Bruins after dark

The Bruins are keeping things modest this summer, but the real fireworks might be just one year away.

The Boston Bruins didn’t shock anyone with their offseason moves — and maybe that was the point.

While fans were hoping for a blockbuster, general manager Don Sweeney played it cool. Boston brought in Viktor Arvidsson on a one-year deal and inked Tanner Jeannot to a five-year contract with a manageable $3.4 million cap hit. On the surface, nothing flashy. But according to Elliotte Friedman, there’s something brewing behind the scenes.

If some of these guys who are supposed to be free agents next year … I think Boston wants to have the opportunity to take a shot at one of those guys,

Friedman said during the 32 Thoughts podcast.

Why Boston’s moves feel calculated, not cautious

Look closer at what the Bruins did, and what they didn’t do. Arvidsson was brought in on a low-risk contract. Jeannot, while signed long-term, comes at a price that won’t limit Boston’s flexibility.

Beyond that, the team steered clear of locking themselves into big commitments.

It’s not hesitation, it’s preparation.

The only player added this summer with term beyond 2025 is Jeannot. That sets the Bruins up with a clean cap sheet heading into a potentially massive 2026 offseason. Sweeney appears to be setting the stage, not just filling holes.

Bruins eyeing a loaded 2026 free-agent market

There’s a reason Boston might be quietly positioning itself for next summer. If the stars align, the 2026 free-agent class could be stacked, we’re talking Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Kirill Kaprizov, Kyle Connor, Artemi Panarin, Martin Necas, and Patrik Laine.

Will all of them actually hit the market? Probably not. But Boston’s focus isn’t on certainty, it’s about opportunity. By keeping their books clean and avoiding long-term baggage, the Bruins are preparing for the moment one of those stars becomes available.

That’s not something you do overnight. It takes planning, and patience.

Building for the future with Hagens, Pastrnak and McAvoy

The Bruins aren’t just hunting for outside help. Internally, they’ve got plenty of talent to build around.

David Pastrnak continues to be a top-tier goal scorer. Charlie McAvoy is still the backbone of Boston’s blue line. And now, the club has added 2024 seventh overall pick James Hagens, a player who, not long ago, was projected to go first overall.

If Hagens hits, Boston’s core gets a serious boost. Pair him with Pastrnak and McAvoy, and you’ve got the kind of nucleus every GM dreams about, skilled, young, and locked in.

This summer’s quiet might be next year’s loud

Boston’s offseason has been subtle, on purpose. They’re not making headlines now because they’re aiming to make them later.

The short-term additions, the financial breathing room, and the emphasis on long-term flexibility all point to a bigger plan.

The Bruins aren’t just trying to stay competitive, they’re trying to strike when the time is right.