For the first time since 2016, the Boston Bruins are set to miss the NHL playoffs—and the off-season can’t come fast enough. But while this season may have fallen short of expectations, fans now have reason to be optimistic: according to a recent leak, the Bruins are planning to go big this summer.
Following a disappointing campaign, General Manager Don Sweeney initiated a full-on fire sale at the NHL trade deadline. Key pieces of the Bruins’ core—Brandon Carlo, Brad Marchand, Charlie Coyle, Justin Brazeau, and Trent Frederic—were all moved, freeing up a significant amount of cap space. As it stands, the Bruins are projected to have nearly $29 million in salary cap room heading into the 2025-26 season.
And they’re not planning to sit on it.
Bruins Insider Reveals Aggressive Off-Season Strategy
In a recent appearance on Daily Faceoff Live during the “All 32” segment, Bruins insider Ty Anderson of 98.5 The Sports Hub shed light on Boston’s game plan—and it’s clear this won’t be a quiet summer.
“I believe [the Bruins] are going to spend to the cap next year,” Anderson said. “I think they are going to be very aggressive.”
While their draft position could slightly influence free agency plans—especially if they land the first overall pick—Anderson emphasized that the Bruins are not interested in a slow rebuild or retool.
“Ownership is not about that. They do not believe in retools or rebuilds in terms of stripping it down completely,” Anderson added. “They’re going to be big-time players.”
A New Era of Star Power?
One key reason for the team’s urgency: the business side. Bruins fans are still showing up, but Anderson warned that interest could fade if the current roster doesn’t change dramatically.
“Ticket prices in Boston have gone up 13% over the last two years. I believe it’s the second highest get-in in the United States behind Madison Square Garden,” he noted. “Fans want a reason to come to the games. What you have right now is not a reason to come.”
That’s led to speculation that Boston will pursue a major free agent signing to reignite fan interest and bring star power back to TD Garden. With nearly $30 million to work with, the Bruins are in position to make a splash—possibly more than one.
A Crucial Off-Season Ahead
The Bruins may be missing the playoffs, but the work to bounce back is already underway. Ownership and management are determined to avoid a prolonged slump, and they believe that an aggressive approach in the off-season is the path forward.
With a fresh wave of cap flexibility and a front office unwilling to accept mediocrity, expect Boston to be one of the busiest—and most interesting—teams this summer.
Big changes are coming to Boston. And Bruins fans should buckle up—because this off-season is going to be wild.
