Bruins regret letting rising forward walk as he shines with rival

After a quiet exit from Boston, Jesper Boqvist is making plenty of noise in Florida, and the Bruins are left watching.

When the Bruins passed on re-signing Jesper Boqvist last summer, it barely made a ripple. He wasn’t a regular fixture in the lineup.

There were no major headlines, no backlash. Just another offseason formality.

But now, that decision feels a little different.

Boqvist, who opened the 2023-24 season in Providence, clawed his way back onto Boston’s roster by January.

From that point forward, he did exactly what was asked of him: played a reliable depth role, stayed responsible defensively, and chipped in when needed.

In 47 games, he tallied six goals, 14 points, landed 71 hits, and finished with a plus-12 rating.

He’d earned another shot.

Boston didn’t offer one.

Florida saw something Boston didn’t — and it paid off

After Boqvist hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent, the Panthers gave him a one-year deal worth $775,000. It didn’t make headlines, either. But for a Florida team that values versatility and edge in its bottom six, Boqvist fit right in.

Over 78 regular-season games, he produced 12 goals and 23 points, while laying down an eye-popping 191 hits. His role expanded. His game matured. His confidence showed.

Florida liked what they saw, enough to offer a two-year, $3 million extension that now keeps him under contract through 2026-27.

Florida saw something Boston didn’t, and it paid off

After Boqvist hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent, the Panthers gave him a one-year deal worth $775,000.

It didn’t make headlines, either. But for a Florida team that values versatility and edge in its bottom six, Boqvist fit right in.

Over 78 regular-season games, he produced 12 goals and 23 points, while laying down an eye-popping 191 hits. His role expanded. His game matured. His confidence showed.

Florida liked what they saw — enough to offer a two-year, $3 million extension that now keeps him under contract through 2026-27.

Boqvist shows up in the Stanley Cup playoffs

Boqvist’s contributions haven’t slowed down in the postseason. Through 10 playoff appearances, he’s added two goals and five points, along with a steady plus-1 rating.

In Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final against Carolina, he delivered a statement performance: one goal, two assists, and a key role in a 6-2 win that swung momentum in Florida’s favor.

Those are the kind of moments teams dream of getting from their depth pieces.

It’s not just that Boqvist is performing, it’s where he’s doing it. Florida is one of Boston’s most direct rivals in the East. Seeing a former Bruin making a real impact there, especially at such a low cost, adds salt to the wound.

He didn’t need to be a top-line guy in Boston. He just needed a role. And now, with hindsight, it’s fair to ask: why wasn’t that opportunity there?

There’s no rewriting the decision now. Boqvist is in Florida, playing playoff hockey, helping push the Panthers deeper into the postseason.

Meanwhile, the Bruins are watching, and maybe wondering what could’ve been.