As the preseason approaches for the Boston Bruins, there are two noticeable differences in this season’s projected roster. Center David Krejci and goalie Tuukka Rask will not be renewing their contracts for the 2021-2022 NHL season. 

Both players were foundational pieces on the 2011 Bruins team that was able to win the Stanley Cup in Boston for the first time in nearly forty years. They join a long list of players who have moved on from the organization or retired in the ten years since that championship, including Zdeno Chara, Milan Lucic, Nathan Horton, and Tim Thomas. 

Though Bruins fans understand why Krejci and Rask won’t be returning– Rask due to injury and Krejci due to family concerns– the loss of two key players doesn’t hurt any less to a fan base that is looking towards a future that will certainly be marked by the departure of more key players. 

Ultimately, careers and contracts don’t last forever, which keeps us hockey fans looking forward to the young and promising prospects that could develop into full-time NHL players in the next few years, as well as those current superstars who will take on leadership roles in the future. 

Below are my predictions for the Bruins’ lineup on opening night, on October 16, 2021:

Forwards

1st Line: Marchand – Bergeron – Pastrnak

2nd Line:    Hall       –    Coyle     –   Smith

3rd Line: Debrusk    –   Haula      –  Foligno

4th Line:  Nosek     –   Frederic  –  Wagner

Healthy scratches: Kuhlman, Blidh, Studnicka

Defensemen

Grzelcyk – McAvoy

Reilly – Carlo

Forbort – Zboril

Healthy Scratch: Clifton

Goalies

Ullmark

Swayman

As you can see, the Bruins, even with the departures of a Vezina-winning goaltender in Rask and one of the best number-two centers in the NHL in Krejci, still have a championship-caliber roster, particularly within the top-six forward group. With Norris contender Charlie McAvoy leading the defense corps and a solid tandem of Ullmark and Swayman tending between the pipes, the Bruins appear poised for another playoff run, even in a deep Eastern Conference that welcomes the return of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, and reigning Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning.

I’ve decided to break down my expectations for each player in terms of individual statistics and their progress in their development. Those expectations will be separated into three articles that will be posted this week. Stay tuned.