Bruins Unlikely to Sign Towering Forward Prospect After Productive College Season

Boston College's Andre Gasseau, a 2021 7th-round Bruins draft pick, is expected to hit free agency in August.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 7:03pm

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The Boston Bruins are not expected to sign forward prospect Andre Gasseau, who just completed a point-per-game season as captain of the Boston College Eagles. The 6-foot-4 center was a 7th-round draft pick by the Bruins in 2021, but with his entry-level contract set to expire in August, he will likely become an unrestricted free agent.

Why it matters

Gasseau's potential departure is a setback for the Bruins, who were hoping the towering forward could develop into an NHL-caliber player. As an unsigned draft pick, the Bruins would lose his rights if he hits free agency, potentially allowing another team to sign him.

The details

Despite missing time due to injury, Gasseau had 6 goals and 17 assists in 23 games for Boston College this past season, playing at a point-per-game pace. Over his 4-year college career, he totaled 43 goals and 68 assists in 135 games. However, concerns remain about his skating ability from a standstill, which could limit his NHL upside as more of a depth forward.

  • Gasseau's entry-level contract with the Bruins expires on August 15, 2026.
  • The 2026 NHL Draft took place in June 2026, where the Bruins selected Gasseau in the 7th round.

The players

Andre Gasseau

A 22-year-old, 6-foot-4 center who just completed a productive 4-year career as captain of the Boston College Eagles, recording 43 goals and 68 assists in 135 games.

Boston Bruins

The NHL team that drafted Gasseau in the 7th round of the 2021 NHL Draft, but are now unlikely to sign him to an entry-level contract before his rights expire.

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What they’re saying

“He has always topped out as a depth guy in his best-case scenario, but he could play games as a seventh-round pick, which would be a positive in and of itself.”

— Scott Wheeler, Hockey Writer

What’s next

If the Bruins do not sign Gasseau by August 15, 2026, he will become an unrestricted free agent and able to sign with any NHL team.

The takeaway

The Bruins' inability to sign Gasseau, a 7th-round draft pick who had a productive college career, highlights the challenges teams face in developing late-round prospects into NHL-caliber players. Gasseau's potential departure is a setback for the Bruins, who will now need to look elsewhere to bolster their forward depth.