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The Boston Bruins' Stanley Cup window could be closing, and it could be completely closed after the 2024-25 NHL season.
Boston won the Stanley Cup in 2011 and made it to the Cup Final in 2019 but lost to the St. Louis Blues. This past season, the Bruins were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by the Florida Panthers.
Boston does have one of the best goalies in the NHL, Jeremy Swayman, who could lead the team deep in the playoffs. However, outside of him, here are three reasons why Boston's window could close soon.
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3 reasons why the Boston Bruins' Stanley Cup window could shut in 2024
#1, Lack of center depth
The Boston Bruins' lack of center depth has been an issue since Patrick Bergeron and David Krejci retired. Boston tried to address that issue this offseason by signing Elias Lindholm to a seven-year deal.
However, Lindholm hasn't been a legit number 1 center in the NHL, and teams that went on to win the Stanley Cup have two dominant centers — and Boston does not have that.
The Bruins' lack of depth down the middle of the ice is a key reason why their window is shutting.
#2, Goal scorers
In the playoffs, you need to find ways to score goals, which Boston could struggle with.
The Bruins do have David Pastrnak, who is one of the best goal scorers in the NHL, but they don't have another bonafide goal scorer. Secondary scoring is key in the playoffs, which Boston got from Jake DeBrusk. However, he left in free agency to sign with the Vancouver Canucks.
The lack of secondary scoring could haunt Boston in the playoffs and could be a big reason why this core won't win a Stanley Cup.
#3, Other teams coming up
The Bruins' core group of Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, and Charlie McAvoy is getting older, which is a concern as there are NHL teams that got better, especially this offseason.
The likes of the New Jersey Devils, Florida Panthers, and New York Rangers from the East, while in the West, the Edmonton Oilers, Dallas Stars, and the Colorado Avalanche are all better, which could spell doom for the Bruins' Stanley Cup chances.
