The Boston Bruins have made their final roster decisions — and they’re choosing grit over skill once again. Jeffrey Viel beats out Matej Blümel and Matthew Poitras for the last forward spot, signaling Marco Sturm and Don Sweeney’s commitment to a heavy, hard-to-play-against identity heading into the 2025-26 NHL season.

Host Ian McLaren breaks down what Viel’s inclusion means for Boston’s lineup philosophy, the ripple effects for Poitras and Blümel, and whether the Bruins risk losing scoring depth for free.

Then, Jeremy Swayman’s 30-save performance in a 4-1 preseason win over the New York Rangers proves he’s ready to anchor the team’s redemption campaign. We also highlight Nikita Zadorov’s two goals, Fraser Minten’s breakout play, and the new Bruins defensive pairings featuring Mason Lohrei, Charlie McAvoy, and Hampus Lindholm.

Finally, we zoom out to the big question: Is this a redemption story or a repeat of last year’s struggles? Can Marco Sturm’s structured system and Don Sweeney’s roster philosophy coexist with the offensive creativity Boston needs to compete in 2025-26?

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