Tanner Jeannot Has Been Productive in His First Season as a Bruin

By: Chad Jones | Follow me on Twitter/X @ShutUpChadJones

When Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney signed Tanner Jeannot to a five-year, $17 million contract this past offseason, many wondered whether it was a good investment. Jeannot is known for bringing a rugged style to any roster he joins. But was a commitment of this many years’ worth it for Boston?

In his first year in Black and Gold, Jeannot has fit in just fine. He has brought much-needed physicality to the Bruins’ lineup. As last year, Boston was too easy to play against and too often lacked the hard-nosed style Bruins fans have been accustomed to seeing from the organization.

Jeannot has been physical without spending too much unnecessary time in the penalty box. In 41 games this season, he has been assessed 39 penalty minutes. And when you factor in how many of those penalties were from fighting majors, Jeannot has been effective at knowing how to make his presence known while staying within the rules.

And since he has not created a habit of taking too many penalties, Bruins Head Coach Marco Sturm trusts him when Boston must kill a penalty. Jeannot is eighth on the Bruins in averaging the most shorthanded time on ice per game. And he is fourth in the ranking of forwards, as only Sean Kuraly, Mark Kastelic, and Fraser Minten average more minutes per game on the penalty kill.

And speaking of Kastelic, he and Jeannot are doing a great job stabilizing Boston’s fourth line. They consistently make life difficult for opposing defensemen with an energetic forecheck and willingness to consistently make body contact.

While his physical game and responsible defensive play have been Jeannot’s main calling cards this season, he has been productive offensively at times as well. He has potted four goals and dished out 13 assists. His 17 points are the most he has corralled in a single campaign since posting a career best of 41 during the 2021-2022 season as a Nashville Predator.

So far, the Bruins have to be pleased with Jeannot’s game this season. It is always a good sign when a player immediately finds his role and performs to his ability in the first year of a contract with a new team.

The question, however, remains how Jeannot will look throughout the entirety of his contract. The 28-year-old winger’s deal with Boston is locked in through the 2029-2030 season. And since he plays a very hard game, it might be a challenge to stay healthy and effective each year.

But just passed the halfway point of his first season as a Bruin, Jeannot is living up to his contract. Boston will certainly take this level of play from a physical forward who can be useful on the penalty kill, stick up for his teammates, and occasionally chip in with some offensive production.

The Bruins will take on the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight on home ice as they look to keep the momentum rolling after their dominant 10-2 win over the New York Rangers on Saturday afternoon. If you want to see the Bruins in person at TD Garden or on the road, consider using this official StubHub Ticket-affiliated link here for the most competitive concert and sporting event tickets in the North American region.