Boston, MA - 12/3/2022 - BRUINS-AVALANCHE1203 -- Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) and Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) during warmups. The Boston Bruins host the Colorado Avalanche on December 3, 2022 at TD Garden in Boston, MA. Photo by: Barry Chin/Globe Staff) Section: Sports, Reporter: Matt Porter, Arc ID:
The Boston Red Sox had another subpar campaign this season, but there were a few bright spots, especially the emergence of Jarren Duran. The Bruins have their own rising star who could become an intricate piece in the Black and Gold’s quest for a Stanley Cup.
Justin Brazeau earned an NHL contract with the Bruins last February after skating in 49 games with Boston’s AHL affiliate in Providence. The 26-year-old forward made an immediate impact by giving the Bruins some much-needed secondary offensive production in a bottom-six role. He tallied five goals and two assists in 19 games and was a physical presence, recording 43 hits and 12 blocks on the campaign. After suffering an upper-body injury in April, Brazeau missed some time down the stretch but returned for the postseason, where he amassed two points and 35 hits in nine games.
The undrafted forward showed real promise in the small sample size with the Bruins last season, and he is a prime breakout candidate heading into next season because of it. If he takes the next step and cements himself as an impactful middle-six forward, he will give Boston a notable boost.
Brazeau has mainly skated on the third line with Tyler Johnson and Trent Frederic in preseason action and scored two goals in three contests. However, looking at the Bruins’ depth at right wing, there are spots to fight for, especially after the offseason departure of Jake DeBrusk.
It’s a given David Pastrnak is the club’s best right wing and will most likely skate with Pavel Zacha and Elias Lindholm on the first line. But after the top line, Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery will need to find the best possible skater to build chemistry with Charlie Coyle and Brad Marchand on the second line. A couple of options during the preseason have been Morgan Geekie and Fabian Lysell and the latter was assigned to Providence on Sunday ahead of the season opener on Oct. 8. Brazeau’s size and willingness to get to the front of the net for garbage goals could make him a prime candidate to at least get a look with Marchand and Coyle.
The prototypical power forward tallied 49 goals and 113 points in 167 games across three seasons with Providence. His totals from the 19 games with Boston would have put him on pace for a 20-plus goal season over 82 games. Expectations should be high for Brazeau entering the 2024-25 campaign. He might just be the Bruins’ version of Jarren Duran.
