Bruins 2025-26 roster tiers: Who stays and who goes this offseason?

New York Times

19-04-2025

The Boston Bruins initiated turnover before the trade deadline by sending out Justin Brazeau, Brandon Carlo, Charlie Coyle, Trent Frederic, Max Jones and Brad Marchand. That process will continue in the months to come.
It's possible that before the 2025 NHL Draft, general manager Don Sweeney will package some of his future capital for NHL help. On July 1, he will sign unrestricted free agents while letting others walk. The GM will use the rest of the offseason — he hopes it will not bleed into training camp like with Jeremy Swayman last year — to lock in his restricted free agents.
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So who stays and who goes? Following is a projection of all the players who appeared in 10 or more games for the Bruins in 2024-25:
He was the NHL's breakout player of the season, per Nikita Zadorov, going from a healthy scratch to a 33-goal scorer. He has arbitration rights but does not prefer to exercise them. Negotiations could get tricky if arbitration is not used. He could triple his expiring $2 million average annual value based on the rising cap.
Entering the second season of his seven-year, $54.25 million contract, the only way he could be moved is if the Bruins retain part of his salary. Lindholm started 2024-25 in the hole when he hurt his back on Day 1 of training camp, which kept him off the ice and out of the weight room. He found some much-needed chemistry with Geekie and David Pastrnak at the end of the regular season. He doesn't necessarily have to be a first-line play-driver.
Lindholm had some good luck within his bad luck, as he put it, when he had a clean break in his patella, which allowed him to push his return to play. It was within that accelerated comeback that he went too hard and had to shut things down for good. He plans to start skating in mid-May. The loss of the No. 2 defenseman was too much for the defense to overcome. He can be a three-zone presence when healthy.
The team's No. 1 defenseman experienced a frightening staph infection during the 4 Nations Face-Off that led to hospitalization and surgery on his right shoulder. He might have been able to play in Round 1 had the Bruins qualified. Doctors have told him he will have no long-term effects from the injury, and he's motivated to return better than ever.
He was the league's best player down the stretch, in McAvoy's opinion, continuing to grow as a shooting and passing dangerman and helping Geekie hit his career high in goals. He also took over leadership duties after Marchand was moved and did so with all-around approval from teammates and coaches. It's unclear whether he wants the captaincy.
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The fourth-highest-paid active goalie has faith he can be one of the league's top netminders again. He acknowledged not playing his best, although he did not answer whether missing training camp because of contract negotiations held him back. The team's most disappointing player has nowhere to go but up.
The smashmouth fourth-liner missed the final 12 games because of post-concussion syndrome. His symptoms included headaches and balance issues. He had suffered previous concussions but none with this severity. He took comfort in a conversation with ex-Bruin Patrice Bergeron, whose severe concussion threatened his career. He's not concerned about long-term effects and will begin the first season of a three-year, $4.71 million deal in 2025-26.
The primary target in the Brazeau trade with the Minnesota Wild, Khusnutdinov is a fast and shifty wing who isn't afraid of high-traffic ice. The 22-year-old will reach RFA status but should not command a significant raise off his entry-level contract.
The backup goalie had a better save percentage (.893) than Swayman (.892. As such, he was not satisfied with his playing time (27 appearances). He will be in line for more action if Swayman can't get back to his level.
The puck-pushing defenseman had no trouble creating offense (33 points), but defense was another story. He could be a partner for McAvoy but will need sheltering if his defending doesn't improve. He will reach RFA status, and a bridge contract is the most likely outcome considering his cloudy defensive outlook.
The 2020 first-rounder was promoted with only 11 AHL goals. He scored his first NHL goal in his 11th appearance. There's no questioning his skill and speed with the puck, but there are uncertainties with wall play, strength on the puck, defensive coverage and offensive decision-making. He should have every chance to make the club full-time in camp.
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The No. 8 pick from 2017 was underwhelming after arriving from the Colorado Avalanche. He's a highly skilled playmaker who is good at holding pucks and allowing teammates to get open, but is too light on the puck for a 438-game NHL veteran. Mittelstadt has the skill of a top-two center, but shortcomings in other parts of his game are holding him back.
He is what he is: a third-pair defensive defenseman who can pick his spots up the ice. The team is not served well if he moves into a top-four position.
The franchise erred by rushing the 2022 second-rounder before he was ready, which was not his fault. His confidence took a hit when he couldn't make plays and put himself at risk of injury. He would have been a first-year pro had the Bruins kept him in junior in 2023-24. He's a point-per-game AHL player but is no lock to make the varsity in 2025-26.
The veteran center/left wing finished the regular season as one of only three active players who dressed for Game 7 against the Florida Panthers last year (Pastrnak and Swayman were the others). He was slowed by a knee injury this season. He would have value on the trade market but is more important to the Bruins as a multi-position returnee.
He settled in as a defensive defender after a turbulent start. Ideally, he's a third-pairing defenseman and penalty killer. He's not afraid to speak his mind and finished the regular season with an NHL-high 145 penalty minutes.
The 2019 first-rounder scored just three goals and was scratched for the final two games. He's one of the team's fastest straight-line skaters but has struggled to apply his speed toward offensive chances. He will reach RFA status and may not be qualified if the Bruins are dissatisfied with his development. He does not appear to have a ceiling beyond the fourth line
The plucky left wing was delighted to return to his draft team. He will play for Czechia at the World Championships for the first time. He will reach RFA status and may not be qualified if the Bruins believe they can find a cheaper and younger fourth-liner with more offensive potential.
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The right-shot depth defenseman will reach RFA status. He appears to be more of an AHLer than an NHLer.
The waiver pickup scored just once in 16 games. He has an above-average NHL shot but did not do enough to use it. He will reach RFA status and may not be qualified if the Bruins don't consider him NHL-worthy.
The high-motor fourth-liner and Providence captain is highly regarded by teammates and coaches. He will reach UFA status.
The defensive defenseman fulfilled a dream by playing for his hometown team. The Franklin native projects to be a third-pair defender. He will reach Group 6 UFA status.
The former Buffalo Sabres defenseman held his own on the No. 1 pair next to Zadorov following his arrival. He was earning $3.1 million annually, an expensive price. He will reach UFA status.
A meat-and-potatoes wing who started the year well on the fourth line, Koepke could get a raise elsewhere because of his speed and willingness to go to the net. He will reach UFA status.
The energetic right wing played with pace and skill. He's a prototypical high-character player who shuttles between the NHL and AHL without complaint. He will reach UFA status.
A defensive defenseman with some puck-moving touch, he can be a depth defender on a good team. He will reach UFA status.