-caliber performance he submitted during the Bruins’ record-setting 2022-23 regular season. Still, sticking Lindholm with a steady, stay-at-home option such as Carlo stands as the Bruins’ safest bet.

While most of the revamped D corps will likely feature new pairings, Lindholm and Carlo have logged a whopping 1,360:15 of even-strength ice time over the last two seasons.

Over that stretch, just 19.6 percent of Lindholm and Carlo’s on-ice starts have come in the offensive zone. Despite being tasked with taxing D-zone reps, this pairing still routinely tilted ice in Boston’s favor — with the Bruins outscoring opponents, 71-44, over that 1,360:15.

If it ain’t broke . . .

Mason Lohrei – Andrew Peeke

Once viewed as a long-term project because of his profile as a puck-moving 6-5 defenseman, Lohrei made the jump to the NHL in short order after a strong preseason.

Despite initial growing pains, Lohrei made sizable strides with each call-up from Providence.

A playoff matchup against a frantic forechecking team such as the Panthers would presumably spell doom for a young puck-mover such as Lohrei, but he thrived in that second-round series, recording 3 points over six games and averaging 16:38 of ice time.

Lohrei has the tools to be a top-four fixture and power-play ace, especially once he fills out physically.

But for now, Zadorov gives the Bruins the freedom to keep Lohrei in more of a sheltered, third-pairing role alongside a physical, no-frills partner such as Peeke.

Even though Lohrei might be logging 17-18 minutes per game in his first full season, the Bruins should give him every opportunity to showcase his talents on the power play.

“They have Mason Lohrei now in a position where it allows him to probably take him into the second unit of the power play and grow his offensive game in the right way,” Sweeney said last week. “Not necessarily be over his skis at times playing 20 minutes a night in the top-pair situation. He can, and he’s done a good job, but it just balances things out.”

With Lohrei and Peeke rounding out the six-man unit, Parker Wotherspoon is poised to be the seventh defenseman. After appearing in 41 games last season, the 26-year-old is a solid insurance policy.

GOALIES

Jeremy Swayman – Joonas Korpisalo

Barring catastrophic developments, Swayman will be the Bruins’ No. 1 option in net in 2024 and for the foreseeable future.

Who backs up Swayman this season remains the more intriguing question.

The Bruins have said all of the right things when it comes to Korpisalo, acquired as part of the deal that sent Linus Ullmark to Ottawa.

Longtime goalie coach Bob Essensa has worked plenty of wonders when it comes to revitalizing netminders and extracting more talent out of veterans. But getting Korpisalo back on track might be Essensa’s most daunting task yet.

The 30-year-old was arguably the worst starting goalie in the NHL in 2023-24, with an .890 save percentage over 55 games. Of 98 eligible goalies, Korpisalo ranked 97th in goals saved above expected at minus-16.7, per MoneyPuck.

Even if the Bruins get Korpisalo back to being the goalie who impressed with the Kings in 2023 (.921 save percentage in 11 games), his contract is still not ideal ($3 million per season through 2027-28), while the uncertain future of Brandon Bussi complicates matters.

Bussi, 26, has little left to prove after two strong seasons in the AHL. But with Korpisalo in front of him on the depth chart, the former Western Michigan goalie will need to impress during preseason play.

The Bruins do seem committed to rebuilding Korpisalo’s game,but another Providence assignment for Bussi would expose him to waivers, opening the door for the Bruins to lose a goalie prospect for nothing.

For now, we’ll go with the Bruins sticking with Korpisalo and seeing if “Goalie Bob” can work his magic.

But the alternative scenario — where Bussi serves as a cheap backup behind Swayman and Korpisalo is buried in Providence (saving $1.15 million against the cap) — isn’t far-fetched.