Boston’s special teams were a disaster last season — ranking near the bottom of the NHL on both the power play and penalty kill — and it cost them any shot at competing. On today’s Locked On Boston Bruins, Ian McLaren breaks down just how badly those struggles hurt the team’s goal differential and standings, and why improvement is non-negotiable in 2025-26.

He also examines how new head coach Marco Sturm and assistant coach Steve Spott plan to overhaul the offense and special teams, highlighting how players like David Pastrnak, Elias Lindholm, and Mason Lohrei could be deployed in new roles. Plus, with the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo around the corner, McLaren spotlights Fraser Minten as Boston’s most intriguing young player to watch.

It’s a deep dive into what went wrong, what needs to change, and why fixing special teams is the key to a true redemption season for the Bruins.

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The Boston Bruins MUST learn from their past. With Ken Dryden’s passing this weekend, we’re reminded of how Boston once undervalued a young star and handed Montreal the backbone of a dynasty.

Now, in 2025–26, Marco Sturm and Don Sweeney face a similar choice: lean on stopgap veterans like Jeannot, Arvidsson, and Kuraly — or trust Mason Lohrei, Fraser Minten, Fabian Lysell, and the next generation.

On today’s episode:

Why the Kids vs Veterans depth war will define the Bruins’ season.

How Don Sweeney’s grit-over-skill philosophy (see: Beleskey, Backes) keeps blocking Boston’s upside.

And today’s Bruin of the Day: Ken Dryden — a legend who could have backstopped Boston to multiple Cups in the ’70s.

This isn’t just about the past. The Bruins can’t afford to undervalue young talent again, or risk wasting another era of Pastrnak and McAvoy.

📲 Subscribe to Locked On Bruins for daily insight, analysis, and honest fan-first perspective on your team. Your Team. Every Day.

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Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

Monarch Money
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FanDuel
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FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Jeremy Swayman is heading into Boston Bruins training camp with confidence and swagger — even calling himself “a completely different human being” in third person. After last year’s struggles and heavy fan criticism, the 26-year-old goalie looks locked in following a gold medal performance at the World Championships.

Host Ian McLaren explains why Swayman is ready to rebound, why goalies in Boston always take the heat, and how Tuukka Rask’s career proves that even the best aren’t immune from critics.

All that and more on today’s Locked On Boston Bruins — part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.

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Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

Monarch Money
Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNHL at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnhl for 50% off your first year.

FanDuel
Download the FanDuel app now by visiting FanDuel.com and win $300 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)