This will be the year for many of these players to show the Boston Bruins what they are capable of. Some of these players are already staples on the opening roster and will be playing for addition respect and salary increase. Others will be playing for recognition and a potential future with the big club. These are next summer’s top ten restricted free agents that the Boston Bruins should be looking to sign.
Sep 23, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing
Christian Thomas(60) scores a goal agianst Boston Bruins goalie
Niklas Svedberg(72) as Boston Bruins defenseman Chris Casto (65) and defenseman Joe Morrow (45) defend during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory
: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
10. Chris Casto
Here is a player that is a prime example of what the Boston Bruins are trying to continue to develop in their system. A big body that doesn’t mind getting into a fight, Chris Casto could very well be the next minute muncher for the Bruins defense. Though his offensive mindset and potential might not compare as well to the defensemen higher on this list, Casto could still be relied on offensively if the opportunity came up. Casto, who was born in 1991, edged out fellow defenseman Tommy Cross (1989) for the tenth spot due to Casto having two additional years more to develop.
9. Anthony Camara
Here comes another Boston Bruins fan favourite. Anthony Camara is all about the physicality when it comes to detailing his play. Although he is offensively capable, he, like Casto, does not compare to the prospects ranked above him. He has already taken on an energy role in Providence and will most likely do the same in Boston. I see Camara challenging Zac Rinaldo and Max Talbot for the left wing position on the fourth line for next two seasons. This will eventually result in Anthony Camara becoming the newest energy guy for the Boston Bruins.
Feb 22, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Boston Bruins right wing
Brian Ferlin(68)
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman
Michal Rozsival(32) during the second period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
8. Brian Ferlin
It needs to be noted that Brian Ferlin had potential to be much higher on this list. However, with the emergence of David Pastrnak and the acquisition of Brett Connolly and Jimmy Hayes, the need for a right winger is no longer a top priority. All the same, Brian Ferlin has every opportunity this training camp to compete for that fourth line right wing spot on the Boston Bruins roster. With Brett Connolly also being a restricted free agent next summer, there is no guarantee that Connolly and the Bruins will find that amicable contract extension. Until Connolly is proven and signed, keeping Brian Ferlin around is a very important move.
Seth Griffith finds himself in a similar situation to Brian Ferlin. With Ryan Spooner shooting up into the Bruins roster alongside Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci and Chris Kelly as the other middlemen, there really isn’t any room for Griffith. However, some would have argued the same thing last year and look what happened. Due to how last year went, I think that it is important for Griffith to spend as much time on the Bruins roster as possible. He will undoubtedly be battling with Brian Ferlin for a spot on the fourth line and whoever does not make the cut will be the leader of Providence forward group.
Oct 25, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Bruins defenseman Joe Morrow (45) warms up before playing against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory
: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
6. Joe Morrow
A former first round pick, Joe Morrow has had his potential following him around ever since he got drafted. The only thing stopping him from showing everyone that he is ready to meet that potential are other defensemen who appear to be more ready for the NHL than him. At this point, only training camp will determine which young defensemen will get the most amount of games in Boston. Consider Joe Morrow’s position at sixth a tie for fourth amongst the next two defensemen who will be competing for the same spot as him.
5. Colin Miller
All signs point to Colin Miller making the NHL this year. The only arguments against him are that it hasn’t happened yet and that there is no room for him. Obviously, we understand that players get hurt and there will be room, but at the moment, Boston has six NHL defensemen ready to start the season. Miller is not the type of player that will serve as the seventh defenseman, so he will most likely, like Morrow, start his season in Providence and wait for opportunity to strike.
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4. Zach Trotman
Zach Trotman could prove to be the glue that keeps the Boston Bruins defense together. With Trotman showing last season that he can play in the NHL, in most any scenario, Claude Julien has an interesting decision to make. As said with Colin Miller and Joe Morrow, it is not ideal to have Trotman sitting as a healthy scratch in the seventh defenseman position. However, someone has to do it and judging by how well Trotman has played, chances are he will force Julien to make one of his six NHL defensemen sit most nights. Putting the pressure on players like Kevan Miller, Matt Irwin, Adam McQuaid and even Dennis Seidenberg will encourage everyone on defense to play harder so that they aren’t the ones that are replaced by Zach Trotman. It is a situation of internal competition that can only strengthen the Boston Bruins defense.
Sep 24, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center
Alexander Khokhlachev(76) skates in the offensive zone during the second period against the Washington Capitals at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
3. Alex Khokhlachev
Alex Khokhlachev will most likely, once again, spend the majority of his season as Providence’s top scorer. With the center position in Boston very tight, it would not make sense for Khokhlachev to be sent up to Boston to play little to no minutes. Although his services in Boston this year might not compare to that of Zach Trotman, Seth Griffith or Brian Ferlin, Khokhlachev ranks higher than them on this list due to the fact that he will become more valuable in the future. David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron are by no means close to retirement, but when you look at Ryan Spooner and Alex Khokhlachev, you see two centers that are being groomed to one day take over the top two center roles. For this reason, it is of paramount importance that Khokhlachev remained signed by the Boston Bruins.
2. Brett Connolly
This player is a combination of what is and what could be. Brett Connolly needs to be the player that all Bruins fans believe he can be this year, so that the Boston Bruins can have a deep and successful forward group. Even more than that, Brett Connolly needs to show the Bruins now so that they know what they have in Connolly for the future. If Connolly does not have a good season this year, it will not look good for the Bruins in the standings and it will not look good for Connolly at the inevitable arbitration meeting. Brett Connolly has the potential to be a core player for the Boston Bruins for a very long time, and this will be his year to prove it.
Puck Prose
1. Torey Krug
While many players on this list have the potential to be core players in the future for the Boston Bruins, it can be argued that Torey Krug is already a solid member of the Bruins core. With Dougie Hamilton‘s departure, Torey Krug reigns as the Boston Bruins young offensive talent that has played in the NHL for years but is still young enough to be a restricted free agent. Krug has shown Bruins fans exactly what he is all about and believes that he still has more to offer.
I believe that, during this season, GM Don Sweeney will try to sign Krug to an extension that will keep him in Boston for at least the next five years. Krug has put off long term contract extensions thus far because he is waiting for a season where he performs well enough to get the salary he deserves. It seems like this may be the final year that Krug will able to do something like this. At any rate, signing Torey Krug, even though he is a restricted free agent, is the number one priority for the Boston Bruins, even more important that signing any of the free agents that the Bruins will have next summer.
If the Boston Bruins can convince these players that they will be a part of the Bruins future and if these players can convince the Bruins that they should be a part of their future, the 2016 offseason should go much smoother than 2015 offseason did, as far as restricted free agents are concerned.
What is your top ten for 2016 restricted free agents that the Boston Bruins need to sign? Comment below. Also, for articles on the 2016 unrestricted free agents, click on the names of the players below.
Chris Kelly
Kevan Miller
Loui Eriksson
Max Talbot
Jeremy Smith
Joonas Kemppainen
Matt Irwin