Training camp has returned, and so have the questions in Boston. A year ago, the Bruins stumbled badly, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016. With Marco Sturm now behind the bench and a healthier core ready to go, the hope is that this fall delivers a restart rather than a rerun.
Can a Fresh Start Put the Bruins Back on Track?
At the center of it all is goaltender Jeremy Swayman. Boston locked him into an eight-year, $66 million contract just before last season, betting big on him as their long-term answer in net. Instead of a smooth transition, contract disputes kept him out of camp, and the ripple effects showed once the season began.
The results weren’t pretty. Swayman posted career lows with a 3.11 goals-against average and an .892 save percentage over 58 games. The Bruins, who had shipped out Linus Ullmark to clear the crease for him, were left without a safety valve. Boston’s season was over by spring, undone by injuries, inconsistency, and shaky goaltending.
This September already feels like a different story. Swayman arrived at Warrior Ice Arena smiling, quick to laugh when asked about the contrast from last year. “So excited,” he said [via NHL.com], noting how missing camp in 2024 showed him the value of preparation.
The 26-year-old insists he has rebuilt his game and mindset. Over the summer, he backstopped Team USA to its first World Championship gold since 1933, going 7-0 with a .921 save percentage.
“That tournament for me personally was a great cap to a year that I wanted better from. To just let it all go and just play my game again, I found a lot,” he shared.
The experience was a reset for him, as he credited both the failure of last season and the spark of international play for reshaping his approach.
It’s a version of Swayman the Bruins badly need. By trading Ullmark, they doubled down on him as the franchise’s present and future. This year, there’s no safety net, only expectation.
Bruins Banking on a Bounce Back
Boston’s front office tried to steady the ship elsewhere. Sturm replaces Jim Montgomery in search of structure. Charlie McAvoy is back healthy, and the club added depth across the roster to protect against another midseason slide.
Still, the real pivot point is in the crease. If Swayman plays to his contract, Boston’s return to contention looks far more realistic. If not, the Bruins risk another wasted year. He knows as much, framing this season as an opportunity to set a standard for himself and his teammates.
“If I’m helping my team right here, right now, where my feet are, things will happen the right way,” he said, emphasizing growth over excuses.
The Bruins will open the 2025-26 campaign on October 8 against the Washington Capitals. Whether this reset turns into redemption hinges largely on Swayman. Boston has made its bet. Now it’s up to him to prove it was the right one.
