Believe it or not, the final month of the 2024-25 NHL regular season has arrived, and for the Boston Bruins, it’s an unfamiliar and disappointing situation. Instead of battling for playoff positioning, the Black and Gold are simply playing out the stretch, destined to miss the Eastern Conference playoffs. It’s a scenario the team isn’t accustomed to facing at this point in the year. One thing is certain — once the season wraps up, the front office is in for a busy offseason.
How general manager Don Sweeney plans to shake things up remains uncertain, but roster changes are inevitable, as they are every offseason. As the Bruins continue their five-game West Coast road trip, attention turns to three players who appear to be in their final month with the organization and are unlikely to return for the 2025-26 season.
Believe it or not, the final month of the 2024-25 NHL regular season is upon us, and for the Boston Bruins, instead of fighting for playoff positioning, the Black and Gold are playing out the string and will miss the Eastern Conference playoffs. It’s not a position they are used to being in at this time of the year. One thing is clear, after the season ends, it’s going to be a busy off-season for the front office.
Just how general manager Don Sweeney decides to change things up remains to be seen, but there are going to be roster changes, which happens every off-season. As the Black and Gold continue on their West Coast five-game road trip, here are three players who are beginning their last month in the organization and won’t be around for 2025-26.
Parker Wortherspoon
Every position on the Bruins’ roster is set for an overhaul, and on defense, Parker Wotherspoon appears to be skating through the final month of his time with the team — at least that’s what many are hoping. While he has served as a serviceable seventh defenseman, injuries to Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm have given him extended playing time, and the results haven’t been convincing enough to warrant a re-signing.
The 27-year-old has recorded one goal and five assists with a minus-7 rating in 43 games this season. By comparison, he posted eight assists and a plus-6 rating in 41 games last season, but his performance has taken a noticeable dip. Unfortunately, the Providence Bruins don’t currently have an AHL prospect ready to step into the role, despite recently signing Ty Gallagher. This leaves general manager Don Sweeney with the task of finding a replacement through free agency or a trade. However, after re-signing Wotherspoon last season, it seems clear that it’s time for the Bruins to move on.
Believe it or not, the final month of the 2024-25 NHL regular season is upon us, and for the Boston Bruins, instead of fighting for playoff positioning, the Black and Gold are playing out the string and will miss the Eastern Conference playoffs. It’s not a position they are used to being in at this time of the year. One thing is clear, after the season ends, it’s going to be a busy off-season for the front office.
Just how general manager Don Sweeney decides to change things up remains to be seen, but there are going to be roster changes, which happens every off-season. As the Black and Gold continue on their West Coast five-game road trip, here are three players who are beginning their last month in the organization and won’t be around for 2025-26.
Patrick Brown
The Bruins have a number of bottom-six forwards on the roster and some of them should not be on the roster. One of those is veteran Patrick Brown, who has spent time between Providence and Boston this year. He is currently with the Black and Gold and he doesn’t offer anything.
If the Bruins are tanking for a better shot at getting a high lottery pick, then Brown is the guy to keep rolling out on a nightly basis as his one assist in nine games will not help win any games. I understand keeping some of the younger players in the AHL for the rest of the season, but keeping Brown in the lineup shows just how many bottom-six forwards are on the roster. It’s time to move on from him this off-season as he has not contributed much in the last two seasons.
Vinni Lettieri
Another bottom-six forward likely nearing the end of his time in Boston is Vinni Lettieri, who is set to become a free agent at the conclusion of the season. This appears to be his final month wearing the Spoked-B. Last season, he suited up for 46 games with the Minnesota Wild before being traded back to Boston last June.
This year, Lettieri has appeared in 15 games for the Bruins, tallying two goals and three points. While he plays hard and has a knack for being an irritating presence on the ice, he’s ultimately part of a growing list of forwards blocking the path for younger talent. Moving forward, general manager Don Sweeney needs to take a different approach with the bottom six, and Lettieri is a player the Bruins should move on from.
Roster changes are inevitable, and the Bruins are poised for another offseason filled with adjustments. With more players expected to depart before the 2025-26 season, some of these moves could be eye-opening, whether they come through free agency or trades. It’s clear that a new direction is on the horizon.