Boston Bruins' preseason takeaways: 3 glaring issues to address before start of 2024-25 regular season

The Boston Bruins wrapped up their exhibition schedule with Saturday night's 2-0 setback against the Washington Capitals. Of the six tune-up games they played, they won only two.

However, now that their attention can turn to the upcoming 2024-25 regular season, there remain several issues the team must address before the puck drops.

What are the three biggest glaring issues facing the Boston Bruins as they begin their 101st regular-season campaign?

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Three glaring issues to address for the Boston Bruins before start of 2024-25 regular season

#1 Goaltending

The incredibly public and bitter standoff between the Boston Bruins management and goaltender Jeremy Swayman is ongoing, and all indications are that it won't be resolved before Tuesday night.

The Bruins indicated that Swayman was the goaltender they wanted to carry the torch when they traded Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for the struggling Joonas Korpisalo.

After being unable to come to terms on a new contract that satisfies both parties, Swayman remains a restricted free agent and missed all of Boston's Training Camp along with the entirety of their pre-season schedule.

Right now, Korpisalo is the top goaltender on Boston's depth chart, which could leave Bruins fans concerned, given that he struggled greatly with Ottawa in 2023-24 after agreeing to a five-year contract.

Meanwhile, Brandon Bussi is making a solid case to serve as backup and earned high praise from head coach Jim Montgomery following the setback against Washington.

“I thought Brandon Bussi was the only reason it was a close game,” said Montgomery. “He gave us an opportunity going into the third, only down by one. He gave us an opportunity all the way up to that second goal.”

#2 The status of young players

As is always the case, the pre-season schedule provides an opportunity for young players in all respective organizations to attempt to win a full-time role on the roster rather than being sent back down to the minors.

For the Boston Bruins, it was no exception. One of the highest-regarded prospects is Fabian Lysell, whom the Bruins drafted in the opening round of the 2021 NHL Draft; he recorded 50 points last season in the American Hockey League.

Additionally, 2019 first-round pick Johnny Beacher is seeking a bigger role with the Bruins after splitting time in the NHL and AHL in 2023-24.

#3 Can Boston's offseason acquisitions live up to their deals?

The Bruins made both additions and subtractions during the offseason, losing players like Ullmark, Jake DeBrusk, Danton Heinen, Derek Forbort, James van Riemsdyk, Kevin Shattenkirk and Matt Grzelcyk

However, among the players they brought in include Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov, both of whom split time between the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks last season. Lindholm signed for seven years with an AAV of $7.75 million, while Zadorov agreed a six-year pact with an AAV of $5 million.

The Bruins have remained competitive despite losing franchise cornerstones like Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci and avoided taking a considerable step backward last season as many predicted. Can Boston's new additions help keep their postseason chances alive in 2024-25 and beyond?