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.
Related Post: Five Potential Free Agent Centers For The Boston Bruins
So what should Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney do with the extra money and resources? Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci were big losses, but so were wingers Taylor Hall and Tyler Bertuzzi. Here is a list of five possible fits at wing for the Bruins from a group of unrestricted free agents around the league:
Sam Reinhart (28) Center/Right Wing – Florida Panthers
Reinhart should be a prize of this free agent class, coming off a 57-goal season for the Panthers. That goal total was above and beyond past seasons, but the second overall pick in 2014 has scored at least 22 goals in all but one season overall. Reinhart is also a good defensive forward with 66 blocks this past season and Selke Award consideration in years past. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound forward has also led the team in shots on goal in the playoffs with 48 in 11 games. Reinhart is in his prime and his offensive production will command big money and term. Look for a contract for 5-6 years and $8 million annually.
Jonathan Marchessault (33) Center/Right Wing – Vegas Golden Knights
Marchessault is getting up there in age, but producing like a young sniper with 42 goals this season. The 5-foot-9 183-pound forward is similar to Brad Marchand in stature and production and would give Boston another goal-scoring winger. Although smaller in size, Marchessault dished out a career-high 107 hits this season as well. A new contract could be tricky based on the fact he will be 34 in December, but maybe a three-year contract at $7 million annually gets it done. Marchessault is also a proven playoff performer with 13 goals and 80 shots on net in the Golden Knights’ 2022-23 Stanley Cup title run.
Jake Guentzel (30) Left Wing – Carolina Hurricanes
Guentzel is a consistent goal scorer who was able to prove this season that he could score without Sidney Crosby as his center. Guentzel has scored at least 30 goals each of the last three seasons and is a Stanley Cup winner. In his postseason career, the third-round pick in 2013 has 67 points in 69 games. At just 30 years old, Guentzel should command a hefty, six-year deal, but his consistency might be worth it for the Bruins.
Tyler Bertuzzi (29) Left Wing – Toronto Maple Leafs
Bringing Bertuzzi back could be an option for Boston. Offensively, the winger was a bit of a disappointment for Toronto this season, but he was a fan favorite in his short time with Boston, scoring five goals in the playoffs. Bertuzzi’s defensive deficiencies are not the greatest fit with the Bruins so a return appears unlikely. But if all else fails, Bertuzzi would be a nice upgrade over James Van Riemsdyk on the left wing at the right price, especially if Jake DeBrusk signs elsewhere.
Anthony Duclair (29) Left Wing – Tampa Bay Lightning
Duclair might be a good fit as a middle-six forward for Boston. The 5-foot-11 wing is not overly physical, but did score 24 goals with the Sharks and Lightning this season and 31 goals during the 2021-22 season. The 2013 third-round pick scored eight goals in 17 games with Tampa Bay but did not light the lamp in their first-round loss to Florida, his former team. If the Bruins strike out on some better options for their top-six scoring, they can probably do worse than adding Duclair.
The center position is the number one glaring need for the Bruins heading into the offseason, but if a top-six pivot is not available, a scoring winger could be a good consolation prize.
Season 4. Episode 38. B.C. Bruins – Bruins Benders Podcast
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