It is more likely than not that the Boston Bruins will miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs. At this point, it is not about this season, but about the 2025-26 season. The fans have gotten their wish, as the Bruins have recalled skilled winger Fabian Lysell from the Providence Bruins. It will be great to evaluate him and see what he can bring. Furthermore, the biggest thing for the Bruins is to evaluate what they currently have and see how they can build for the 2025-26 season.
Establishing Where Casey Mittelstadt Plays in 2025-26
This is one of the bigger things to look for in my opinion. The addition of Casey Mittelstadt gives the Bruins options on the depth chart. Mittlestadt is a versatile player, as he can play center and wing. Before the move to the Bruins, he was playing wing with the Colorado Avalanche, but has primarily been playing center with the Bruins. Depending on how they plan on integrating youngster Matthew Poitras into the fold, evaluating where they should slot Mittelstadt for the 2025-26 season is important.
This is a player who has shown to add an extra layer of production in his career. During the 2022-23 season, he finished with a career-high 59 points and 44 assists. He finished the 2023-24 season with 39 assists, and his playmaking ability was evident. Being at the center position allows him to creatively make crisper passes and showcase his playmaking ability more. The only caveat to him playing center is his faceoff win percentage. He has never finished above 50% in his career. One thing the Bruins could try is plugging him on the wing.
I’ve admired what Morgan Geekie has done alongside David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha. That trio has combined for 33 goals, so splitting them apart is certainly difficult to do. But, the Bruins have nothing to lose at this point, and it is about finding what works for next season.
Given the skill set that Mittlestadt possesses, seeing him playing alongside Pastrnak would be great. Because if you enter the season with a center depth chart of Zacha, Elias Lindholm, Poitras, and Mark Kastelic, it’ll be telling where they could or should slot Mittlestadt. There is a possibility that Poitras isn’t ready and Mittlestadt is a center, but this is about seeing where he could truly be a fit.
Jokiharju Becoming the New Third Pair Defenseman
It was quite funny that in the midst of the Bruins selling off key pieces at the trade deadline, they did in fact buy as well. It was nothing over the top, but the Bruins did manage to acquire defenseman Henri Jokiharju from the Buffalo Sabres. When it went down, you began to scratch your head and think to yourself, “Why would the Bruins add a third-pair defenseman?” Well, he’s been a phenomenal addition and has been able to help unlock Nikita Zadorov.
It is not that Zadorov was bad, but every partner he has played with has not worked. Zadorov has the tools to be effective and is mobile for his size. Zadorov and Jokiharju have been paired together, and this pair has given the Bruins a glimpse of what the third pair could be going into the 2025-26 season.
When on the ice together, good things are happening. Puck possession is in favor of them 55.88% of the time, and they are out-attempting the opposition 76-60. This has then led to them outshooting the opposition and despite being down in the expected goals share, they have a goal differential of 3-1, which is great. Head coach Joe Sacco has held high praise for him and acknowledges what he brings to the team.
“He has the ability to make some good first passes coming out of our D zone coverage,” Bruins interim head coach Joe Sacco said. “That’s something that has helped our group and alleviated some of the pressure when we’re in our defensive zone. His play at the offensive blue line has been good, too. When we go low to high, and we’re trying to get the puck, whether it’s a D-1 shot or a D over, or whatever we’re trying to execute at that particular time, he’s been pretty good there so far.”
It is great being able to have a defenseman that can excel in transition and help control the play. The Bruins should look into an extension for him and allow this pair that’s been successful to remain together.
Continuing to Give Khusnutdinov Larger Roles
What a difference a trade can make. When the Bruins traded Justin Brazeau to the Minnesota Wild for Marat Khusnutdinov and Jakob Lauko, the Bruins upgraded overall. Sounds crazy right? But in reality, it’s not. It was a change in philosophy going from bigger and a bit slower to younger and quicker. Everyone knows what you get with Lauko. He’s a feisty, physical, and well-rounded player that adds depth to the bottom of the lineup. What the Bruins have with Khusnutdinov is fascinating, and they should continue to give him larger roles.
Khusnutdinov has done nothing but impress. He is a winger that brings tremendous speed and is able to win foot races for pucks. Furthermore, he has a wicked shot and brings something that’s been lacking for the Bruins, which is scoring goals.
This is a great situation for him. While he was with the Wild, he was primarily deployed in the defensive zone 12.2% of the time. That tells me it could have been a misuse of his skill set. He is a weapon offensively and should be playing with higher-skilled players.
It remains to be seen where he slots in the next game, but practice lines showed him centering Lysell and Lauko, which could make for a fun line to watch. Sacco has also given him opportunities to play on the power play. Also, Sacco has noticed a lot in the small sample size, giving praise to the newcomer.
“It’s been a small sample size, but I do think that because of his skating ability, his quickness on pucks, he’s made some plays offensively that have caught our eye. I’m sure they caught everyone’s eye. Good on him.”
Having him is a blessing. The Bruins simply need more skill in the lineup, as well as talent. They now have a revamped middle of the lineup, and it’s been a treat to watch. He has already matched his goal output in five games than he did with the Wild all season. What a gem he has been for the Bruins, and it’ll be fun to see what he does for the rest of the season.
Bruins Have Work to Do
There is plenty of work to do for the Bruins, and it starts now. The best thing they can do is turn the page to the 2025-26 season and evaluate their current roster. Figuring out where to slot Mittlestadt is an improvement. Jokiharju looks like he belongs and should warrant an extension. The Bruins seemed to have struck gold with Khusnutdinov and should continue to give him bigger workloads. It should be fun to see as the season is in the final stretch.
