​Top Preseason Storylines to Watch for Bruins Heading into 2026-27 Season originally appeared on NESN.
Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The latest NHL season is slowly creeping up on us. After making the playoffs last season, the Bruins are ready to do it again. Surprising many, the Bruins could become one of the top teams during the 2026-27 season.The preseason is a time to see how the rosters will look for the regular season. Several familiar faces are on the roster, while new faces could make an immediate impact. The organization will also be without a team captain.Before the regular season, the Bruins will play four preseason games. Will there be any standouts on the ice before the season opener on September 29 against the Rangers?Here are some major storylines to watch out for heading into preseason play.Top preseason storylines for BruinsIs the James Hagens hype real?The Bruins have tried to find a legitimate center since Patrice Bergeron retired. The team has tried everything. Is James Hagens the one to lead them to glory?The No. 7 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft stayed with Boston College to play one last year with the Eagles. He tallied 23 points in 34 games his sophomore year. Hagens got a taste of Bruins hockey during the 2025-26 season, including playoff action.At the Bruins’ Prospects Showcase, Hagens scored four goals against the Sabres, bringing his total to six. While his performance doesn’t guarantee him a roster spot, it certainly opens eyes.Fraser Minten is already locked in. The Bruins also have Pavel Zacha and Elias Lindholm. Coach Marco Sturm previously stated his college stats won’t automatically earn Hagens a roster spot. Hagens has the skills. Can he showcase those skills in a crowded preseason field?Will the 84-game schedule impact the Bruins?Thanks to changes in the CBA between the League and the NHL Players’ Association, the 2026 season will see the NHL schedule increase from 82 regular-season games to 84.The goal was to create a balanced schedule. But the change also limits practice time. It will reshape a team’s approach to practice, conditioning, and player preparation. Training camps will be condensed significantly, giving teams less time to prepare for the regular season.Limiting preseason games makes it harder for coaches to choose when to ease veterans into the lineup while also evaluating young players. The Bruins will have to adapt to find what they are looking for given this new format.Who joins David Pastrnak’s line?Last season saw a dip in scoring for David Pastrnak, with 29 goals compared to the last few seasons that included 40+ goals. He did produce a career-high 71 assists and had 100 points for the fourth straight season. With so much talent on the roster, who will fit well with him?The Bruins will look for a more consistent line to pair Pastrnak with after mixing him with several players. Offseason trade acquisition JJ Peterka can add speed and skill, taking pressure off