Patrick WilliamsTheAHL.com Features Writer
It might be a foolish thing to jump to too many conclusions early in the AHL season.
But one preseason expectation certainly rings true for the Providence Bruins: They can score.
Providence opened the season with 19 goals and is off to a 4-0 start for the first time since 2007-08, when they led the league with 55 wins and 117 points. A strong power play resulted in six hits in the first 16 chances.
These Bruins have a nose for the net. They also have a keen eye for NHL opportunities.
It helps when you can acquire the AHL’s top two goal scorers in free agency like the Boston Bruins did this summer. Matthij Blumel Lead the Texas Stars to a dominant season in 2024-25, leading the AHL with 39 goals, tied for second with 72 points, and helping the team reach the Western Conference Finals. Alex Steves Scored 36 goals on behalf of the Toronto Marlies and participated in the AHL All-Star Classic for the second consecutive time. Both players are just 25 years old and both emerged in Boston’s training camp before being assigned to Providence.
Sure enough, Brummell and Steeves each scored six points in four games. On the front, they added things like Georgy Merkulov, Fabian Lesser, Matthew Poitras, Riley Tuft,rookie Danse Rockmelis and captain Patrick Brown Help shape head coach Ryan MognellA strong lineup.
There’s a puck mover on the back end Victor Soderströma former first-round draft pick, returns to North America after one year in the Swedish Hockey League. Like many of his teammates, Providence represented another powerhouse in the NHL for Soderstrom, who played 53 games in four years with the Arizona Coyotes. In June, his rights were acquired by Boston and he signed a one-year contract. What is returned between pipes is Michael DiPietroA year ago, he won the Buzz Bastian Award as the AHL’s outstanding goaltender.
Boston has been a top contender for much of the past two decades, but finished last season in the NHL Eastern Conference. Bruins’ foundational players are gone, GM Don Sweeney Its mission is to oversee the organization’s transition into the next era.
Standout AHL players see an organization going through a transformation like Boston’s as an opportunity. Brummell and Steves signed with Boston on the first day of free agency, as did the guards Jonathan Aspiro. That same day, Tuft returned to action for another season. Brown played 15 games for Boston in the 2024-25 season and had agreed to a one-year extension last May.
Opportunity beckons, and while they may not make the roster for the big club’s opener, an NHL call-up isn’t far off. With Boston’s roster in flux, this is a much-needed situation.
Still, the flashy points total only goes so far. NHL teams need reliable third zone players. That’s a key part of the task assigned to Mugnell, who is about to begin his fifth season leading the Boston affiliate. With so much talent on hand, it’s a good balance. He has to allow a team to make plays away from the puck without sacrificing offensive creativity.
“Guys are hungry to finish and make plays,” Mugginer said after Friday night’s 5-3 win over Bridgeport. “Playing the right way, that’s really important, you’re going to get opportunities. When you get the opportunity to play, play.
“[Brown] Holding everybody accountable, not just the way he plays but what he says, I think he’s a great role model for our younger players. “
Mugnell will have more practice time to firmly put these systems, concepts and details in place. This Friday’s home game against Springfield, Sunday’s home game against Bridgeport and next week’s trip to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton will cap off Providence’s October schedule.
NHL teams want those reliable players, but they also look for winners. A good start is important. They can get players to the NHL and they can help teams win. Everyone in the AHL expects Providence to be a playoff team. This is a team that hasn’t missed the playoffs since 2012. But it’s also a team that can be in the Calder Cup playoffs for the long haul. There are AHL graduates throughout the hockey world who perform well in the playoffs and become a last-ditch effort to make it to the NHL. The P-Bruins have won just one playoff series since 2017 and haven’t been to the Finals since their championship season in 1999.
Gaining postseason experience in April, May and June depends on building a solid foundation in the fall. Teaching is always a top priority in the AHL, especially in October and November. Mugnall, the rest of the Providence coaching staff and leaders like Brown will be especially important in the fall months. It’s also very enjoyable.
“They’re fun to watch,” Mugnell said. “They’re a fun coaching staff.”
About two decades in the American Hockey League, TheAHL.com feature writer Patrick Williams also currently covers the league for NHL.com and FloSports and is a regular contributor to SiriusXM NHL Network Radio. In 2016, he received the AHL’s James H. Ellery Memorial Award for outstanding coverage of the league.
