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The Boston Bruins are in an unfamiliar position. They have downgraded from a team that made the playoffs eight years straight to the NHL’s fifth-worst club. They no longer have anyone from their 2011 Stanley Cup roster after trading Brad Marchand to the Florida Panthers in March and are searching for a full-time coach.
Advertisement Which direction Boston goes in is unknown. One thing is clear, the Bruins have work to do. What will that involve? Who will be leading that charge? We compiled more than 750 responses in our annual end-of-season survey to see what comes next for the organization.
!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.
querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.
source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.
height=d}}}))}(); President Cam Neely and general manager Don Sweeney have convinced CEO Charlie Jacobs that the Bruins will be back in the postseason next season. They have pointed to the core of stars, a return to health and an expanse of mechanisms to populate the roster as reasons for their optimism. All of this has not produced full-on acceptance.
The Bruins have multiple deficiencies to address this offseason. Perhaps too many to convince fans to make TD Garden plans for next spring. !function(){"use strict";window.
addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.
data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.
data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}(); The Neely-Sweeney partnership has endured for parts of five decades, dating back to when they wore Nos.
8 and 32 on the ice, respectively. Once Sweeney replaced Peter Chiarelli in 2015, he oversaw a turnaround that got the Bruins back into the playoffs in 2017. Two years later, the Bruins fell one win short of the Cup.
In 2022-23, Neely and Sweeney were at the forefront of a 65-win club. Their accomplishments are numerous. But the Bruins are rebuilding for the future now.
Not everybody believes Neely and Sweeney can execute another revival. !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.
data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.
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style.height=d}}}))}(); A clear majority sees 2025-26 as Sweeney’s final season as GM. If that becomes the case, Sweeney would have one Cup Final appearance on his resume.
It would then be up to Neely to determine whether assistant GM Evan Gold deserves a promotion, or if outside help would be required. !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.
data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.
contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.
style.height=d}}}))}(); Prices everywhere are rising, Jacobs noted in the team’s end-of-year press conference. But a 4 percent increase following a 33-win season is not pleasing ticket holders.
Customers expect performance and entertainment for their investment. !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.
data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.
contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.
style.height=d}}}))}(); Jeremy Swayman set the bar high in the 2024 playoffs. He was the Bruins’ best player against the Toronto Maple Leafs and Panthers.
When the Bruins traded Linus Ullmark, it cleared the table for Swayman to be the full-time ace. He cashed in too, scoring an eight-year, $66 million contract after missing all of training camp. It would have been one thing to parachute in at the start of the regular season had Swayman played up to his contract.
He did not. The Bruins are hopeful it is a one-year aberration. !function(){"use strict";window.
addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.
data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.
data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}(); Marchand did not want to be traded.
The Bruins did not want to move their captain. But when they could not agree on an extension, management targeted futures as a preferred alternative to letting Marchand walk and traded who they believed would be a lifelong Bruin. The return was underwhelming: a conditional 2027 second-rounder.
The solace is that the pick is on track to become a first-rounder. The Panthers, up on the Tampa Bay Lightning, must win two rounds in the playoffs and Marchand has to appear in at least half of their postseason games. If both conditions are met, it will become a first-rounder in 2027 or 2028.
!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.
querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.
source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.
height=d}}}))}(); This survey was posted before Mike Sullivan became available, so he may now be the fan favorite. Carle, the hotshot University of Denver coach, makes sense as a top target, though. He has won two NCAA championships, led Team USA to consecutive gold medals at the World Juniors and served as Jim Montgomery’s assistant.
Carle has never coached in the NHL, but his history says he is positioned for success. !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.
data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.
contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.
style.height=d}}}))}(); Having a captain is important. When Zdeno Chara left in 2020, Boston did not waste any time giving the “C” to Patrice Bergeron for 2020-21.
Then when Bergeron retired in 2023, the Bruins gave Marchand the captaincy to begin 2023-24. Fans would like to see the next in line ascend. !function(){"use strict";window.
addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.
data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.
data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}(); David Pastrnak was the lone alternate captain after the Bruins made their deadline moves.
It was not easy. On March 26, after Boston’s seventh straight loss, Pastrnak called the slide and the deadline selloff the hardest thing he’d gone through in his career. But Pastrnak held his head high and kept his spirits up to see out the season.
His upbeat personality and superstar presence make him easy to follow. !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.
data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.
contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.
style.height=d}}}))}(); If Boston lands the No. 5 pick, it could gain plenty of interest on the trade market.
The Bruins could trade down and receive multiple selections later in the first round. But given how few high-end prospects they have in their pool, standing pat and making the pick is the smartest move. !function(){"use strict";window.
addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.
data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.
data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}(); Elias Lindholm, Pavel Zacha, Casey Mittelstadt and Mark Kastelic could be the Game 1 centers.
It is not a scary foursome. There are no high-impact play drivers in this group. Other candidates such as Matt Poitras and Fraser Minten are unknowns.
The trouble is how difficult and expensive it is to acquire centers. The cost may be why Sweeney is emphasizing help on the wing this offseason. !function(){"use strict";window.
addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.
data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.
data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}(); It’s a close call between Lindholm and Mittelstadt.
The former finished the season well as the No. 1 center with Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie. It may be his landing spot to start next season.
But trading Lindholm and most likely retaining part of his salary would give the Bruins additional cash to upgrade at other positions. Advertisement Mittelstadt, acquired in the Charlie Coyle trade, did not do much to impress. He has top-two skill but is light on the puck and inconsistent in defensive coverage.
He’s 26, closer to a fully formed NHLer than a product under construction. He is under contract for two more seasons at $5.75 million annually.
!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.
querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.
source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.
height=d}}}))}(); It remains to be seen what kind of interest Marchand will have on July 1. A rebuilding team might see value in giving Marchand a multi-year contract to set the standard for younger players. It would be harder for a contender to give Marchand the term and salary he might want.
But regardless of how the market forms for Marchand, it’s quite unlikely there’s a path to a reunion if the difference was so significant at the deadline. !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.
data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.
contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.
style.height=d}}}))}(); Geekie picked a good time to have a breakout season with his two-year, $4 million contract expiring. Even if a 33-goal output is subject to regression, Geekie, reinforced with arbitration rights, is in a good spot to more than double his previous average annual value.
It should be a good investment for the Bruins. !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.
data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.
contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.
style.height=d}}}))}(); Swayman is currently the fourth-highest-paid active goalie, tied with Ilya Sorokin. It is likely he will play less in 2025-26, given that Sweeney has made it clear he wants more competition between Swayman and Joonas Korpisalo.
Swayman is due to bounce back from an .892 save percentage, but fans do not believe significant improvement is ahead. (Photo: Richard T.
Gagnon / Getty Images).
