Bruins Explain Signing Free-Agent Forward To Long-Term Deal

The Boston Bruins signed winger Tanner Jeannot to a five-year, $17 million contract on Tuesday during the first day of free agency. 

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound forward will play in the bottom six, prompting the question of why the Bruins signed him to a long-term deal.

With the Los Angeles Kings during the 2024-25 season, Jeannot skated in 67 games, adding seven goals and six assists. The 28-year-old had 89 penalty minutes, proving to be a gritty forward.

Jeannot plays a physical game, having at least 200 hits in four straight seasons. He also ranks second in fights in the NHL, recording 40 across four years, according to WEEI’s Scott McLaughlin.

He had an impressive season in 2021-22 with the Nashville Predators, scoring 24 goals with 17 assists, but since then, he hasn’t matched those numbers.

General manager Don Sweeney said on Tuesday that he wants the Bruins to get back to playing a hard style of hockey. With an addition like Jeannot, he could help Boston get back to that.

“We want the infusion right now, and then playing forward, I think it’s hard to find. I really do. I think the younger, skilled players that we plan to incorporate moving forward are going to need a little breathing room. I think Tanner is going to bring a lot of that,” Sweeney told reporters, according to MassLive’s Chris Mason. “I think the room itself, his leadership skills, how he prepares to play the game, I think that all just boils over into what we need to continue to improve upon. And also support.”

Sweeney is confident in the leaders the Bruins already have, including Charlie McAvoy and David Pastrnak, but an addition like Jeannot can add to the leadership room.

“David (Pastrnak) and Charlie (McAvoy) in particular, they’re stepping into leadership situations,” Sweeney said. “They’ve been assistant captains and such, but there’s a lot that goes into being at that upper echelon level of leadership and what’s required of you, along with being an elite player in the National Hockey League…I think bringing in more players that are capable of providing outlets and relief in that sense plays a big part of what team success is all about.”

Jeannot was one of many bottom-six additions Boston made on Day 1 of NHL free agency. What separates him from the other signings is that the Bruins’ front office is hopeful that he will bring energy to the Bruins.

“Deep down, we think he’ll bring a whole lot more energy to our group, that we need,” Sweeney said. “The physicality is there. We run through a tough division. I just think everybody gets a little taller (with Jeannot in the lineup).”