Next up in the 2023 Fantasy Hockey Sleeper series is the Boston Bruins. With so many players leaving this offseason, there is lots of room for many players to take a bigger role with the team this season. There’s a very very unlikely chance we see the same team as we did last season. The Bruins will still be in contention for a playoff spot, but it won’t be easy with the talent they have. Many players will have to pick up slack and do a lot.
In regards to fantasy hockey, the Bruins will still have relevant players and could very well have some surprises. While some players will definitely be drafted, others have the potential to be waiver wire pickups once they get going. This team is going through a change and a few younger players should definitely be on your radar. Let’s take a look at some of the sleepers for the Bruins this season in fantasy hockey.
Boston Bruins Sleepers for 2023-24 Fantasy Hockey
Jeremy Swayman
For the most part last season Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman split the net. Due to Ullmark’s Vezina winning season, he did get more starts though. Just like the Bruins, Ullmark had an incredible year that will not easily be replicated. Assuming it isn’t, Swayman should at the very least be able to match his starts. That will mean a rise in value for Swayman and more opportunities to pile up wins, saves, and shutouts.
Swayman was a bit of an afterthought for many last season despite his 24-6-4 record, 2.27 GAA, and .920 SV%. This was because Ullmark went 40-6-1 with a 1.89 GAA and .938 SV%. Swayman is the future in Boston and they will try to get him more playing time now that he is being paid. The Bruins might not be as good offensively, but they still have an impressive defense core and some solid two-way forwards to help out. Swayman sits higher than expected in value this year for fantasy hockey.
Trent Frederic
With the Bruins losing Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, Taylor Hall, and Tyler Bertuzzi, there is a lot of opportunity in the top-six this season. Trent Frederic proved last season that he at least deserves a good look. The 25-year-old broke out for 17 goals and 31 points from the bottom-six, but he has much more to give with an opportunity. He is likely to beat out James van Riemsdyk, AJ Greer, and Jakub Lauko for the spot on the wing on the second line, so Frederic will be playing with some talented players.
The Bruins have been known to spread the wealth around in their top-six by moving David Pastrnak down to the second line. While the top-six is noticeably weaker than in the past, this could still be a strategy. If so, that means Frederic will get to feed off of 61-goal, 113-point scorer and his numbers will rise significantly more. Frederic can put the puck in the back of the net and is only improving. Many fantasy owners might not even think to draft him, but his assists and ice time will rise quickly from last season.
Morgan Geekie
The Bruins have some new faces in their bottom-six as well including Morgan Geekie. He just didn’t get the opportunity he needed in Seattle with that team having such a deep forward group. As the Bruins were looking for value in cheap contracts and looking a bit towards the future, Geekie fit perfectly. Over the last two seasons, the 25-year-old has taken on a full time role in the NHL. He went from seven goals and 22 points in 73 games to nine goals and 28 points in 69 games. As the Kraken were more competitive last season, his ice time also dropped over two minutes.
Geekie comes in as the best option for the third line on the Bruins this season. While he might start there, I’ve always liked Charlie Coyle in a third line role. I hope Geekie can even earn some top-six time down the middle. That would really raise his fantasy hockey value as he would be in a similar boat to Frederic. Geekie did a lot with very little last season and is young and getting better. He’s one to watch, but maybe not draft unless your league is deeper. I think he shows improvement, but how big is what we’ll have to wait on.
The Bruins aren’t going to be as impressive as last season, but their roster provides lots of potential for sleepers in fantasy, especially on an above average team. The elite players will boost the lesser known and inexperienced players above where they normally are. Depending on the lines, this could benefit those who are keeping a close eye on the Bruins greatly. The next team in the 2023 Fantasy Hockey Sleepers series is the Buffalo Sabres.
Make sure to check out all of the sleepers and breakouts of the 2023 fantasy hockey season!
Looking for more great fantasy hockey analysis? Check out our 2023 Fantasy Hockey Draft Kit for team previews, rankings, and all the sleepers you can shake a stick at.