Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney loaded up on third and fourth-line forwards in the offseason with the acquisitions of Mark Kastelic, Max Jones, Riley Tufte, and Cole Koepke. Kastelic is returning to the lineup after a recent injury but has done enough to earn a three-year contract extension. Koepke started well but has tailed off lately and is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Jones and Tufte have played most of the season in the American Hockey League after brief stints in Boston and might not be re-signed by the club. Another forward entering free agency is Justin Brazeau, who is sixth on the Bruins in goals, tied for second in power-play goals, and third in game-winning goals. The question will be whether the Bruins will re-sign the 6-foot-5, 220-pound winger.
Brazeau was signed as a free agent by the Bruins in February of 2024 and scored five goals in 19 regular season games at the end of last season while adding a goal and an assist in the playoffs. This season, the big forward has ten goals and ten assists in 51 games but has cooled off of late. The Bruins will have a decision to make before the end of the season. If teams come along and ask about Brazeau, Boston could include him in a trade.
Justin Brazeau’s Future
David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported recently that the Bruins and Brazeau had preliminary extension talks in December but that there have been “crickets since,” with negotiations being mild at best. Boston has had an up-and-down season and is currently outside of the playoff picture as of February 4. Players like Morgan Geekie, Trent Frederic, and Brazeau are unsigned, with John Beecher heading to restricted free agency as well. If the Bruins are to improve the roster, then it will be hard to bring everyone back.
For now, Justin Brazeau remains a Boston Bruin. However, it seems the Bruins wanted him more in December than they do now. Unless something changes before the March 7 trade deadline, Brazeau might be in a different uniform sooner rather than later.
Season 4. Episode 37. Gimme a J. Gimme a G. – Bruins Benders Podcast
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