The Core the Bruins Need to Build Around Moving Forward

After a game seven loss and another early playoff exit, the Bruins are in an interesting position heading into the offseason. There is uncertainty about what captain Patrice Bergeron will do regarding his future as the 36-year-old is now a UFA. The Bruins also have limited cap space to work with as they have not been able to groom young players over recent years. The lack of entry-level contracts with team-friendly cap hits has left the Bruins in a cap crunch.

The Bruins will have to decide whether it’s time to retool or rebuild around a new core. After over a decade of having a core consisting of Bergeron, Marchand, Krejci, Chara, and Rask, only one of those players is under contract for next season, with three of them have already moved on or retired. The decision will come once Bergeron chooses to run it back or retire. Everything is up in the air beside the next core to build around until his decision is made.

The Bruins have a new core that they are building around as they move forward. With limited cap space to work with this year, the Bruins will have to find a way via trades to free up money and roster space. While the Bruins have plenty of players fans would like to see traded away after a lackluster postseason, a few players will remain untouchable. The six untouchables on the Bruins roster heading into the offseason include David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, Charlie McAvoy, Hampus Lindholm, Jeremy Swayman, and Taylor Hall. These six represent the Bruins’ future for three to eight years and beyond. McAvoy and Lindholm recently inked eight-year contracts, while Pastrnak has one year left before the Bruins reward him with a big-money extension.

The Bruins will consider trading include Matt Grzelcyk, Jake Debrusk, and Mike Reilly. If the Bruins want to get better and retool, they will need to free up these contracts if they’re going to address their most glaring need in a top-six center, especially if Bergeron does indeed retire. Even if the Bruins go the trade route, they will need to free up space to fit the contract in of any top-six forward they were to acquire.


Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Kevin Santangelo

Co Host of Cue' the Duck Boats Podcast Writer for Inside the Rink

Leave a Reply

NHL Playoff Preview: Florida Panthers at Carolina Hurricanes with Line Combinations 5/22/2025

NHL Playoff Preview: Florida Panthers at Carolina Hurricanes with Line Combinations 5/22/2025

NHL Playoff Preview: Florida Panthers at Carolina Hurricanes with Line Combinations 5/22/2025

Read More

3 Takeaways From The Florida Panthers & Carolina Hurricanes Game 1 | 05/20/2025

The Panthers didn’t look any worse for wear coming out of a Game 7 and jumping right into another series two days later. In fact, they did to Carolina what they’d just finished doing to Toronto, taking a win in dominant fashion while on the opponent’s home ice. With a final 5-2 score, Florida comfortably […]

Read More

Edmonton Oilers Playoff Thoughts: Round 3, Game 1

You know, Stu. Just when we think you couldn’t possibly allow any more pucks, you go and do something like this… AND TOTALLY REDEEM YOURSELF! This is what makes Playoff hockey so thrilling. Whatever you did in the regular season, whatever you did in the previous game, whatever you did in seasons prior, none of […]

Read More