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4 Bruins on Thin Ice Heading Into December

The Boston Bruins have failed to reach expectations throughout the 2024-25 NHL season, resulting in these four players skating into December on thin ice.

By Devon Platana

Boston Bruins center Charlie Coyle (13) prepares for a face-off against the Washington Capitals during the first period at Capital One Arena.
Boston Bruins center Charlie Coyle (13) prepares for a face-off against the Washington Capitals during the first period at Capital One Arena. / Hannah Foslien-Imagn Images
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The Boston Ruins remained one of the NHL's bigger disappointments nearly two full months into the 2024-25 campaign. With a 10-9-3 record through the first 22 games, the Bruins have missed expectations more often than not thus far, leaving fans to worry if the club can be consistent enough down the stretch to extend the playoff streak to nine straight years.

After firing head coach Jim Montgomery, it's up to the Bruins players to prove they can still be taken seriously this season. While some players are already doing that, others have failed to pull their weight this season, potentially jeopardizing their future with the franchise.

Here are four Bruins who are on thin ice ahead of December.

1. Charlie Coyle, C

After Patrice Bergeron retired last year, Charlie Coyle stepped up as one of the Bruins' best forwards. The former Boston University product tallied career highs in goals (25) and points (60) without missing a single regular-season game, also winning 51.6% of faceoffs.

Needless to say, Boston fans expected more of the same from Coyle this season.

Unfortunately, that hasn't been the case. Coyle has struggled offensively mustering only four goals and an assist with an average of 1.5 shots on goal per game after averaging 1.8 SOG last season. It doesn't help that he's also played to a minus-10 plus/minus rating, which puts him on pace for the worst performance of his 13-year career.

The silver lining is that two of Coyle's goals came in his last five games. Hopefully, it's the start of an offensive uptick because the Bruins will need the 32-year-old center to step up if they want to qualify for the NHL playoffs. Otherwise, general manager Don Sweeney might reconsider the veteran's future in Beantown.

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