BOSTON – The holiday break is upon the Boston Bruins. They did not go into it the way they would have liked to, though. The team is entering their break on a four-game losing streak.

It got off to an exciting start; two fights got the building going. Shortly after, the Bruins took a 2-1 lead into the first intermission. It did not go too well for the Bruins from there, falling by a score of 6-2. The Bruins also announced that one of their defensemen had been reassigned to the Providence Bruins.

Around the league, there have been two entry-level contracts signed. Also, teams are checking to see if they can solve their goalie problem by calling a legend out of retirement. In Toronto, Marc Savard was the first change, but it seems like no more management changes are coming. Sticking within the division, the Buffalo Sabres have been on fire and have won seven straight. Catch it all in today’s Christmas Eve edition of the Daily Bean.

Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins dropped their fourth straight game last night. Unfortunately, that is the fourth straight. The break will serve as a serviceable time for the team to rest and recover, both mentally and physically. Then, after the break, the Bruins embark on a five-game road trip, starting in Western New York and continuing in Western Canada. Critical points are on the line, especially considering how tight the standings are in the Atlantic Division.

Also, from the game yesterday, the Boston Bruins assigned Victor Soderstrom to the Providence Bruins. Soderstrom skated in eight games for Boston; he picked up an assist and finished at a plus-three. He will go back to Providence, as he is not waiver-eligible; he has nine points in 18 games played for the P-Bruins.

Two Bruins prospects were in action last night as the World Juniors Pre-Tournament came to a close. James Hagens skated as the first line center, and Will Zellers was bumped up to the third line. Neither of the prospects made it to the scoresheet.

Team USA Hockey announced that both James Hagens and Will Zellers made the roster for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championships. Zellers’ two-goal game on Sunday lifted him from a camp invite to the roster. Team USA’s first game is on Friday at 6:00 PM ET. All of the USA games will be televised on the NHL Network.

NHL News & National Hockey Now

TSN: Teams are checking in on the 41-year-old Marc-Andre Fleury, per Pierre LeBrun. He retired at the end of the 2024-25 season and came back for a preseason “retirement” game with the Penguins in September. Fleury played in over 1,000 NHL games, was a part of three Stanley Cup wins, and won the Vezina Trophy in 2020-21.

NHL.com: The Buffalo Sabres just knocked down the Ottawa Senators and have now won seven straight. The win came at a score of 3-2, but the Sabres approach the holiday break like any team dreams of. They have improved their record from 11-14-4 to 18-14-4, and rank just behind the Bruins with two games in hand. The Bruins return from the break with a game in Buffalo.

Toronto Hockey Now: Brad Treliving and Craig Berube are not going to face the firing squad. And the general manager doubled down, reassuring his trust in the head coach just a day after firing assistant coach Marc Savard. His firing served as “a warning shot,” per Chris Johnston.

TSN: The Montreal Canadiens have signed prospect defenseman Bryce Pickford to an entry-level contract on Wednesday. Pickford has 44 points this season for the Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) and was selected in the third round of the 2025 NHL draft. The contract will begin next season.

NHL.com: The Los Angeles Kings have signed forward prospect Jimmy Lombardi to an entry-level contract. Lombardi, who was committed to the University of Michigan, has 21 goals and 41 points for Flint (OHL) this season. With the contract, Lombardi’s development path will continue in the OHL, as opposed to Michigan and the NCAA.