The Boston Bruins made a rather controversial move in NHL Free Agency this summer. Boston signed former Los Angeles Kings winger Tanner Jeannot to a five-year contract worth a total of $17 million. It’s a deal that was panned by pundits and fans alike once the move was announced.
Jeannot was once a very promising player. He scored 24 goals and 41 points in 81 games with the Nashville Predators back in the 2021-22 campaign. During this season, he delivered an astonishing 318 hits. However, his offensive production dropped off a cliff after this season.
A trade to the Tampa Bay Lightning did him no favors, unfortunately. He played just 23 games — regular season and playoffs combined — for the franchise after they traded forward Cal Foote and five draft picks to Nashville. He was then sent to the Kings in the summer of 2024.
Now, he gears up to play for his third team in as many years. And this one is the best fit of them all, according to Jeannot. He mentioned that it was the team’s history of grit and toughness that led him to sign in Boston on July 1.
“Being the type of culture that I’ve tried to emulate in my own game, it obviously sparked some interest for me when they showed interest in me,” Jeannot said, via Bruins reporter Eric Russo. “Just as a place that I could go to, play my game and be the best version of the player that I can be, and really show my full potential – be the player I know I’m capable of being, and that was a big reason for choosing the Bruins. I can’t be more excited to get things going and become a Bruin.”
What Tanner Jeannot Brings to Bruins
Claus Andersen/Getty ImagesTanner Jeannot believes his style of play fits perfectly with the Boston Bruins.
Jeannot has seen his offense fall off a cliff since the 2021-22 season. However, one aspect of his game that remains is his physicality. He has yet to deliver 300+ hits in a season since his first full year with the Predators. But he is still ready and willing to throw the body.
Jeannot has thrown at least 200 hits in each of the last three seasons. In 2022-23, he delivered 290 checks to his opponents. This number dropped in the last two seasons, but he posted back-to-back 211-hit seasons with the Lightning and Kings. This physicality is something the journeyman forward can bring to the Bruins.
“I bring a really physical game, hard to play against. I try to make other guys know that I’m on the ice, and make them feel uncomfortable, and maybe that makes them get rid of pucks a little bit quicker, put their teammate in a tougher spot,” said Jeannot, via Russo. “And that tends to create more turnovers and gets the puck into my team’s hands a little bit more often. So that’s the type of element that I can bring to a line.”
Boston Hoping Jeannot Can Lead in 2025-26
The physicality is one aspect the Bruins were certainly interested in. However, it’s not the only thing they hope he can bring to the table in 2025-26. Boston is going to count on him to step up on and off the ice as an important voice for the team.
“His leadership skills, how he prepares to play the game, I think that all just boils over into what we need to improve upon,” said Sweeney. “And also support David (Pastrnak) and Charlie (McAvoy) who are stepping into leadership situations – they’ve been assistant captains – but there’s a lot that goes into being at the upper echelon level of leadership and what’s required of you along with being an elite player in the National Hockey League.”
Many pundits and fans were not impressed with this contract when signed. However, the Bruins clearly have full faith in Jeannot’s ability to make a positive impact. If he can, Boston certainly won’t mind any outside noise about the terms of this deal.