The Boston Bruins have had one of the busiest offseasons in the NHL. They traded star goaltender Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators, signed forward Elias Lindholm and defender Nikita Zadorov to significant contracts, allowed several free agents to leave, and have yet to extend Jeremy Swayman. While most of the Bruins’ remaining salary appears reserved for a potential Swayman deal, they might still explore ways to bolster their depth. General Manager Don Sweeney might revisit opportunities with former Bruins who are still available on the market.
As for the Bruins’ 2024-25 lineup, it’s uncertain how it will shape up before training camp and preseason. Players like Fabian Lysell and Georgii Merkulov are expected to compete for prominent roles, and other Bruins could also vie for increased responsibility. This potential has made the team comfortable with letting players like Jake DeBrusk, Matt Grzelcyk, Danton Heinen, Derek Forbort, and Pat Maroon move on.
Currently, the Bruins have plenty of NHL-caliber talent ready for bottom-six roles. One notable free agent still seeking a contract is James van Riemsdyk. Despite his age and a noticeable decline in speed, van Riemsdyk’s performance last season (11 goals and 38 points in 71 games) suggests he can still be a valuable addition. Given his previous stint with the Bruins and his ability to contribute on the power play, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Bruins consider offering him another short-term deal.
However, the Bruins already have many young players, such as Trent Frederic, Matt Poitras, Morgan Geekie, and Justin Brazeau, who are candidates for bottom-six spots. Adding a 35-year-old like van Riemsdyk might not align with the Bruins’ long-term strategy.
The Bruins are also considering options for their defense. Kevin Shattenkirk, another player linked to the Bruins in the past, remains a free agent. While he provided solid depth as a rotational defender last season, the Bruins already have a strong defensive lineup with Charlie McAvoy, Hampus Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov, Brandon Carlo, Andrew Peeke, Mason Lohrei, and Parker Wotherspoon. Shattenkirk could be an inexpensive option for added depth, but with many players already on the roster and waiting to step up from the AHL, his addition might be seen as unnecessary. The upcoming preseason will be crucial in determining the Bruins’ final roster decisions.