Boston Bruins Free Agency Preview/Outlook, Potential Fits
By Ryan Ritchie
Boston Bruins Free Agency Preview/Outlook, Salary Cap Situation, Restricted Free Agents, Team Needs, and Potential Fits
Heading into July 1, Boston Bruins free agency outlook suggests GM Don Sweeney could be on the market for a top-six forward – that is, if they fail to re-sign Loui Eriksson. Otherwise, it could be a few smaller additions to address depth.
A pair of aging blueliners, Dennis Seidenberg and Zdeno Chara, is also reason for Sweeney to consider a left-handed upgrade on the blueline.
It will be interesting to see how much money the Bruins have to spend after locking up restricted free agents.
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2015-16 finished in disappointing fashion for Boston. After spending much of the season in a playoff position, the B’s struggled down the final stretch just narrowly missing out on the final Wild-Card spot.
There’s promise heading into 2016-17 with players such as David Pastrnak, Ryan Spooner, Frank Vatrano, and Seth Griffith. All are expected to take another step in their development, and should be more productive.
One possible issue for the Boston Bruins moving forward; potential looming expansion draft means goaltender prospect Malcolm Subban becomes one of the many options for Las Vegas.
If he emerges in 2016-17 as Matt Murray, John Gibson, Joonas Korpisalo and Calvin Pickard did this past season, Boston will need to move the young netminder.
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Boston Bruins Free Agency Outlook/Preview
Salary Committed to 2016-17: $51,351,667
Number of Players Signed: 35
Notable Unrestricted Free Agents: Loui Eriksson, Chris Kelly, Max Talbot, Lee Stempniak, John-Michael Liles, Zach Trotman, Matt Irwin, Jonas Gustavsson, Jeremy Smith
Notable Restricted Free Agents: Brett Connolly, Landon Ferraro, Torey Krug, Joe Morrow, Colin Miller, Brian Ferlin
After re-signing Torey Krug, Colin Miller, and Brett Connolly, Boston should have a bit of money to spend towards Loui Eriksson, or another top-six option (if they so choose).
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Boston Free Agency Team Needs
Bottom Six Forward Depth, Top-Four LH Defenseman
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It’s time to replace bottom-six players such as Chris Kelly and Max Talbot, among others. Replacements could possibly be found in Providence, although Boston can also sign a 4th line/no.13 type player as insurance.
As mentioned above, both Seidenberg and Chara are left-handed, while Krug and Miller shoot right.
Options may emerge through the system at some point, but even a short-term upgrade on the left-side would be helpful.
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Potential Boston Bruins Free Agency Targets
Bottom Six Forward Depth: Nick Spaling, Steve Downie, Chris Terry, Kyle Chipchura, Mike Santorelli, Stephen Gionta, Tomas Fleischmann, Scottie Upshall, Ryan Carter
Top-Four LH D-Man: Keith Yandle, Alex Goligoski, Dan Hamhuis, Jordie Benn, Nicklas Grossmann
*Salary/Free Agent information was obtained through www.generalfanager.com