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New York Rangers Rivals: Boston Bruins Season Preview

By Andrew Steele-Davis

BOSTON - MARCH 27: Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) and teammates celebrate after Pastrnak put the Bruins on the board with a power play goal during the first period. The Boston Bruins host the New York Rangers in a regular season NHL hockey game at TD Garden in Boston on March 27, 2019. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON - MARCH 27: Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) and teammates celebrate after Pastrnak put the Bruins on the board with a power play goal during the first period. The Boston Bruins host the New York Rangers in a regular season NHL hockey game at TD Garden in Boston on March 27, 2019. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TEXAS – OCTOBER 03: Par Lindholm #26 of the Boston Bruins at American Airlines Center on October 03, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS – OCTOBER 03: Par Lindholm #26 of the Boston Bruins at American Airlines Center on October 03, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Arrivals

The Boston Bruins didn’t make too much of a splash in either the trade or free agency markets, but they didn’t really need to considering the wealth of talent up and down the lineup they already have at their disposal.

They did sign bottom six forwards Par Lindholm and Brett Ritchie to two and one-year deals respectively, and that was pretty much it in terms of incomings that will make an impact in the NHL this year.

Arguably, the Bruins could have entered the trade market to acquire a right wing in order to complete their already formidable top six, although their efforts to bolster a strong roster were hindered somewhat by the salary cap. So far this season they have been using undrafted right wing Karson Kuhlman who is starting regularly after seeing action in 11 games last year.

With little wriggle room to play with, Boston General Manager Don Sweeney managed to lock up two of his biggest studs on the blueline by agreeing to bridge deals with both Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo, while they will hope to sign elite defenseman Torey Krug to a new contract before he becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer.

DALLAS, TEXAS – OCTOBER 03: Brett Ritchie #18 of the Boston Bruins celebrates a goal against the Dallas Stars in the first period at American Airlines Center on October 03, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS – OCTOBER 03: Brett Ritchie #18 of the Boston Bruins celebrates a goal against the Dallas Stars in the first period at American Airlines Center on October 03, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Departures

Again, like the arrivals, there were no truly significant losses for the Boston Bruins during the course of the off-season.

Boasting a wealth of depth in the bottom six, they could afford to let prospect Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson sign with Swedish team Vaxjo Lakers, while bottom nine forward Noel Acciari signed with the Florida Panthers as an unrestricted free agent.

However, due to their salary cap constraints, the Bruins were unable to keep hold of rental Marcus Johansson who was acquired at the Trade Deadline from the New Jersey Devils.

Johansson recorded 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 22 postseason games for the Bruins, but signed with the Buffalo Sabres in free agency after being allowed to walk from Boston.

But, the Bruins do have enough bodies in their bottom six to be able to provide secondary scoring by committee, rather than relying on one or two select individuals.

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