The Boston Bruins are officially at a crossroads.
After missing the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade, the front office is under a white-hot spotlight. Cam Neely’s silence has grown deafening, while GM Don Sweeney faces mounting pressure to deliver a new vision—or prepare to be part of the purge. But with the core aging, cap space tight, and a demanding fanbase losing patience, a clear and aggressive plan is desperately needed.
What follows is that plan. Not just another vague “reload.” This is a bold, actionable blueprint built on three pillars:
One Must-Sign
One Must-Go
One Must-Get
Let’s break it down.
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One Must-Sign: Jake DeBrusk – The Devil You Know
Jake DeBrusk may be polarizing, but in a season defined by inconsistency, he remained one of Boston’s few bright spots. With 27 goals and a career-high 56 points, DeBrusk emerged as more than just a streaky scorer—he became a reliable two-way winger who can log top-line minutes and kill penalties.
More importantly, he wants to stay in Boston. That matters.
The Bruins have long struggled to develop and retain top-six forwards. Letting DeBrusk walk in free agency this July would not only create a glaring hole—it would send the wrong message to homegrown talent. The Bruins can’t afford to overpay, but they can’t afford to lose him either.
The Blueprint:
Offer DeBrusk a four-year, $22 million deal ($5.5M AAV) with a modified no-trade clause. Lock in a known asset who fits Jim Montgomery’s system and maintains your top-six stability.
Don’t let another Marcus Johansson situation happen.
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One Must-Go: Hampus Lindholm – The Costly Luxury
This will sting. But it’s necessary.
Hampus Lindholm was a revelation in 2022–23, even getting Norris votes. Since then, he’s been the poster child for regression—culminating in a 2024–25 campaign plagued by poor decision-making, nagging injuries, and a brutal minus-17 rating.
He’s still a top-four defenseman on paper. But at $6.5 million per year until 2030, he’s no longer a luxury the Bruins can afford. Trading Lindholm is less about replacing him and more about unlocking cap space to fix multiple other holes.
The Blueprint:
Target a trade with a cap-floor team like Anaheim or San Jose—who need veteran defensemen and can absorb the contract. Sweeten the deal with a mid-round pick or retain $1M if needed. The return doesn’t have to be flashy; clearing the cap is the goal.
This is the hardest move, but the one that frees you to make the next one.
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One Must-Get: Elias Lindholm – The True 1C the Bruins Have Needed for Years
No more stopgaps. No more “Bergeron Replacements by Committee.”
The Bruins need a legitimate top-line center—a two-way force who can win faceoffs, anchor a power play, and produce offense without sacrificing defensive integrity. Enter: Elias Lindholm.
Yes, his stint in Vancouver was uneven. But that’s precisely why the Bruins must pounce. Lindholm will enter free agency as a flawed but still-elite option at a position of dire need. He’s exactly the kind of player Boston has chased—and failed to find—since Patrice Bergeron retired.
The Blueprint:
Back up the Brinks truck. Five years, $37.5 million ($7.5M AAV) gets you your No. 1 center and gives David Pastrnak a stable partner down the middle. Lindholm’s game fits Boston’s identity: smart, gritty, responsible, and playoff-tested.
This is the move that resets the franchise’s trajectory.
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The Ripple Effect: From Survival to Revival
Let’s play this out.
Re-signing Jake DeBrusk secures chemistry and scoring.
Moving Hampus Lindholm clears vital cap space and opens a spot for Mason Lohrei or a budget free agent.
Signing Elias Lindholm gives Boston a true top-six spine with Marchand, Pastrnak, Zacha, and Coyle.
Suddenly, the Bruins aren’t reeling—they’re reloaded.
Imagine a lineup like this:
Marchand – E. Lindholm – Pastrnak
DeBrusk – Coyle – Geekie
Lysell – Zacha – Frederick
Brazeau – Beecher – Lauko
McAvoy – Carlo
Lohrei – Shattenkirk (or UFA)
Zboril – Mitchell
Ullmark/Swayman tandem (pending trade decisions)
It’s not perfect—but it’s a vision. It’s a team that can compete now, while developing the next core for later.
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Final Thoughts: No More Half-Measures
The Bruins can’t cling to the past or patchwork the present. The window isn’t closed—but it’s narrowing. Don Sweeney’s next three moves will define his legacy and the next era of Bruins hockey.
One must-sign. One must-go. One must-get.
Make the moves.
Or watch the window slam shut forever.