The Boston Bruins have been one of the NHL’s busiest teams this offseason. They traded star goalie Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators, signed forward Elias Lindholm and defenseman Nikita Zadorov to substantial contracts, and allowed several free agents to leave. They have yet to re-sign Jeremy Swayman, and much of their remaining salary cap seems reserved for this potential deal. However, GM Don Sweeney might still consider bringing back some former Bruins who are available on the market.
The Bruins’ lineup for the 2024-25 season remains uncertain, with many players, including Fabian Lysell and Georgii Merkulov, expected to compete for top-six roles during training camp and the preseason. This competition is why the team was comfortable letting players like Jake DeBrusk, Matt Grzelcyk, Danton Heinen, Derek Forbort, and Pat Maroon sign elsewhere this offseason.
The Bruins have plenty of NHL-ready talent for bottom-six roles, but an intriguing free agent still seeking a contract is James van Riemsdyk. Once considered an ideal fit alongside David Krejci, van Riemsdyk, now 35, signed with the Bruins last offseason but is past his prime. Despite his decline, he scored 11 goals and 38 points in 71 games last season and remains a versatile player and power play asset. A reunion with the Bruins on a one-year deal is possible but not certain, as the team may prefer a younger lineup.
The Bruins might also bolster their defensive depth. Kevin Shattenkirk, a long-rumored target and Boston University alumnus, remains a free agent. He had a better season with the Bruins than in Anaheim but ended up as a rotational defender. With a solid defensive core already in place, Shattenkirk could serve as the eighth defender if signed on a minimum contract, offering insurance against injuries. However, with several AHL players ready to make the jump, signing another veteran might be unnecessary.
Overall, the Bruins’ roster remains in flux, promising an exciting preseason as players vie for positions. This article first appeared on The Hockey Writers and was syndicated with permission.
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