As is customary during the offseason, the Boston Bruins are constantly involved in trade and free agent rumors as they seek to improve a squad that was eliminated in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the Florida Panthers. This summer’s hot themes include the status of goaltender Linus Ullmark, the probable re-signing of Jeremy Swayman, and how the Bruins will replace some of their center and wing voids. In certain ways, Boston outperformed this season, but are they closer to contention than most expected? If General Manager Don Sweeney has trouble filling up the roster, there could be some in-house choices. Here are five young players that could see time in Boston with proper conditioning.
Matthew Poitras
The 20-year-old center showed promise in 33 games for Boston this season before suffering a shoulder injury that curtailed his year. Poitras scored five goals and contributed ten assists, providing the Bruins with much-needed playmaking ability. Due to a rule that prevented him from being optioned to the American Hockey League, the 5-foot-11, 180-pound forward was forced to play in Boston or return to the Ontario Hockey League. His performance in training camp convinced management that the second-round draft pick should remain with the Bruins. Poitras will need to gain strength in order to play a complete professional season, and he might start in Providence.
Georgi Merkulov
The undrafted college free agent had a good season in Providence, scoring 30 goals and 35 assists across 67 games. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound center will be available at the start of the 2024-25 season after getting a taste of the NHL by playing four games with Boston this season in restricted minutes. Merkulov, like Poitras, may be deterred by his size and power, but he possesses attacking skill and instincts. The Bruins will need at least one of these two centers to emerge next season, and Merkulov turns 24 in October. It might be time for him to prove his worth.
Other three includes: Trevor Kuntar, John Farinacci and Fabian Lysell.