Flyers Forward Is Prime Bounce-Back Candidate
The Philadelphia Flyers will be looking to take a step forward in their rebuild during the 2025-26 season. For this to occur, they will need all of their top players to be on their A-game.
When looking at the Flyers' current roster, there is no question that forward Owen Tippett is one of the team's top bounce-back candidates heading into the 2025-26 campaign.
Tippett put up decent offensive totals for the Flyers in 2024-25, as he recorded 20 goals and 43 points in 77 games. However, these numbers were also lower than his two previous seasons.
During the 2022-23 season, Tippett put together a breakout season, posting 27 goals and 49 points in 77 games with the Flyers. However, he then took another step forward during the 2023-24 campaign, as he set career highs with 28 goals, 25 assists, and 53 points in 78 games.
Given Tippett's past success, there is certainly reason to believe that he has the potential to make a more significant impact offensively for the Flyers this campaign. If he can once again flirt with the 30-goal mark and record over 50 points, it would be significant for a Flyers club looking to take that next step. It will be interesting to see if he can do just that from here.
Bruins' Jeremy Swayman faces make-or-break season: Will he rebound or crumble under pressure?
The Boston Bruins' 2025-2026 season may hinge on the performance of one player: Jeremy Swayman. After an abysmal year in 2024-2025, which saw the 26-year-old goaltender posting career-worst numbers, Swayman finds himself in a do-or-die situation. If he doesn’t rebound, the Bruins could be staring at another season in the basement of the Atlantic Division.
The struggles were undeniable last season. From missing training camp due to a financial stalemate to failing to find any consistency in net, Swayman finished with a dismal 3.11 goals-against average and a .892 save percentage in a career-high 58 games. While injuries to key defensemen like Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm certainly didn’t help, the spotlight shone brightest on Swayman’s inability to deliver when it mattered most. Add to that the criticism surrounding his $8.25 million contract, and the pressure is now at an all-time high.
For Swayman, this season is not just about proving himself to the Bruins organization. It's about proving his worth to Team USA, with a coveted spot on the U.S. Olympic team for the 2026 Winter Games on the line. With elite goaltenders like Connor Hellebuyck and Jake Oettinger competing for the same spot, Swayman can't afford to falter early. Any struggles could push him out of the Olympic conversation entirely.
“That's always the hardest problem with being a goalie,” Hellebuyck explained at the U.S. Olympic orientation camp. “There are multiple guys but only one net.”
Indeed, Swayman knows that if he doesn't perform, others will take his spot. But the pressure doesn't end there. Without no-trade protection on his contract until next season, Bruins GM Don Sweeney may be forced to make a decision on Swayman’s future sooner than expected.
“We have an endless belief mindset,” Swayman said, trying to stay focused on the present. “We can’t predict what’s going to happen, but the thing is that we can control what we can control, right here, right now.”
However, with backup goalie Joonas Korpisalo hardly posing a challenge to Swayman’s role, it’s clear that the onus is squarely on the young goaltender. A slow start could easily sink the Bruins’ playoff aspirations and seal Swayman’s fate.
"This season is make or break for me. I've had my fair share of struggles, but I’m not backing down. The pressure is on, and I’m ready to prove that I belong at the top. It's time to take control of my career and show the world that I’m not just the goalie of the past—I’m the future of this team," Swayman declared, putting his focus on bouncing back and earning the trust of both his team and his fans.
With a season packed with both personal and team-related stakes, this is undeniably a boom-or-bust year for the young goalie. Will Swayman rise to the challenge, or will this be the season he gets lost in the shuffle?
One thing’s for sure: Swayman’s performance will be under the microscope all year long, and his every move will be scrutinized. The future of the Bruins—and his career—could very well be determined by how he handles the immense pressure.
