I like the moves so far, I am not sure where this leaves the team as a cup favorite. The team still feels like it is built for the regular season. Too many of their top players (Zacha, Lindholm the dman and Pasta) disappear in the playoffs for them to be a real contender. Adding Poitras and Lysell will not help with team toughness. The new Lindholm was good in this years playoffs, so maybe he can help create space for Pasta, adding grit to the dmen and fourth line will also help.
I do not see them as an elite club or true Cup contender.
Not yet.
But given what they acquired (and subtracted) through both draft and free agency, they're closer than they've been since, say, 2019.
The most heartening development for me is that given his draft selections over the past three seasons, especially this year, Sweeney finally seems to understand that size, physicality and truculence matter.
The free agent signings this year make this change of "philosophy" -- and direction/trajectory for the Bruins going forward -- quite clear.
Given his track record over nearly ten years, I never, ever thought I would say this about Don Sweeney.
The draft selections will have to develop, and of course that will take time, especially relative to Letourneau, who is a high-risk, high-reward gamble. I give Sweeney and his scouts great credit for taking that gamble. It might not work out, but at least they were willing to swing for the fences rather than play it safe.
All of this shall unfold as it will.
Chronically impatient Bruins fans will need to adjust both their expectations and their timeline.
It should be fun to watch.
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