The Bruins are coming off a run to the Cup Final that ended badly, to say the least (but let’s not get into that). They are fortunate in that their biggest players that need new contracts this offseason are all restricted free agents. However, after resigning all those players, the Bruins still need a second-line right wing (gee it feels like we’ve said that before) to play with Krejci and DeBrusk. If they don’t resign Marcus Johannson, which is likely they made need a third-line wing as well, but that’s not as pressing of a concern as it should be able to be filled internally. I decided to explore a few options for the Bruins this offseason to fill their gaps, whether it be through trade or free agency, and I wrote about a few names that have been connected to them as well as some other options below (hint: the last one is not the way to go).
- Jason Zucker
Zucker is a guy who has been connected to the Bruins a few times this offseason, but he’s also been talked about going to most teams in the league at one point too. So, I don’t think we should take those rumors very seriously. Regardless, I decided to write about this as an option. I don’t think it’s a good one, as he still has four years remaining on his deal that carries a $5,500,000 cap hit. That’s a lot of money for a guy who produced 21 goals and 21 assists in 81 games last season, which is a sharp decline from the 64 points he had the previous season. Granted, last season appears to be an anomaly as it was the only time he had over 50 points in a season and he had an unsustainable 14.8% shooting percentage, but if anything that further proves my point. A guy who has only managed over 50 points once and on a bloated shooting percentage is not worth $5.5 million a year against the cap. He’s 27 years old, so not likely to improve greatly and what we see from him now is what we’ll likely continue to get. He’s smaller but has great straight line speed, hounds the puck on the forecheck, plays with high energy, and can finish around the net, and he’s also a good character guy who does a lot in the community and is good in the locker room. But, he’s not worth his contract, especially on a cap-strapped team such as the Bruins. He probably wouldn’t cost too much to acquire, but I don’t think it’s a smart move for the Bruins given the term left and cap hit left on his contract.
2. Chris Kreider
Personally, I would love for this to happen. I think Kreider would fit in perfectly alongside Krejci and DeBrusk, as he plays a fast, physical game that would complement their games nicely. He’s a big body, listed as 6’3” and 220 pounds, and is the kind of player that Krejci has historically been at his best with. He also had strong offensive numbers this season on a Rangers team that was not exactly good, with 28 goals and 24 assists in 79 games. He’s 28 and only has one year remaining on his deal that carries a $4,650,000 cap hit. If the Rangers are willing to move him (and there have been conflicting reports on that), I think the Bruins should jump on it if they don’t have to give up too much. They can accommodate his cap hit depending on who they include in the trade, so that’s not an issue, and given he’s a UFA at the end of the season, there’s not much risk involved. I think he’d be a great fit with the team, and as a Boxford native, I’m sure he’d love to come home and play for his childhood team. Also, anecdotally, local players who come home and play for the Bruins also tend to have career years, so that’d be nice (not saying it’ll happen, but something to think about).
3. Wayne Simmonds
At the trade deadline this past season, the Bruins were rumored to be very interested in Simmonds, although it obviously never panned out. His name has also been connected to them a few times in the past few weeks as a potential free agent target. However, I think this would be a really bad idea for the Bruins. He will be way too expensive, as according to Evolving Wild, his projected contract is five years at a $4,956,863 AAV. He only managed to produce 17 goals and 13 assists in 79 games, a far cry from his career high of 32 goals and 28 assists in 81 games set in 2015-16. His numbers have steadily declined every year since then, and as he turns 31 in August, that is expected to continue. His physical play and subsequent injuries have clearly taken a toll on his body, and his is no longer the goal scoring power forward some people still think of him as. He’s still good on the power play, but chances are he’ll be no more than a fourth liner within a few years at the rate he is going. Any team that pays him a lot of money on a long term deal will surely regret it quickly, and his contract will end up being like that of David Backes, perhaps worse. Do the Bruins really want another one of those? Dear god I hope not. I suppose he’d be fine on a one or two year, relatively cheap deal, but he won’t want one like that if he is being offered more elsewhere. Even if he did, I still don’t think it’s a smart move. Thankfully, the rumors have died down recently, so hopefully there’s no longer a chance it happens. I think the Bruins would regret it more than the Backes contract, and start doing so in a shorter period of time.
4. Michael Ferland
To me, this is a very intriguing option. I haven’t heard his name connected to the Bruins very often, but decided I’d still write about it because I think it’s a good option. Ferland has had injury problems, primarily last season in Carolina, but still managed to produce 17 goals and 23 assists in 71 games last season. He plays a physical, no-holds-barred style of play, which lends itself to injuries on occasion, but whenever he was out last season, it wasn’t for too long. He’s 27, which means he’s likely right in his prime, and it would be safe to give him a three or four year deal without the risk of him declining too much. I think he would make the perfect complement to Krejci and DeBrusk, as he played very well with good players such as Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen this season for Carolina. He can also be another option for the Bruins on the power play, particularly as a net front presence. According to Evolving Wild, his projected contract is four years at a $4,106,404 AAV, which the Bruins should be able to afford if they make a trade or do (and I think they will). However, I don’t see this as a very likely option as like I said, I haven’t heard his name connected to the Bruins very much and it seems likely that Carolina resigns him or another team gets him. However, free agency can be wild and you never know, and I think it’d be a good move for the Bruins to make, as there isn’t too much risk involved in a shorter term deal like that for a player in their prime at a reasonable cap hit.
5. Jesse Pujujarvi
This is another very interesting situation to me. He is unproven, but has also never been given a real chance to prove himself in Edmonton. He has a lot of potential as a former fourth overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, and won’t be too expensive. Edmonton has outright said they want a third-line center for him, which is not too high of a price. Boston has plenty of center prospects they could likely entice the Oilers with, as well as defensive prospects to sweeten the deal if necessary, and I see this as a medium-risk, high reward deal. They don’t have to give up a lot, and in return they are getting a player with a lot of potential and a big chip on his shoulder. He’s an RFA, but given he’s unproven shouldn’t cost much and could be had on a bridge deal. There’s still a chance he turns into a bust, but I think it’s unlikely and if the Bruins get the chance to acquire him, I think they should jump on it. They likely won’t regret it.
6. Do Nothing
Bad idea. I have to write about it just because it’s an option, but it’s a really bad idea. There’s no other way to put it really (that can be published at least). The Bruins have been in need of a second-line right wing for what feels like forever, and so far it has not worked out very well filling it internally like they’ve hoped. Karson Kuhlman played well there when he was called upon and could very well be ready to fill that position, but the Bruins should avoid making the same mistakes they have in the past and count on a player who may or may not be ready. They have failed doing this too many times. If they want to win the Cup and unlock the full potential of the Krejci-DeBrusk tandem, they need to find a consistent wing for them who is definitely ready for the job. Whether it be one of the options above or someone else that I missed, something needs to be done. Standing pat would be a big mistake that will cost the Bruins dearly next season, as the teams around them improve and the Bruins stubbornly sit there and do nothing.
Hockey Addict 