Brandon Bussi, making a save against Springfield in the preseason, is coming off a rookie year in which he went 22-5-4-1 with a .924 save percentage. (Photo courtesy of Providence Bruins)

Get your popcorn ready. The puck drops on the Providence Bruins’ 32^nd season on Friday night and all indications are that it will be an entertaining one.

The P-Bruins have finished first in the Atlantic Division in three of the last four seasons. They start 2023-24 with a deep, fast, well-balanced team that figures to once again contend for the top of the division.

“We have depth in every position, which is going to be really important as the (Boston) Bruins work through some things,” said coach Ryan Mougenel, who went 80-43-13-8 in his first two seasons as head coach.

“Every line kind of has an identify, which is important. One of our real attributes is going to be our speed. I think we’re going to be real fast. And we’ve got a great blend of second-year guys that are going to take a huge step.”

Evan Gold, Providence’s general manager and Boston’s assistant GM, is excited about the team’s potential.

“We’re deep at all three positions. We like the makeup of the group. Hopefully we can maybe match up against other teams where the depth of our group and coming in waves and everyone playing our system to a T can wear down teams down.”

Here’s how the team looks.

FORWARDS

Providence has promising prospects up front in second-year pros Georgii Merkulov – second in scoring among AHL rookies last season — Luke Toporowski, Fabian Lysell and Marc McLaughlin.

Justin Brazeau, coming off his best year as a pro, is back, too, as is Oskar Steen, who had a good camp with Boston.

Veterans Anthony Richard, a 30-goal scorer for Laval last season, and Jayson Megna are free-agent additions who will be counted on to play important roles.

Jesper Boqvist starts the year in Providence after spending the last two seasons in the NHL with New Jersey.

Rookies Trevor Kuntar and John Farinacci have shown promise in the preseason. Farinacci scored a highlight-reel overtime goal against Springfield last week. Brett Harrison is another first-year player who will be in the mix.

Second-year winger Joey Abate will bring energy and get under the skin of opponents.

Veteran Vincent Arseneau, acquired from Vancouver, is an under-the-radar useful addition. He’ll keep the flies off the skill players and the youngsters.

“He understands his role. He’s also been in the league a long time and he’s improved as a player. We aren’t going to bring a guy in who can only do one thing,” said Gold.

“What impressed us is his understanding of when it’s important to be there for his teammates and also when it’s important – and you saw it in the exhibition game the other night – to just play the game. He has a good understanding of that.

“Off the ice, too, we’ve already seen that he takes opportunities to give some advice to the kids in terms of when to put in some extra work, and things like that. Even when he’s not in the lineup, I think his value to the organization will be there.”

Rounding out the roster are Curtis Hall and Adam Mechura.

“Hopefully we can generate a little more consistent offense this year, that’s through some of the young kids, too, as well as some of the vets,” said Gold.

DEFENSE

The P-Bruins have a nice combination of youth and experience as well as size on their D corps to start the season.

Mason Lohrei, Boston’s top defense prospect, starts the season in the AHL after a good camp with Boston.

Veterans Dan Renouf and new additions Alec Regula and Parker Wotherspoon will be counted on for steady minutes.

Mike Callahan looks to build on a solid rookie year and Reilly Walsh figures to continue to be a point-producer.

Looking to work his way back up to the NHL, Jakub Zboril starts the season in Providence.

Rookies Frederic Brunet and Ryan Mast round out the group.

GOAL

The net should be a strong suit.

Brandon Bussi, a revelation as a rookie last season, returns for his second year. He was an AHL Second Team All Star in ‘22-23.

Kyle Keyser and Michael DiPietro will compete for the backup job.

PREDICTION

You never really know what you’re going to get in the AHL regular season, which is a six-and-a-half-month battle of attrition. With callups and injuries, the roster you start with might not be what you finish with when April rolls around.

Having said that, there’s lots to like with this edition of the P-Bruins.

“I love our compete. I love our blend of vets and our youth,” said Mougenel.

While defending Calder Cup champ Hershey figures to be strong as usual, look for Providence to be right there with them in the hunt for first place in the Atlantic Division.