Bruins Taking Big Risk With Questionable Free-Agent Signing

The Boston Bruins made multiple additions to their roster during the first day of free agency, but they did not get a true top-six winger. Instead, they signed an array of bottom-six forwards, with Tanner Jeannot being the most notable. However, this is due to the big contract that he received.

The Bruins paid significantly more than expected to secure Jeannot's services, as they signed him to a five-year, $17 million contract. With this, the 6-foot-2 winger will have a $3.4 million cap hit until the end of the 2029-30 season. 

The Bruins having interest in Jeannot is understandable. He is one of the NHL's toughest players, and he will make Boston a tougher team to face physically. However, the Bruins signing him for both a lot of money and term are where things get very questionable. This is especially so when noting that Jeannot will be 33 when the contract expires. 

After posting 24 goals and 41 points as a rookie with the Nashville Predators in 2021-22, Jeannot has not come close to matching that offensive production since. During the following season, he had six goals and 18 points in 76 games split between the Predators and Tampa Bay Lightning. After that, he posted seven goals and 14 points in 55 contests for the Lightning in 2023-24. 

Jeannot also did not bounce back again this past season with the Los Angeles Kings, recording seven goals and 13 points in 67 games. With Jeannot now having three quiet offensive seasons in a row, it is hard to say for certain that he will get his production closer to his rookie totals. This is especially so when noting that he has produced like a fourth-liner since. 

Overall, Jeannot should still make an impact in the Bruins' bottom six because of his gritty style of play, which is definitely not a bad thing. However, with the Bruins needing more offense more than anything else, it is fair to question why their most expensive free-agent signing so far is a bottom-six tough guy.

We will need to wait and see if this long-term gamble works out for the Bruins from here.