By: Declan Flavin | Follow me on Twitter / X @FlavinDeclan
The Boston Bruins and their foundation held its 22nd annual golf tournament, and General Manager Don Sweeney is ready to take on the 2025-2026 season with his assembled group. He is confident in younger talent being maximized by the veterans on the team and in the future captain revealing himself as the season goes on. Ultimately, he believes the group can compete with any opponent in the league. From all indications, this is a decision-maker with a plan, now waiting for results to prove his point.
“Also talk about a forward thinking process of integrating younger players that do need space and time and protection to a degree in this league, so as they go through the learning curve that each and every one of them face.” —Sweeney, via WEEI’s Bridgette Proulx
Sweeney has clearly recognized the physical targeting of younger talent, such as Matthew Poitras. Poitras possesses a high level of offensive creativity, but he’s been worn down by an aggressive forecheck that sends both his mind and body through the washing machine.
He is one example of others, such as Fabian Lysell and Georgii Merkulov, who also haven’t produced enough to overcome the challenges posed by a physical opponent. The hope is that an addition like Tanner Jeannot can not only remind opponents to be aware of the repercussions but also create space for a young player, especially if they’re on the same line. Taking into account Jeannot’s contract and production, this managerial approach could represent only half the solution, but it’s worth a try for a retool that’s going to take a season or two regardless.
“I think eventually somebody will emerge as the guy that should be the next captain.” —Sweeney, via WEEI’s Scott McLaughlin
Whether it’s David Pastrnak or Charlie McAvoy, Sweeney has to be learning from past experience. Although former captain and Bruin Brad Marchand was a key player and an important presence for the Bruins’ culture, he was always suited to be the secondary personality who brings out the best in the team’s leaders.
Both Pastrnak and McAvoy are naturally quiet in their approach to the game, so this is a situation where Sweeney and the coaching staff really want the decision to be more definitive this time around. Whoever does ascend to the captaincy will be the one who maintains the energy of the locker room and bench with the first minutes of their ice time or vocally throughout the game. With a roster both young and old, the Bruins simply can’t afford to mess this up during such an important organizational transition.
“If we stay healthy, I think we’re going to be very competitive.” —Sweeney, via Boston Globe’s Conor Ryan
Sweeney has to be referencing the defense and goaltending when talking up the future competitiveness of this team. The defense, led by McAvoy and Nikita Zadorov, probably has enough to stand on its own, and Jeremy Swayman can likely perform better than he did last season.
However, will it matter if the Bruins potentially finish at the bottom of the league in scoring? Perhaps Sweeney still has opportunities to explore on the trade market or in free agency. Regardless, relying on the defense and goaltending to answer both in-house decisions and various media questions remains a risk that everyone will be watching unfold.
Two-thirds of Sweeney’s feedback already reflects a somewhat sound plan, though the team’s offensive production being strong enough to make them competitive would likely surprise many. For now, supporting young talent and establishing the locker room with a growing vocal leader is key. Focusing on intangibles will create consistency for players now and in the future, helping to maximize the team’s window. With rookie camp underway, the team is closer to the season and ready to put Sweeney’s beliefs to the test.
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