According to MoneyPuck, only Logan Thompson saved more goals above expected than Jeremy Swayman during the 2025-26 regular season. On the offensive end, Pavel Zacha, Viktor Arvidsson, Morgan Geekie, Fraser Minten, Marat Khusnutdinov, Casey Mittelstadt, and Alex Steeves all outperformed their expected goal totals. This context helps explain why grading the 2025-26 Boston Bruins based on expected performance reveals no artificial inflation. Below are the marks for every player who appeared in at least 10 games:
**Jeremy Swayman, A+**
Swayman rebounded impressively from the worst season of his career, returning to elite form. He leapfrogged Jake Oettinger to become Team USA’s No. 2 goaltender behind Connor Hellebuyck, building a foundation of confidence that should last for years.
**David Pastrnak, A**
The top-line right winger elevated his playmaking to a career-high 71 assists, reaching the 100-point mark for the fourth consecutive season. Despite rotating left wings and centers, he produced consistently and demonstrated he deserves to be the next captain.
**Pavel Zacha, A**
Zacha began the season on left wing but shifted to second-line center thanks to his three-zone reliability. He scored a career-best 30 goals by capitalizing on high-danger opportunities. His strong performance positions him for a significant raise entering the final year of his contract.
**Viktor Arvidsson, A-**
Acquired from the Edmonton Oilers for a fourth-round pick, Arvidsson was a five-on-five force with 42 points, second on the team behind Pastrnak, while averaging just 14:36 of ice time per game. The 33-year-old pending unrestricted free agent fit perfectly on the second line, though his return remains uncertain.
**Jonathan Aspirot, A-**
Aspirot went from being the ninth defenseman on the depth chart to a first-pairing role, despite having never played an NHL game before this season. He would be best utilized as a depth defenseman going forward.
**Morgan Geekie, A-**
Geekie established himself as an elite finisher with a career-high 39 goals, dangerous with both his left-side one-timer and snap shot. His next step is to even out his performance dips and make a bigger impact when his shot isn’t clicking.
**Mark Kastelic, A-**
Kastelic notched a career-high 12 goals, became a regular penalty killer, and even developed into an overtime faceoff specialist. He’s willing to fight anyone, including heavyweight Mathieu Olivier during a critical comeback win over Columbus, and his shot, skating, and fearlessness make him a viable candidate for second-line right wing.
**Charlie McAvoy, A-**
McAvoy posted a career-high 61 points despite missing 11 games with a broken jaw. He dialed back his physicality somewhat due to injury history, but his impact spans every area of the game.
**Fraser Minten, A-**
Minten wasn’t guaranteed an NHL spot at the start of the season, yet he played all 82 games and contributed in every situation thanks to his hockey IQ. He aims to prove he’s more than just a third-line center.
**Marat Khusnutdinov, B+**
Khusnutdinov began the year as a healthy scratch in five of the first ten games but gradually became a favorite of coach Marco Sturm due to his puck pursuit, hockey sense, and versatility. His intelligence, speed, and drive suggest he can become a 20-goal scorer.
**Casey Mittelstadt, B+**
After primarily playing center throughout his career, Mittelstadt found his niche this season as a two-way left winger. Sturm highlighted his board work as a key strength for gaining and maintaining puck possession. His future in Boston remains uncertain with one year left on his deal.
**Alex Steeves, B+**
Steeves played a career-high 43 NHL games after spending most of his first four professional seasons in the minors.