FILLING IN THE GAPS
THE BRUINS HAD a vice grip on the Presidents’ Trophy before the shutdown. They’re very much a win-now operation. They mix a core of veteran stalwarts, led by Brad Marchand, with a wave of young stars, led by David Pastrnak. The success means Boston hasn’t been loading up on high picks in recent drafts, so its development strategy is to mine gems to deploy as role players at entry-level prices a few years after being picked. IMMEDIATE NEEDS: Boston traded for Ondrej Kase and Nick Ritchie before the trade deadline, highlighting GM Don Sweeney’s desire to take the pressure off his league-best super-line of Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and Pastrnak, which does almost half of the team’s scoring. Since the Bruins haven’t been bad enough to land an early pick with which they can nab a can’t-miss sniper, they must go the trade or UFA route for now. LONG-TERM NEEDS: Future Hall of Famer Zdeno Chara doesn’t age like a mortal but he’s 43. The next generation of Boston’s defense corps looks strong, led by Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo, but puckmover Torey Krug is a threat to leave as a UFA. Boston needs another blueliner with top-pair upside for its pipeline. CAP SITUATION: The Bruins were slated to have $22 million in the event of a cap increase, but the season shutdown might keep the cap flat – so closer to $20 million. Krug, one of the NHL’s best transitional defenseman, will command an average salary of $8-plus million. Since Boston has RFA left winger Jake DeBrusk to re-sign, too, it’s no guarantee Krug stays.
IN THE SYSTEM 2020-21: Center Jack Studnicka oozes Bruins hockey. He has a tireless motor, he can play on a scoring or checking line, he’s a disruptive penalty-killer and he made the transition from junior to the AHL look easy. DID YOU KNOW: Boston’s infamous 2015 first-round draft trifecta yielded Jakub Zboril, DeBrusk and Zach Senyshyn at picks 13, 14 and 15. Zboril and Senyshyn have combined for eight NHL games.