The 2026‑27 campaign will officially begin in just over two months, giving the Bruins a narrow window to lock in a 23‑player roster for the first game. Coach Marco Sturm, who oversees the final selections, has indicated that the team will lean heavily on a mix of seasoned veterans and promising youngsters as they aim to hit the ice ready.
Projected Opening Night Lines
Projected opening night lines suggest Pavel Zacha will start at first center alongside David Pastrnak and a wing partner yet to be confirmed, while Casey Mittelstadt, Elias Lindholm and Morgan Geekie are slated for the second line. Lindholm’s availability is under a cloud after back issues plagued him over the past two seasons, and the coaching staff will monitor his health closely.
The third line is expected to feature forward James Hagens with Fraser Minten and Marat Khusnutdinov, while the fourth line could see Tanner Jeannot, Sean Kuraly and Mark Kastelic together. Matt Poitras is projected to make the jump to the NHL but is unlikely to start on the fourth line, leaving a spot for other candidates.
Defensively, the Bruins will be without Charlie McAvoy for the first seven games due to suspension, opening the door for Hampus Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov to assume larger responsibilities. Mason Lohrei is slated to crack the opening night lineup, though his spot may be reassigned once McAvoy returns.
Between the pipes, Michael DiPietro is expected to inherit the net after the Joonas Korpisalo trade, while Jeremy Swayman will continue as the primary starter. The goaltending duo will have little time to gel before the season opener, adding urgency to the upcoming training camp.
Training camp opens on September 16, leaving exactly 13 days before the first puck drops. With the clock ticking, Sturm and Sweeney have ample opportunity to fine‑tune line combinations and explore additional roster moves before the Bruins step onto the ice.