With the countdown to the Boston Bruins’ 2025-26 season opener against the Washington Capitals ticking at just 46 days, there’s more than just anticipation in the air—there’s a sense of reflection and transition swirling around TD Garden. The Bruins’ offseason has been a tapestry of contract decisions, farewells, and the ever-present speculation about the future of some of their most storied jersey numbers. And at the center of the conversation? The legacy of those who’ve donned the iconic No. 46, plus the ongoing saga of a former blue-liner’s search for a new home.
Let’s start with the number that’s become synonymous with Boston hockey excellence: 46. Over the decades, several players have worn it, each leaving a unique mark—some fleeting, others legendary. Ted Donato first suited up in No. 46 during the 1991-92 season, carving out a modest start with one goal and three points across 10 games. That was just the beginning of his NHL journey, though he’d soon swap numbers, eventually returning in 2003-04 wearing No. 40 for his final campaign with the Bruins.
Kyle McLaren took over the number for his rookie year in 1995-96, bringing a physical edge to the blue line. In 74 games, he delivered five goals, 17 points, a striking 73 penalty minutes, and a plus-16 rating. McLaren’s stay in No. 46 was brief—after that season, he switched to No. 18, but his bruising style and 124 points in 417 Bruins games left a lasting impression.
Next up was Barry Richter, who wore No. 46 in 1996-97. The 6-foot-2 defenseman tallied five goals and 13 assists in 50 appearances. His tenure in Boston was short-lived, as he soon moved on to the New York Islanders and Montreal Canadiens, but his steady presence that season is still remembered by diehard fans.
Sean Pronger’s stint in No. 46 during the 1999-00 season was even briefer. The center played just 11 games for the Bruins, notching one assist and logging 13 penalty minutes before being traded to the Islanders in early December 2000. Tony Tuzzolino, meanwhile, appeared in only two games with the Bruins in 2001-02, registering no points and a minus-1 rating before his NHL career wound down and he ventured into other leagues.
Jonathan Girard’s time in No. 46 during the 2002-03 campaign was both a personal high and an unfortunate end. In 73 games, the right-shot defenseman posted career-best numbers: six goals, 16 assists, 22 points, and a plus-4 rating. But tragedy struck during the 2003 offseason when Girard suffered serious injuries in a car accident, sidelining him for the entire next season and ultimately leading to his retirement after a brief AHL comeback attempt.
Of course, no discussion of No. 46 in Boston would be complete without mentioning David Krejci. From his debut in the 2006-07 season through 2020-21, and again in 2022-23, Krejci became the gold standard for Bruins centers. Across 1,032 games, he amassed 231 goals, 555 assists, and 786 points, boasting a remarkable plus-166 rating. Krejci’s postseason heroics are the stuff of legend—he led the NHL in playoff points in both 2011 and 2013 and played a pivotal role in Boston’s 2011 Stanley Cup triumph. His knack for stepping up in big moments made him a fan favorite and a locker-room leader. There’s even talk that No. 46 could one day hang from the rafters, though with legends like Patrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chara also in line, that debate remains lively.
While the Bruins honor their past, they’re also shaping their future. One of the most notable moves this offseason was the re-signing of defenseman Henri Jokiharju. The 26-year-old, who was on the verge of unrestricted free agency come July 1, inked a three-year, $9 million deal to remain in Boston. That’s a clear signal from the front office: stability on the blue line is a priority as they look to contend in the fiercely competitive Eastern Conference. Jokiharju’s ability to move the puck and his defensive reliability made him a must-keep asset, especially with the Bruins’ core evolving.
Meanwhile, the Bruins’ recent history is also about departures. After the 2023-24 season, Matt Grzelcyk—long a staple on the Boston blue line—left in free agency. Injuries had hampered his last seasons with the Black and Gold, so it wasn’t a shock when he signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins for 2024-25. There, Grzelcyk found a fresh start, playing all 82 games and notching a career-high 32 assists, even as the Penguins missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Despite his solid showing, Grzelcyk is currently a free agent again as of August 24, 2025, with training camps just weeks away.
His agent, Peter Fish, believes patience could pay dividends. "Sometimes, it's not the worst thing to do. It's a little bit uneasy at times, but when you sit down and you can see exactly what teams have now," Fish told ESPN last month. "When you wait a little bit and can say, 'Well, this is definitely going to be a good spot for me.'" At 31, Grzelcyk remains one of the top puck-moving defensemen available, and his ability to quarterback a power play keeps him on the radar of teams with cap space and blue-line needs. It’s a bit surprising he hasn’t landed a contract yet, especially after a bounce-back campaign, but as Fish notes, sometimes the best fit comes to those who wait.
Boston’s blue line, then, is a story of continuity and change—Jokiharju’s return ensures some defensive stability, while Grzelcyk’s departure and current free agency status highlight the unpredictable nature of NHL careers. The Bruins’ management is clearly intent on balancing loyalty to long-serving players with the need to keep the roster competitive and cap-compliant. That’s no easy feat in today’s NHL, where the margin for error is razor thin and the stakes for every signing are sky-high.
As the Bruins gear up for another campaign, fans will be watching not just the new faces and fresh contracts, but also the echoes of the past—those numbers and names that have defined eras in Boston hockey. Will No. 46 become a permanent fixture in the rafters? Will Jokiharju’s new deal pay off as Boston looks to make another deep playoff run? And where will Matt Grzelcyk land before the puck drops on the new season?
With the season opener looming and training camps just around the corner, the Bruins’ faithful have plenty to talk about—and even more to look forward to as another chapter in Boston hockey history gets set to unfold.
