The 2024 NHL Offseason has been an eventful one for the Boston Bruins. They added two of this year’s top free agents in Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov, but also had a series of departures. One of their most notable losses was winger Jake DeBrusk, who signed a seven-year, $38.5 million contract with the Vancouver Canucks.
With the Bruins, understandably, focusing on the center and defense positions, they now have a spot to fight for in their top six on the wing. This remains the case even with Pavel Zacha expected to move to left wing. So, which players could be in the running for it? Let’s discuss them here.
Morgan Geekie
Morgan Geekie was a feel-good story for the Bruins last season. After signing a two-year, $4 million contract with the Bruins during the 2023 NHL Offseason, he proved to be a complete steal for them in 2023-24. In 76 games, he set new career highs with 17 goals, 22 assists, and 39 points. Due to this and his ability to play right wing, there’s no question that he will receive consideration for the 2RW spot.
Geekie is a bit of a Swiss army knife player, as he has shown that he can play virtually anywhere in Boston’s top nine. This kind of versatility, mixed with his offensive ability, should help his case to land DeBrusk’s previous spot.
Trent Frederic
Trent Frederic is another player who should make a case for a top-six spot at training camp. Frederic has experience playing on his off wing, so the 2RW spot could be a nice landing spot for the 2016 first-round pick.
Frederic’s improved play this past season always warrants him more consideration. In 82 games, the St. Louis, Missouri native recorded new career highs with 18 goals, 22 assists, and 40 points. The potential for him to hit another level is there, so the Bruins should consider giving the gritty forward more significant opportunities in 2024-25.
Fabian Lysell
Last season, the Bruins saw youngsters Matthew Poitras, Mason Lohrei, and Johnny Beecher cement their roles in the NHL. Yet, top prospect Fabian Lysell did not follow that trend and will look to change that in 2024-25.
There is no question that Lysell is entering training camp as a clear candidate for the Bruins’ NHL roster. The 2021 first-round pick is a skilled offensive forward coming off a career year with the Providence Bruins. In 56 games with the AHL squad, he had 15 goals and 50 points. After a season like this, Lysell could make his case for a top-six spot on the NHL roster.
