Boston Bruins
“I used to be actually impressed with how he wished to be taught and enhance, ask questions, and he was actually taking every part in.”
The expansion of Fraser Minten stood as one of the encouraging developments for a retooling Bruins group in 2025-26.
Minten — acquired from the Maple Leafs as a part of the deal involving Brandon Carlo in March 2025 — was projected to be a possible third-line middle within the NHL ranks in due time.
However, the 21-year-old pivot showcased professional top-six upside in his first full yr with Boston.
As soon as seen as a possible roster-bubble participant with Boston coming into coaching camp, Minten shortly earned the belief of first-year head coach Marco Sturm — incomes a spot on the Opening Night time roster and taking part in all 82 video games with the Bruins this previous yr.
Minten, who took residence NHL Rookie of the Month honors in January, scored 17 objectives and 35 complete factors with the Bruins whereas averaging 15:33 of ice time per contest.
Minten’s progress didn’t go unnoticed for Bruins legend Patrice Bergeron, who was impressed with the teen’s poise and rounded-out skillset all through this previous yr.
“I bought to know him just a little bit this yr — just some occasions that I used to be round on the rink,” Bergeron mentioned of Minten whereas talking to NBC Sports activities Boston on Monday. “I was on the ice with him once, and then we talked face-off a little bit. I used to be actually impressed with how he wished to be taught and enhance, ask questions, and he was actually taking every part in.
“So it was nice to see. Clearly has a vibrant future, nice potential. Clearly did nice this yr, and I do know there’s extra to return with him, and it’s extra progress, and it’s nice to see from a man at that age — to wish to be taught and to enhance and to work on issues that may higher your sport, so it’s all the time a fantastic factor to see.”
Minten’s profile as a two-way middle who can anchor a 3rd line and chip on particular groups already holds loads of worth for a Bruins group in want of younger expertise throughout its reworked depth chart.
However, his promising reps alongside David Pastrnak in a top-line function — and his nostril for the online — supply hope that the younger ahead has much more to present as a possible top-six fixture transferring ahead.
“Why not,” Sturm mentioned final month when requested if Minten might develop right into a No. 1 middle. “Now, it’s nonetheless perhaps too early to say that. Initially, I’ll all the time say it’s all the time as much as the participant. If you happen to seize a man like Minten, who began on the fourth line, and unexpectedly, no one thought he might be the quantity two [center]. And unexpectedly, he had a number of video games at primary.
“In order that’s how massive a leap he made. So we simply need to, I feel with him, we now have to be affected person too. It may well’t be like this yearly. Perhaps it does. He positively has potential, let’s put it that method.”
Minten nonetheless has a methods to go if he desires to observe in Bergeron’s footsteps as the subsequent nice 200-foot middle in Boston. Nonetheless, there’s so much to love about Minten’s ceiling and the way he ought to proceed to develop on this present roster.
“Simply attempting to be the man that makes these playoff video games, serving to the group transfer on previous the primary spherical, and hold going and simply be a man who might help groups win,” Minten mentioned final month of his future function with Boston.
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