Boston Bruins RFA’s: Torey Krug, Brett Connolly, Colin Miller Among Others

Boston Bruins RFA’s: Torey Krug, Brett Connolly, Colin Miller Among Others Lead The Pack

The Boston Bruins missed the playoffs this season and now have to look forward to rebuilding the team for next season in the hopes of returning to the playoffs sooner rather than later. The Bruins have 13 restricted free agents this off-season topped by black and gold defensemen Torey Krug.

1. Torey Krug, defenseman ($3.4 million cap hit in 2015-16)

2015-16 stats: Four goals, 40 assists in 81 games

Torey Krug who signed a one-year deal last offseason is due for another contract and is the highest priced RFA the Bruins will deal with this offseason. Krug played in all but one game this season recording a career-high 40 assists

Krug said on Monday that the Bruins have yet to discuss a contract extension, but with the lack of depth at defense and Kevan Miller and John Micheal-Liles both being UFA’s, Krug has to be at the top of the Bruins priority list when it comes to building their defense for next season.

2.Brett Connolly, right wing ($1.025 million)

2015-16 stats: Nine goals, 16 assists in 71 games

Brett Connolly was acquired by the B’s prior to the 2015 trade deadline for two second-round draft picks (Boston’s own selections in 2015 and 2016). Connolly has struggled mightily in his time in Boston and tended to be invisible for prolonged periods of time throughout this season.

Connolly who is 23 years old had multiple 10-plus game streaks without a point this season, and was also injured for eight of the last ten games for the Bruins. Connolly will be low on the Bruins priority list but given the fact that they gave two-second rounders up for him, it seems likely that they will try and sign him to a one-year deal in the hopes that he has a break out season.

3.Joe Morrow, defenseman ($863,333)

2015-16 stats: One goal, six assists in 33 games

4.Zach Trotman, defenseman ($625,000)2015-16 stats: Two goals, six assists in 38 games

5.Colin Miller, defenseman ($602,500)

2015-16 stats: Three goals, 13 assists in 42 games

Joe Morrow, Zach Trotman, and Colin Miller all split time in Boston as a rotating bunch of young defensemen. All three players should be easily obtainable from a financial perspective, although not all three are likely to return to the B’s.

Out of the three Colin Miller is the player that the Bruins should focus on as in 42 games this season he showed the most upside and looks to be a solid third pairing defensmen.

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6.Seth Griffith, right wing ($759,167)

2015-16 stats: Zero goals, one assist in four gamesSeth Griffith is one of the players in the Bruins organization that should have received more time at the NHL level this season as he was on fire down in AHL Providence. In the AHL Griffith ranked second in the league with 72 points despite playing in only 54 of the Providence Bruins 73 games.

Griffith may look elsewhere for a shot in the NHL if the Bruins do not offer him one, he clearly has offensive ability at the AHL level and if he remains with the Bruins organization next season he should get at least 30 games in the NHL level to see if he can make it with the big team.

7.Landon Ferraro, forward ($600,000)

2015-16 stats: Five goals, five assists in 68 games (with Boston and Detroit)

Landon Ferraro was a waiver-wire pick for the Bruins and had a very productive first month with the team. After the first month his production dropped off considerably, Ferraro will be a cheap fourth line option if the Bruins decide to keep him.

8.Tyler Randell, right wing ($600,000)

2015-16 stats: Six goals, zero assists in 27 games

Tyler Randell who is another affordable fourth line option for the Bruins, although he is a different player than Ferraro. Randell is a gritty player who was tied for second on the team with five fights despite only playing in 27 games with the B’s.

It is unlikely that the team will have both Randell and Ferraro return, so the decision becomes do you want the grit of Randell, or the skill of Ferraro?

Alexander Khokhlachev has spent most of his time in the B’s organization in the AHL despite his public displeasure with the situation. Koko has had success at the AHL level and has yet to receive a proper try out with the big team, after the recent comments from his agent earlier this week it would be shocking to see Khokhlachev return to the Bruins for next season. Other RFA’s include: Brian Ferlin, Chris Casto, Ben Sexton, Tommy Cross.