2025 Pre-Season NHL Fight Recap

The NHL Preseason is off and running, and the beloved Boston Bruins have played three games so far.

They’ve locked horns with the New York Rangers twice, and the Washington Capitals once. So far, they’ve lost to the Rangers twice and beaten the Capitals. There’s been two fights, both against the Rangers, and neither featuring New York’s heavyweight heir apparent, Matt Rempe.

Before we get to the fights, allowing me to put on my hockey operations/GM/scout hat for a moment.

Bowled Over By Prune Juice

I didn’t see the game against Washington, as it was Tuesday, and I was bowling. The old timers wanted to watch the final breath of the Red Sox season, and since I’m the youngest person there by decades, I defer to them. Can’t have them pouring their prune juice over my head. I heard Fabian Lysell was much better than he was in his first outing against the Rangers. I heard everyone was better, in general, and that’s good.

The bottom line with this club in the two games I’ve watched, is they need to sign Jeremy Swayman. Boston needs Marty McFly to show up with a time machine, take us back to the summer, sign Swayman, and THEN trade Linus Ullmark. I assumed when they dealt Ullmark, there was a plan in place to sign Swayman, and a deal was imminent. Evidently, that was wrong.

Fabian Lysell needs to be playing like he actually wants to make this team. There is a wing position available, and it should have his name all over it. He’s been their top prospect since Jesus was in shirt pants, and it really is time for him to make the big club or get dealt. Who cares about winning at the AHL level? They need him to make a leap.

Also, newly signed Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov can take off his Hal Gill costume anytime. I get it’s one preseason game, but good lord, at least try and pretend like you want to be there.

Onto the 2025 Pre-Season Fight Recap

On Sunday, September 22. Boston hosted the Rangers at home. It was kind of a chippy affair, especially for the first preseason game of the year. Bruins defenseman Parker Wotherspoon got run over, in kind of a dirty way by the Rangers’ Brennan Othmann. Wotherspoon left the ice but returned for the second period.

The Rangers were targeting him for some reason, and eventually, Wotherspoon reached his breaking point and dealt with the antagonist Brennan Othmann. It’s not much of a scrap, but I’ll score it a Wotherspoonwin. Good for him sticking up for himself.

The Bruins and Rangers played again on the 26^th of September. I was bummed not to see Matt Rempe in the lineup, especially since he didn’t play against the Bruins last week either.

The Bruins weren’t very good, with the exception of the play of one of their newest players, Mark Kastelic. He came over on the trade that sent Linus Ullmark to Ottawa, and it looks like he’s trying to make a case to stay.

After Kastelic scored a goal that made it close at the time, he put the body on Rangers defenseman Connor Mackey. Mac, as I assume he’s called, took exception, and asked Kastelic to fight. Kastelic obliged, and they grappled one another for a minute before they both fell down. I score it a win for Kastelic, because I think he’s the only one that actually threw a punch.

The Bruins are back at it tomorrow against the Flyers. I for one, would like to see some guys play with a little emotion. Make it look like they want to make themselves into a noteworthy team. The Flyers will be ready as coach John Tortorella runs camp like it’s a constant bag skate. I’m hoping Trent Frederic makes an appearance and is looking to stir the pot.