As the 2024-25 NHL regular season enters its final month, the Boston Bruins find themselves in an unfamiliar position—out of playoff contention and merely finishing out their schedule. For a franchise accustomed to competing for postseason positioning, this marks a significant shift, signaling an offseason filled with potential roster changes. General Manager Don Sweeney faces a crucial summer in reshaping the team, and while the specifics of those changes remain uncertain, it’s clear that adjustments are necessary.
Among those likely to depart, several players stand out as probable casualties of the looming roster shakeup. As the Bruins continue their five-game West Coast road trip, three players, in particular, appear to be skating through their final month in a Bruins uniform.
Parker Wotherspoon
One of the key areas set for an overhaul is the defensive unit, and Parker Wotherspoon is among those unlikely to return next season. The 27-year-old defenseman has served as a depth option and seventh defenseman, but with injuries to key blueliners Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm, he has seen increased playing time—an opportunity that has not yielded promising results.
This season, Wotherspoon has managed just one goal and five assists with a minus-7 rating in 43 games. While he performed slightly better last year with eight assists and a plus-6 rating in 41 games, his play has not been strong enough to warrant another contract. With no immediate prospects in the AHL ready to step into an NHL role, Sweeney will likely look to free agency or the trade market to find a replacement. After re-signing Wotherspoon last offseason, the Bruins appear poised to move on.
Patrick Brown
Boston’s roster is currently filled with bottom-six forwards, many of whom have struggled to make a meaningful impact. Among them, veteran Patrick Brown stands out as a player unlikely to return. Splitting time between the Providence Bruins and the NHL squad, Brown has failed to provide much value at the top level.
If the Bruins were actively tanking for a better draft position, keeping Brown in the lineup might make sense—his single assist in nine games is hardly a game-changing contribution. While there may be some reasoning behind leaving younger players in the AHL for further development, Brown’s continued presence highlights the redundancy among Boston’s bottom-six forwards. With minimal impact over the past two seasons, it is time for the Bruins to move on.
Vinni Lettieri
Another bottom-six forward who appears to be playing his final games for the Bruins is Vinni Lettieri. Set to become a free agent this offseason, Lettieri is unlikely to be re-signed. The forward returned to Boston last June after spending last season with the Minnesota Wild, where he played in 46 games before being traded.
This season, he has suited up for 15 games with Boston, registering two goals and three points. While he brings energy and can be difficult for opponents to play against, he represents another example of a depth forward blocking younger talent from reaching the NHL. Moving forward, Sweeney must revamp the bottom six, making Lettieri’s departure a logical step in that direction.
With changes on the horizon, the Bruins’ roster will likely look significantly different for the 2025–26 season. While these three players are among those expected to move on, they won’t be the only ones. A major offseason shake-up—whether through free agency, trades, or internal promotions—is expected, and it could include some surprising moves as the organization looks to rebound from a disappointing campaign.
Leave a Reply