Who Is the X-Factor Offensively for the Boston Bruins?

Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images

The Boston Bruins were an offensive juggernaut during the 2022-23 season, leading them to a historic 65 wins and the President’s Trophy as the league’s best regular season team. Forward David Pastrnak scored a career-high 61 goals, and the Bruins had nine players with at least 16 goals in a balanced attack. Only the Edmonton Oilers scored more goals (325) than the Bruins total of 301. Boston played an exciting, quick transition style that helped the club dominate the league for 82 games before losing in a first-round upset to the eventual Eastern Conference champion Florida Panthers.

How quickly things have changed! Centers Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci have retired, and the Bruins are beginning a transition period to a new-look roster. Coming into the 2023-24 season, Pavel Zacha and Charlie Coyle are the top two returning center options, and forward Taylor Hall was traded to Chicago, giving the Bruins an opening on the left wing. Veteran Brad Marchand is the top-line winger on the left side, but Boston will be looking to fill the second-line left-wing spot after not retaining free agent Tyler Bertuzzi.

One free-agent newcomer who could provide some offensive punch on the second line is left-wing James van Riemsdyk. The 14-year veteran signed a one-year contract worth $1 million with Boston on July 1, 2023. In his career, the 6-foot-3, 220-pound forward has scored 300 regular-season goals and is nine points away from 600.

Last season, van Riemsdyk scored 12 goals with 17 assists in 61 games for the Philadelphia Flyers. But during the 2021-22 season, the Middletown, New Jersey native scored 24 goals, nine of them on the power play, where the Bruins hope the left wing will help his new team the most. The former second overall draft pick in 2007 has been a solid goal scorer during his career, with seven seasons of 20 goals or more, including his career high of 36 in 2017-18.

Van Riemsdyk is now 34 years old and nearing the end of his career. The Bruins are taking a small risk that there is something left there to help the roster and supply some of the offense that is missing from the departures of Hall and Bertuzzi. If van Riemsdyk can still get to the front of the net and produce on the power play, the Bruins might have someone for short money that will provide the balanced scoring that the team had last season. The question will be whether there is still something left in the tank.

Season 4. Episode 37. Gimme a J. Gimme a G. Bruins Benders Podcast

 Join the Bruins Benders Podcast as they cover the HOTTEST topics in the Boston Bruins market, along with…- Brad Marchand wins his second Cup.- Bruins are in on another overseas player. Maxim Shabanov of the KHL. Is this the only real route they can take now?- Bruins Development Camp Roster is out. What are some intriguing names?- More teams shopping draft picks. Will the Bruins be able to trade the 7th pick?- Troy Terry is potentially available. Is he a fit for the Bruins?& Much More!Bruins Benders Premium Hoodies $55https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/get-bent-premium-hoodieBruins Benders Long Sleeve Tee $40https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-long-sleeve-tee-1Bruins Benders Tee $30https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-t-shirt-1For more from us, visit: insidetherink.com/bruins-bendersBoston Bruins Trade Rumors, Boston Bruins News, Boston Bruins, Jeremy Swayman, Joonas Korpisalo, Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, Nikita Zadorov, Hampus Lindholm, Mason Lohrei, Andrew Peeke, Parker Wotherspoon, Johnny Beecher, Mark Kastelic, Justin Brazeau, Cole Koepke, Trent Frederic, Matthew Poitras, Charlie Coyle, Pavel Zacha, Morgan Geekie, Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, Elias Lindholm, Oliver Wahlstrom, Fabian Lysell, Georgii Merkulov, Joe Sacco, Don Sweeney, Cam Neely, Brandon Carlo Trade#nhl #nhlbruins #hockey #bostonbruins #nhlplayoffs #bruins #nhlhockey #nhlmemes #boston #nhlallstar #nhldiscussion #nhlnews #nhledits #nhldraft #bruinsnation #nhlawards #nhltrade #hockeylife #tdgarden #nhlhighlights #bostonsports #bruinshockey #bruinsfan #nhlblackhawks #nhlglobalseries #nhlfi #nhlleafs #nhltrades #nhltradedeadline #nhlcanadiens #nhl #nhlnews #hockey #nhlhockey #nhlplayoffs #nhledits #nhldiscussion #nhlmemes #nhldraft #nhlallstar #hockeylife #hockeynews #hockeymemes #nhlhighlights #icehockey #sports #hockeyislife #nhlbruins #hockeyplayers #hockeyfan #hockeyplayer #hockeyedits #stanleycup #nhlawards #hockeygame #hockeyboys #hockeygram #hockeyfights #nhltrade #nhltrades 
  1. Season 4. Episode 37. Gimme a J. Gimme a G.
  2. Season 4. Episode 36. What's Your Vector, Victor?
  3. Season 4. Episode 35. Riding the Sturm Out.
  4. Season 4. Episode 34. Marco? Polo?
  5. Season 4. Episode 33. Sweens Extension

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