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Bruins GM Don Sweeney pushed to offer sheet rising Rangers star as offseason pressure mounts, per report

Originally posted on Bruins After Dark | By Jake Donovan | Last updated May 20, 2025 4:42 PM ET

Bruins fans react bitterly to Sweeney’s extension while offseason hopes turn from a Knies splash to a potential Cuylle pursuit.

Tuesday’s announcement that Don Sweeney will remain at the helm as general manager of the Boston Bruins for another two years wasn’t met with quiet approval—it triggered something much louder.

The reaction online?

Immediate and overwhelming. While the organization doubled down on continuity, much of the fanbase saw a missed opportunity for change.

Let’s just say Bruins fans are not happy.

Social platforms lit up with criticism, some messages too blunt to quote.

For many supporters, the announcement wasn’t just about a GM extension—it was a statement about direction. A direction they’re no longer confident in.

From Matthews Knies buzz to reality check

All offseason, speculation swirled around one name: Matthews Knies.

The 22-year-old Toronto Maple Leafs winger had become a fan favorite dream target—big, skilled, young, and seemingly just on the cusp of breaking out.

Paired with David Pastrnak, and potentially guided by a returning Brad Marchand, Knies could’ve made for a devastating top-six addition.

But as the dream took shape online, an insider poured cold water on it.

Bruins analyst Conor Ryan gave a different name to watch:

Matthew Knies is the popular choice, but my No. 1 RFA target is Will Cuylle.

Already a 20-goal menace – with room to grow.

Cuylle fits what the Bruins actually need

Will Cuylle isn’t as flashy as Knies—but he might be more practical.

At 6-foot-2 and 213 pounds, the 22-year-old has shown he can handle NHL pressure, producing 45 points with the Rangers despite averaging under 12 minutes a night.

He plays a north-south game, hits hard, and finds the net.

In other words, he’s Bruins hockey.

In Boston, where the middle six still lacks punch and identity, Cuylle could find another level.

With more ice time, responsibility, and a system that fits his style, the breakout could be real.

The Sweeney decision lands flat—but it’s not the final word

The frustration around Don Sweeney’s extension isn’t just about past moves—it’s about what comes next. Fans aren’t upset over one deal; they’re losing faith in the overall direction.

What they’re asking for isn’t just a big name.

It’s conviction. Risk. Urgency.

Whether that ends in an offer sheet for Cuylle or a different RFA gamble, Sweeney’s path forward is under a microscope. He has time—but not much—to prove the critics wrong.

For now, all eyes are on the Bruins’ next move. And this time, the fans won’t settle for business as usual.

This article first appeared on Bruins after dark and was syndicated with permission.

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