The Boston Bruins have closed the chapter on the 2024-25 season—a campaign that started with a rocky first step but ultimately found its footing. After a disastrous start, the team reversed course, clawed back to respectability, and secured a postseason berth. However, being a wild-card team hovering just above the playoff cutline was never the final destination.
Friday night's first-round elimination at the hands of the Sabres marked the end of the road, but the real work begins now. As the Bruins head into the spring and summer, the focus shifts to building a roster capable of deeper playoff runs. Here's a breakdown of the key dates and storylines to watch this offseason.
NHL Draft Lottery: A Critical Moment
The draft lottery takes place next week, and all eyes are on Toronto. The Bruins are eligible to receive the Maple Leafs' first-round pick—but only if it falls outside the top five. Toronto finished with the fifth-worst record in the NHL, making this a high-stakes scenario. The Leafs will keep their pick if no team below them wins one of the three lottery draws, or if only Washington (currently 16th) wins a draw—since a team can't move up more than 10 spots. If Toronto doesn't win a draw and one of the teams below them does, that pick heads to Boston. Depending on the outcome, the Bruins will have either eight or nine picks in the two-day draft, including their own first-rounder.
Free Agency: A Tight Budget
Before making any splashy moves, the Bruins face a financial reality: limited cap space. That budget must be allocated to re-signing or replacing key unrestricted free agents, including forward Viktor Arvidsson and defenseman Andrew Peeke. Every dollar counts, and the front office will need to be strategic in balancing retention with new acquisitions.
Roster Decisions Loom
The Bruins have until August 15 to sign their remaining unsigned players from the 2021 draft class. Forwards Oskar Jellvik and Andre Gasseau, defenseman Mason Langenbrunner, and goalie Phillip Svedebäck have yet to ink deals. While all four are likely to test free agency, Langenbrunner—whose father is an assistant GM in Boston—could receive a late offer. Meanwhile, the team faces tough choices on seven key players as the offseason begins, and one star could be staring down a lengthy suspension to start the 2026-27 season.
For Bruins fans, the offseason promises plenty of intrigue. Whether through the draft, free agency, or internal development, the path back to contention starts now.