With the Calder Cup Playoffs around the corner, Mike Fink takes a closer look at the top teams in the American Hockey League.
Since the start of the season, the Providence Bruins have played like a team on a mission. “They see what’s in front of them,” head coach Ryan Mougenel noted in a conversation with The Hockey News. They started the season 7-0 and haven’t looked back, boasting the best record in the Atlantic Division and one of the best records in the league since.
The Bruins are a fun team to watch but also a fascinating one from a team-building perspective. They bet on veterans and “tweeners” in a league that values prospects. It has built a culture that helps their younger players develop.
The Bruins Recipe For Success
The Bruins have a unique style of play on the ice and a roster that makes it work. Most teams like to move the puck up the ice from the defensemen, with the forwards stretching out the defense. The Bruins like to have the forwards handle the puck into the offensive zone while the defensemen trail the play.
What this does is create a second layer of defense to recover any loose pucks or turnovers in the defensive zone. It also allows the defense, who trail the play, to find open shots in the offensive zone and clean up anything at the point. It’s not a typical style but when executed well, it’s tough to defend.
The Bruins also have a forward unit built to play in multiple ways, with the veteran top line leading the way. Patrick Brown, Riley Tufte, and Matej Blumel provide plenty of offense but also can play a physical game and defend when needed. They set the tone for the rest of the team, and prospects have taken note.
Then there’s the goaltending, which is among the best in the league. Michael DiPietro was the AHL goaltender of the Year last year and is on pace to win it again but the Bruins also have Simon Zajicek as a reliable backup. It’s a tandem that gives the Bruins strong play every night and can lead them on a Calder Cup run.
The Prospects to Watch
Matthew Poitras - The 22-year-old center has taken a big step in his second AHL season. He has emerged as an elite playmaker with 31 assists in 64 games while rounding out his game. The big difference this season and one that can make him an NHLer, is his ability to defend. “The biggest compliment I can give him is that he was on the ice with two minutes left against Florida (Panthers). I spoke volumes,” Mougenel noted on Poitras.
James Hagens - All eyes are on James Hagens, the 7th pick in the 2025 draft and the top prospect in the Bruins system. He joined the AHL team in late March and made an immediate impact as a top-six winger with plenty of skill. The only question is whether he gets called up for the playoff push and Stanley Cup Playoffs, and isn’t around for the Calder Cup Playoffs as a result.
Michael DiPietro - It’s hard to call Michael DiPietro a prospect at this point, at 26 years old. That said, goaltenders take time to develop, and he’s become an elite one in the AHL. With a .929 save percentage (SV%) and a 1.95 goals-against average (GAA), DiPietro is on pace to win the Goaltender of the Year award for the second year in a row and make it harder for NHL teams, especially the Bruins, to keep him in the AHL.
What Can Be The Downfall for the Bruins?
Two things come to mind for the Bruins. The first is when opponents handle their forecheck and pressure; they lose their edge. The Bruins can set the tone in a game when they play in their structure, but teams that can handle the puck out of the defensive zone and get to the interior of the offensive zone can beat them.
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Their biggest strength can also lead to their downfall. The Bruins have the best goaltender in the AHL but one with a glaring weakness. DiPietro, while talented, is a smaller goaltender, and teams can beat him high. One scout noted that the difference between a six-foot-tall goaltender and a 6-foot-4 goaltender when they go low to make a save is a foot of the top-shelf of the net. It’s hard to beat a goaltender with those shots but teams can, and they might in the playoffs.