{'byline': 'by Scott McLaughlin', 'hosts': '', 'byline_sources': '', 'audience_id': '', 'original_station': [{'station': 'weei', 'path': 'weei/sports/bruins/resetting-bruins-depth-chart-what-to-make-of-their-moves'}], 'syndicated_items': [{'station': 'waaf', 'path': '/waaf/sports/resetting-bruins-depth-chart-what-to-make-of-their-moves'}, {'station': 'mix1041', 'path': '/mix1041/sports/resetting-bruins-depth-chart-what-to-make-of-their-moves'}, {'station': 'magic1067', 'path': '/magic1067/sports/resetting-bruins-depth-chart-what-to-make-of-their-moves'}, {'station': 'big103boston', 'path': '/big103boston/sports/resetting-bruins-depth-chart-what-to-make-of-their-moves'}], 'original_item': {'_index': 'published-content_v44', '_type': '_doc', '_score': None, '_source': {'date': '2025-07-01T22:32:21.152Z', 'lead': [{'data': {'title': 'James Hagens drafted by Bruins. 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Most of their moves were of the depth variety. Their biggest need, a bona fide top-six scorer, remains unaddressed – unless Viktor Arvidsson, acquired from Edmonton via trade, finds the fountain of youth.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmckzmq5i000e01qbsbrfpsu2@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<iframe frameborder="0" height="200" scrolling="no" src="https://playlist.megaphone.fm/?e=CAD4124611193" width="100%"></iframe>', 'isIframe': True, 'componentVariation': 'html-embed', 'fbInstantArticleHtml': '<iframe frameborder="0" height="200" scrolling="no" src="https://playlist.megaphone.fm/?e=CAD4124611193" width="100%"></iframe>'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/html-embed/instances/cmckzpagu002l357s8e2og89t@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'In addition to trading for Arvidsson, the Bruins signed forwards Tanner Jeannot (5 years, $3.4 million AAV), Sean Kuraly (2 years, $1.85M AAV), Mikey Eyssimont (2 years, $1.45M AAV), Matej Blumel (1 year, $875,000) and Alex Steeves (1 year, $850,000); and defenseman Jordan Harris (1 year, $825,00).', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmckzougo0020357sbhpec8kp@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Figuring out the Bruins’ depth chart as of right now is a challenge. Especially up front, there just aren’t enough players deserving of spots in the top half of the lineup, and there are too many guys battling for spots in the bottom half to accurately predict who actually makes the opening-night roster. That’s not going to stop us from trying, though.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmckzouhx0021357swkl6qilb@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Here goes nothing:', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmckzoujl0022357sc1ltyf68@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<strong>FORWARDS (13)</strong><br />Morgan Geekie – Elias Lindholm – David Pastrnak<br />Pavel Zacha – Casey Mittelstadt – Viktor Arvidsson<br />Marat Khusnutdinov – Matt Poitras – Tanner Jeannot<br />Mikey Eyssimont – Sean Kuraly – Mark Kastelic<br />Johnny Beecher', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmckzoul50023357sepmw1ekx@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'We’re really just throwing darts trying to figure out what the bottom six looks like. Jeannot should probably be a fourth-liner, but he’s getting paid like a third-liner, so I guess he’s a third-liner. I don’t know which young forwards are going to make the team, but you probably want to put them in at least a slightly more offensive role on the third line than a grinding fourth-line role. So, we’ll put Poitras and Khusnutdinov there, but Fraser Minten, Fabian Lysell and Georgii Merkulov could push, as could new signings Blumel and Steeves (who were both among the AHL’s leading scorers last year).', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmckzoumm0024357s81j5mq7u@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'The first line is the same first line the Bruins had at the end of last season. Pastrnak, Geekie and Lindholm finished strong together, so you might as well give them a chance to pick up where they left off. The second line… well, you’d like to have something better than this, but it’s probably Zacha-Mittelstadt-Arvidsson pretty much by default, barring a trade.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmckzouod0025357ss65rsjn1@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'The fourth line actually looks pretty good. That could be a really energetic, pain-in-the-ass trio. The problem is really the middle six above it.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmckzouqj0026357suvytq6l9@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<strong>DEFENSE (8)</strong><br />Mason Lohrei – Charlie McAvoy<br />Hampus Lindholm – Henri Jokiharju<br />Nikita Zadorov – Andrew Peeke<br />Jordan Harris – Mike Callahan', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmckzous80027357swzz1c4pw@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Bruins coach Marco Sturm is on record noting that Lohrei had pretty good results when paired with McAvoy last season, so I’m thinking that may have been a tell that he plans to start them together. Zadorov was actually pretty good with both Peeke and Jokiharju last season, but Jokiharju might be a better fit with Lindholm. Harris and Callahan are solid depth, and Victor Soderstrom could push them for a spot as well.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmckzouu90028357sbkg6alfw@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<strong>GOALIES (2)</strong><br />Jeremy Swayman<br />Joonas Korpisalo', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmckzov080029357s0cfteyrx@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'The re-signing of Michael DiPietro led to speculation that the Bruins could flip Joonas Korpisalo to free up more cap space, but that hasn’t happened yet. If it does, slide DiPietro into the backup spot.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmckzov1p002a357s6x36b0wr@published'}, {'data': {'text': '***************************<br />So, that’s that. The roster above would leave the Bruins with $2.125 million in cap space. Trading Korpisalo and going with DiPietro could free up another $2.19 million. There’s definitely not enough money to make a big splash, but there could be enough to at least do something else. Maybe there’s a bigger trade coming at some point, but that’s where things stand for now.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmckzov3h002b357sqn8pewvh@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Honest evaluation: This isn’t a playoff team. It should be better than last year, and at least harder to play against. Having a healthy McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm is big. Swayman could very well get his game back on track. Elias Lindholm might have found something to build on late in the year. Maybe one or two kids take a meaningful step forward.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmckzov4o002c357smc8hnoz5@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Meeting with the media Tuesday afternoon, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney leaned into being harder to play against and said they expect to be "a much more competitive team."', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmcl3dgii003j357sm4plypsg@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'They still need a couple real, impact additions up front, though, because you can only get so far in this league without scoring on a consistent basis. They didn’t get one on Tuesday. It’s unclear if or when they might be able to find one.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmckzov6k002d357silhlta0n@published'}, {'data': {'url': 'https://twitter.com/WEEI/status/1940173443590496449', 'html': '<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Don Sweeney: “The juice is coming, and we expect to be a much more competitive team. And the improvements now come from within.” <a href="https://t.co/hhduYVVkwC">pic.twitter.com/hhduYVVkwC</a></p>— WEEI (@WEEI) <a href="https://twitter.com/WEEI/status/1940173443590496449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2025</a></blockquote>\n\n', 'showMedia': True, 'showThread': True, 'componentVariation': 'tweet'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/tweet/instances/cmcl3pu3h003q357s2yv3k7p7@published'}, {'data': {'url': 'https://twitter.com/smclaughlin9/status/1940175834641469743', 'html': '<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Don Sweeney: “I do believe when you put the whole group together, what they're capable of doing, we'll score enough if we play the right way, and we'll defend a hell a lot better, and I expect our goaltending to be significantly better.” <a href="https://t.co/lE30rrew8Q">pic.twitter.com/lE30rrew8Q</a></p>— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin9) <a href="https://twitter.com/smclaughlin9/status/1940175834641469743?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2025</a></blockquote>\n\n', 'showMedia': True, 'showThread': True, 'componentVariation': 'tweet'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/tweet/instances/cmcl3r5ez000h357s8bip5uke@published'}], 'feedImg': {'data': {'alt': 'Former Oiler Viktor Arvidsson tries to jam a shot past new teammate Jeremy Swayman', 'url': 'https://images.radio.com/aiu-media/USATSI25135789168382687lowres-d861b083-0d2f-4c83-9ba0-ea5e27873dd3.jpg', 'width': 2555, 'credit': 'Imagn Images', 'height': 1703, 'mimeType': 'image/jpeg', 'sizeInBytes': '542337', 'componentVariation': 'feed-image'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/feed-image/instances/cmckzmq5i000b01qbok74r89y@published'}, 'sources': [], '_version': 24, 'featured': False, 'headline': 'Resetting Bruins’ depth chart, and what to make of their moves', 'msnTitle': 'Resetting Bruins’ depth chart, and what to make of their moves', 'textTags': ['Hockey', 'NHL', 'Boston Bruins', 'Viktor Arvidsson', 'Tanner Jeannot'], '_msnTitle': {'shouldOverride': False}, 'apContent': None, 'isOpinion': False, 'pageTitle': 'Resetting Bruins’ depth chart, what to make of their moves', 'sideShare': {'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/share/instances/cmckzmq5i000c01qbf0l2ruqx@published'}, 'feedImgUrl': 'https://images.radio.com/aiu-media/USATSI25135789168382687lowres-d861b083-0d2f-4c83-9ba0-ea5e27873dd3.jpg', 'feedLayout': 'small', 'showSocial': True, 'stationURL': 'https://www.audacy.com/weei', 'breadcrumbs': [{'hidden': False, 'text': 'WEEI 93.7', 'url': '//www.audacy.com/weei'}, {'hidden': False, 'text': 'Sports', 'url': '//www.audacy.com/weei/sports'}, {'hidden': False, 'text': 'Bruins', 'isLastVisibleDivider': True, 'url': '//www.audacy.com/weei/sports/bruins'}, {'hidden': True, 'text': 'Resetting Bruins’ depth chart, and what to make of their moves', 'url': '//www.audacy.com/weei/sports/bruins/resetting-bruins-depth-chart-what-to-make-of-their-moves'}], 'contentType': 'article', 'seoHeadline': 'Resetting Bruins’ depth chart, what to make of their moves', 'stationName': 'WEEI 93.7', 'stationSlug': 'weei', 'dateModified': '2025-07-02T13:50:28.727Z', 'featuredNews': True, 'sectionFront': 'sports', 'fullWidthLead': False, 'shortHeadline': 'Resetting Bruins’ depth chart, and what to make of their moves', 'syndicatedUrl': None, 'unityPageType': 'article', 'editorialFeeds': None, 'featuredSports': False, 'msnTitleLength': 62, 'seoDescription': 'The Boston Bruins were busy Tuesday on Day 1 of free agency, but how much better they got is very much up for debate. 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Resetting Bruins' depth chart, and what to make of their moves

By Scott McLaughlinJul 01, 2025

Scott McLaughlin

Scott McLaughlin is a senior content producer for WEEI and Audacy Sports. He covers mostly the Bruins and also co-hosts WEEI's Skate Podcast. Scott…

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The Boston Bruins were busy Tuesday on Day 1 of free agency, but how much better they got is very much up for debate. Most of their moves were of the depth variety. Their biggest need, a bona fide top-six scorer, remains unaddressed – unless Viktor Arvidsson, acquired from Edmonton via trade, finds the fountain of youth.

In addition to trading for Arvidsson, the Bruins signed forwards Tanner Jeannot (5 years, $3.4 million AAV), Sean Kuraly (2 years, $1.85M AAV), Mikey Eyssimont (2 years, $1.45M AAV), Matej Blumel (1 year, $875,000) and Alex Steeves (1 year, $850,000); and defenseman Jordan Harris (1 year, $825,00).

Figuring out the Bruins' depth chart as of right now is a challenge. Especially up front, there just aren't enough players deserving of spots in the top half of the lineup, and there are too many guys battling for spots in the bottom half to accurately predict who actually makes the opening-night roster. That's not going to stop us from trying, though.

Here goes nothing:

FORWARDS (13)
Morgan Geekie – Elias Lindholm – David Pastrnak
Pavel Zacha – Casey Mittelstadt – Viktor Arvidsson
Marat Khusnutdinov – Matt Poitras – Tanner Jeannot
Mikey Eyssimont – Sean Kuraly – Mark Kastelic
Johnny Beecher

We're really just throwing darts trying to figure out what the bottom six looks like. Jeannot should probably be a fourth-liner, but he's getting paid like a third-liner, so I guess he's a third-liner. I don't know which young forwards are going to make the team, but you probably want to put them in at least a slightly more offensive role on the third line than a grinding fourth-line role. So, we'll put Poitras and Khusnutdinov there, but Fraser Minten, Fabian Lysell and Georgii Merkulov could push, as could new signings Blumel and Steeves (who were both among the AHL's leading scorers last year).

The first line is the same first line the Bruins had at the end of last season. Pastrnak, Geekie and Lindholm finished strong together, so you might as well give them a chance to pick up where they left off. The second line… well, you'd like to have something better than this, but it's probably Zacha-Mittelstadt-Arvidsson pretty much by default, barring a trade.

The fourth line actually looks pretty good. That could be a really energetic, pain-in-the-ass trio. The problem is really the middle six above it.

DEFENSE (8)
Mason Lohrei – Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm – Henri Jokiharju
Nikita Zadorov – Andrew Peeke
Jordan Harris – Mike Callahan

Bruins coach Marco Sturm is on record noting that Lohrei had pretty good results when paired with McAvoy last season, so I'm thinking that may have been a tell that he plans to start them together. Zadorov was actually pretty good with both Peeke and Jokiharju last season, but Jokiharju might be a better fit with Lindholm. Harris and Callahan are solid depth, and Victor Soderstrom could push them for a spot as well.

GOALIES (2)
Jeremy Swayman
Joonas Korpisalo

The re-signing of Michael DiPietro led to speculation that the Bruins could flip Joonas Korpisalo to free up more cap space, but that hasn't happened yet. If it does, slide DiPietro into the backup spot.

***************************
So, that's that. The roster above would leave the Bruins with $2.125 million in cap space. Trading Korpisalo and going with DiPietro could free up another $2.19 million. There's definitely not enough money to make a big splash, but there could be enough to at least do something else. Maybe there's a bigger trade coming at some point, but that's where things stand for now.

Honest evaluation: This isn't a playoff team. It should be better than last year, and at least harder to play against. Having a healthy McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm is big. Swayman could very well get his game back on track. Elias Lindholm might have found something to build on late in the year. Maybe one or two kids take a meaningful step forward.

Meeting with the media Tuesday afternoon, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney leaned into being harder to play against and said they expect to be "a much more competitive team."

They still need a couple real, impact additions up front, though, because you can only get so far in this league without scoring on a consistent basis. They didn't get one on Tuesday. It's unclear if or when they might be able to find one.

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