On Thursday, while 14 NHL teams prepared for regular-season finales, the Boston Bruins conducted exit interviews. It is a good thing they got a head start on the offseason.
There is a lot of work for president Cam Neely and general manager Don Sweeney to oversee.
Only five forwards and four defensemen are under contract for 2025-26. They have an interim coach. The amateur scouting staff has to gather intelligence on what could be a top-five draft pick.
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Here’s what has to be done:
1. Identify the leadership group
David Pastrnak served as the lone alternate captain after the Bruins traded Brad Marchand (C), Brandon Carlo (A) and Charlie Coyle (A). Charlie McAvoy (A) didn’t play after injuring the AC joint in his right shoulder. Pastrnak did his job well, being the Bruins’ best player and speaking regularly in the room.
“He kind of just took control of the room,” Morgan Geekie said. “When you lose the caliber and the established guys that we did at the deadline, it’s never easy for anybody to grab the bull by the horns. But it’s exactly what he did. With Charlie out and Hampus (Lindholm) out, we felt a little depleted. He brought everybody back. You saw the way he performed after that. Kind of dragged us all along with him.”
After Jan. 1, Pastrnak led the NHL with 69 points.
“I thought David was the best player in the NHL down the stretch,” McAvoy said. “I don’t think I’m stepping out of line by saying that. He was incredible. He led by example. He led by being, from what I’ve gathered, more vocal than he’s normally been. He did everything he could have possibly done to help this team. He did it. It’s been a joy to watch every night.”
It remains to be seen, however, whether Pastrnak is ready and willing to be Marchand’s full-time replacement. He is satisfied being an alternate.
It’s possible the Bruins begin 2025-26 with three assistants: Pastrnak, McAvoy and Lindholm. They are scheduled to meet with management next week to discuss the path ahead. They will be important to set the offseason tone and welcome new players.
2. Hire a full-time coach
Joe Sacco has been a loyal Bruins employee since 2014. The current interim coach and former assistant will be in the mix for the full-time position. He is a straightforward, level-headed, no-nonsense coach.
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“They know who you are,” Sacco said of the players. “You’re not going to change who you are. You have to change some things about how you talk to players and handle different situations. But you have to be true to yourself.”
Sacco has not been informed about how the search will unfold. It’s possible that as the franchise undergoes transition, a younger coach will be seen as better aligned with the team’s growth.
3. Nail the first-round pick
The Bruins are short of prospects at every position. So whether they are lucky enough to draft defenseman Matthew Schaefer at No. 1 or center Anton Frondell a few slots later, they have to get this one right.
In 2010, they took Tyler Seguin at No. 2. A year later, they drafted Dougie Hamilton at No. 9. Both were bounties of the Phil Kessel trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs. They traded both.
This time, they need a keeper.
4. Hit on the second-round picks, too
The Bruins have had only two second-rounders in the past five drafts. In 2020, they selected Mason Lohrei. In 2022, they took Matt Poitras. Lohrei scored 33 points in 2024-25. Poitras has 40 points in 39 AHL games as he looks to make a permanent NHL breakthrough next season.
The Bruins have two second-rounders, courtesy of the Coyle and Trent Frederic trades. These could become NHLers in several years.
5. Spend in free agency
The Bruins cannot rely on prospects to fill out their roster. They are short on veterans.
So on July 1, Sweeney will have the green light to go shopping, albeit shrewdly. They do not need a repeat of 2024, when they committed $84.25 million to Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov.
“Why would they not want to come here?” Zadorov asked of prospective free agents. “It’s an Original Six team. It’s a great city to play in. We have one of the best players in the world. We have one of the best goalies in the world. Two really good D-men who were out pretty much the whole year. We have all the pieces for the future. We just need to add it up. We have the breakout player of the year, probably. Great organization. Great management. Great leadership up top. We have a great president. Great general manager. They’re willing to do anything to win. That was a clear message today. It’s going to be exciting. It’s going to be an exciting summer.”
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Mitch Marner will be the No. 1 prize if he does not re-sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Bruins could use a second-line right wing behind Pastrnak. Marner could become the NHL’s highest-paid player.
6. Re-sign Morgan Geekie
The No. 1 left wing exploded for 33 goals. He buried 22 percent of his shots, well above his previous best of 13.1 percent.
The trick for Geekie and the Bruins will be to agree on how 2024-25 signals his years to come: an exception or a baseline.
“I’m sure people thought it was a fluke, maybe,” the 26-year-old said. “I know my shooting percentage was higher than normal. I think that’s more of a high-quality shot thing. I think I have the asset to shoot the puck as well as I do.”
Even if Geekie does not continue on his current goal-scoring rate, he has backup parts to his game. He is physical. He can play left wing, center and right wing. He is a low-maintenance player. Geekie should be a long-term piece of the Bruins’ complementary core.
Morgan Geekie had a breakout season in 2024-25. What’s next? (Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
7. Re-sign Mason Lohrei
The 24-year-old has no problem pushing the pace when the puck is on his stick. It’s a different story when he’s chasing it. He was on the ice for 72 five-on-five goals against, per Natural Stat Trick. Lohrei was a wild card when it came to holding the dot line, accepting the rush and being stiff in front. All are essential building blocks for a defenseman.
“It doesn’t matter who comes through the doors here,” Sacco said. “All the defensemen, all the forwards, we’ve always valued and take pride in playing away from the puck.”
So considering the variability between offense and defense, it might be best for both parties to seek a short-term bridge contract.
8. Identify which other RFAs should be back
Marat Khusnutdinov, 22, has offensive potential. He has the speed and agility to be a third-line wing.
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The fates of Ian Mitchell (26), Jakub Lauko (25) and Johnny Beecher (24) are not as certain. Mitchell is a depth defenseman. Lauko is fast and feisty, willing to fight hard men like Barclay Goodrow and Austin Watson. But his offense is muted.
Beecher was scratched for the last two games. The 2020 first-rounder scored three goals in 2024-25 after scoring seven in 2023-24.
9. Consider offer sheets
After July 1, some clubs with unsigned restricted free agents might get close to the $95.5 million salary cap. They are vulnerable to offer sheets.
If, for example, the Leafs bring back Marner and John Tavares, rivals could target Matthew Knies or Nicholas Robertson, both restricted. The Bruins have all of their 2026 picks save for their fifth-rounder. This makes them eligible to extend an offer sheet.
(Top photo: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)
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