Boston Bruins fantasy projections for 2022-23

As part of NHL.com's 32 in 32 series, the fantasy hockey staff identifies relevant players from the Boston Bruins. For more coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy and subscribe for free to the "NHL Fantasy on Ice" podcast.

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NOTES: These fantasy projections (for 82-game season), a collaborative effort by Pete Jensen and Anna Dua, have been quantified based on factors including but not limited to past performance in the regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs, projected line combinations, power-play usage, team goalie situations, injury history or concern, sleeper upside, anticipated regression or bounce-back candidacy, age, contract status and overall upside for this season. The below totals are safe estimates and do not necessarily indicate each player's ceiling or floor and should be used as a basis for decision-making in all fantasy leagues. Players are listed below in order of NHL.com top 250 rank.
Bruins 32 in 32: [Season Preview | 3 Questions | Top prospects]
David Pastrnak, RW-- Since 2016-17, the right wing ranks fifth in the NHL in goals (215), sixth in shots on goal (1,510), tied for sixth in power-play points (161) and 12th in points (451 in 413 games). Even with injury concerns surrounding some of Boston's other elite players (Brad Marchand, Charlie McAvoy, Patrice Bergeron) entering this season, Pastrnak proved he can thrive on his own line last season and should be considered a top 30 overall fantasy player for his contract year (potential 2023 unrestricted free agent).
NHL.com point projection for Pastrnak: 82

Patrice Bergeron, C -- The center was one of six players with at least 65 points, 250 shots on goal (293; eighth in NHL) and a plus-25 or better (plus-26) last season; the others were Connor McDavid, Johnny Gaudreau, Kirill Kaprizov, Matthew Tkachuk and Mikko Rantanen. Bergeron had elbow surgery May 31 but should still be considered a top 15 fantasy center and fringe top 50 overall player after signing a one-year contract to return to the Bruins.
NHL.com point projection for Bergeron: 74
Brad Marchand, LW -- He has been better than a point per game in each of the past six seasons and leads NHL left wings in points (506 in 420 games) in that span but had surgery on both hips May 27; the expected recovery time is six months, so he could be out until late November (missing more than 20 games). Despite that timetable, Marchand should not be underestimated in the first five or six rounds of a fantasy draft; he thrived during the shortened season in 2020-21 (69 points in 53 games; third in NHL).
NHL.com point projection for Marchand: 71

Jeremy Swayman, G -- He has the third-best even-strength save percentage (.930 in 51 games) over the past two seasons combined (minimum 50 games) behind Juuse Saros of the Nashville Predators (.932) and Igor Shesterkin of the New York Rangers (.931) and emerged as Boston's starter over Linus Ullmark last postseason (3-2, .911 save percentage against Carolina Hurricanes in first round). Swayman, a full-fledged breakout candidate, should be considered a top 15 fantasy goalie and top five option at the position in keeper and dynasty leagues.
NHL.com win projection for Swayman: 29
Charlie McAvoy, D -- The defenseman is coming off a breakout season with NHL career highs in all six standard fantasy categories (10 goals, 46 assists, plus-31, 21 power-play points, 166 shots on goal, 155 hits) but had shoulder surgery June 3; the estimated recovery time is six months, so he could be out until early December (missing more than 20 games). But McAvoy, who was 11th among NHL defensemen in points (56) last season, should still be considered a top 20 fantasy option at the position and top 100 overall player.
NHL.com point projection for McAvoy: 49
Taylor Hall, LW -- The left wing found chemistry on the second line with Pastrnak and center Erik Haula (traded to New Jersey Devils for forward Pavel Zacha on July 13) last season and had his best point total (61) since he won the Hart Trophy in 2017-18 (93 points with Devils). Hall, a two-time 80-point scorer, could be a fantasy bargain based on average draft position if he lands on the top line in Marchand's absence under new coach Jim Montgomery and then later plays on the second line with veteran center David Krejci (signed one-year contract to return to Bruins) and/or his former teammate Zacha.
UPDATE: Hall (upper body) is week to week and likely to be out for the start of the season.
NHL.com point projection for Hall: 60
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Other BOS players to consider in fantasy: David Krejci, C; Hampus Lindholm, D; Linus Ullmark, G; Jake DeBrusk, LW/RW; Pavel Zacha, C/LW
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