Bruins add a new center as part of early free agent flurry
The Boston Bruins acted quickly to preserve their center depth on the first day of NHL free agency.
As reported first by NHL insider Morgan Geekie is joining the #bruins on a two-year contract carrying a $2M AAV. @NorthStarBet @TSN_Sports
Morgan Geekie of the Seattle Kraken celebrates a goal against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center on November 3, 2022. (David Berding/Getty Images)
Geekie scored nine goals and 28 points in 69 games with the Kraken last season, despite averaging just 10:27 of ice time as mainly a fourth-line center. His 28 points led all forwards who averaged under 11 minutes per game. Geekie also blocked 33 shots and dished out 53 hits.
On paper, Geekie looks like the replacement for Tomas Nosek as the Bruins’ new fourth-line center. However, Nosek was a left-shot center, leaving the Bruins right-shot-heavy down the middle, especially if Patrice Bergeron decides to return. Pavel Zacha is currently the Bruins’ only left shot projected to play center on the NHL roster next season.
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At 24 years old, Geekie is an outlier compared to the majority of the Bruins’ early free-agent signings. They’ve focused primarily on signing older veterans to one-year deals in the $1 million range, making Geekie their most expensive move thus far.
The Bruins are also reportedly bringing back veteran winger Milan Lucic, and signing veteran forward James van Riemsdyk and defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk. This was inevitably going to be necessary, considering the Bruins’ tight salary cap situation.
Milan Lucic (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
It’s frustrating that the Bruins couldn’t re-sign Tyler Bertuzzi after trading Taylor Hall for essentially just cap space. But it’s still just the first day of free agency and the Bruins’ roster-building still appears incomplete. And Geekie, in a vacuum, is a positive signing for them.
NHL Free Agency Tracker
Tyler Bertuzzi To Toronto
Boston Bruins forward Tyler Bertuzzi skates during a game against the Edmonton Oilers at TD Garden. (Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports)
This could hurt. The Bruins are not just moving on from Tyler Bertuzzi, but the free-agent forward may be about to sign with a top division rival – and for one year?
Nothing official as of yet, but hearing Tyler Bertuzzi and Toronto are working away at a one-year deal.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 2, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Elliotte Friedman reported Sunday that Bertuzzi and the Toronto Maple Leafs were working on a one-year deal. Multiple reports later confirmed the deal. According toBertuzzi’s 1-year, $5.5M deal with #LeafsForever includes a full NMC
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) July 2, 2023" rel="noopener" target="_blank">David Pagnotta, it’s for one year and $5.5 million with a full no-movement clause.The short term is surprising, because both AAV and term were things that Bertuzzi and the Bruins could not agree upon in their talks. Bruins GM Don Sweeney told reporters Saturday that the door was most likely closed on a potential Bertuzzi return.
It felt more like Bertuzzi was in line for a lucrative long-term deal elsewhere, but instead it sounds like he is settling for one year in Toronto then re-assessing things next summer. That’s a bad break for the Bruins, whose competition in the division just got better in an off-season that they are getting significantly worse.
Bruins Keeping Both Goalies
Linus Ullmark (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
It sounds like the Bruins ultimately won’t be trading Linus Ullmark, after all.
GM Don Sweeney indicated to reporters on Saturday that the B’s are happy to move forward with Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman between the pipes, according to
Bruins aren’t trading a goalie, based on what Sweeney is saying. Says he’s excited to move forward with Swayman and Ullmark.
— Ty Anderson (@_TyAnderson) July 1, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ty Anderson. Swayman, however, is a restricted free agent, so the Bruins will have to figure out how to proceed with him contractually.But in light of the Bruins experiencing so much turnover at forward, with further questions about their depth on defense, it makes sense to lean on great goaltending in their quest to be competitive in 2023-24.
Bruins Add Depth Defenseman
Parker Wotherspoon of the New York Islanders skates against the Carolina Hurricanes at UBS Arena on Jan. 21, 2023 (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
According to
Parker Wotherspoon 2 way deal with Boston.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 1, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Darren Dreger, the Bruins are signing defenseman Parker Wotherspoon to a two-way contract.Wotherspoon played 12 games for the New York Islanders last season. He projects as a minor leaguer and fill-in defenseman on the left side. The B’s still have Hampus Lindholm, Matt Grzelcyk, Derek Forbort, and Jakub Zboril, so it’ll be hard for Wotherspoon to crack the NHL lineup.
Bruins Sign D Kevin Shattenkirk
Kevin Shattenkirk of the Anaheim Ducks shoots during a 3-2 Ducks win over the Montreal Canadiens at Honda Center on March 3, 2023. (Harry How/Getty Images)
The Bruins have added a defenseman to their list of veteran free-agent signings. As first reported by
Kevin Shattenkirk to Boston Bruins on a 1 year deal
— Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) July 1, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Andy Strickland, they’re signing 34-year-old Kevin Shattenkirk. It’s another one-year deal in the $1 million range, according toKevin Shattenkirk is joining the #bruins on a one-year deal around $1M.@NorthStarBet @TSN_Sports
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 1, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chris Johnston.Shattenkirk has been solid for an older offensive-minded defenseman in recent years. And he’s been durable, averaging 78.5 games and 31 points over the past two seasons in Anaheim.
The Bruins are deep and experienced on the right side of their defense with Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, and now Shattenkirk, who presumably will take the departed Connor Clifton’s minutes.
Bruins Sign Patrick Brown
Patrick Brown of the Ottawa Senators skates up ice during a game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on March 11, 2023. (Derek Cain/Getty Images)
Another veteran forward for the Bruins: as reported by
Patrick Brown 2x$800K to Boston
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 1, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Elliotte Friedman, the B’s are signing Patrick Brown to a two-year deal with an AAV of $800,000. Brown played 61 games last season between Philadelphia and Ottawa.Brown projects as a depth forward and top minor leaguer who will occasionally fill in for Boston in the event of injuries. The B’s also signed Morgan Geekie to a two-year deal and still have Pavel Zacha and Charlie Coyle under contract, while Patrice Bergeron remains undecided on returning.
Orlov Leaves Boston For Carolina
Aaron Ekblad of the Florida Panthers defends Dmitry Orlov of the Boston Bruins during Game 7 of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
It never sounded like the Bruins had much of a chance to re-sign Dmitry Orlov, anyway. But the veteran defenseman isn’t going too far from Boston, agreeing to a two-year deal with the Carolina Hurricanes at $7.75 million per season, according to
Orlov 2x$7.75M in Carolina
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 1, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Elliotte Friedman.Numbers Are In For Lucic To Bruins
Milan Lucic of the Calgary Flames skates against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena on Dec. 28, 2022. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Per multiple reports, Milan Lucic has officially decided to return to the Bruins on a one-year deal. According to
It's $1M plus bonuses for Lucic.
— Ty Anderson (@_TyAnderson) July 1, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ty Anderson, Lucic is getting $1 million plus bonuses. He’s the latest affordable depth signing for the cap-strapped Bruins, who have also signed forwards James van Riemsdyk, Morgan Geekie, and Anthony Richard.Connor Clifton To Buffalo
Connor Clifton (Jason Mowry-USA TODAY Sports)
Connor Clifton is now a former Bruins defenseman. Clifton is signing with the Buffalo Sabres, as the team has
WELCOME TO BUFFALO‼️
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) July 1, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced a three-year deal worth $10 million.
We have signed defenseman Connor Clifton to a three-year contract worth $10 million.
Details: https://t.co/i61E1v8ijv pic.twitter.com/rvCZmwfmAGGood for Clifton to get a nice multi-year payday. The Bruins weren’t going to be able to come close to that contract.
Bruins Signing C Morgan Geekie
Morgan Geekie of the Seattle Kraken controls the puck against Mason Marchment of the Dallas Stars during Game 1 of the second round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
According to
Morgan Geekie is joining the #bruins on a two-year contract carrying a $2M AAV. @NorthStarBet @TSN_Sports
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 1, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chris Johnston, the Bruins are signing former Seattle Kraken center Morgan Geekie to a two-year deal with an average annual value of $2 million.Geekie projects as a replacement for Tomas Nosek as the Bruins’ fourth-line center. Geekie is, however, a right shot center, giving the B’s a glut of those, especially if Patrice Bergeron decides to return.
In 69 games with the Kraken last season, Geekie scored nine goals and 28 points, blocked 33 shots, and made 53 hits in mainly a fourth-line center role. He also played 13 of 14 playoff games for Seattle.
Bruins Signing James van Riemsdyk
James van Riemsdyk (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The Boston Bruins’ hunt for cheap veterans has begun. Former Flyers winger James van Riemsdyk has agreed to a one-year, $1 million deal with the B’s, according to
Hearing #NHLBruins are closing in on adding James van Riemsdyk 1 year x $1 million.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 1, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Frank Seravelli and others. Seravelli added that the Bruins “got a few other veterans in the mix today on inexpensive deals.”
They've got a few other veterans in the mix today on inexpensive deals.@DailyFaceoffIt’ll be interesting to see how Don Sweeney fills out the roster after essentially trading Taylor Hall for cap space, then declining to pursue re-signing Tyler Bertuzzi. JVR gives the Bruins a net-front presence, and most importantly he’ll do it for practically no money.
Bruins Appear To Make Depth Signing
Montreal Canadiens center Anthony Richard waits for the play to resume against the New York Rangers at Bell Centre. (David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports)
As noted by 98.5 The Sports Hub’s
Looking like a minor, depth signing for the Bruins. Richard had 30-37-67 in 60 GP with AHL Laval last year. https://t.co/WTPliiNAFh
— Ty Anderson (@_TyAnderson) July 1, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ty Anderson, Quebec-based reporterNOUVELLE | Anthony Richard s'entend avec les Bruins de Boston pour une saison à deux volets. Une entente qui lui permettra d'encaisser un minimum de 450 000$ s'il dispute toute la saison dans la Ligue américaine.@BPMSportsRadio
— Anthony Marcotte (@anthonymarcotte) July 1, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anthony Marcotte says the Bruins are signing former Canadiens forward Anthony Richard. We don’t want to butcher our translation, but it appears Marcotte is reporting that it’s a two-way contract for Richard, meaning he would be paid different salaries for playing in the NHL or AHL.Richard played 13 games for the Canadiens in the 2022-23 season, while spending most of his time in the AHL with the Laval Rocket.
Tyler Bertuzzi To Sign Elsewhere
Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
From
As of now, it doesn't sound like Boston going to circle back on Tyler Bertuzzi. Barring a big pivot by the Bruins, Bertuzzi is expected to sign elsewhere.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) July 1, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">David Pagnotta: “As of now, it doesn’t sound like Boston going to circle back on Tyler Bertuzzi. Barring a big pivot by the Bruins, Bertuzzi is expected to sign elsewhere.”This would make many wonder what the Bruins exactly plan to do with the $6 million in cap space they created by trading Taylor Hall to the Blackhawks. Apparently, they only wanted to push so hard to retain Bertuzzi.
It’s still extremely early and the B’s have plenty of time to make moves or make a “late pivot” for Bertuzzi, as Pagnotta described it. But as of right now, Don Sweeney basically gave away Hall for nothing. And filling that cap space with multiple lower-tier signings won’t make anyone feel better about it.
“All Signs” Point To Lucic Reunion With Bruins
Milan Lucic of the Calgary Flames skates during a game against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena on Jan. 27, 2023. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
As mentioned earlier this week, all signs point to Milan Lucic landing in Boston. Deal still has to be worked out once market opens, but that's where it's most likely headed.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 1, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pierre LeBrun had this on Milan Lucic Saturday morning: “As mentioned earlier this week, all signs point to Milan Lucic landing in Boston. Deal still has to be worked out once market opens, but that’s where it’s most likely headed.”The Bruins traded Lucic to the Kings during the 2015 NHL Draft, and he has since played the past eight seasons between Los Angeles, Edmonton, and Calgary. Now, it sounds like the 2011 Stanley Cup champion is in for a reunion with the spoked ‘B’.
Ekman-Larsson To The Panthers
Oliver Ekman-Larsson of the Vancouver Canucks skates against the Montreal Canadiens during a game at Bell Centre on Nov. 9, 2022. (Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
It’s looking like Oliver Ekman-Larsson is likely to land in Florida.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 1, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Darren Dreger first reported Saturday morning that veteran defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson is “likely to land” with the Florida Panthers as a free agent.Ekman-Larsson was recently bought out by the Vancouver Canucks and was considered a possible target for the Bruins, due to the expected short money he’s getting. Dreger later tweeted that it’s a one-year deal for OEL.
Bruins Buy Out Mike Reilly
Mike Reilly of the Boston Bruins skates against the Dallas Stars at TD Garden on October 25, 2022. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The Boston Bruins announced a series of roster decisions Friday, the most notable of which was that they’re placing defenseman Mike Reilly on unconditional waivers for the purpose of a contract buyout. Reilly will become an unrestricted free agent after the buyout is processed.
According to 98.5 The Sports Hub’s
The Bruins are buying out the final year of Mike Reilly's contract. The buyout will free up $2.66M in cap space for 2023-24, $1.33M penalty in 2024-25.
— Ty Anderson (@_TyAnderson) June 30, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ty Anderson, the Reilly buyout will create $2.66 million in salary cap space for the 2023-24 season, then cost a $1.33M penalty in 2024-25. The Bruins will take that trade-off, as they entered the 2023 league year with among the lowest cap space in the league and should have substantially more breathing room in 2024.READ MORE:
— Bruins’ 2023 free agents
— Meet the Bruins’ 2023 draft class
— A look at some realistic free agent options for the Bruins
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. Check out all of Matt’s content here.
A closeup view of the NHL logo on a hockey net prior to an NHL game. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
