Just as every opening night in the fall begins with some hope that “this is the year,” the start of every offseason kicks off with the belief that the free agent or trade markets will supply the one or two players that will propel teams to the Stanley Cup, or at least into contender-hood.

Sometimes it happens, most of the time it doesn’t.

But while this year’s free agent market is thin, there has been an unusual amount of chatter on the trade market, including around certain players that are hard to find – namely, first line centers. Detroit’s Dylan Larkin, New Jersey’s Nico Hischier, St. Louis’ Robert Thomas and Toronto’s Auston Matthews have all been names that have come under discussion, albeit with the speculation waxing and waning on some of them.

Speaking at his 32nd annual golf tournament to benefit the Cam Neely Foundation, the Bruins team president struck an optimistic tone that they can get some help this offseason that can make an impact.

“We’re certainly going to give it a go. That’s our hope,” said Neely at the Charles River Country Club on Monday morning. “Obviously the start of the year, there’s a lot more names on the potential UFA list that kind of dried up. In talking with (general manager Don Sweeney) when he came out of the combine, (there’s) a lot of chatter about trades so we’ll see where it goes.”

The B’s need to be big-game hunting if they want to take a step forward from their 100-point season that ended in the first round. They need more punch up front and their back end needs more balance.

“Obviously throughout the year, we were a little light in the top six and that’s still an area we want to address. On the back end, the elusive right-shot D that has some offense on the offensive blue line would be helpful,” Neely said. “But those are things we are still trying to target. If you look at the teams that have advanced, they’re pretty stacked throughout their lineup.”

Of the names mentioned, the one that seems most likely to be moved is Larkin, who has reportedly requested a trade. But apparently, the Red Wings captain, who has a no-trade clause, has a very short wish list. The Detroit Free Press reported that the list includes only the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild and Vegas Golden Knights, all considered to be among the elite. That status comes with its privileges when it comes to acquiring players who are chasing a Stanley Cup, as Larkin apparently is. The B’s benefited from that status just a few years ago when Taylor Hall forced a trade to Boston from the Buffalo Sabres.

But that was then and this is now and the B’s are understandably not viewed that way at the moment. If Larkin does expand his list, or another first line center should somehow become available, Neely said the organization won’t be hesitant to spend some of it’s future capital to make the team better now.

And they have accrued some over the last couple of years, including James Hagens and Matt Poitras – both already pros – as well as Boston College’s Dean Letourneau (perhaps a 1C of the future), North Dakota’s Will Zellers and three first-round picks in 2028, including the rebuilding Toronto Maple Leafs’ unprotected first rounder (there had been some confusion as to whether that’s the ‘27 or ‘28 pick but Neely is operating under the belief that it’s ‘28). Another chip could be Pavel Zacha, who at 29 and coming off his best season is going into the final year of his contract.

Any of those pieces would be tough to give up. Those are the fruits primarily of being lousy, which the B’s were in 2024-25. But David Pastrnak is 30, Nikita Zadorov is 31, Hampus Lindholm is 32, Charlie McAvoy is 28 and Morgan Geekie will be 28 on July 20. It’s anyone’s guess how much any of those future assets will contribute during those players’ primes. That’s not lost on Neely.

“If it’s going to help us, I’m all about being aggressive,” he said. “If it’s going to help us today, tomorrow and the next day, for sure. We know where our core group is. We certainly would like to add and give them another opportunity at a kick at the can. So last year was a good stepping stone but we’ve still got work to do.”

The free agent crop may not yield much. Buffalo right wing Alex Tuch could hit the market and he could still help but the cost could be prohibitive, thanks in part to the slim pickings. Tampa right-shot defenseman Darren Raddysh could also be in line for some overpayment as well.

Teams are signing their own players. Neely believes it has something to do with impending change in the CBA which stipulates that teams will no longer be able to offer their own free agents eight-year terms. It is set to go to a seven-year max for payers re-signing with their own teams and six years if they sign with another team. He theorized that the pendulum will back at some point.

“Some of it has to do with going away from eight years. I think players and agents say, ‘Hey, listen, this is the last time you’re going to get that extra year, so take advantage of it,’” Neely said. “That’s the only thing I can think of. You may see down the road more and more guys get to free agency but I think it was just because of that eighth year.”

As for the team’s own UFAs, Viktor Arvidsson and Andrew Peeke, Neely said negotiations continue but there are no guarantees.

“Don’s in constant contact with their agents,” Neely said. “I know as we get close to July, they (may) feel, ‘OK, let’s see what’s out there.’ But I know Don’s in constant contact with both those agents.”

Swayman watching closely

With his partner expecting the couple’s baby any day now, goalie Jeremy Swayman had his cell phone in his pocket and “on loud” before heading onto the course.

“My golf team is going to hate me,” Swayman joked.

Many players unplug from the game when their season ends but Swayman said he’s been tuned into the playoffs.

“I’ve got a hard time switching it off so I’ve been watching playoffs pretty closely,” Swayman said. “Just trying to learn how to manage a playoff run all the way to June. That’s the goal and there’s a lot of motivation watching these games.”

Bergeron standing pat

Former Bruins great Patrice Bergeron was on the ice with center Fraser Minten once last season to give him some pointers. But he said that’s enough for him for now.

“I think I’m still taking my time. I still want to prioritize my family for now,” said Bergeron, who is enjoying being involved in his kids’ hockey. “It’s been a lot of fun for me to do that and be home while my wife (Stephanie) pursues her passion as well (she’s pursuing an advanced degree in psychology). I think it’s important for us as a family to do that. I’m in no rush to jump into something.

“That being said, I do enjoy coming in once in a while. It was fun. But it seems more, right now, the timing is not there at the moment. We’ll see and take it slowly. I enjoyed going in and seeing some of the guys. If I can help in any way, I’m always available anyways.”