Cam Neely Believes Bruins Are Stanley Cup Contenders

BOSTON -- The Bruins are nine days away from the start of the 2024-25 NHL season, and with the roster nearly set, president Cam Neely considers the Black and Gold to be legitimate Stanley Cup contenders -- especially with the offseason additions of Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov.

"Elias, his 200-foot game is remarkable. I don't want to put him at the Patrice (Bergeron) category, but he's Patrice-like," Neely said at the Bruins media day press conference. "And Zadorov, a big back end like that, it just solidifies our back end. Our back end is big, and they got some beef to them, which I think bodes well in the playoffs. You got the get to the playoffs, but I think we're built a little bit stronger for the playoffs."

Boston has been an outstanding regular-season team, only missing the playoffs twice in the last 15 years. Neely believes if the team is healthy, there is no reason the Bruins can't contend for the franchise's seventh Stanley Cup title.

"I think if we get everybody in camp and everybody healthy, we're a Cup contender," he said. "There's no question. I strongly believe that. I think our players believe that. I know our coaching staff believes that. It's just a matter of are we going to.

"... I think we're going to defend extremely well. Are we going to get the offense we'd like? That remains to be seen. We know who can produce. We just will still need some guys to step up offensively. ... I feel like we're a strong contender if we've got our full lineup."

Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery guided the team to its historic 65-win campaign two seasons ago and to its first playoff series win in three seasons. He echoed Neely's sentiments about the team's ability to go deep in the postseason, especially with the offseason additions.

"What I like about our grouping this year, I think we have two lines that are going to be able to play 200 feet," Montgomery said. "We're going to have two lines who are going to be able to be heavy 200 feet. And I think that bodes well, as Cam has referenced, into playoff success.

"I think it's a check box on all three of those. I look forward to the opportunity in the playoffs, no matter who we play, because we've got to get there first. But, if it happens to be Florida, I like our group and where we're going to grow throughout the year to the success that we could have in the playoffs."