2016 NHL offseason outlook: Boston Bruins

After missing the Stanley Cup playoffs for the second consecutive season, big changes could be coming for the Boston Bruins.

Entering the 2015-16 season, the Boston Bruins had some issues but they were still expected to be a playoff team. However, after beating the New York Islanders on March 12, Boston went on to lose nine of their last 12 games (including eight in regulation) to miss the playoffs for the second consecutive season. A team that was once a perennial contender now finds itself facing one of its most important offseasons in recent memory.

Boston will likely still be buyers rather than sellers. They have a strong core of players and they owe it to Zdeno Chara to try to win one more Stanley Cup. That might cost them in the future, but for now, expect Boston to be competitive again next season. However, competitive isn’t enough to do anything in the playoffs, and keep in mind that Boston was “competitive” the past two seasons as well. If they want to do damage in the playoffs, they’ll have to improve.

They have 15 players under contract for next season, and according to Cap Friendly, they will have just under $20 million of cap space. Factoring in defenseman Torey Krug’s likely extension, they will have 16 players under contract and between $14 million and $15 million of cap space.

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Next: 2015-16 Season Review