Kirill Kaprizov just rejected an eight-year, $128M contract extension from the Minnesota Wild — the richest deal in NHL history. Meanwhile, the Boston Bruins have David Pastrnak locked in long-term at $11.25M AAV, despite outproducing Kaprizov across the board the last three seasons.

In this episode of Locked On Boston Bruins, Ian McLaren dives into:

Why Kaprizov said no to $128M and how the rising salary cap changes superstar contracts.

The loaded 2026 UFA class (Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Kaprizov, Kyle Connor, Artemi Panarin, Adrian Kempe, Martin Necas, and more).

How Boston’s $83M in cap commitments stack up — including bargain deals for Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy, and Jeremy Swayman, alongside tougher contracts like Lindholm, Jeannot, and Zadorov.

Bruin of the Day: Cameron Clarke — the defenseman Boston drafted with a pick tied to Kaprizov, now building his career behind the bench.

Could McDavid hit $18M AAV in 2026? Is Pastrnak already the best-value superstar contract in the NHL? And do the Bruins have enough flexibility to build around their core?

📲 Subscribe for daily Bruins coverage: Your Team. Every Day.

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Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney set the tone for the 2025–26 season at the team’s annual golf outing, stressing that nothing will be handed out at training camp — every spot must be earned. He outlined a reset built on better health, stronger defensive structure, and much-needed special teams improvements, while leaning on stars like David Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy, and Jeremy Swayman to lead the charge. Sweeney also left the door open for PTO signings to fuel even more competition, setting the stage for a battle between veterans and prospects. On today’s podcast, Ian McLaren breaks down how this mandate for higher standards could shape camp — with a spotlight on new signing Matej Blümel, the AHL’s leading goal scorer, who could be Boston’s surprise weapon in their quest to rebound.

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Boston’s special teams were a disaster last season — ranking near the bottom of the NHL on both the power play and penalty kill — and it cost them any shot at competing. On today’s Locked On Boston Bruins, Ian McLaren breaks down just how badly those struggles hurt the team’s goal differential and standings, and why improvement is non-negotiable in 2025-26.

He also examines how new head coach Marco Sturm and assistant coach Steve Spott plan to overhaul the offense and special teams, highlighting how players like David Pastrnak, Elias Lindholm, and Mason Lohrei could be deployed in new roles. Plus, with the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo around the corner, McLaren spotlights Fraser Minten as Boston’s most intriguing young player to watch.

It’s a deep dive into what went wrong, what needs to change, and why fixing special teams is the key to a true redemption season for the Bruins.

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The Boston Bruins MUST learn from their past. With Ken Dryden’s passing this weekend, we’re reminded of how Boston once undervalued a young star and handed Montreal the backbone of a dynasty.

Now, in 2025–26, Marco Sturm and Don Sweeney face a similar choice: lean on stopgap veterans like Jeannot, Arvidsson, and Kuraly — or trust Mason Lohrei, Fraser Minten, Fabian Lysell, and the next generation.

On today’s episode:

Why the Kids vs Veterans depth war will define the Bruins’ season.

How Don Sweeney’s grit-over-skill philosophy (see: Beleskey, Backes) keeps blocking Boston’s upside.

And today’s Bruin of the Day: Ken Dryden — a legend who could have backstopped Boston to multiple Cups in the ’70s.

This isn’t just about the past. The Bruins can’t afford to undervalue young talent again, or risk wasting another era of Pastrnak and McAvoy.

📲 Subscribe to Locked On Bruins for daily insight, analysis, and honest fan-first perspective on your team. Your Team. Every Day.

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Jeremy Swayman is heading into Boston Bruins training camp with confidence and swagger — even calling himself “a completely different human being” in third person. After last year’s struggles and heavy fan criticism, the 26-year-old goalie looks locked in following a gold medal performance at the World Championships.

Host Ian McLaren explains why Swayman is ready to rebound, why goalies in Boston always take the heat, and how Tuukka Rask’s career proves that even the best aren’t immune from critics.

All that and more on today’s Locked On Boston Bruins — part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.

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For the first time in 20 years, the Boston Bruins are starting a season without a captain. Ian McLaren breaks down why the team is going with a leadership-by-committee approach, with David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy front and center. Pastrnak’s 106-point season, early arrival at camp, and renewed mindset prove he’s already the Bruins’ true leader. Plus, Bruin of the Day spotlights Marco Sturm — a familiar face and first-time NHL head coach — tasked with building structure, grit, and buy-in to pull Boston out of last year’s basement finish.

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Elias Lindholm admitted last year with the Boston Bruins was “a season I’d rather forget.” Now, entering the 2025–26 NHL season healthy and motivated, Lindholm is determined to redeem himself — and that redemption will define whether the Bruins bounce back into playoff contention.

Host Ian McLaren breaks down:

- Why Lindholm struggled in his first season with Boston (injuries, missed camp, distractions).

- His outlook on a healthier lineup featuring David Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy, and Viktor Arvidsson.

- Why Lindholm’s redemption is central to the Bruins’ success in 2025–26.

Plus: Bruin of the Day is Marat Khusnutdinov (#92). The 22-year-old forward, acquired at the 2025 trade deadline and signed to a new two-year extension, brings speed, energy, and responsible two-way play to the Bruins’ lineup.

Locked On Boston Bruins is your daily podcast for Boston Bruins news, analysis, and insider breakdowns all season long.

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The Boston Bruins are being disrespected by oddsmakers. FanDuel has set their 2025–26 over/under at 76.5 points — the same total they finished with last year when they were last in the Eastern Conference.

In the Season 7 premiere of Locked On Boston Bruins, host Ian McLaren explains why this line is too low and why betting the over is the smart play.

On today’s show:

Segment 1: Why 76.5 is an insult — the Bruins aren’t the same team that limped through last year.

Segment 2: Health, second-year stability for Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov, offseason additions like Victor Arvidsson, Tanner Jeannot, Matej Blümel, and Alex Steeves, plus internal growth from Morgan Geekie and Marat Khusnutdinov — all reasons Boston’s floor is higher. Add in All-Star goalie Jeremy Swayman, and this isn’t a 76-point roster.

Segment 3: Bruin of the Day debuts with the one and only Bobby Orr. Ian shares a personal story about seeing an incredible Orr memorabilia collection, reflects on his complicated legacy, and explains why Orr remains the DNA of the franchise.

Boston might be a bubble playoff team in a tough Atlantic Division — Toronto, Florida, and Tampa are strong, and Ottawa and Montreal are pushing up — but 76.5 is still too low. Tune in daily for analysis, stats, storytelling, and fan perspective on your team, every day.