The Detroit Red Wings have had a solid start to this season, one in which the fans are hoping the team finally makes it to the playoffs in the "General manager Steve Yzerman" era. Through four games, Detroit is tied for first place in the Atlantic Division alongside the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins. There is still a ton of season left, but the vibes should be high in Detroit.
During Wednesday's game against the Florida Panthers, Red Wings fans were shocked to hear that Bruins general manager Don Sweeney was in attendance for that game.
Bruins GM Don Sweeney is in attendance for the Panthers-Red Wings game
— Rachel Hopmayer (@rachelhopmayer) October 15, 2025
Was Sweeney there to scout talent on the Red Wings or the Panthers? Was he just there to see former Bruins star Brad Marchand play? Sweeney did get a first-hand view of the Red Wings picking up a 4-1 win over the defending Stanley Cup champions.
As it turns out, there isn't much of an exciting answer to this one.
Why was Bruins GM Don Sweeney attending Red Wings vs. Panthers game?
In all likelihood, Sweeney was in attendance of that game between Boston's division rivals because he was scouting for Team Canada. Let's not forget, the Winter Olympics will be held this February.
Sweeney was also in attendance in Montreal on Tuesday for the Canadiens' game against the Seattle Kraken. Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports noted that Sweeney was at the Bell Center for this game to scout for Team Canada.
Bruins GM, Don Sweeney at Bell Center tonight. He’s scouting for Team Canada.
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) October 15, 2025
The Olympic rosters have yet to be finalized just yet. For Team Canada, it's a virtual lock that the likes of Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Brad Marchand, and Nathan MacKinnon will make the roster. But there are still spots to be filled.
For the Red Wings, no one really stands out as a potential candidate to make Team Canada, considering the other stars across the league. Team captain Dylan Larkin is a mainstay for Team USA, with Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat being candidates for the team as well. Moritz Seider is likely to make Team Germany. Lucas Raymond seems like a lock for Sweden.
So, Sweeney was likely keeping an eye on some of the candidates to make the roster. Nick Suzuki of the Canadiens stands out for the Tuesday game, as does Marchand and Sam Bennett from the Panthers on Wednesday.
As fans know, it's really never too early for trades to happen. The Bruins have had a strong start to the season, but they are in the midst of a roster retool after selling at last year's trade deadline. Hence, they aren't expected by many outlets and experts to contend for the playoffs. The Red Wings, meanwhile, barely missed out on a spot the last two years, so the expectation is that they finally get over that hurdle. Maybe they will be buyers by the trade deadline, especially after players calling out Yzerman and the front office for not making any moves last year. Who knows, maybe they'll call Sweeney and the Bruins about acquiring a player that can help them make a run to the playoffs?