Bruins: Season Review
I predicted that the Boston Bruins would reach the Stanley Cup final in 2025. About that… Not only did the team not qualify for the post season but they quite literally had the season from hell. The team finished with a record of 33-39-10 which totals a mere 76 points. The lowest for the Bruins since the 2005-06 season that ultimately cost then GM Mike O’Connell his job. To say that Don Sweeney will be on the hot seat while entering the last year of his contract as GM is putting it mildly. Breaking down what all went wrong, what went right and just what the future may hold for the franchise and its fans.
The Bad – A Very Bad Start
An unfocused training camp, Jeremy Swayman’s much publicized contract negotiation, a coach with one foot out the door and an early season ending injury to number two defenseman Hampus Lindholm. Rough stuff for the Bruins out of the gate. So rough in fact that what was thought to be something the veteran core would be able to guide the team through became this team’s story. An underachieving group bound for the draft lottery. Jim Montgomery struggled to right the ship through November and after the bad start, GM Don Sweeney pulled the plug on the third-year coach. Replacing him was associate coach Joe Sacco on an interim basis. Montgomery took a whopping five days after the firing to sign in St. Louis as their new head coach. It was later made public by the Bruins that Montgomery had turned down multiple contract extension offers by the club. Judging by this and his general lack of urgency behind the Bruins bench early on it appears he got what he wanted in the end. Jeremy Swayman’s ugly contract negotiation set him back to the point where he never did recover after missing all of training camp. He had some strong moments during the winter but by the time he caught up, the Bruins were selling veterans at the deadline. Losing Hampus Lindholm who was arguably the team’s best player early on was crippling. He was eventually shut down in March for the remainder of the season. Free agent additions Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov struggled mightily in their debut seasons in Boston. Zadorov ended up leading the league in penalty minutes while Lindholm spent a lot of time on Boson’s third line. Not ideal when considering the price tag both players carry and will continue to carry for several years. Both players did finish strong however with Lindholm skating on the top line with David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie. The final blow was the season ending injury Charlie McAvoy suffered at the Four Nations tournament in February. After sustaining a shoulder injury versus Finland, McAvoy then developed a serious staph infection that required surgery and time in hospital. A scary situation in the end that ended the defenseman’s season prematurely.
The Good – Players Emerge
There’s always a silver lining. For all the problems the Bruins had in their 2024-25 season, there were some positive takeaways. After Sweeney deemed the season lost and with the prospect cupboards near bare, the GM swallowed hard and traded many key veterans in return for some much-needed youth and draft picks. As outlined in this very space in March, Sweeney did a great job in this department. After years of going all in, the Bruins are paying the piper. That Sweeney recognized this and executed trades with great returns is a positive for the franchise’s future. Casey Mittelstadt and Fraser Minton specifically bring some much-needed youth at the center position. Morgan Geekie had what can only be described as a breakout season. The versatile forward started off slowly and even found himself a healthy scratch under Montgomery. By seasons end the RFA to be had potted 33 goals and cemented himself as a linemate of David Pastrnak’s. Not a bad season at all for the 26-year-old. He will earn a long-term deal in Boston that should see him in the 5-6M range. Something Sweeney deemed a priority at last week’s season ending press conference. Speaking of Pastrnak. The star winger and likely next captain of the Bruins had a remarkable season. He finished in a tie for third place in points with Leon Draisaitl and emerged as the team’s leader after the deadline. Pasta never took a night off even after the Bruins were clearly out of contention and it was not lost on his teammates. Speaking to media on the team’s ‘break-up’ day, Charlie McAvoy said of Pastrnak; “He led by example. He led by being more vocal than he’s normally been. He did everything he could have possibly done to help this team and it was a joy to watch every night.” Odds are Pastrnak is the next captain of the Bruins however that will be up to him if he wants to accept the honor.
The Brass
Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs apologized to the fan base. He said that he feels their pain. That the seasons result is unacceptable and that he holds himself, Cam Neely and Don Sweeney accountable. He insists that the current management team will get the team back to competing in the Stanley Cup playoffs next season. That is a lot of hope from a man who just raised ticket prices for a second consecutive season. The season ending press conference came and went with mixed results. The brass took responsibility for the disappointing season but then were defensive with the media when asked about drafting and developing issues. They were also sensitive when asked about their job security in this results-oriented business. It was a tough look from a group that should understand that questions like this are fair game after a disastrous season. It’s status quo for the management department heading into the offseason and maybe Neely and Sweeney deserve a shot at righting the ship. However, if the team does not have a good summer or stumbles again next season, changes will need to be made. Finding the next, and what should be his final, coach for the Bruins must be high on Sweeney’s to do list. Names like John Tortorella, Peter Laviolette, Dan Bylsma and the newly available Mike Sullivan are likely on the Bruins long list of candidates. College star David Carle has yet to make the jump to the NHL but the general belief is he is likely headed back to Denver. Internal candidates include associate coach Jay Leach, current interim coach Joe Sacco and Providence bench boss Ryan Mougenel.
The Lookahead
Draft and Free Agency. The Bruins need to hit on both. Currently they are slotted to select 5th overall in the 2025 entry draft. The lottery and its ping pong balls can change that slot for better or worse. Winning the lottery would be a big help in their retool plans but slotting down to 7th could rob them of the top 5 pick they rightfully deserve. The Bruins should land a very good player regardless and will likely stick to the best player available model. The organizations biggest need however is a top 6 centreman. They will have options but for this humble writer, Caleb Desnoyers fits the bill. His well-rounded game would be a crucial add for the Bruins. James Hagens, Anton Frondell and of course Michael Misa would all fit well in black and gold too. The Bruins must hope they remain in the top 5 after the lottery to secure one of these players.
Free agency has never been something Sweeney has shied away from, and I expect that to be no different this year. With Geekie and Mason Lohrei needing new deals, Sweeney will have close to 20 million to acquire some assets on July 1st. The class is light on centremen however so the thought here is the focus will be on scoring wingers. Mitch Marner, the obvious star of free agency, may not make it to Canada’s birthday before potentially re-signing in Toronto. Brock Boeser and Nikolaj Ehlers are other, lower tier, options the GM may look at. The Bruins need scoring help and these names would certainly help. A mistake Sweeney cannot find himself in is resorting to lesser players if they are unable to land any of the top offensive producers. Filling up cap space with mid-tier players would not serve the team well in the long term.
The Prediction
I’m going to try this again. Looking back on this season I don’t think anyone could have predicted so much going so wrong. In the end though it may be what this franchise needs. A push to let go of one era to start what will be the next era in Boston Bruins hockey. I think the Bruins have good capital for the next three drafts and they will indeed use those picks to select players rather than trade for immediate help. You can’t be successful without drafting and developing. It’s the way good teams get good. Boston has a strong foundation of current stars in Pastrnak, McAvoy and Swayman. They need help, however. Sweeney will use every avenue available and with better health this team will be back in the mix next season. With the priority needing to be focused on the team’s long-term success, making the playoffs next season may not be realistic. For Bruins fans it may just be worth the wait.
G-Rant @TheRealG_Rant/Grant Cumming. Bruins fan. Bigger dreams, bigger screens, bigger feelings are planned.
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