The Boston Bruins are one of several teams still searching to fill holes on defense. The Columbus Blue Jackets and Montreal Canadiens, to name a few, are both sailing in a similar boat with the Bruins. There are five noteworthy UFA options out there, and the Bruins are reportedly involved with two out of five.
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Sergei Gonchar, Lubomir Visnovsky, Christian Ehrhoff, Marek Zidlicky, and Cody Franson are all available UFA defensemen awaiting a deal. The B’s are eying both Zidlicky and Franson according to media reports. General manager Don Sweeney and president Cam Neely are both feeling uneasy while they await to replace Dougie Hamilton.
“We still have guys that played for us last year that are returning, a number of guys,” Bruins president Cam Neely said in a Boston Globe report. “If we can improve in that area, I know Don would do that in a heartbeat. That’s something that we’ve talked about on a regular basis.
“We’re looking forward to seeing what Miller can bring — there’s a lot of good reports on him and his season last year, that he’s ready to make the next step. But, again, we know it’s a tough position to play in the National Hockey League, so if we have an opportunity to improve in that area, we will.”
Franson is the coveted remaining name left on the market. As of July 21, the top-four defensemen was speaking with five or six teams. The Bruins are still poking their head in on Franson. Boston has been the most interested in a player of Franson’s caliber. Projecting that Adam McQuaid or Torey Krug won’t seize the role of being a top-four defensemen, Franson would certainly help fill that void. McQuaid and Krug fit the bill of third-pairing jobs.
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The right-shot defenseman said last week that the Bruins are on his radar. Sweeney would likely have to make moves on the current roster to fit the 27-year-old (turning 28 Aug. 8) under the cap. Franson finished his season in Nashville posting a career-high 36 points. Playing in three consecutive single season contracts, the defenseman is looking for more than a one-year deal.
DETROIT, MI – APRIL 21: Marek Zidlicky #28 of the Detroit Red Wings stops behind the net with the puck against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 21, 2015 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The Wings defeated the Lightning 3-0. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)
Zidlicky and Sweeney have reportedly been speaking, according to NBC Sports. The 38-year-old is coming off a split season between New Jersey and Detroit. He finished the year with 34 points. Sweeney would like to replace Hamilton the best to his abilities.
By going after Zidlicky, he’d only be winning half the battle. Sure, Zidlicky can move the puck well for a veteran as an offensive-defensemen on and off the PP. But Hamilton has something Zidlicky doesn’t: youth. In the twilight of his career, Zidlicky’s NHL days are dwindling. He’s played the last two seasons on one-year deals. The Bruins like the cheapness of Zidlicky. He’d likely only ask for $3 million, which is what he’s been making the past two years.
Franson is the ideal candidate. The Bruins need to address Hamilton’s void, and must do it soon. Whether they acquire Franson or Zidlicky, the Bruins will have addressed a void on their defense. The younger and talented Franson would require more business, but for Sweeney and the Bruins, it would be worth it.
Follow Christopher Bokum on Twitter @Chris Bokum