Johnny Beecher one step closer to the NHL after new deal with Bruins
The Boston Bruins have struck a deal with another recent first-round pick. Forward Johnny Beecher has signed his entry-level contract with Boston, the team announced Monday, bringing him one step closer to his NHL debut.
Beecher’s three-year entry-level deal includes an annual cap hit of $925,000. He previously signed an amateur tryout agreement (ATO) with the Providence Bruins and played in nine games, scoring three goals and five points.
The Bruins originally drafted Beecher with the 30th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. He then played three seasons in college for the Michigan Wolverines, scoring 19 goals and 39 points in 81 games.
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Beecher, now 21, should have a good chance to crack the NHL roster out of camp in the 2022-23 season. A 6-foot-3, 210-pound left-shot forward, Beecher can play both center and left wing, and skates with uncommon speed for his size. He’ll be a candidate to get regular minutes in the Bruins’ bottom-six forward group right away.
Considering the relatively disappointing performance of prior additions like Nick Foligno and Tomas Nosek, the Bruins could stand to make an upgrade in that area of the roster. Beecher won’t score a ton, but he should provide an immediate boost in speed and play strength on the third or fourth line.
Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. You can also email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.
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