Examining the Bruins’ top free agent targets
COMMENTARY
As free agency is set to begin on Friday, the Bruins have a handful of holes to fill. From help on the left wing, to adding some veteran help on the blue line, to an experienced backup goalie, Boston should be very busy. Here are some free agent options that could help the Bruins:
Jacob Trouba, D (Restricted Free Agent, Age 22)
Trouba is a restricted free agent after three successful seasons with the Jets. There has been plenty of talk since last weekend’s draft that the Bruins are preparing an offer sheet for Trouba. Due to a lack of second and third round picks, the Bruins minimum cap hit for Trouba would be $7 million per season and would also cost the club four first round picks. If Don Sweeney is comfortable with what he has in the pipeline for prospects, then signing this no doubt No. 1 defenseman would make sense. Don’t forget, though, the Jets can match any offer sheet Trouba may sign.
Jason Demers, D (Unrestricted Free Agent, Age 28)
Demers is coming off a stellar season with the Dallas Stars and is drawing interest from several teams. Despite missing significant time last season due to a shoulder injury, Demers still managed to score a career high nine goals. Demers is a right-handed shot who is fast with the puck and moves it well, something the Bruins are so badly looking for.
Luke Schenn, D (Unrestricted Free Agent, Age 26)
Schenn and the Bruins could be a nice fit here. A young but big defenseman, Schenn has underperformed a bit since being drafted fifth overall by the Maple Leafs in 2008. Schenn won’t light up the score sheet, but he’s a smart physical defenseman that can be relied upon in his own zone. Schenn alone won’t come in and change the landscape of the Bruins d-core, but combined with a few other puzzle pieces he could be the recipe for success.
Kris Russell, D (Unrestricted Free Agent, Age 29)
The Bruins were in on Russell last season when he was traded from Calgary to Dallas, where the veteran blue-liner struggled throughout the playoffs. Because of his down season last year, Russell may be looking at less of a pay day than originally expected, something that can benefit the Bruins. Russell is a minutes eater and could come in and take some of those minutes the Bruins need to take away from Zdeno Chara. Russell is a smart defenseman who likes to block shots. Despite his down year, there should be a handful of teams calling come July 1st.
Dan Hamhuis, D (Unrestricted Free Agent, Age 33)
The Bruins wanted Hamhuis at last year’s trade deadline, but he reportedly was not willing to waive his no movement clause to be traded to a team that was not a contender for the Stanley Cup. That hasn’t changed on the Bruins front, but maybe Sweeney and company could send a pretty good sales pitch his way and change his mindset. A proven veteran that should come relatively affordable compared to other defenseman on the market, Hamhuis could be a big help to some of the younger defenseman the Bruins currently employ.
Kyle Okposo, RW (Unrestricted Free Agent, Age 28)
Okposo is exactly what the Bruins are looking for as they look for help on the wings. Okposo has tremendous offensive skills. He can put the puck in the net just as easily as he can set someone else up to do the same. Okposo could come in and play alongside Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron on the Bruins’ top line. Several teams should be after Okposo, so the Bruins may have to come in with a hefty offer right off the bat.
Kris Versteeg, RW (Unrestricted Free Agent, Age 30)
Drafted by the Bruins in 2004, Versteeg could finally make a return to the team that drafted him. Versteeg should be somewhere in the $3-$4 million range annually, and could be a nice fit on the Bruins’ second or third line. Versteeg is a smart, hard-nosed forward who is very good five-on-five. His possession numbers from a year ago show that Versteeg is still a guy who will contribute for whichever team lands his services.
Andrew Ladd, LW (Unrestricted Free Agent, Age 30)
If the Bruins are looking outside the organization for Loui Eriksson’s replacement, Ladd may be the way to go. Comparable in age and skillset, Ladd could come in and pick up right where Eriksson left off. A two-time cup winner and a consistent 20-goal scorer, Ladd will be heavily pursued on July 1st.
Matt Martin, LW (Unrestricted Free Agent, Age 27)
A bottom six forward with the Islanders, Martin is exactly what you’re looking for from a third or fourth line winger. Martin had career highs in goals (10) goals and points (19) last season. The league’s leader in hits in 2015-16 (365), Martin is a big body who loves to get physical and uses his physicality to create space for his line mates.
Carter Hutton, G (Unrestricted Free Agent, Age 30)
The Bruins are in need of a backup goalie as Malcolm Subban does not appear ready for the role just yet, and Hutton could be the perfect fit for that role. Hutton is leaving the Nashville Predators as he would like to go somewhere where he can earn more starts. Despite having a No. 1 in Tuukka Rask, a heavy workload the last two seasons could lead to more rest for the 2014 Vezina winner this season and ultimately open the door for more starts from Hutton should he decide Boston is the fit for him.
These are the top prospects in the Boston Bruins organization
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