Bruins Overall Rebuild Grade: B-
Core: B-
Overall Roster: C
Prospect Pool: B-
Head Coach & General Manager: C
Bruins Mixed Messaging Creates Messy Reset
The Boston Bruins are in a tough spot. Are they rebuilding or just hit the reset button and looking to compete in a suddenly competitive division? After trading just about everyone GM Don Sweeney could at the 2025 trade deadline, the signs point to the Bruins rebuilding or at least retooling, and it’s going to be an interesting one.
The primary reason is that there is a core already in place. Whether it’s a good core or not is up for debate, although David Pastrnak is a top-of-the-league forward, and Charlie McAvoy is one of the better defensemen, along with a healthy Hampus Lindholm. Then there are some players who are part of the core by default, as they have long-term deals attached to them, so the Bruins must keep them whether they like it or not. Those players can rebound but it’s unlikely, and the front office might eventually try to find a way out of the Elias Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov, and Jeremy Swayman contracts.
Then there’s the prospect pool, which isn’t great but unique as well. Aside from James Hagens, they don’t have star potential in the system. They do, however, have a lot of NHL-caliber players and a wild-card goaltender in Michael DiPietro, who, if they make a push for the NHL, could change the dynamics of this roster.
The mess of the 2024 offseason and the third head coach in two seasons has many wondering if Sweeney is the right person to lead this team. One or two more rough seasons might see him fired, and all the pressure is on him now after firing both Bruce Cassidy and Jim Montgomery, two excellent coaches who have gone on to be successful elsewhere (Cassidy won the Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023).
Sweeney is putting his trust in first-time head coach Marco Sturm. With an AHL background, Sturm is set up to lead a rebuilding team but the question is if the Bruins replace their GM and a new one comes in, if the new GM will make their own hire (which usually happens at some point). Ultimately, Sturm is being put in a tough spot, and unless he impresses from day one, the rebuild could be on a longer timeline than expected.
Outsider’s Perspective
The messaging from the Bruins is that they aren’t rebuilding. Their moves reflect otherwise, and it’s why the outside sentiment is interesting since it considers the options for them this season. “They kept the core group that was young enough to be good in a few years, while dealing Marchand, Carlo, and Coyle for what they could get. I think they are hoping to be bad enough to be in the (Gavin) McKenna sweepstakes.”
They kept their core together, yet at the same time, traded everyone else to leave the door open for a rebuild and a chance to get a top pick. That wouldn’t be the worst thing if they could build around Hagens and McKenna for years to come.
The Bottom Line
There’s a good chance the Bruins are retooling and will be back in the playoffs and competing for the Cup. It’s what’s expected from them. However, all the signs point to a rough path ahead. It’s why Sweeney might look to make more big trades but considering he’s on the hot seat, he might avoid doing so altogether. The Bruins have a lot of talent on their roster, and somehow, they still look further away from the Cup than most rebuilding teams.
