Latest news with #RFAs
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Oilers' dream scenario in 2025 NHL Free Agency
The post Oilers' dream scenario in 2025 NHL Free Agency appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Edmonton Oilers are in the Stanley Cup Final once again and facing the Florida Panthers. While everyone in Alberta focuses on bringing the title back, it's never too early to peek ahead to the summer. The Oilers should supplement their core in NHL free agency, but only after signing Connor McDavid to a long-term contract extension. Failing to lock in McDavid now would cause the entire summer to be a failure, regardless of their other pickups. The dream is signing McDavid and adding around him to create a sustainable champion. The Oilers have already locked in Leon Draisaitl for eight years at $14 million annually starting on July 1. Before any extensions or free-agency deals are signed, Draisaitl is set to be the highest-paid player in the league. McDavid should smash his teammate's record, which will make it hard for Edmonton to have elite depth under the salary cap. But three regular-season MVPs and a Conn Smythe Trophy before turning 29 warrant the big pay day. There is no drama around McDavid and the Oilers right now. He is the captain of the team, his friend has already been taken care of, his junior coach is the head coach, and his former agent is the president. McDavid leaving would be nothing short of stunning, as there have been no rumors about his unhappiness yet. But there is no reason to leave it up to chance. Stan Bowman should make McDavid the highest-paid player in the league on July 1, when he is eligible for an extension. The Oilers will still want to improve this summer, even if they win the Stanley Cup. How can they do that with Draisaitl and McDavid taking up so much of the cap? Finding the right bargain moves in free agency will be key this summer. The biggest free agent on the Oilers' books this offseason is defenseman Evan Bouchard. He is a restricted free agent, which means Edmonton will have time to negotiate with him, and they can match any contract he signs. Last year, the Blues snagged RFAs Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway away from the Oilers, so they likely won't let that happen again. Bouchard was third on the Oilers in points this season, behind only McDavid and Draisaitl, with 67. He's been an elite offensive defenseman, helped by playing on the power play with those two forwards. If they want to sign him for eight years, it would be very expensive, but they could give him a bridge deal to buy out his RFA years. AFP Analytics projects Bouchard's contract at eight years and nearly $11 million annually. That puts him in the class with Rasmus Dahlin, Erik Karlsson, and Drew Doughty. If they could get McDavid in at any price and Bouchard in at a little bit below that, they could sign that depth. The Oilers have Corey Perry, Kasperi Kapanen, Trent Frederic, Connor Brown, and Jeff Skinner all hitting free agency this summer. Only some of those players can come back, and Elliotte Friedman recently reported that there is mutual interest between the team and Frederic. That could lead to the end of Kapanen's time in Edmonton if he can get a significant raise. The playoff experience could lead to a new deal for Skinner as well. Anthony Beauvillier would be a strong depth addition to bring in some scoring. If they wanted to go more of a physical route, they may just keep Brown and Perry, as they are the best bottom-six options focused on the hitting side. This offseason should be about locking in two of their strongest players and adding around the edges with the hopes of winning the West again. Related: Oilers coach undecided on goalie for Game 4 after Stuart Skinner benching Related: Oilers' Jake Walman fined $10,000 after scuffle with Matthew Tkachuk, Panthers bench
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rangers rumors: New York ‘testing market' on top-4 defenseman
The post Rangers rumors: New York 'testing market' on top-4 defenseman appeared first on ClutchPoints. The New York Rangers are in the midst of a long, long offseason after going from winning the President's Trophy to missing the playoffs in a span of just a year. That cost Peter Laviolette his job, and Mike Sullivan taking over behind the bench might not be the only change coming in the Big Apple. Advertisement The Rangers are reportedly exploring the trade market for defenseman K'Andre Miller, who will be a restricted free agent on July 1, as Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported on Wednesday's edition of the 32 Thoughts podcast. 'It's not a guarantee, but they are testing the market on Miller. They want to know what it is,' the hockey insider said. 'So, we'll see where it goes, but his name is definitely out there.' Miller has been a key piece of New York's blue line since being selected in the first round, No. 22 overall, in the 2018 NHL Draft. The 25-year-old played two seasons with the University of Wisconsin Badgers before breaking into the league full time in 2020-21. The Saint Paul, Minnesota native's best season came in 2022-23, when he managed 43 points over 79 games and established himself as an up-and-coming star on the blue line. Advertisement He's had a couple of down years since, managing 30 points in 80 games last year and following it up with 27 points in 74 games in 2024-25. But Miller's role has continued to grow after the departures of former captain Jacob Trouba, as well as Ryan Lindgren. Miller is in the final year of a two-year, $7.44 million contract, and will be due for a significant raise. The question is, will general manager Chris Drury give him one? Rangers are short on cap space The Rangers do not have a ton of salary cap space to work with this summer; the squad owns between approximately $8 and $11 million. It won't be easy to get Miller locked up, especially considering New York has a few other RFAs on the roster, including Arthur Kaliyev, Matt Rempe, Will Cuylle, Adam Edstrom, Matthew Robertson and Zac Jones. Advertisement A couple young players will also need new contracts after the 2025-26 campaign, most notably Braden Schneider, Brennan Othmann and Brett Berard. It isn't currently clear what kind of return the Rangers would be looking for in exchange for Miller, but draft capital is definitely somewhere New York could improve. In this window of contention — the Blueshirts have been to two Eastern Conference Finals in four years — they would be wise to start stocking the cupboards for the future. The big priority next offseason will be Artemi Panarin, who continues to be the best player on the roster but will be playing out the final season of his massive seven-year, $81.50 million contract in 2025-26. There will certainly be a couple of changes coming this summer, and Drury probably also wants to see if he can bring a free agent or two to New York this July. It'll be interesting to see if Miller is still a part of the team's plans for the long haul, or whether the front office moves on from the hulking blue liner this summer.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund Announces Call for Applications for the July 2025 Cycle
Application deadline is July 9, 2025 COLUMBIA, Md., June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission ("Commission") is pleased to announce the release of Requests for Applications (RFAs) for the July 2025 funding cycle. The deadline for application submissions is July 9, 2025. The upcoming cycle supports a broad spectrum of grant programs, including early-stage basic research, translational efforts, clinical trials and manufacturing support. Maryland-based academic institutions, nonprofits and companies are encouraged to apply. Additionally, companies/non-profit entities outside Maryland are eligible to apply, provided the funded research occurs within the state. Supplemental funding is available for research projects involving collaboration between public and private sectors, accelerating the development of therapies for unmet medical needs. "Despite ongoing uncertainties in federal funding, Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCRF) remains unwavering in its commitment to support Maryland's pioneering stem cell scientists and companies. Our dedication to advancing innovative therapies continues undeterred, and we are grateful for the steadfast support from Maryland Governor Moore's administration and the General Assembly to help us succeed in this critical mission," said Ruchika Nijhara, Ph.D., executive director of MSCRF. "These funding opportunities are another big step in helping Maryland lead the way in stem cell and regenerative medicine research. Investing in innovative science and encouraging collaboration will open the door to life-changing therapies and help Maryland's biotech community thrive in a way that benefits everyone," said Rachel Brewster, Ph.D., chair of the Commission. To date, MSCRF has supported over 700 research projects, investing over $230 million. In May 2025 alone, over $18 million was allocated to 52 projects spanning all stages of technology development, from basic research to clinical application and manufacturing. Key Dates: Application Submission Deadline: July 9, 2025 (before 5 PM) Application Submission Portal Opens: June 18, 2025 Grant Awards Announcement: September 2025 For full details on RFAs and application instructions, visit For questions or assistance, contact mscrfinfo@ MSCRF remains committed to advancing innovative research, supporting economic growth and positioning Maryland as a premier hub for regenerative medicine. About the Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission and Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund The Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission, through Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund, focuses on identifying and funding cutting-edge research and innovation in the field of regenerative medicine in Maryland. Our Accelerating Cures initiative comprises programs that help transition human stem cell-based technologies from the bench to the bedside as well as mechanisms to build and grow stem cell companies in Maryland. About TEDCOTEDCO, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, enhances economic empowerment growth through the fostering of an inclusive entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. TEDCO identifies, invests in, and helps grow technology and life science-based companies in Maryland. Learn more at Media ContactTammi Thomas, Chief Development & Marketing Officer, TEDCO, tthomas@ Kalinyak, Associate Director, Marketing & Communications, TEDCO, rkalinyak@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
New York Times
04-06-2025
- Business
- New York Times
10 NHL teams that could be aggressive buyers this offseason
Which NHL teams could be the most aggressive buyers in the free-agency and trade market this offseason? There are a few factors to consider when identifying which clubs could make some noise. You can't go big-game hunting without salary cap flexibility and premium assets. Hence, excess cap space and robust trade capital (owning extra draft picks and having a strong prospect pipeline to deal from) are the first prerequisites. After that, the team's direction and ambition level are essential, too. Some clubs have a lot of cap room and trade assets, but they're not yet in an accelerated phase of roster building, which makes them less likely to spend lavishly. Advertisement We combed the league searching for clubs that matched this bill: Having disposable cap space, rich trade capital, and a strong incentive to make a splash this summer. In evaluating each team's cap situation, we had to be mindful of key restricted free agents. For example, the Winnipeg Jets have $26.4 million in cap space right now, which is impressive at first glance, but a large chunk of that will be consumed by the long-term extensions that RFAs Dylan Samberg and Gabriel Vilardi are likely to sign. That means their disposable cap space isn't as high as the other teams on this list, despite the room they technically have on paper right now. Without further ado, here are 10 teams to keep an eye on. Projected cap space: $38.7 million (16 players signed) Notable RFAs: Mason McTavish, Lukáš Dostál Notable UFAs: Robby Fabbri General manager Pat Verbeek stated that he expects the Ducks to 'make the playoffs next season' and that he'll be 'very active and aggressive' this summer. There's a lot Verbeek will need to accomplish to elevate Anaheim to the level of a playoff team, but he has a mountain of cap space and assets to help achieve that goal. The Ducks have nearly $27 million to spend even after you plug in AFP Analytics' contract projections for RFAs McTavish ($6.8 million AAV) and Dostál (four years, $5.2 million AAV) Assets-wise, Anaheim has nine picks at this year's draft and an above-average prospect pool. Only two Ducks forwards, Troy Terry and McTavish, crossed the 50-point mark this season, and none hit 25 goals. They need to add a top-flight scoring winger or two to give the offense a shot in the arm — Mitch Marner, Nikolaj Ehlers, and Brock Boeser could be potential targets. It isn't farfetched to think that Anaheim could be in the wild-card race next season if it's able to land an offensive star or two, on top of the potential breakouts you could see from the likes of Leo Carlsson, McTavish, and Cutter Gauthier, among others. Advertisement Projected cap space: $28.4 million (20 players signed) Notable RFAs: None Notable UFAs: Brent Burns, Dmitry Orlov, Jack Roslovic, Eric Robinson The Hurricanes have by far the most cap space and trade assets of any active NHL contender. With Dmitry Orlov and Brent Burns' contracts coming off the books this summer, GM Eric Tulsky will have a whopping $28.4 million of cap space. Alexander Nikishin and Scott Morrow, two blue-chip up-and-coming defensemen who debuted in the playoffs, should be able to pick up some of the slack that Orlov and Burns' departures could create. Carolina has all of its own first-round picks and two extra from Dallas in 2026 and 2028 because of the Mikko Rantanen trade. That gives them plenty of ammo to go star-chasing on the trade market. The Hurricanes have a few needs they could target. Finding a true second-line center behind Sebastian Aho should be a priority. Adding another elite winger to the core — which the Hurricanes attempted to do with Rantanen and Jake Guentzel the last two seasons — would be huge. It'd also make sense to target an offensively-oriented right-shot defenseman to play with Jaccob Slavin, with Rasmus Andersson, Erik Karlsson, and Noah Dobson (if the Islanders decide his next contract will be too expensive) standing out as potential fits. Carolina has the cap space and assets to address all three of those needs if it wants to. Projected cap space: $20.4 million (21 players signed) Notable RFAs: Jack McBain Notable UFAs: Nick Bjugstad Utah was one of the most aggressive buyers in the NHL last summer, swinging a blockbuster trade for Mikhail Sergachev and making a separate move for John Marino. Don't be surprised if we see more fireworks from them this offseason. The Mammoth have around $20 million of cap space, with 11 forwards, eight defensemen, and a starting goaltender already signed. GM Bill Armstrong has all of his first-round picks and a whopping 11 picks in 2026 (headlined by three second-rounders) to deal from potentially. Utah's top-10 ranked prospect pool is also a strength that the club can weaponize on the trade market. Advertisement Utah ranked 21st for goals scored per game this season, so adding a high-end top-six difference maker or two should be the No. 1 priority. An impact second-line center to upgrade on Barrett Hayton would be the ideal fit, but it'd also make sense for them to take an aggressive run at Marner. Besides upgrading at forward, the Mammoth may also need a second goaltender, depending on Connor Ingram's status. Ingram re-entered the NHLPA Players Assistance program in March for an indefinite period. Karel Vejmelka was rock solid as Utah's starter, so the club wouldn't need to spend big on adding a backup. Projected cap space: $40.4 million (17 players signed) Notable RFAs: Dmitry Voronkov Notable UFAs: Ivan Provorov, Dante Fabbro, James Van Riemsdyk, Luke Kunin Columbus' surprisingly competitive season was one of the best stories in hockey this year. This offseason could be a massive opportunity for the franchise to build around its talented young core and hopefully secure a playoff spot in 2026. After re-signing Voronkov, who is projected to net a $6.3 million AAV on a five-year deal according to AFP Analytics, the Blue Jackets will have $34.1 million of cap space to deploy. Columbus has extra draft picks it can dangle on the trade market, too, with two first-round picks this year and 10 picks for the 2026 draft. GM Don Waddell has already said both of this year's first-round picks are available. Upgrading the defense and goaltending will be key as the Blue Jackets ranked 25th in the NHL for goals against per game. Re-signing Fabbro would make sense, but adding a high-end top-four defender or two on top of that would go a long way in making the Blue Jackets' blue line playoff-caliber. Their existing goaltending tandem of Elvis Merzlikins and Daniil Tarasov (an RFA) also isn't good enough. Realistically, the Blue Jackets could bolster their backend and goaltending and still have ample cap room left over to swing for an elite forward like Marner, too. Advertisement Projected cap space: $29.2 million (21 players signed) Notable RFAs: Wyatt Kaiser Notable UFAs: Ryan Donato Fresh off hiring a new head coach and with Connor Bedard entering year three, GM Kyle Davidson must be feeling pressure to upgrade the Blackhawks' roster significantly. He can't afford another season finishing 31st. Chicago should be searching for a top-line forward or two for Bedard to play with, regardless of whether that's via free agency or trade. It would also be wise to consider adding a proven, established top-four defenseman to fill the hole created by the Seth Jones trade. The Blackhawks have multiple first and second-round picks over the next two drafts that they can use as potential trade chips. The Blackhawks already have some middle-of-the-lineup veterans, and they need to keep roster spots open for their emerging group of prospects. Therefore, this offseason's mission isn't about adding a high volume of new players but instead finding a couple of actual difference-makers near the top of the lineup. Projected cap space: $21.7 million (21 players signed) Notable RFAs: Alex Laferriere Notable UFAs: Vladislav Gavrikov, Andrei Kuzmenko, Tanner Jeannot Four straight first-round playoff exits to the Edmonton Oilers cost Rob Blake his job. In comes Ken Holland, who has already told colleague Pierre LeBrun that he plans to be 'aggressive' in the GM chair. It makes sense because while the Kings have a deep, hard-working team, they could use a game-breaking star to put them over the top come playoff time. Los Angeles has $21.7 million to spend, but that could dwindle if the club re-signs stud top-four defender Vladislav Gavrikov. L.A. would be left with $10.3 million if it re-signed Gavrikov at a $7.6 million AAV, and bridged Laferriere on a $3.8 million AAV, according to AFP Analytics. The Kings could ship out a modest contract, such as Trevor Moore's, to carve out the extra cap flexibility needed to make a serious run at Marner. They also still own all of their first-round picks, which could be valuable trade currency if the right top-six winger becomes available. Advertisement Projected cap space: $21.3 million (17 players signed) Notable RFAs: Jonatan Berggren, Elmer Soderblom, Albert Johansson Notable UFAs: Patrick Kane, Jeff Petry The clock is ticking for GM Steve Yzerman to snap the Red Wings' nine-year playoff drought. Detroit's first-round drafting has been excellent, but Yzerman's front office has made several blunders in free agency that have hindered the franchise's progress. Armed with over $20 million of cap flexibility again this summer — and with Yzerman sounding open to taking bold swings — the Red Wings must hit on their signings and trades to become a playoff-caliber team. Bolstering the top-four defense, which falls off a cliff after Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson, is a critical need. Bringing in another top-six winger to upgrade the team's five-on-five scoring, which ranked 30th in the NHL this season, is essential, too. If the Red Wings aren't able to land a top-tier, guaranteed solution to those needs in free agency, they should pivot to the trade market. Detroit's inefficient contracts, such as those for Andrew Copp, Vladimir Tarasenko, Justin Holl, and J.T. Compher, stem from overpaying for middle-class talent on the open market. There's no sense doing that when the Red Wings can leverage their complete set of draft picks and rich prospect pool to find better fits via trade. Projected cap space: $12.2 million (21 players signed) Notable RFAs: Aatu Räty Notable UFAs: Brock Boeser, Pius Suter Quinn Hughes only has two years left on his contract and will be eligible to sign an extension on July 1, 2026. The Canucks, after missing the playoffs in four of the last five years, are facing enormous pressure to get back on track next season to maximize their chances of keeping their superstar captain long-term. Advertisement Vancouver is going to go all-in this summer to improve its roster. The Canucks desperately need to add a second-line center and a top-six winger, with one of them preferably having star potential (they didn't have a single forward hit the 55-point mark this season). Jim Rutherford said that he expects the club to make its biggest acquisitions via trade rather than free agency. Vancouver's No. 15 pick this year will likely be traded. The Canucks may also need to ship out one of their top prospects, whether that's Tom Willander, Jonathan Lekkerimäki, Elias Pettersson the defenseman, or Victor Mancini, to complete their offseason shopping. The Canucks are middle-of-the-road in terms of cap space and trade chips, but the pressure to contend in 2025-26 all but guarantees that they'll make big moves this offseason. Projected cap space: $20.0 million (16 players signed) Notable RFAs: Kaapo Kakko, Ryker Evans Notable UFAs: Michael Eyssimont At first, the Kraken didn't stand out as a team that should belong on this list. Yes, they boast ample cap flexibility and trade chips, but they've been stuck in mediocrity for a while and their decision to ship out Oliver Bjorkstrand for a haul at the trade deadline suggested that they might be entering a retool rather than a win-now mode. However, GM Jason Botterill told reporters at the end of the season that the Kraken are 'going to be aggressive again in free agency,' one year after they landed Brandon Montour and Chandler Stephenson. The Kraken own extra first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 as a result of the Bjorkstrand trade and extra second-round picks. President of hockey operations Ron Francis has stated that Seattle will consider using some of that currency as trade capital. A lack of elite, star-level offensive talent is currently the franchise's biggest weakness. If the right opportunity to acquire a first-line forward presents itself via trade or free agency, expect the Kraken to make a strong bid. Advertisement Projected cap space: $41.8 million (16 players signed) Notable RFAs: Nikolai Kovalenko Notable UFAs: Jan Rutta, Alexandar Georgiev The Sharks aren't under pressure to make the playoffs anytime soon, but they must be motivated to make some gradual progress up the standings. They also have no choice but to be aggressive to some extent — they're nearly $17 million shy of the $70.6 million salary cap floor, with no internal players requiring notable raises this summer. It'd make sense for San Jose to zero in on quality veterans on mid-range deals, similar to the Tyler Toffoli and Alex Wennberg signings last summer. GM Mike Grier can offer more generous AAVs than other teams, so long as the term isn't too long. A Mikael Granlund reunion is one possible move that would make sense, but they'll need to accomplish more than just that. Renovating the top four on the blue line should be a particular focus. The Sharks iced arguably the worst backend in the NHL this season, especially after trading Jake Walman to Edmonton at the deadline. Adding a veteran goaltender to pair with Yaroslav Askarov will also be important. Last offseason's Askarov trade — where they exchanged a younger prospect and a late first-round pick for a player in his early 20s who was closer to making an NHL impact — could also be another template they repeat. The Sharks have four picks in the first two rounds of this year's draft and four picks in the first two rounds of the 2026 draft. They could cash in one or two of those picks to acquire young, NHL-ready contributors. Minnesota Wild: The Wild would have less than $10 million in cap space if they re-sign Marco Rossi long-term and don't have their first-round pick this year. They'll still be active this summer, however, and will have the upgraded cap space and trade assets to make bigger splashes if they decide to ship Rossi out. Toronto Maple Leafs: Toronto will have nearly $20 million of cap space even after re-signing RFA Matthew Knies. The Leafs have tons of cap flexibility, but their lack of assets will likely restrict their ability to make a splash on the trade market. Toronto has already traded away its next three first-round picks and has a relatively shallow pool of prospects. Advertisement Teams with cap space and assets that probably aren't feeling pressure to make splashy, win-now moves: Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, New York Islanders, Nashville Predators All contract, roster, and salary cap data courtesy PuckPedia (Photo of the Carolina Hurricanes: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images)
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Boston Bruins Made The Right Call Giving GM Don Sweeney A New Deal
On Tuesday, Don Sweeney celebrated 10 years as GM of the Boston Bruins. And it was no coincidence that on that day, the Bruins announced a contract extension for Sweeney that will last through the 2027-28 season. Sweeney would've been entering a lame-duck campaign in 2025-26 – but while he's far from a perfect GM, he has done enough to merit his new extension. Only twice in his tenure as GM did Sweeney preside over a Bruins team that missed the playoffs – his first year running the team, and this current season. In between, Boston won seven playoff series, including a run to the Stanley Cup final in 2018-19, where the Bruins came within one win of a championship. Boston also won its division twice under Sweeney and finished second another three times. In 2022-23, they won the Presidents' Trophy as the NHL's best regular-season team with a record-breaking 135 points and 65 wins. By many metrics, Sweeney has delivered solid results, and despite stumbling this season, it could prove to be only a blip on the radar for Boston. Some may say Boston not winning the Cup makes Sweeney's tenure an overall failure, but we'd beg to differ. Bruins fans have been treated to a lot of terrific hockey under his guidance, and Sweeney has shown the ability to make tough decisions and balance the short-term needs of his team with the long-term picture. This past season was Sweeney's worst as GM, as the Bruins plummeted to eighth place in the Atlantic Division. But despite the bottom falling out for Boston, Sweeney wasn't foolish enough to make a push for the mushy-middle of the Eastern Conference standings. Instead, he dumped a slew of veterans overboard via trades, including sending captain Brad Marchand to the Florida Panthers, defenseman Brandon Carlo to the Toronto Maple Leafs and center Charlie Coyle to the Colorado Avalanche. It would've been easy for Sweeney to hold onto those veterans, but he did the hard thing and sent them packing. Dealing Marchand and Carlo to Atlantic rivals also spoke to Sweeney's fearlessness as an executive. The assets Sweeney picked up from those trades – prospect center Fraser Minten as part of the Carlo deal, a first-rounder from Florida as part of the Marchand deal and Casey Mittelstadt as part of the Coyle deal – all will help the Bruins in the long haul. Another element of Sweeney's many moves this season is the salary cap space he's carved out that will help him retool on the fly. The Bruins have about $28.8 million in cap space this off-season with 11 of 23 roster spots filled to add some fresh faces after deciding what to do with their five RFAs and three UFAs. You could argue his cuts could've been deeper, but Sweeney still has veterans who likely have no stomach for a full-on rebuild. So you can expect Sweeney to be one of the more active GMs in trades and free agency this summer. Sweeney also has to hire a coach this off-season, as Joe Sacco finished the season with the interim tag. But now that he has a contract extension of his own, Sweeney can move ahead with the confidence of Bruins ownership and set the stage for a bounce-back year. The Atlantic will be even more competitive in 2025-26, so there's no assurance Boston will get back into the playoff picture. But the Bruins will push the competitive envelope in 2025-26 and beyond, and having Sweeney guiding things almost assuredly will lead to better days. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on
