Blue Line Station
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Road to the playoffs tougher with a stronger Atlantic Division

By Steve Paulus

New York Rangers after Game Three of the Eastern Conference Qualification Round (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images)
New York Rangers after Game Three of the Eastern Conference Qualification Round (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 29: Tony DeAngelo #77 of the New York Rangers and Anders Bjork #10 of the Boston Bruins battle for control of the puck during the first period at TD Garden on November 29, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Boston Bruins: Annual contender

The Boston Bruins just don’t go away.  A perennial contender, they are still a solid team though their core is aging.  This off-season so far they have focused on re-signing heir own players including defensemen Matt Grzelcyk, Kevan Miller and Jakub Zaboril.   There’s no doubt that they want to bring Zdeno Chara back for another season, but face a tough cap situation with less than $9 million in space.

Their cap issue is what kept them from retaining Torey Krug who signed a seven year, $45 million deal with the Blues.  It has also kept them from signing RFA Jake DeBrusk or Chara.

They did sign three free agents with middle six forward Craig Smith the biggest name.  The 31 year old forward has been a consistent 20 goal scorer for Nashville.  They also added ex-Ranger Greg McKegg on a two-way contract.

The big challenge for the Bruins will be the fact that David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand had surgery in September and will be out of action until February.  Pastrnak’s hip surgery could keep him out longer and the B’s will have to contend with starting a shortened season without two of their most important players.

The Bruins are still one of the strongest teams in the Atlantic Division, but still have to get some business done.  Most recently, the rumor mill has been working overtime with the Bruins mentioned as a contender for Mike Hoffman, the top free unsigned free agent.   They’ll need to clear some cap space if that is even a reality.

Verdict: Some big questions marks, but still a formidable team

New faces:  Callum Booth, Greg McKegg, Craig Smith

Re-signed: Karson Kuhlman, Matt Grzelcyk, Jakub Zboril, Kevan Miller, Zach Senyshyn

Unsigned RFA’s:  Jake DeBrusk,

Departed: Torey Krug, Maxime Lagace, Joakim Nordstrom, Alexander Petrovic.

Unsigned UFA’s: Zdeno Chara,  Brendan Gaunce, Brett Ritchie, Wiley Sherman.

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