The Boston Bruins believe 2024-25 was an exception. They consider David Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy and Jeremy Swayman foundational players. With targeted additions at wing and defense, they believe next year’s version of the team will be a playoff contender.
“I think we’re back in the mix with the group of guys,” general manager Don Sweeney said, “if we stay healthy and we do our job this summer.”
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We’ve already looked at how that can all fail nightmarishly this offseason. Here are nine steps that would get them back on track.
1. Bruins win the draft lottery
The NHL’s fifth-worst team has an 8.5 percent chance of picking No. 1. The last time the Bruins did so was in 1997 when they drafted Joe Thornton.
By going first in 2025, the Bruins set their sights on Matthew Schaefer, the do-it-all left-shot defenseman. He played only 17 games in 2024-25 because of injuries. But it was enough to give the Bruins a look at a long-term top-pair defender.
2. Carle becomes the next coach
University of Denver coach David Carle has an impeccable resume. He and the Pioneers won NCAA championships in 2022 and 2024. Zeev Buium, one of his most recent charges, made his NHL debut in the playoffs for the Minnesota Wild. Carle has also struck gold at the World Junior Championship the past two seasons.
Carle, 35, is of an age where he can grow with the team.
David Carle has led the University of Denver and Team USA to championships. (David Reginek / Imagn Images)
3. Pastrnak, McAvoy and Lindholm commit to piloting the leadership group
Pastrnak, McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm are three different personalities. McAvoy is the most serious of the trio. Pastrnak and Lindholm have never had a bad day at the rink.
For the Bruins to make a turnaround, the three need to make it known they are serious about righting what went wrong in 2024-25. They can set the standard for summer training. McAvoy (shoulder) and Lindholm (knee) need to get their bodies right — and keep in touch with teammates, current and future, to ensure they are on the same page about conditioning. This would set the tone for the three to start 2025-26 as alternate captains.
4. Swayman goes on a tear at the World Championship
Swayman is sharing the net at the World Championship with Joey Daccord and Hampton Slukynsky. Daccord will most likely start the tournament as Swayman’s primary competition. But if Swayman finds a foothold and carries the Americans far, it will be a critical development in his turnaround.
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The tournament is not important just for the Bruins. USA Hockey may see Daccord as a 2026 Olympics candidate over Swayman to join Connor Hellebuyck and Jake Oettinger. Swayman wants to do everything possible to go to the Winter Games.
5. Geekie signs a six-year, $30 million extension before free agency
The priority is locking up Morgan Geekie, who made a first-line breakthrough with his 33-goal explosion. He is an ideal second-tier fixture as a multi-position forward with a shooter’s approach and a willingness to be physical. Geekie’s connection with Pastrnak is undeniable.
Not only would re-signing Geekie early eliminate the threat of arbitration, but it also would give Sweeney a sharper snapshot of how much dough he’ll have to spend in free agency.
“We have an interest in getting in front of that,” Sweeney said. “Because that sometimes sets up what other things you may or may not want to do. We’d like to sign him to a longer-term deal.”
6. Marner signs a seven-year, $94.5 million contract on July 1
Signing Mitch Marner would give the Bruins the league’s best one-two punch at right wing with Pastrnak. The do-it-all Marner also would follow Pastrnak’s model in that he does not necessarily require a playmaking center to get him the puck.
Marner would become a regular on the penalty kill, even giving the Bruins a possible five-forward power play because of his smarts and coolness up high in the formation. The investment would be worth every cent because of how many areas of the game he touches.
7. Fabbro signs a four-year, $16 million contract
Right-shot defenseman Dante Fabbro would fill Brandon Carlo’s spot on the No. 2 pair. He is an entirely different defender than the stay-at-homer. But the former Boston University Terrier’s puck-moving ability would ease the pressure of opposing forechecks.
Dante Fabbro scored nine goals and 26 points this season. (Emilee Chinn / Getty Images)
8. Beecher, Khusnutdinov, Lohrei and Lauko sign one-year extensions
Ideally, the Bruins can get restricted free agents Johnny Beecher, Marat Khusnutdinov, Mason Lohrei and Jakub Lauko to agree to relatively little dough. By taking the hit for 2025-26, they’d give themselves the opportunities for bounce-back years and re-enter the market next summer.
9. Lysell, Minten and Poitras hit the gym hard
Youngsters Fabian Lysell, Fraser Minten and Matt Poitras need to set themselves up to arrive at training camp as fully formed men. With more strength on the puck and reinforced better for close-quarters battles, the three forwards can put themselves in position to break camp with the varsity.
The Bruins would welcome the youth infusion for their energy and skill. The three forwards, who will be on entry-level contracts in 2025-26, would offset the team’s high-priced veterans.
(Top photo of Mitch Marner: Adam Glanzman / Getty Images)
This news was originally published on this post .
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