Cam Neely Says Bruins Need To Find No. 1 Center This Offseason

Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin

Cam Neely Says Bruins Need To Find No. 1 Center This Offseason originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Boston Bruins President Cam Neely has lofty expectations for the 2026 offseason, and it is absolutely refreshing to hear after a first-round exit in head coach Marco Strum's inaugural season.

Neely, who will be entering his 17th season as the team's president, was entirely transparent when discussing what he views as the team's biggest need.

"We all recognize this room that we don't have a true No. 1 center," Neely said. "Whether it's growing one from within our organization or going outside our group to get one, we know that is something that we need to rectify."

The Bruins have plenty of young talent in the form of Fraser Minten and James Hagens, but that duo is a long way from earning the title of a first-line center this early in their career.

Morgan Geekie was electric this season. But asking him to have another 40-goal campaign is a lofty expectation.

Looking across the Stanley Cup Playoffs, there is a clear step down at the center position in Boston. They do not compare to Buffalo's Tage Thompson, Carolina's Sebastian Aho or Montreal's Nick Suzuki. And that is just the Eastern Conference.

This free agent class isn't exactly loaded, but future Hall of Famer Evgeni Malkin is looking for a new contract.

More NHL: Longtime Bruin Earns Massive Pay Day With New Club