# @puckempire on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DcJXvEiHO9Q
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/69149846-puckempire-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/4f05a137ea.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-08-17T15:34:18.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Puck Empire 👑 (@puckempire) — https://gondola.cc/puckempire

## Caption

THE LONG AWAITED #17.

We've got the Boston Bruins finishing at #17 this year, and those familiar with the 17 curse know that EVERY SINGLE year I've had a team at 17th since 2021-22, they have an insane season or do way worse (except the 2023-24 Capitals who finished exactly 17th). Lets see if that trend continues.

For me this is less about Boston being bad and more about how stacked the Atlantic Division is. Boston's lineup is solid, but when a teams best player is the goaltender (as Boston's was last season), I always anticipate regression for said team, especially in today's goalie era. Swayman saved 26.5 goals above expected and Boston still only made the playoffs by 5 points.

Now, their offense probably is better. They'll have a full season of Hagens, added Peterka and I feel like we'll see Minten & Khusnutdinov take steps forward, but the issue that has been apparent since Krejci & Bergeron's departures remain, this team has zero centre depth. Zacha isn't a 1C, Minten isn't a 2C. Lindholm is the most overpaid 3C in the league. It's a situation that I think will come back to haunt them in a tight Atlantic race, despite their wingers being so good.

Defensively, it's a mixed back. McAvoy & Lindholm are GREAT 1D and 2Ds respectively... when healthy. However, they've played a combined 203 of a possible 328 games over the past two seasons, and the rest of their defense isn't great. Zadorov is a good 3D and reliable veteran presence, but guys like Lohrei, Borgen and Jokiharju can't be relied upon for defensive presence. They NEED their big two to stay healthy for a full season here.

In net, as I said, expect regression from Swayman but he'll still be among the best goaltenders in the league this season. Michael DiPietro is a wild card but ultimately don't expect him to cut too much into Swayman's work. Swayman will still be a workhorse.

Ultimately, this has the potential to bite me in the butt like other #17 placements in the past. If their big-2 on D stays healthy, their wingers outrank their lack of centre depth, and Swayman doesn't regress, this team probably pushes for a top-10 spot. But a lot needs to go right for that.

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