Bruins know they currently have a glaring hole on their roster
When it came to last month’s free agency frenzy, general manager Don Sweeney and the Bruins spending over $84 million in the opening moments of free agency was not a shock. The Bruins had needs and they made it clear that they were going to attack them aggressively.
But if there was anything that could’ve left you a little surprised with what they did, it’s that their secondary move after the addition of top-six center Elias Lindholm came with the signing of a defenseman (Nikita Zadorov) and not a winger to provide some much-needed scoring help.
And that need for the Bruins only intensified with the departures of versatile, secondary scoring threats like Jake DeBrusk and Danton Heinen (both of whom went to Vancouver), and has left one gigantic hole somewhere on the Black and Gold’s roster with training camp less than a month away.
“I think the depth of our defense is the strength of our hockey club, I wanted to continue to make sure we have those foundational pieces in place,” Sweeney said when discussing why the Bruins did not sign a wing and instead made an investment in the 6-foot-6 Zadorov. “I think [with] this group as a whole, we can tease a little more offense out of it. So if you’re going to allow Charlie [McAvoy] and Hampus [Lindholm] to get back to hopefully the level he’s capable of, from one year to the next, I think you have to have that depth to allow [Mason Lohrei] to continue to grow and expand his footprint in the game.
“You’re really looking at our lineup now on the backend [and] every guy can really play 20 minutes. We can distribute that ice time, hopefully, more evenly. And in this case, you’re probably going to sacrifice and chase something on the wing as a result of that. You’re really prioritizing getting a center, as I mentioned, and going into free agency, you’re gonna enter an uncomfortable zone, right? You just are.
“The pie is only so big. That’s what happens.”
And for Boston, that spells out having to hope that there’s someone internally who can help fill the scoring void on the wings. One move the Bruins are almost certain to make next season is to shift Pavel Zacha back to the left wing spot he played for the majority of his 2022-23 campaign after a 2023-24 primarily spent as David Pastrnak’s center. Beyond that, however, the focus for the Bruins comes to hoping that there’s a young guy in the pipeline ready to step up and grab a job.
“I would say to [Georgii Merkulov], [Fabian Lysell], or Riley Duran [if you] keep going down the list, just pin your ears back, train your ass off this summer, and come with the intent that there’ll be an opportunity here,” Sweeney acknowledged. “If you’re the best player, then we find a way to get you in the lineup. You have to you have to sustain it as you’re going along. Those guys should have clear intentions to come and find an opportunity to beat somebody out because it’ll be there.”
Of that grouping, the obvious name that pops off the page is Lysell. A 2021 first-round pick, Lysell is a natural right-shot right wing, and is coming off a year that featured 15 goals and 50 points in 56 games for AHL Providence. Overall, the 21-year-old has posted 29 goals and 87 points in 110 AHL contests. And while he can be a polarizing player depending on who you talk to (Lysell was publicly called out by P-Bruins head coach Ryan Mougenel near the midway point of the 2023-24 AHL season), the belief or expectation perhaps internally is that Lysell can push for an NHL opportunity in 2024-25.
Merkulov, an AHL All-Star a year ago, is another intriguing option for the Bruins after a 30-35-65 season in the minors. But it is worth noting that he has never lined up at right wing in his pro career, and that the Bruins didn’t try him there during what was a rather uneventful call-up last year.
Sweeney mentioning Duran by name as the third guy is also interesting in the sense that he’s one of the rawest pro prospects in the organization, with just 11 games of AHL experience. The Woburn, Mass. native did put up two goals and four points over that 11-game run to close out his season, though, and has a definite pro style game after playing in Nate Leaman’s system at Providence College.
The B’s also have some options already in the picture, too, which Sweeney was quick to point out.
“I think some people are welcoming that opportunity,” Sweeney offered. “Zacha has already been in that role so he can step in and do some of that and produce. [Morgan Geekie] has got in that role. There’s [Trent Frederic]. Somebody is going to have to. The ice time is going to get distributed.”
To Sweeney’s point, Zacha set career-highs in goals (21), assists (38), and points (59) a year ago. Same for Geekie, with 17 goals and 39 points. Oh, and Frederic, too, with 18 goals and 40 points. The latter two also have experience playing with Brad Marchand and Charlie Coyle, a duo that currently projects to be Boston’s one-two punch on their second line and offers a tremendous landing spot for any talent.
“Somebody should be happy to be getting that opportunity,” Sweeney noted. “And I’ll keep an eye out towards maybe something that presents [itself down the road]. Certainly if it doesn’t now, during the course of the season if there’s a void there.”
A void that in late August seems undeniable until proven otherwise.
Bruins announce sweater numbers for 6 new players
Max Jones: No. 49
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 03: Max Jones #49 of the Anaheim Ducks skates up ice during the second period of a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Honda Center on January 03, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Moving from Anaheim to Boston, Max Jones will bring his No. 49 with him. Jones worn No. 49 even before his Anaheim days, actually, as he also wore that number during his time with OHL London. It’s a number seldom seen on a Bruins lineup sheet, and Jones will actually be the first Bruins player to wear No. 49 for the club since Rich Peverley did during his three-season run with the club from 2011 through 2013.
Jones is coming off a 2023-24 campaign that featured five goals, 15 points, and a career-high 127 hits in 52 games.
Mark Kastelic: No. 47
Dec 3, 2022; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Mark Kastelic (47) fights with San Jose Sharks left wiing Jonah Gadjovich (42) in the second period at the Canadian Tire Centre. (Marc DesRosiers/USA TODAY Sports)
Acquired in the trade that sent Linus Ullmark to Ottawa, Mark Kastelic will begin his Bruins career wearing No. 47. Kastelic did wear No. 47 in Ottawa, and he will be the first Bruins player to wear No. 47 since Torey Krug.
Overall, Kastelic, who projects to at either center or right wing on Boston’s fourth line, will be just the 11th player to wear No. 47 in B’s history, and will be the first forward to wear the number since Marty St. Pierre in 2009.
Joonas Korpisalo: No. 70
ST PAUL, MINNESOTA – APRIL 02: Joonas Korpisalo #70 of the Ottawa Senators looks on against the Minnesota Wild in the second period at Xcel Energy Center on April 02, 2024 in St Paul, Minnesota. (David Berding/Getty Images)
Boston’s new backup goaltender Joonas Korpisalo will stick with the No. 70 he’s worn throughout his NHL career, as Boston will mark Korpisalo’s fourth stop with a No. 70, with that number worn by the Finnish netminder in Columbus, Los Angeles, and Ottawa ahead of his trade to The Hub. This is actually a goalie-friendly number in Bruins history, too, with three of its four previous owners also being goaltenders, from Matt DelGuidice to Tim Thomas to Malcolm Subban all wearing that number during stints in the Black and Gold’s crease. In fact, Jesper Boqvist is the only player to wear No. 70 and not play goaltender for the Bruins while wearing that number (they should’ve given him a game in net).
Elias Lindholm: No. 28
Feb 17, 2024; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Lindholm (23) skates during warm up prior to a game against the Winnipeg Jets at Rogers Arena. (Bob Frid/USA TODAY Sports)
After wearing No. 23 in Vancouver, new top-line center Elias Lindholm will switch back to the No. 28 he wore in both Carolina and then Calgary. Derek Forbort was the last Bruin to wear No. 28, and overall Lindholm will be the ninth different player since 2005-06 to wear No. 28 for the club. The most notable of that group has to be Mark Recchi, who wore No. 28 for the club from 2009 through 2011. Lindholm currently projects to skate to the left of David Pastrnak on Boston’s first line, with left-wing options ranging from Pavel Zacha to Brad Marchand.
Riley Tufte: No. 10
Nov 22, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche forward Riley Tufte (10) celebrates his goal in the third period against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. (Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports)
One of Boston’s many depth signings on July 1, the Bruins have confirmed that Riley Tufte will wear No. 10 with the Bruins. Should he make the Bruins, Tufte will be the first Bruins skater to wear No. 10 since A.J. Greer in 2022-23.
Tufte, a first-round pick in 2016, had one goal and an assist in five games for the Avalanche a season ago.
Nikita Zadorov: No. 91
May 8, 2024; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Canucks defenseman Nikita Zadorov (91) celebrates his goal against the Oilers during the third period in game one of the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Bob Frid/USA TODAY Sports)
The only ‘certainty’ on the number front ahead of this announcement, Nikita Zadorov was actually introduced with a No. 91 jersey when he came into Boston for a visit and press conference in early July. Zadorov had worn 16 in three straight stops before wearing No. 91 in Vancouver. That will remain the case in Boston, too, with No. 16 retired for Rick Middleton and No. 91 available. Zadorov’s reason for No. 91 is simple: It’s No. 16 flipped upside down.
Zadorov will be just the second player to wear No. 91 in B’s history, and the first since Marc Savard (2006-11). Ironically enough, Savard coached Zadorov during Zadorov’s time with the Flames.
