After a tough 2024-25 season, the Boston Bruins have some big decisions to make when it comes to their roster this summer. Given how this campaign went, it would not be surprising in the slightest if we see some changes made to their group.
The Bruins are entering the summer with several pending free agents. Due to this, let's go over each of their notable pending free agents and predict who will stay and who will go.
Morgan Geekie
Morgan Geekie is the Bruins' biggest restricted free agent heading into the summer. The 26-year-old forward just had a career year for the Bruins, scoring 33 goals and recording 57 points in 77 games. With this, he became a big part of the Bruins' top six.
While Geekie has been the subject of trade speculation this off-season, it seems more likely that the Bruins will find a way to re-sign him, rather than move him.
Prediction: Geekie Stays Put In Boston
Mason Lohrei
Mason Lohrei is another notable pending restricted free agent due for his next contract. The 24-year-old defenseman played in 77 games this season, recording five goals, 33 points, and a minus-43 rating. Overall, it was an up-and-down second season for the Louisiana native.
While Lohrei had some struggles this season, it is rather likely that the Bruins will re-sign him. He is one of their most promising young players and has the potential hit a new level.
Prediction: Lohrei Stays Put In Boston
Henri Jokiharju
During the Bruins' trade deadline fire sale, the Original Six club quietly acquired defenseman Henri Jokiharju from the Buffalo Sabres. This was after the Bruins traded fellow right-shot defenseman Brandon Carlo to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Overall, Jokiharju did well following his trade to the Bruins, as he had four assists and a plus-7 rating in 18 games.
With Jokiharju being solid for the Bruins following the move, they could consider bringing him back. However, he is also not necessarily a true long-term answer for the Bruins' top four. Because of this, it would not be too surprising if he tested the market on July 1, especially with this being a weak free agency class when it comes to defensemen.
Prediction: Jokiharju Leaves Boston
Cole Koepke
Cole Koepke was a fun story for the Bruins this season. After spending multiple years primarily in the AHL while with the Tampa Bay Lightning organization, Koepke cemented himself a spot on Boston's NHL roster this season. In 73 games, the gritty forward recorded 10 goals and 17 points.
However, with the Bruins' bottom six being a bit crowded, I would not be particularly surprised if Boston decided to move on from the Minnesota native.
Prediction: Koepke Leaves Boston
Johnny Beecher
Johnny Beecher is another pending restricted free agent the Bruins must make a decision on this summer. The 2019 first-round pick is coming off a quiet season for the Bruins, posting three goals, 11 points, and a minus-9 rating in 78 games.
While Beecher did not necessarily take a step forward in his development this season, it seems possible that the 24-year-old will get another chance to prove himself with the Bruins next season. A cheap bridge deal would probably be best for both sides.
Prediction: Beecher Stays Put In Boston
Jakub Lauko
After trading Jakub Lauko to the Minnesota Wild last off-season, the Bruins brought him right back at this year's deadline in the deal that sent Justin Brazeau to Minnesota. In 18 games with the Bruins following the trade, Lauko had two goals, five points, and 50 hits.
The Bruins missed Lauko's energy and grit in their bottom six when he was gone, so an affordable, short-term deal to keep the fan favorite in Boston would make sense.
Prediction: Lauko Stays Put In Boston
Parker Wotherspoon
Parker Wotherspoon's second season as a depth defenseman for the Bruins did not go too well. In 55 games for Boston in 2024-25, he recorded one goal, six assists, 68 giveaways, and a minus-10 rating. It was simply a rough campaign for the 27-year-old defenseman.
Given how this season went for Wotherspoon, it feels more likely than not that the Bruins won't bring back the 2015 fourth-round pick.
Prediction: Wotherspoon Leaves Boston
Marat Khusnutdinov
Marat Khusnutdinov is the other forward the Bruins acquired from the Wild in the Brazeau trade. Overall, the 22-year-old showed promise with the Bruins following the move, posting three goals, five points, and 18 hits in 18 games.
With the Bruins desperately needing young, skilled talent, don't be surprised if they keep Khusnutdinov, who is a pending restricted free agent, around.
Prediction: Khusnutdinov Stays Put In Boston
Michael DiPietro
Michael DiPietro is the lone Bruin who did not play a game with the NHL club this season, but he is still worth discussing. The 26-year-old goalie is a pending Group 6 unrestricted free agent, and teams are expected to pursue him if he hits the market on July 1 after his outstanding 2024-25 season down in the AHL with the Providence Bruins.
In 40 games this season with Providence, DiPietro had a 26-8-5 record, a .927 save percentage, and a 2.05 goals-against average. After a season like this, it is likely the Bruins would love to keep DiPietro around. However, unless they trade or buy out Joonas Korpisalo, DiPietro could very well look to sign elsewhere if it means him having a better shot at being an NHL backup.
Prediction: DiPietro Leaves Boston (Unless Bruins Move On From Korpisalo)
Former Bruins Forward Lands Big Contract Extension
Former <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins">Boston Bruins </a>forward Ryan Donato has been rewarded for his excellent 2024-25 season.