The offseason between the 2014-15 and 2015-16 NHL seasons led many to speculate that the Boston Bruins were no longer legitimate playoff contenders. The team missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2006-07 season, and changes were made.
The Bruins fired then-general manager Peter Chiarelli. Potential cornerstone defenseman Dougie Hamilton was traded along with fan-favorite Milan Lucic, Tyler Seguin-trade returnee Reilly Smith, and even Marc Savard was moved. The Bruins did bring in some players and prospects along with future draft picks, but the immediate return was not enough to convince critics that the Bruins were going to be legitimate threats in the NHL this season.