Bruins will have three more unrestricted free agents in 2024
The Bruins will have three more unrestricted free agents to make decisions on this summer.
Feb 15, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins center Oskar Steen #62 takes a shot against the Seattle Kraken during the first period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
In an upcoming offseason full of pending free agents, Don Sweeney and the Bruins will have three more names added to the unrestricted free agent pile, this time by way of the 'Group 6' market.
And there's representation across the board, really, with forward Oskar Steen, defenseman Reilly Walsh, and goaltender Kyle Keyser all expected to hit the open market as Group 6 UFAs for the Bruins.
Of that group, the 26-year-old Steen is the most notable name, as he has appeared in 60 NHL games for the Bruins over the last four NHL seasons, and has been in Providence since the 2019-20 season.
A 5-foot-9 wing, Steen made a career-high 34 appearances for the Bruins this past regular season, and though he established career-highs in hits (79) and blocks (19), he also scored just one goal and zero assists over that 34-game run.
And when the Bruins placed Steen on waivers back in February, the numbers were indeed brutal. One of 580 NHL players to play at least 30 games at the time he was placed on waivers, Steen’s single point over that 34-game NHL run in 2023-24 ranked dead last among that group of 580. At that time, Steen was also one of just two forwards (and just four players in total) in the NHL this season to play at least 300 five-on-five minutes and not record multiple points.
When in Providence this season, Steen (as always) put up respectable numbers, with 12 goals and 16 points in 25 AHL contests. Steen has recorded 53 goals and 116 points in 221 games over five AHL seasons.
Sep 24, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Reilly Walsh (92) skates in the neutral zone during the third period against the New York Rangers at TD Garden. (Eric Canha/USA TODAY Sports)
On the backend, defenseman Reilly Walsh is staring down a potential jump into unrestricted free agency following a season that featured nine goals and 28 points in 60 games for AHL Providence. Walsh's 28 points were tops among all P-Bruins defensemen, but his minus-17 rating was the worst on the team.
A native of North Falmouth, Mass., Walsh was acquired in a one-for-one trade with the Devils, with minor-league forward Shane Bowers sent New Jersey's way in the deal.
The 25-year-old Walsh has posted 32 goals and 127 points in 234 career AHL games.
Sep 26, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; Boston Bruins goaltender Kyle Keyser (85) gets a drink during a stoppage in play against the Buffalo Sabres in the second period at KeyBank Center. (Timothy T. Ludwig/USA TODAY Sports)
In goal, meanwhile, Kyle Keyser's time with the Bruins is almost certainly coming to an end given his Group 6 status, his rough year in the minors, and the Bruins' recent other moves in goal.
Called into action for five games with Providence this year, the 25-year-old Keyser posted a 1-2-2 record, along with a 3.45 goals against average and an .873 save percentage. It wasn't much better down in ECHL Maine, either, with a 5-8-2 record and .868 save percentage in 16 appearances for the Mariners.
As noted, the Bruins have already made a move for the future in goal, with Notre Dame's Ryan Bischel signed to a contract following a strong career with the Fighting Irish, and it's also possible that 2022 sixth-round pick Reid Dyck jumps into the pro ranks after a strong season with WHL Swift Current.
The Bruins have also already re-upped AHL netminder Michael DiPietro on a one-year deal, too.
