Barring significant injury, it's obvious that star-winger David Pastrnak, once again, will lead the Boston Bruins in scoring during the upcoming 2024-2025 season.
But, what about beyond him? Who will be next-in-line to provide scoring-punch?
Last season, the Bruins' biggest weakness was their lack of high-end scoring talent.
Now, has this fragility been strengthened following the free agency addition of Elias Lindholm?
In short, yes.
But, to the extent of which, remains to be seen.
Back to the original prompt. Who will be Boston's 2nd leading-scorer?
Well, who are the candidates?
Let's take a step-back and look at Boston's top-5 scorers from last season.
Now, it just so happens, Elias Lindholm's 15G, 29A, 44PTS, would've been good enough for 6th on Boston in scoring last season.
So there we have it.
Beyond Pastrnak, the 5-best candidates to lead the Bruins in scoring next season.
Brad Marchand, Charlie Coyle, Pavel Zacha, Charlie McAvoy, and Elias Lindholm.
Here's what you, the fans, voted:
Interesting results. Despite being individually out-produced last season by Marchand, Coyle, Zacha, and McAvoy - Lindholm was voted to eclipse all of them in scoring next season.
Surprising?
No, not particularly.
But let's break it down, one candidate at a time, and find out why.
Brad Marchand
Marchand is an eventual Bruin Hall-of-Famer, and arguably a future Hockey Hall-of-Famer. But even though Boston's captain is still a very strong offensive player, he's averaged less than a point-per-game over his last few seasons. And while it wouldn't be shocking, at all, for him to once again lead the team in scoring behind Pastrnak, he doesn't appear to be the betting-favorite.
2. Charlie Coyle
Coyle perhaps took advantage of an elevated role in 2023-2024, and all credit to him. He stepped up, and played great. However, it's possible, the addition of Lindholm may hinder his offensive touches. This could make it difficult for Coyle to match or exceed last seasons career-high totals of 25G, 35A, 60PTS. Still, Coyle is a wonderful player, and hopefully can build off of his most recent campaign.
3. Pavel Zacha
Zacha is an interesting option. Despite coming off of career-highs of his own, scoring 21G, 38A, 59PTS, voters don't seem too optimistic on him being Boston's 2nd leading-scorer. It should be noted, that he will once again benefit from significant power-play, and even-strength time with Pastrnak. That's enough right there to be considered a significant candidate. He'll also be playing mostly at left wing, so he'll be spending less time defending as a center, and more time creating rush-offense as a wing.
4. Charlie McAvoy
McAvoy is one of the best overall-defensemen in the NHL, but he's not exactly an offensive dynamo - at least not to the level of Quinn Hughes, Cale Makar, or Roman Josi. He'll continue to be in Boston's top-5 scorers or so, but unless his power play production significantly increases, he likely won't produce to the tune of 65+PTS. Still, it's tough not to feel that McAvoy's due for an offensive outburst, at some point in his career. Why not next season?
5. Elias Lindholm
Lindholm, who seems to be the popular choice, does appear primed to become Boston's 2nd leading-scorer. With a big free agency contract, comes big expectations.
Lindholm struggled offensively last season. In fact, his 44PTS was his lowest output since the 2017-2018 season. Still, he's proven he can score at an impressive rate, and at the highest level. That includes scoring 40G, 42A, 82PTS, back in 2021-2022 playing alongside Matthew Tkachuck and Johnny Gaudreau. The belief among most, is that the toggling between teams last season, and lack of a solidified role, hindered his offensive output - And that playing a top-line role on a strong Boston team, having a new lease on life, and playing next to one of the best goal-scorers in the world, will help him get back to and reach his offensive ceiling.
A case can be made for all of the players above. And while time will tell who ends up leading the team in scoring beyond David Pastrnak, one thing is for sure. They OBJECTIVELY enter this upcoming season, more equipped with high-end talent than last season.
At the end of the day, that's what matters most.
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