The Bruins only have three unrestricted free agents this offseason, which is good news considering they have to resign restricted free agents Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, and Danton Heinen. Potentially hitting the open market from the Bruins July 1st are UFAs Noel Acciari, Steven Kampfer, and Marcus Johannson. Here’s what I think they should do with each of them and why.
- Noel Acciari
Personally, I like Acciari. He’s a good, clean hitter who works as hard as he can every shift and is defensively responsible, which is what a fourth liner should be. His offensive production is not bad for a fourth liner (six goals, eight assists, in 72 games in the regular season, and two goals, two assists in 19 playoff games) and while it would always be nice if they chipped in a little more, you can’t expect too much from him given the minutes he plays. Also, his most common linemates this past season, Sean Kuraly and Chris Wagner, chip in a little more offensively (21 and 19 points in the regular season, respectively), so Noel didn’t really have to bring a lot of offense. He brings plenty of physicality and energy and a little, often well-timed, offense, and that made him a valuable part of the team. He had a role and he played it well, so I hope the Bruins find a way to keep him around and I think they’ll be able to. That being said, they should avoid paying a lot for him like the Canucks did with Tim Schaller because after all, he is just a fourth liner. Acciari is due for a raise from his $725,000 salary this year, but he shouldn’t command too much. He is likely looking for more than just a one year deal, but I doubt he wants more than three years given his role. I think a two-year contract worth around $1-$1.275 (Kuraly money) million per season would get the job done. He will likely be offered a little more if he hits free agency, but I think he wants to stay with the Bruins because he loves Boston and called it “a very special place.” He is also from Rhode Island, so he is a somewhat local guy and I would be willing to bet he would take a little less to stay closer to home. Also, he likely realizes one of his best shots to win the Cup will be with Boston but that they are up against the cap, so he will likely take a small paycut to help the team like many of the rostered players have already done. However, if this is not true and he wants more than I’d say $1.5 million, let him walk, as there are other guys who can fill his role. That being said, it’d be nice to keep him around, so let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. But, as we are now one day from free agency and the Bruins said they have extended him a contract offer, yet there is no deal done yet, it is looking increasingly more likely he will leave, but he may also just be holding out to see what he is offered on the open market, which is reasonable and smart to do. Let’s hope it’s the latter, and to me there’s still a good chance it is given he won’t find much more money or a better place for him to play than in Boston.
- Steven Kampfer
I’ll admit, I was guilty of Kampfer-hating this season. But, upon reflection, he did his job better than I think many of us give him credit for. He was always ready to step into the lineup and generally play well regardless of how many games he had been sitting out for. He even chipped in a little offensively (three goals and three assists in 35 games in the regular season, and one goal and no assists in three playoff games). But, I’d still let him walk if I were the Bruins, and I’d want to leave in search of more playing time if I were Kampfer, as the Bruins already have more NHL-caliber defensemen than they know what to do with. Connor Clifton did nothing to justify sending him back to Providence next season, so as long as he has a good camp, they will need a roster spot for him. They will also have Kevan Miller back healthy (maybe), and John Moore after he’s ready to come back from surgery a month or so in to the season. All this is on top of the essentially guaranteed sports to Chara, McAvoy, Krug, Carlo, and Grzelcyk. Yes, the Bruins were on their 10th-string defenseman at one point last season (which funnily enough given where he is now was Clifton), but I for one sincerely hope that doesn’t happen again (and it’s not exactly likely). If it does, they have Jeremy Lauzon and Urho Vaakaninen (who may even push for a full time roster spot out of camp) who are more than capable of filling in, so I think it’s safe to let Kampfer walk. Plus, he probably will want to go someone where he’ll play more minutes, and given he would be the Bruins’ ninth defenseman (if Vaak doesn’t get a spot out of camp, which considering the logjam they currently have, is likely. It’s better to let him play more and light it up in Providence than play minimal NHL minutes) if they are all healthy, I think its a safe bet that’s pretty much any team other than Boston. Edit: I wrote this section before he was resigned to a two-year contract worth $800,00 per year, but decided to keep it anyways as it shows what I thought should happen. I don’t mind him being resigned for that little of a cap hit, just didn’t think it would happen. I thought he’d go somewhere he could get more playing time. I think it’s safe to assume a trade is imminent on defense though, as the Bruins can’t very well pay three guys, two of which make over $2.5 million+ per season, to sit in the press box most games when they are already pressed for cap space.
- Marcus Johannson
Now we get to the most difficult situation. Johannson played very well once he recovered from his unfortunate illness and injury and he was one of their best (if not the best) player on the ice most nights in the playoffs. He appears to want to stay in Boston, and the Bruins appear to want to keep him, but it will be difficult with the salary cap. The Bruins currently have just over $12 million in cap space but most if not all of that will be used to resign McAvoy, Carlo, and Heinen. Very little money will be left to resign Johannson, who is rightfully looking for an upgrade from his current $4.58 million salary. He will get if he hits the open market given his consistency and strong performance in the playoffs (four goals and seven assists in 22 games) and good regular season (13 goals and 17 assists in 58 games between New Jersey and Boston). He’ll also likely command some term given he’s 28 and this is his essentially his last chance to get a lucrative, long-term contract. But, if he is serious about loving it in Boston and wanting to stay, he may be willing to take a little less to make it work, especially because it is one of his best chances to win a Cup. If the Bruins can get him for three or four years at around $4.5-$5 million per season, I’d be happy with that. Any longer than that or any more money would likely lead to regret by the end of it if not sooner. But, without making any moves, Boston can’t even afford that,so they may unfortunately be forced to move on from Johannson, who was a very good fit with Charlie Coyle at third-line right wing. Resigning McAvoy, Carlo, and Heinen must (and will) take priority for Sweeney this offseason..
Hockey Addict 