If you’re looking to pinpoint exactly where things went wrong for the Boston Bruins in the 2024-25 season, good luck. There were too many issues for the team that caused everything to unravel, ultimately leaving them tied for last place in the Eastern Conference alongside the Philadelphia Flyers.
While there are several factors that could explain the team’s struggles, it’s clear that the offseason ahead will be crucial for general manager Don Sweeney and the front office. They’ll need to make changes to the roster in order to return to the playoffs next season, which means both player departures and acquisitions are on the horizon.
Regarding the Bruins’ goaltending situation, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman offered some interesting insights on the future of Jeremy Swayman. He mentioned on the 32 Thoughts Podcast that Sweeney could receive inquiries from teams looking for goaltending help, particularly since Swayman’s no-move clause doesn’t take effect until the 2026-27 season.
Friedman explained that Swayman’s contract situation might have been a factor in the team’s struggles this year, causing things to derail before the season even began. He believes that teams will likely reach out about Swayman but emphasized that the Bruins should focus on having a solid offseason, with Swayman coming back in peak condition without any distractions from contract talks. If Swayman can regain the form he showed in 2023-24, it would go a long way in solving some of the team’s issues.
While it’s clear this was a tough year for most of the Bruins, it’s likely that other teams will still be interested in Swayman if Sweeney decides to make big moves this offseason. However, after investing heavily in a deal with an $8.25 million AAV, it would be surprising for the Bruins to give up on their top goalie after just one rough season, especially considering the trade of Linus Ullmark last summer and the struggles with backup Joonas Korpisalo.
Though it’s possible teams will call, it seems more likely that Sweeney will follow Friedman’s advice, putting together a strong offseason and coming back in the fall ready to make a run at redemption. While it’s always possible something unexpected could happen, turning down trade offers is a different story than actually going through with a deal.
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