The Boston Bruins wrapped up a highly disappointing NHL season, missing the playoffs and suffering a steep decline in performance during the second half of the year. Once considered contenders, the team fell off dramatically, finishing with a dismal 33-39-10 record — the worst in the Eastern Conference. As a result of their struggles, it appears the Bruins may be gearing up for a major rebuild in the offseason.
The notion of a significant roster overhaul gained traction recently thanks to a trade proposal generated by a fan using PuckPedia’s PuckGM simulator. The hypothetical trade involves the Bruins sending the star goaltender and forward to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a haul of promising young players and future assets.
According to the proposed trade, Boston would receive forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi, goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov, top prospect Logan Stankoven, and two future first-round draft picks — one in 2025 and another in 2026 (the latter originally belonging to Dallas). In return, the Hurricanes would acquire Swayman, Zacha, and a 2025 third-round pick. The Bruins will send over Jeremy Swayman and Pavel Zacha.
From Boston’s perspective, this trade would serve as a strategic move toward rebuilding. By bringing in younger talent and acquiring two high-value draft picks, the Bruins could lay the foundation for a future core. Kotkaniemi, who would likely slot into the team’s top-six forward group, is under contract for five more years with a cap hit of $4.82 million per year. He tallied 11 goals and 21 assists in 77 games this season. The 22-year-old Stankoven, still on his entry-level deal, is considered a high-upside forward prospect with plenty of growth potential.
Additionally, the Bruins would gain Kochetkov, a 25-year-old goaltender with starting potential. In 2024, Kochetkov posted a solid 27-16-3 record with a 2.60 goals-against average (GAA) and a .898 save percentage, showcasing his reliability in net and potential to anchor Boston’s crease moving forward.
On the other side of the deal, Carolina would land one of the NHL’s premier goaltenders in Swayman, who despite a lackluster season, remains highly regarded around the league. Swayman struggled with consistency this year, finishing with a 22-29-7 record, a 3.11 GAA, and a .892 save percentage. However, he was limited by an abbreviated offseason due to a contract holdout and believes a full training camp in 2025 will put him back on track. The 25-year-old netminder is under contract for seven more years as part of an eight-year, $66 million deal.
The Hurricanes would also get forward Pavel Zacha, a steady middle-six option who recorded 14 goals and 33 assists across a full 82-game slate this season. His presence would help soften the loss of both Kotkaniemi and Stankoven.
Reflecting on his own performance, Swayman acknowledged the season fell short of expectations and placed the blame squarely on himself. “I take accountability; I wanted to play better,” he said in an April 17 interview. “I know that I can play better, and that’s something that I can’t wait to work on.” He expressed optimism about the future, noting the lessons learned and vowing to return stronger next season.
The Bruins’ head coaching situation also became part of the storyline, with former head coach Jim Montgomery being dismissed midseason. Assistant coach Joe Sacco, a Boston native, was promoted to interim head coach. While Sacco appreciated the chance to coach in his hometown, he was candid about the challenges faced. “There’s been a lot of moving parts this year, and they haven’t quit — right to the end,” he said.
With a poor season behind them and big changes possibly ahead, the Bruins appear ready to make bold decisions. Whether or not a blockbuster trade like the one proposed comes to fruition, it’s clear Boston is at a turning point, and how they handle the offseason could shape the direction of the franchise for years to come.
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