One of the biggest storylines for the Boston Bruins in 2023-24 is how Charlie Coyle and Pavel Zacha will step in as the team's top two centers following the retirements of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci.

Locked on Boston Bruins host Ian McLaren takes a look around the Eastern Conference and argues there's maybe a handful of teams with less inviable center depth than the Bruins, with the Buffalo Sabres, Florida Panthers, and New Jersey Devils boasting the strongest groups.

Thankfully, the Bruins are very strong elsewhere, and Don Sweeney remains on the hunt for a top line option.

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Pierre-Luc Dubois isn't going to sign an extension with the Winnipeg Jets, and could be a candidate to fill the top-line center role with the Boston Bruins.

Ideally, Dubois plays a season or two with Patrice Bergeron still around to learn from one of the game's all-time centers.

But, can the Bruins pull off a trade for Dubois? And do they have the cap space to sign him?

Huge questions that could be moot if Dubois is intent on playing for the Montreal Canadiens, but Ian McLaren offers some ideas on how it could happen.

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Coming off double hip surgery, Brad Marchand had a down regular season in terms of goals and points per game.

In the playoffs, though, he stepped up huge, leading the team in scoring and emerging as a bona fide option for next captain of the Boston Bruins.

Marchand will turn 35 this week, but should be a core member for a couple more seasons at least ... right?

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Boston Bruins face early adversity as Charlie McAvoy receives a six-game suspension to start next season. How will Boston’s blue line adjust without their All-Star defenseman, and could McAvoy’s absence sway the captaincy debate toward David Pastrnak? Ian McLaren examines the incident with Zach Benson, discusses its broader implications for the Bruins’ lineup, and questions if a slow start could derail Boston’s playoff ambitions.

The episode spotlights Pavel Zacha’s breakout year, analyzing his top-line performance and speculating on a major contract extension following Charlie Coyle’s $36 million deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets. McLaren debates Zacha’s postseason struggles, upcoming negotiations, and how recent moves may signal a shift in the Bruins’ core identity. With trade rumors swirling around Casey Mittelstadt and Victor Arvidsson, is Boston poised for further bold decisions as the offseason approaches?

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Boston Bruins eye blockbuster move for Vancouver Canucks star Elias Pettersson amid urgent need for a true number one center. Could a new Vancouver GM with Bruins ties make this dream trade a reality? Ian McLaren explores how Evan Gold’s potential hire in Vancouver might facilitate a high-stakes deal, discussing cap challenges, possible trade packages involving Matt Poitras and Fabian Lysell, and the Canucks’ desire for young talent in return.

Analysis also spotlights Elias Lindholm’s frustrating, injury-plagued season, his long-term contract constraints, and whether he can reclaim top-six production. With Lindholm’s struggles and Boston’s cap space at a premium, the focus shifts to key offseason decisions, including keeping core assets and the feasibility of acquiring a dynamic playmaker like Pettersson. Will the Bruins pull the trigger to solidify their contender status?

Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

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