The Boston Bruins have signed general manager Don Sweeney to a two-year contract extension. Per The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, Sweeney’s current deal expires after next season, so his new deal takes him through the 2027-28 season.
This decision comes after the franchise went 33-39-10, recording its lowest win total in an 82-game season since 2005-06.
Despite the disappointing season, the Bruins opted to double down on their front office regime, going a different route than the New York Islanders, who chose not to renew Lou Lamoriello’s contract following a disappointing 2024-25 season.
On Long Island, ownership thought it was time for a change despite being in a boat similar to Boston.
Like the Islanders, the Bruins are in the midst of a retool.
Boston elected to trade captain Brad Marchand to the Florida Panthers at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, Charlie Coyle to the Colorado Avalanche, Trent Frederic to the Edmonton Oilers, and Justin Brazeau to the Minnesota Wild.
The Islanders elected to trade veteran Brock Nelson to the Colorado Avalanche, with more change on the horizon, per Lamoriello's post-trade-deadline press conference.
Ownership could have signed Lamoriello to an extension, allowing him to act on his words.
However, they believe the retool will be better suited with someone else making the decisions.
Sweeney has been with the Bruins organization since 2006 and served as general manager since 2015, so it is no surprise the franchise was reluctant to part ways with him, even though the team has not advanced past the second round in any of the last six seasons.
For the Islanders, allowing Lamoriello’s contract to expire was an equally tough call, especially considering how he reshaped the franchise after taking over in 2018. Still, the move signaled ownership’s refusal to settle and a clear commitment to winning.
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Michael Ostrower contributed to this story.