Daily Bean: Bruins Gameday, Prospects Update, League News

BOSTON – The Boston Bruins (20-17-1) play hockey tonight. The holiday break has come and gone, and the B’s are in Buffalo, NY, tonight for their first game back. Tonight’s contest is the Bruins’ third of the year with the Buffalo Sabres (18-14-4), and the first of two in New York.

The Bruins’ prospect pool was in the news yesterday. Three players are ready for World Juniors action, two are prepared for the Spengler Cup, and an affiliate is in the process of a strike.

Around the league, there was a terminated contract over the holiday break, and a new assistant coach was hired within the division. There are questions surrounding a new ownership group in the Metropolitan Division. And, as the teams return from holiday break, can two division leaders keep up their high level of play? Catch it all in today’s Daily Bean.

Boston Bruins

The Bruins are in Western New York tonight for a matchup with the red-hot Buffalo Sabres. Heading into the break, Buffalo won their last seven games while the Bruins have dropped their previous four. The Bruins, due to flight delays, had to cancel their morning skate ahead of the 7:00 PM puck drop.

Bruins prospects took to the ice yesterday, with two at World Juniors and one in action at the Spengler Cup. At World Juniors, James Hagens and Will Zellers helped lead the USA to a 6-3 win. Zellers had a three-point night, and Hagens notched an assist. Vashek Blanar did not play for Czechia, but remains in Minnesota with the team. On Saturday, the USA plays Switzerland at 6:00 PM ET, and Czechia plays Denmark at 8:30 PM ET.

Ryan Walsh skated for the US Collegiate Selects at the Spengler Cup, finishing with a plus-one rating in just under 13 minutes of play. Conversely, Chris Pelosi did not dress. The Collegiate Selects play at 2:15 PM ET on Saturday; the game can be found on YouTube.

The Bruins’ ECHL affiliate, the Maine Mariners, postponed their home games this weekend. Negotiations between the ECHL and the Professional Hockey Players’ Association did not progress to a deal, and subsequently led to a player strike. The Mariners are “working to have a team on the ice” for their next home game, but it is unclear what that will look like.

NHL News & National Hockey Now

TSN: On Friday afternoon, the Edmonton Oilers placed forward David Tomasek on waivers. His contract will be terminated. Tomasek signed with the Oilers on April 2, 2025, after a 45-point SHL season. He has already returned to Sweden to play for Farjestad BK.

TSN: The Toronto Maple Leafs announced the hiring of assistant coach Steve Sullivan on Friday. Sullivan will replace the spot of the recently fired Marc Savard, who was canned on Monday. The mid-season hire comes from within the organization. Before landing with the Maple Leafs, Sullivan spent the last two seasons with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. He was the Arizona Coyotes assistant general manager from 2017-21.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins announced their sale to Hoffman Family of Companies last week. Dan Kingerski dives into some questions that remain for the new ownership group, some specific to the salary cap rising. There are also some trade targets for the Penguins to explore as they get ready for the back half of the season.

Colorado Hockey Now: The Avalanche have been on fire this season, to put it lightly. At the holiday break, Colorado is 27-2-7, and they are already setting records. The Avalanche have two regulation losses after 36 games; the 2022-23 Bruins had four. Aarif Dean highlights what remarkable performances have lifted the Avalanche to this point, including Nathan MacKinnon’s goal-scoring lead, and a solid showing from the goaltending room.

Detroit Hockey Now: The Red Wings are in the top seat of the Atlantic Division coming out of the holiday break. However, Detroit has not had the best of luck around scheduled breaks. Last year, the Red Wings struggled coming back from both the holiday break and the Four Nations break. Todd McLellan sent a message to his team to prepare them for the gauntlet of games they have before and after scheduled breaks this year. Detroit and Carolina play tonight for sole possession of the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

Daily Faceoff: World Juniors wrapped up day one of tournament action on Friday. Steven Ellis of Daily Faceoff takes a look at the best performers from all four of the games, including the night that Will Zellers had.

World Juniors action kicks off at 2:00 PM ET today with three of four games on the NHL Network:

2:00 PM: Slovakia vs. Germany (NHLN)

4:30 PM: Latvia vs. Canada (ESPN+)

6:00 PM: United States vs. Switzerland (NHLN)

8:30 PM: Denmark vs. Czechia (NHLN)