Ramping up towards the next hockey season, fans tend to look back on the coaching staff's and the owner's decisions for player movement. Today we are going to look back on two different players that the Bruins should not have signed. The reason why is very similar.
Georgii Merkulov
Merkulov was picked up by the Bruins in 2022 and made his debut in 2023. He played for the Bruins until 2025-26, when he was then picked up by Colorado Avalanche on July 20 of this year. During his time in Providence, he was the all-time point leader in the AHL, having 240 points and 146 assists.
Although he was very good in the AHL, his ability did not show on professional ice. He played 11 games with the Boston Bruins, but scored no goals at all and had no more than 15 minutes of total ice time in his few professional seasons. At the time he was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Ohio State, it seemed like a good signing. However, like other prospects in the Bruins organization, he failed to find a role in the NHL and was blocked by veteran free-agent signings. If he goes on to have success with the Avs, then it wouldn't be a good look for the Bruins.
Matej Blumel
Much like Merkulov, he also had amazing stats in the AHL. He was awarded the Willie Marshall Award in 2025, which is earned by scoring the most goals during the regular AHL season. However, he also could not translate his skills from AHL to NHL games. Out of four games he played, he had no goals and left the ice with a plus/minus rating of minus-3.
Blumel also sustained a lower-body injury at the end of last year. By the end of July 2026, he still had no contract, leading the Bruins to let him go from the team. He signed a contract with HC Sparta Praha, which sent him from America back to the Czech Republic. See above with Merkulov when it comes to Bruins prospects getting a chance to get a more defined role in the NHL, mainly in Boston. It's a numbers game that is tough to crack.
Though there was no real way for the owners, coaching staff, or fans to know how players would turn out, teams have to trade, make deals, and try new players. Hopefully, the team continues to build on the players we have, and we will have a great hockey season!
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