Those fears were finally realized the following spring, with Boston’s first-round collapse against the Panthers marking the end of both Bergeron and David Krejci’s careers. The $4.5 bonus overages on both pivot’s contracts sapped Boston of even more spending power last summer — with just under $5 million available to rework the Bruins’ depth chart. 

Additional offseason departures that included Taylor Hall, Tyler Bertuzzi, Nick Foligno, and Dmitry Orlov further exacerbated Boston’s woes — with the team losing 80 goals and 210 total points from last year’s grouping

As penance for putting all of their chips on the table last season, the 2023-24 Bruins were doomed to a supposed “bridge” season — with whatever middling returns put forth on the ice salvaged by an influx of spending power in the summer of 2024. 

Instead, the Bruins received the best of both worlds. Not only do Don Sweeney and the Bruins have the means to significantly retool this roster — it turns out that the foundation that Boston is already adding to might be better than many expected. 

“I really can’t even put into words how proud I am of this group,” Brad Marchand said of the 2023-24 Bruins. “From where we started, the expectations to start the season — everybody wrote us off, said we wouldn’t even be a playoff team, and we were one of the best teams in the league. 

“We had a lot of new guys, a lot of new roles. And guys came in and we built something special. Started in the room and brought it onto the ice. We had some hiccups along the way but from where we started and where we finished, I couldn’t be more proud of the guys and just seeing different guys flourish in different roles.” 

After operating with under $5 million in cap space last summer, the Bruins are projected to have nearly $20 million this offseason — a number that could grow if Boston finds a trade suitor for Linus Ullmark and his $5 million cap hit. 

After failing to land enough punches against the Panthers defense in the playoffs, the Bruins should have the fiscal flexibility to add to their roster — especially down the middle or on the wing. 

A pivot like Elias Lindholm or Martin Necas could push solid players like Pavel Zacha and Charlie Coyle into roles more suited to their strengths, while a winger like Tyler Toffoli or Jonathan Marchessault could be a short-term stopgap in the top-six grouping. 

“We are in a situation where we can look to add to our core group of guys, and that includes also some of the younger guys,” Sweeney said Wednesday, adding: “We’re going to be aggressive to be able to complement what we currently have in some areas. 

“Our team played hard. To [the point] of whether or not we can play faster or whether or not we can find players that will create more anxiety on the forecheck in some of the situations that… certainly, you look at the teams that are still playing and they do a really good job of that. In pockets of time, we did.”

A surging cap ceiling this summer and in the years ahead should make Boston’s long-term commitments to players like David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy age well over time. 

But beyond the usual suspects anchoring Boston’s roster, the 2023-24 season saw several other key contributors establish themselves as building blocks for this next wave of talent. 

Jeremy Swayman’s sterling performance this postseason (.933 save percentage over 12 games) validates that Boston has a No. 1 fixture in net for the long haul.

Mason Lohrei went from a development project to a top-four contributor this postseason — offering hope that the young blueliner can continue to grow as a minutes-eating regular and potential power-play QB next fall.

Johnny Beecher and Justin Brazeau should continue to develop as fourth-line regulars capable of injecting speed and scoring punch into Boston’s checking unit, while a healthy Matt Poitras will have a chance to build off the promise he showcased before his season-ending injury.

The Bruins already boast a roster that should continue to improve in 2024-25. But a surplus in spending power gives Boston a unique opportunity to further accelerate that growth — so long as they hit on the right players.

“I know that this is a unique offseason for us to have some money to spend, I think,” McAvoy said. “And if it comes to that point and I’m able to help anybody if they’re looking to come here, I’ve got nothing but good things to say about this place. It’s really special.”

The 2023-24 Bruins season ended on a sour note to everyone in Boston’s dressing room — even if the year as a whole was an overachievement. 

But there was no era that ended, as was the fear on April 30, 2023. 

Rather, the Bruins have the chance to usher in a new one this offseason. 

Now, the real work begins.