After a busy off-season last summer, the Boston Bruins hoped that they would remain a top team in the Eastern Conference. However, this certainly did not come to fruition, as they struggled immensely and ended up being among the worst clubs in the NHL.
While the Bruins had a bad 2024-25 season, the new season will now give the chance to try to redeem themselves. If the Bruins hope to get back to being a playoff team, they will need these four X-factors to have big seasons for them.
Jeremy Swayman
When looking at the Bruins' roster, there is no question that goaltender Jeremy Swayman is the team's biggest X-factor heading into the 2025-26 season. If the Bruins hope to have any chance of turning things back around this upcoming campaign, they are going to need Swayman to regain his top form and be the star goalie he has shown he is capable of being in the past.
This past season was a nightmare for Swayman, as he recorded a 22-29-7 record, a .892 save percentage, and a 3.11 goals-against average in 58 games. He also allowed a career-high 176 goals, so it was undoubtedly a year to forget for the Anchorage, Alaska native. Now, the upcoming season will offer him a clean slate and the opportunity to put together a bounce-back season.
Swayman showed during his first four seasons with the Bruins that he can be a very impactful goalie, and they will be hoping that he can be just that for them next season. The Bruins undoubtedly need him to get things back on track if they hope to have any chance of being a playoff club again in 2025-26.
David Pastrnak
With David Pastrnak being the Bruins' top superstar, he is easily one of their most notable X-factors heading into next season. If the Bruins hope to be more competitive this upcoming season, they will need Pastrnak to continue to be their top offensive contributor, just like he has been for several years now.
Even on a bad Bruins team in 2024-25, Pastrnak was once again fantastic for the Original Six club. In 82 games on the year, he recorded 43 goals, 63 assists, and 106 points in 82 games. With numbers like these, Pastrnak continued to be one of the game's best offensive players this past season, even with him having limited help around him.
With the Bruins not bringing in any big-name players this off-season, there is no question that the Bruins will be relying on Pastrnak a lot for offense this upcoming season. Thus, they need him to be on his A-game if they hope to put together a far better record next season.
Charlie McAvoy
Charlie McAvoy is another significant X-factor for the Bruins for the 2025-26 season. He is the Bruins' No. 1 defenseman, so they undoubtedly need him to stay healthy and play at his highest level next season if they hope to stand a chance of being a playoff team again.
In 50 games this past season for the Bruins, McAvoy recorded seven goals, 16 assists, 23 points, 81 blocks, 89 hits, and an even plus/minus rating. Unfortunately, his season came to an early end after he suffered a serious shoulder injury during the 4 Nations Face-Off. The Bruins struggled immensely after McAvoy was done for the season, and it was not particularly surprising, with him being their best all-around defenseman.
With all of this, there is no question that McAvoy is one of the Bruins' most notable X-factors for this season. If he stays healthy and puts together a strong season, it would be significant for a Bruins club looking to prove that last season was simply a fluke.
Elias Lindholm
The Bruins did not add a legitimate first-line or even top-six center this off-season, so Elias Lindholm is a forward who the Bruins will be relying on immensely next season. When looking at their current roster, he is likely to serve as their first-line center, so they will need him to be a difference-maker for them in 2025-26.
After signing a seven-year, $54.25 million contract with the Bruins this past summer, Lindholm struggled with consistency during his first season with the Original Six club. In 82 games with the Bruins on the year, he recorded 17 goals, 30 assists, 47 points, and a minus-4 rating. However, he also ended the year with four goals and nine points in his final seven games, so the Bruins will be hoping for more of that kind of offense from him in 2025-26.
If Lindholm can regain the form he had during his best days with the Calgary Flames, it would be huge for a Bruins club that needs serious help at the center position. He would also make the Bruins a more difficult team to go up against if he has a bounce-back season, so he is undoubtedly a significant X-factor for the Bruins to keep an eye on during this upcoming season.
