The 2024-25 NHL season has ended. The (same) champions have been crowned. The awards have been handed out. A new CBA has been approved. The draft and free agency have both come and gone. For the Boston Bruins and the other thirty-one clubs, it’s the summertime. Weddings, golf and time away are all at hand for players, coaches and executives. Hey, let’s not forget about the incredible training staffs out there too. After a very busy season for hockey, it’s time to take a break.
Prior to this however, the Bruins had a busy five days from June 27th to July 1st. Here’s a look at what Boston did at the draft and on the opening day of free agency.
2025 NHL Entry Draft
The Bruins sold at the deadline this year after a well-documented season that saw them finish the season in the bottom five. With the draft lottery handing them yet another loss however, they found themselves selecting 7th overall. It’s not all doom and gloom though. Luck would find itself on the Bruins side with Boston College’s James Hagens somehow falling to them. Ranked third overall by central scouting (NA skaters), Hagens was thought to be a top five pick. He actually spent the past two seasons as the perceived top ranked prospect in the draft. A good but not great season for the Eagles on a stacked team this year hurt him in the end. The Bruins, starved for a top prospect at the center position, are ecstatic with the good fortune. Their fans certainly should be too. Ultimately, Boston went with upside above anything else at this year’s draft. An approach that should have been executed years ago in fact. It’s better late than never and to me this was a very good draft for Sweeney and company.
James Hagens, Centre, first round, 7th Overall
The exact prospect the Bruins needed. Hagens projects as a top two center in the NHL. He should return to BC next season as there’s no need to rush him with the team retooling. His talent leapt off the ice at the Bruins development camp last week. It’s been a very long time since I cheered loudly for a Bruins draft selection, but this guy made me do it!
William Moore, Forward, Second Round, 51st Overall
Projected to be selected late in the first round, Will Moore at 51 for Boston is great value. Moore appeared in 64 games for the U.S. U18 National Team of the National Team Development Program during the 2024-25 season, recording 27 goals and 32 assists for 59 points. He projects to be a middle six forward with center being his current position. He too is off to Boston College in the fall.
Liam Pettersson, Defenseman, Second Round, 61st Overall
This pick has PJ Axelsson written all over it. The Bruins Swedish scout clearly see’s potential with the defenseman out of the Växjö Lakers HC of the Swedish J20 National League. A project pick undoubtedly, I like the upside here.
Cooper Simpson, Forward, Third Round, 79th Overall
Simpson appeared in 31 games with Shakopee High School during the 2024-25 season. He led Minnesota high school skaters in goals and ranked fourth in scoring, recording 49 goals and 34 assists for 83 points. He also played in nine games with the Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League (USHL) in 2024-25, tallying seven goals and one assists for eight points. Love this pick.
Vashek Blanar, Defenseman, Fourth Round, 100th Overall
This kid was off the map almost completely and is clearly a swing for the fences pick. His raw tools give hope for offense on the blueline. He skated in 38 games with IF Troja-Ljungby of the Swedish J18 Region League during the 2024-25 season, recording six goals and 15 assists. He garnered attention at development camp for his offensive skills.
Cole Chandler, Forward, Fifth Round, 133rd Overall
Chandler, skated in 64 games with the Shawinigan Cataractes of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) during the 2024-25 season, recording 13 goals and 19 assists for 32 points. Loves to shoot the puck. Great, Boston needs that.
Kirill Yemelyanov, Forward, Sixth Round, 165th Overall
Yemelyanov, 18, skated in 35 games with Loko Yaroslavl of the Russian Molodyozhnaya Hokkeinaya Liga (MHL) during the 2024-25 season, recording 13 goals and 10 assists for 23 points. Bruins with another offensive forward addition here.
2025 Free Agency
There are mixed feelings here after such a strong draft by the Bruins brass. In the end, Boston will have to get back on track as a team season by season. New uniforms, new coach, new top prospect. Free agency was not going to be the most important aspect of their offseason.
Tanner Jeannot 3.4M/5Yrs
Overpay, no way around it. For as much as I like Jeannot’s game, he has declined over three straight seasons now. The often injured fourth line fighter not only scored a 3.4M deal in Boston but he landed a five-year term to boot. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman confirmed that ten teams were in on the scrappy forward, thus driving up the price. Good for the player but rather unnecessary for the retooling Bruins it feels. His money won’t cripple the Bruins now or in the future, however.
Viktor Arvidsson 4M/1Yr
Acquired via trade not free agency but it was on July 1st so he makes the list. A good add for the goal scoring starved Bruins as he comes at the cost of a late round draft pick next summer. His offensive awareness should at least help Boston on the PP. A candidate to be moved for future assets at next year’s trade deadline.
Sean Kuraly 1.85M/2Yrs
Welcome back Kuraly. I’m on board with this as the Bruins sorely missed leadership last year after the departures of many of their old guard. Low dollars and term. A nice add to the fourth line. Penalty killing gets a high motor with knowledge of the Bruins organization.
Michael Eyssimont 1.45M/2Yrs
A real ‘Pain in the ass’ according to Don Sweeney. He will fight for time on the big club but could also start the year in Providence given the Bruins depth in the bottom six. Feels like the 13th forward to me with games against Florida being his calling.
Matej Blumel 850K/1YR
Led the AHL in goal scoring and finished second in league points in 2025. Comes to the Bruins on a one-way deal. Intriguing low risk add by Sweeney. Expectations should be low, however. Could be a steal on the flip side. New assistant coach Steve Shutt would know him well from their days in Dallas.
Depth Signings
Alex Steeves, Jordan Harris, Jonathan Aspirot
Boston added depth and leadership in a thin FA market in the end. Marner, Ehlers nor Boeser were going to sign with the Bruins, so they took the alternate route. Adding to the overall organizational depth of the franchise. Low-cost deals keep their options open for next seasons free agency too. The Jeannot deal is a head scratcher but isn’t something that will hurt them. In conclusion, I like their draft much more than their free agency! The Bruins are likely a couple years away from truly contending so patience will be required. The key is that management has made the right decision moving forward in terms of long-term success. A win!
Thanks for reading this season! Thank you to Even and Pawel for having me cover the Bruins all year. It’s been a pleasure. Have a great summer and see you in the fall!
G-Rant @TheRealG_Rant/Grant Cumming. Bruins fan. Bigger dreams, bigger screens, bigger feelings are planned.
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