After a crushing 2024-25 season that saw the Boston Bruins tied for last place in the Eastern Conference alongside the Philadelphia Flyers, the team and general manager Don Sweeney are staring down a critical offseason. The unthinkable happened when the Bruins missed the playoffs and made major moves at the trade deadline, dealing away key players and reshaping the roster. It was a tough pill for both the players in the locker room and the loyal fanbase to swallow.
Earlier this week, the Bruins received the seventh overall pick in the NHL Draft Lottery for next month’s draft. This marks an important moment as the team prepares for a busy summer that includes free agency, potential trades, and a slew of decisions that could drastically impact the future of the franchise. Despite the rocky season, there is no indication that the front office plans to tear down the roster and rebuild from scratch. Instead, Sweeney and the Bruins are looking to retool with under-the-radar moves aimed at improving the team for a quicker return to contention.
Extend Morgan Geekie
One of the most obvious moves for Sweeney and the Bruins is to extend Morgan Geekie, who emerged as a breakout star this season. No one could have predicted that Geekie would have a career year with 32 goals, far surpassing his previous best of 17 goals from his first season in Boston. His contract, which was signed two summers ago, carried an average annual value (AAV) of just $2 million last season — a complete bargain for the Bruins given his production.
As the season wound down, Geekie, along with Elias Lindholm and David Pastrnak, formed one of the Bruins’ most productive lines under interim coach Joe Sacco. It was clear that Geekie had found chemistry with his new linemates and was an integral part of the offense. Geekie has expressed his desire to remain in Boston, and Sweeney has made it known that he plans to bring the forward back next season. Now, it’s just a matter of getting a deal done to lock him up long term.
Trade Joonas Korpisalo
Perhaps one of the more controversial moves the Bruins may need to make is trading goalie Joonas Korpisalo. Acquired as part of the trade that sent Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators last year, Korpisalo was brought in to be a backup to Jeremy Swayman. While his play this season was better than his previous year in Ottawa, it still wasn’t enough to solidify his place on the roster moving forward.
Korpisalo’s comments in April following a loss to the Buffalo Sabres raised eyebrows, and after the season, he doubled down, publicly criticizing the coaching staff and organization for his lack of playing time. His agent reportedly told the front office that they either need to play Korpisalo more next season or trade him. Considering that Swayman is already firmly entrenched as the Bruins’ number-one goalie, and the team is paying an AAV of $8.25 million to a backup, the smart move might be to deal Korpisalo away and free up cap space. Replacing him with a cheaper option like Michael DiPietro or Brandon Bussi could give the team the breathing room they need.
Acquire a Top Center or Wing
This is perhaps the most pressing need for the Bruins as they look to retool for next season. Despite some solid play from the roster, it’s clear that a top-six center or wing is a major priority for Sweeney. If he were to choose between the two, the need for a top-six center stands out. Elias Lindholm, while an excellent player, isn’t the type of center you can rely on for a full 82-game season. The Bruins need someone who can step up and provide more consistent offensive production throughout a long season.
Additionally, the Bruins need a goal-scoring wing to replace the production lost last summer when Jake DeBrusk signed with the Vancouver Canucks. The team saw what happens when they don’t have enough firepower around their stars like Pastrnak and Geekie. If the Bruins are to compete next season, filling that gap with a reliable top-six forward should be one of their main priorities.
Finding the Right Pieces
There are two primary ways the Bruins can address these needs — via trade or free agency. Several potential targets could be available through either route, but Sweeney must be strategic. Adding a top center or winger will help balance the roster and make the team more dangerous. With the current roster makeup, Pastrnak and Geekie can only carry the team for so long. Will the Bruins be able to rely on another 30-goal season from Geekie? The odds of that happening seem slim, so the need for another established forward becomes even clearer.
The Bruins’ ability to make these moves will determine whether they can quickly bounce back from this year’s disappointment or whether they’ll face another struggle to stay competitive. If Sweeney can secure the right players in the offseason, the Bruins could find themselves back in the playoff race next year.
Offseason Work is Key
This offseason represents a massive opportunity for the Bruins to correct the course and ensure they don’t waste the prime years of their star players like Pastrnak. By making the right moves, Sweeney can retool the roster without going through a full rebuild, giving the team a fresh chance to compete in the ever-competitive Eastern Conference.
With the NHL Draft, free agency, and potential trades looming, there is no shortage of potential moves that could shape the future of the franchise. But if the Bruins are to bounce back quickly, they must make strategic decisions on all fronts. The right extensions, trades, and acquisitions can turn the page and set them up for success once again.
The next few months will be crucial for the Boston Bruins. As they look to rebuild their roster and bolster their chances of contention, all eyes will be on Sweeney and the front office. They may not have much time to waste, but with the right moves, the Bruins could quickly find themselves back on track for a much brighter future.