Don Sweeney stood at the NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo this week and essentially waved goodbye to one of Boston's own prospects.

Sweeney confirmed that Andre Gasseau, a seventh-round pick from the Bruins' 2021 draft class, will almost certainly not be re-signing with the organization.

"In all likelihood we'll find a trade opportunity for him between now and August, but he controls that at this point in time," Sweeney said, per the Boston Globe's Jim McBride.

The GM added that the development staff had worked with Gasseau for six years and that losing him was "disappointing organizationally." But the words were measured. Resigned, almost.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman had flagged the situation back in April, reporting in his 32 Thoughts column that the California native was trending toward free agency.

That was the signal. When a prospect's name shows up in 32 Thoughts in April, you know which way the wind is blowing.

Gasseau's departure leaves Bruins' 2021 draft class nearly gutted

Gasseau wrapped up a four-year career at Boston College this past March, finishing with 43 goals and 111 points in 135 games, according to the Black N' Gold Hockey report citing college stats. He served as co-captain in his senior season.

That's a real resume. Two Hockey East regular-season titles, one Hockey East tournament championship, a national title game appearance, and the program's first Beanpot in a decade.

Sweeney wanted to sign him. That part is worth noting. This wasn't a quiet release.

But Gasseau, per Mark Divver of the New England Hockey Journal, reportedly wants NHL ice time right away. Not a development bridge deal. Not another AHL season on the bubble.

You can't really fault the reasoning. He's coming off a decorated college career, he wants to prove himself at the top level, and a fresh situation might give him a cleaner runway than whatever Boston could offer.

Still, losing him this way stings a little for a franchise that invested six years in the relationship.

He'll be the fifth player from that seven-man 2021 class to leave the organization. His former Boston College linemate Oskar Jellvik also walked, signing a two-year deal with Rogle BK in Sweden rather than testing his luck with the Bruins.

From seven picks, Boston is down to two: Fabian Lysell and Ty Gallagher. Lysell is set to become a restricted free agent this summer, so that number could shrink further depending on how the next few weeks go.

Under GM Don Sweeney, the Bruins finished the 2025-26 regular season at 45-27-10, good for 100 points. The roster that reached those numbers is built. The prospect pipeline underneath it is quietly thinning.

A seventh-round pick who becomes a college co-captain and puts up 111 career points isn't guaranteed anything. But he was worth fighting for. Whether another organization gives him that immediate NHL shot or he takes a slower road, the Bruins are watching someone else's development program from here.