Some would say that the Boston Bruins overachieved this past season by reaching the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Many pundits had the Bruins fighting for a playoff spot, but instead, Boston managed to finish second in the Atlantic Division, missing out on a division title by just one point. Heading into this offseason, the Bruins have roughly 21 million dollars to spend and the possibility of trading goaltender Linus Ullmark to free up another five million. To say this is an important summer for Boston would be an understatement. A few shrewd moves could put the Bruins back into Stanley Cup contention.
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So what should Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney do with the extra money and resources? A top-six center is a clear need. A scoring winger would be a nice addition. But a sneaky hole to fill could be on left defense. Rookie Mason Lohrei came on strong in the postseason, and Hampus Lindholm is a minutes-eater. Parker Wotherspoon can play on the left side, but another defenseman could be necessary for depth purposes. Here are five options in free agency:
Alec Martinez (36) Left Defense – Vegas Golden Knights
Martinez is up there in age but has been a stout defenseman who has won three Stanley Cups. His minutes were down this postseason, and he has only played 82 games once in his career, and that was seven years ago. There has been speculation that Martinez would consider retirement due to injuries and age. However, on a short-term deal, Martinez could be a good get for Boston. The fourth-round draft pick in 2007 is a big-time shot blocker with 244 two seasons ago.
Brady Skjei (30) Left Defense – Carolina Hurricanes
Skjei has become a goal-scoring defenseman with 13 this season (11 on the power play) and 18 last season. The 2012 first-round pick also plays heavy minutes and collected a career-high 47 points this season. Skjei’s last contract was six years with an annual salary cap hit of $5.25 million. It is likely that the 6-foot-3, 210-pound defenseman will be looking for a raise. Is he a fit for the Bruins? The cost might be too high unless the team moves on from Hampus Lindholm.
TJ Brodie (33) Left Defense – Toronto Maple Leafs
At this point in his career (he turns 34 in June), do not look for offense from Brodie, but the 6-foot-2, 190-pound defenseman plays 22 minutes per game and blocks a ton of shots. His last contract was $5 million per year but he will be hard-pressed to get that with his next deal after playing just one playoff game this postseason. The Bruins might be able to work out a cheaper contract and move Wotherspoon to seventh defenseman.
Shayne Gostisbehere (31) Left Defense – Detroit Red Wings
The third-round pick in 2012 is a good offensive defenseman who scored 10 goals with 46 assists in 81 games. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound blueliner is not overly physical but can provide another puck-mover for Boston and potentially replace the departing Matt Grzelcyk. Gostisbehere could return to Detroit, but if he doesn’t, the Bruins could be a fit at the right price.
Marco Scandella (34) Left Defense – St. Louis Blues
Scandella is a veteran who can share time or be an insurance policy for Wotherspoon. There won’t be much offense, but the 6-foot-3, 215-pounder will be a veteran, physical presence. This season, Scandella played just over 12 minutes per game, so third pairing is in his future. He will also be up for a significant pay cut from the $3.275 million he made annually with his last contract.
The Bruins need offensive help and have some money to get it, but another left-shot defenseman would help with depth and give them some insurance if Lohrei suffers a sophomore slump.
Season 4. Episode 34. Marco? Polo? – Bruins Benders Podcast
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Everything I read says that Boston needs a left shot defenseman and I cant wrap my head around why. Hampus lindholm isn’t going to move from the top 4 and has 50 point potential and lohrei is going to be with mcavoy until he learns how to command his own line, adding another left shot seems like a waste when wotherspoon has shown he can play the role of the bottom pairing left shot just fine.