Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
For the Bruins these days, any season that does not bring the Stanley Cup back to Boston is considered a shortcoming. With a Cup-hungry fan base and organization, the Bruins’ preseason goal each year is nothing short of a championship. Two out of the last four years, the Bruins have won the Eastern Conference, and in 2011 they were able to defeat the Canucks in Game 7 to win their first Stanley Cup since 1972. The year following the Cup run, the Bruins lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Washington Capitals; a Game 7 loss at the hands of Capitals forward Joel Ward in OT. The Bruins continued the following year, in 2013, to defeat the Maple Leafs in an improbable Game 7 comeback, and eventually they would sweep the Penguins to reach the Stanley Cup Final. A heartbreaking Game 6 loss in Boston to the Blackhawks capped an injury filled series which, in a certain way, left Bruins fans less disappointed knowing that the majority of the Bruins players were far from 100 percent. Still, however, the Bruins were in search of another ride on the duck boats. A Presidents’ Trophy later, the Bruins were the favorites for the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs. After a shaky start against the Red Wings, the Bruins response was four wins to send Detroit home. Boston would then have to face-off with their bitter rivals, and perennial ‘achilles heel’, the Montreal Canadiens. While the series went seven games, the Canadiens led for the clear majority of it. Boston’s combination of tough luck and sudden lapses left the series in the Canadiens’ hands to lose.
The Bruins were unable to win the series, and ended up at home with their tails between their legs. Some say there is no shame in losing to a better team, but, for the Bruins, it is much more than just a loss. Another loss to Montreal is one that will surely hurt a little more than if it were to anyone else. The Bruins will need to respond next season with a way to beat their rivals; with the new playoff format, the Bruins will theoretically need to defeat the Canadiens to surpass the divisional round in the playoffs from now on. The positive news for the Bruins is that they have many options this offseason to come back with a potential Stanley Cup run next season.
Jarome Iginla Is a Bruin, But Not for the Money He Wants
The Bruins’ top priority this offseason is to the address the first line right wing position. It has been a tough position for the Bruins to fill due to the lack of suitable players in the league who can fit there. The Bruins had a tough time scoring in the playoffs, and that had a lot to do with the little production coming from their top line who combined for 73 goals in the regular season and only 2 in the Montreal series. Iginla’s regular season was on par with his best years with Calgary, and turned out to be his best year in the plus/minus category throughout his career.
His grit and goal-scoring abilities, piled on top of Lucic and Krejci’s playmaking, made the Bruins’ first line arguably the best in the league at times. He adds a lot to Claude Julien’s team and fits in Julien’s style of play. But, soon to be 37 years old, Iginla’s career is slowly nearing its end, and his desire for a payday may keep him off of the Bruins’ roster come the 2014-’15 season. Many believe that the incentive based contract he played under this season – which will cost the Bruins between $3.7-$4.5 million towards next years’ salary cap – is not enough to land Iginla. CSNNE’s DJ Bean believes Iginla’s agent will be the one pushing for a longer deal, probably three or four years, to insure Iginla safety in the case that he suffers an injury. Note, in the NHL, only one-year deals can have incentive based salaries. That means that the Bruins will not be able to use their salary cap loophole with Iginla if he signs a multiyear deal. Iginla may be the thirty goal scorer the Bruins have been scouring the league for years for, but he is not worth that kind of money at 37 years old.
Ryan Callahan Should be a Priority for Bruins
Without Iginla’s offensive production, the Bruins will definitely take a step backwards. The Bruins will then have to resort to free agency or trade to fill their first line center void. Boston will have many players to consider, but one that jumps out is Ryan Callahan. The 29 year old right winger is a three-time 30 goal scorer, and adds much more than a knack around the net to any team. His unparalleled competitive edge led Callahan to captainship at 26 years old, making him the fifth youngest captain in the storied franchise’s history. The Rochester native offers the “complete package” in his game; he will, not only skate on the powerplay and penalty, but he will also win puck battles and block shots 5-on-5.
Some Bruins fans would love to see a star like Evgeni Malkin, who is reportedly being shopped by the Penguins, or upcoming free agent Marian Gaborik. While a name like one of those is an eye catcher, neither of those two will come to the Bruins at a reasonable price. In fact, Malkin’s cap hit last year exceeded $8.7 million. That will increase to a $9.5 million cap hit next season, and will remain at that value though the 2021-2022 season.
On the other hand, Callahan will come at the affordable price of around $5 million a year. The Bruins, without Iginla, will be able to pay Callahan that money easily. Callahan’s previous contract gradually built up to a $4.275 million cap hit last year. That would have made him the 6th highest paid forward on the Bruins last year. Callahan may not be available come July 1st, but the Bruins should make a push for him if he ends up a UFA.
Defense Overhaul is Mostly Unnecessary 
After Boston’s season ended abruptly, the most criticized unit was certainly the defense. Both the players and the lack of them. Many pointed fingers at young, inexperienced blue-liners like Matt Bartkowski and Kevan Miller. Some at GM Peter Chiarelli for his inability to make a move at the trade deadline. Either way, the Bruins organization will look at defensemen who are Restricted and Unrestricted Free Agents this offseason, and decide whether to resign them or not.
Matt Bartkowski is the most likely to depart from the Bruins. If there was one player who did not help his case for the offseason during the playoffs, it was Bartkowski. Bartkowski’s untimely penalties – two of which led to the Game 1 2OT loss to the Canadiens – and costly mistakes were troublesome at times during the playoffs. Chances are he will not be a Bruin next season.
Next up for the Bruins is the deadline acquisition, Andrej Meszaros. Meszaros had his chances to step in and help the Bruins out at times, but never seemed to show signs of promise. He is a low-end 6th defenseman with a low ceiling, and costs too much for the Bruins to retain. Meszaros will be heading somewhere where he will take a large pay cut to play a ’3rd-pairing defenseman’ role.
Adam McQuaid will be the toughest decision for the Bruins defensively. His size and physicality adds a lot to the Bruins. But, that may not be enough for the Bruins to keep him. The Bruins have the ability to ‘buy-out’ McQuaid to relieve them of his contract, but it will probably be another year until McQuaid leaves Boston.
The only downside to keeping McQuaid as a regular defenseman is that RFA Torey Krug will likely be the odd man out in that scenario. Krug has shown his incredible abilities on the power play and with the puck. But, occasionally his size inhibits him from playing physical in the corners against larger forwards. Krug needs to be paired with a top-4 defenseman to be affective, but he will definitely be re-signed. Even if Boston signs McQuaid, Krug will be a member of the Bruins next year.
Other than the defensemen already in the system, the Bruins will have options with free agent defensemen. It is likely that their inclination towards players who are seeking large contracts will be slim. The Bruins will have Dennis Seidenberg back from ACL/MCL surgery. Therefore, there is no reason for the Bruins to spend valuable cap space on an expensive defenseman. The Bruins defense should look similar to this season: Chara – Hamilton, Krug – Seidenberg, Boychuk – Miller with McQuaid as the seventh d-man.
A Few Minor Tweaks Offensively
The chances the Bruins sign Jarome Iginla are not too high, and are even lower in terms of Ryan Callahan. But, without major spending on defensemen the Bruins will have ample room for the addition of both Iginla and Callahan. It’s probably a little far-fetched, but why not?
The Bruins’ days of having the best 4th line in the league have passed. Boston has many empty spaces to fill at the forward position, and some more spaces that they will create. The first player the Bruins will look to buyout is forward, Chris Kelly. His contributions to the Bruins since his acquisition in 2011 have been tremendous. The Bruins, however, cannot afford to keep the 33 year old. His $3 million contract is extended through the 2016 season. The Bruins have found their 3rd line center in Carl Soderberg. It only seems inevitable that the Bruins buyout Kelly.
Without Kelly, the Bruins can insert Ryan Callahan onto their 3rd line at the right wing position. The key to success in the NHL is depth, and the Bruins bottom six at times these playoffs seemed a bit overpowered. So, if the Bruins bought out Kelly and signed Iginla and Callahan, they could have an elite 3rd line to compliment their 1st and 2nd. It also goes without saying that Reilly Smith is a top priority as a Restricted Free Agent this offseason, and should be back alongside Marchand and Bergeron next season.
In regards to the 4th line, the Bruins will not re-sign Shawn Thronton. For a long time, Thronton was a key to the success of the cohesive “merlot line”, but the days of enforcers are coming to an end, and Thornton will have to leave this offseason. That will allow an NHL-ready prospect to be promoted to the 4th line alongside Paille and Campbell. Providence’s Justin Florek and Matt Fraser will compete for that opening.