‘Expectations and accountability are higher than ever’: Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs on team’s disappointing season
‘Expectations and accountability are higher than ever’: Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs on team’s disappointing season
The 2024-25 Boston Bruins season didn’t go as planned for the long-standing Stanley Cup contender, and CEO Charlie Jacobs knows just how difficult it was on his fanbase.
After a 2023-24 season that saw them finish second in the Atlantic Division on 109 points, this year saw them miss the playoffs for the first time since 2015-16. They finished 10th, last in the Atlantic, and only collected 76 points with a record of 33-39-10.
On Wednesday, Jacobs shared his reflections with the fanbase.
“The 2024-25 season was undoubtedly one of the most challenging of my tenure with the Boston Bruins,” he said, going on to thank the fans for their unwavering support, despite the team’s on-ice struggles. “Today, I share your disappointment as the team clears out their locker stalls ahead of a long offseason.”
Although playoff hockey won’t be played at the TD Garden this spring, Jacobs reiterated the club’s goal of winning Stanley Cups while also emphasizing the process of getting to that point.
“Over the past decade, hockey operations, on-ice talent, hard work and commitment brought Bruins hockey to a level of success we are proud of – but we are not satisfied,” Jacobs said. “Our goal of winning another Stanley Cup remains unchanged. It’s clear that we have a lot of work to do, and that work is already underway.”
Some of that work has already been quite significant, with the team free-falling down the standings after selling several pieces ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline, including longtime fan-favorite left winger Brad Marchand, among others.
“Despite how difficult it has been to say goodbye to some of our most beloved Bruins this season, these decisions were rooted in the best interests of the future of our franchise,” Jacobs added. “There is only one way forward from here; expectations and accountability are higher than ever.”
With the Bruins’ slide, they will have a chance at adding a significant prospect through the 2025 NHL Draft, while Jacobs also pledged that the club would bolster its talents through free agency and “open the door for some of our young prospects to take the next steps in their development.”
David Pasternak led the Bruins in 2024-25 with 43 goals and 106 points, and was the only player to crest a point-per-game. He will likely be a key piece in the team’s efforts to return to the playoffs next season, as they look to add talent at the NHL Draft from June 27-28 and as NHL Free Agency opens on July 1.
