Two years after breaking the NHL record for wins and points in a regular season, the Boston Bruins now find themselves in a position they’re not accustomed to—having to trade key roster pieces at the trade deadline. Currently sitting just behind several teams for the Eastern Conference wild card spot, the Bruins are on pace to miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It’s a tough spot for both the franchise and its fans, but General Manager Don Sweeney is attempting to secure players and assets for the future by moving key players. How did things go so wrong? There are several factors, but one thing’s clear: Sweeney and President Cam Neely are unlikely to go anywhere anytime soon.
Over the last few years, a number of significant mistakes have put the team in this position. One of the biggest blunders was firing Bruce Cassidy. Cassidy, who was quickly scooped up by the Vegas Golden Knights, led them to the Stanley Cup—the same year the Bruins set their regular-season records. While the Bruins hired Jim Montgomery as his replacement, the team’s roster issues aren’t Montgomery’s fault. The decision to part ways with Cassidy will likely haunt the franchise for years to come.
- Bruce Cassidy
Another critical mistake was not re-signing Jake DeBrusk. The Bruins have been missing secondary scoring this season, and DeBrusk, who was often a difference-maker when he played his best, could have filled that gap. Sweeney’s decision to let DeBrusk walk was a costly one, especially after he signed with the Vancouver Canucks in the summer of 2022. DeBrusk was an integral part of the power play and the penalty kill, and his absence has left a significant hole in the lineup.
Sweeney’s free-agent signings of Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov have also been underwhelming so far. These acquisitions were supposed to be major moves in 2024, but both players have struggled this season. Lindholm, dealing with injuries, has failed to live up to expectations, while Zadorov has been inconsistent on defense. If they don’t turn things around, Sweeney will be facing another major miss on his resume.
The Bruins have also **failed to replace the void left by Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. When the two legendary centers retired, Sweeney didn’t have a long-term plan in place. Pavel Zacha and Charlie Coyle filled the spots temporarily, but neither are a true solution. Sweeney’s inability to plan for their retirement left the team scrambling for answers.
Finally, Sweeney’s trade of Linus Ullmark was another questionable decision. Although the trade was necessary, the return was disappointing. Trading Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators for Mark Kastelic, Joonas Korpisalo, and a first-round pick seemed like a missed opportunity, especially considering Jeremy Swayman’s contract situation. Sweeney should have held onto Ullmark for the season to avoid breaking up one of the team’s strongest assets for such a lackluster return.
There’s no quick fix for the Bruins’ situation, and the offseason will be critical for Sweeney. The team will need to make some tough decisions to retool without upsetting the remaining core. It’s easier said than done, but Sweeney’s future as GM is on the line.
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