The Boston Bruins did not qualify for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but they did get a “win” Tuesday when the Eastern Conference Final between the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes started. That’s because the Brad Marchand trade between the Bruins and Panthers is now complete,

In dealing Marchand, Carlo, Charlie Coyle, Trent Frederic and a fifth-rounder at the deadline, the Bruins landed two first-round picks, two second-round picks, two fourth-round picks, Fraser Minten, Casey Mittelstadt and more.

Bruins fans may not love Florida—but if the Panthers knock out Toronto, Boston gets a first-round pick for Brad Marchand. It’s not something Boston fans are used to—pulling for the Florida Panthers in May.

Just one more condition has to be met for the Panthers to send the Bruins a first-round draft pick to complete the Brad Marchand trade.

Sweeney’s mandate is to turn around a club that finished with the fifth-worst record and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

With the Bruins making a decision already with Sweeney's fate in Boston, they can now turn their focus more on other major agendas in the offseason. For one, the Bruins need to find a permanent head coach after firing Jim Montgomery amid the 2024-25 NHL season and replacing him with interim Joe Sacco.

It was a somewhat controversial trade deadline among fans in Boston, who saw the team part ways with longtime forward Brad Marchand, who was dealt to the Florida Panthers. The team also offloaded veterans such as Trent Frederic, Brandon Carlo and Charlie Coyle, among others.