The Boston Bruins will be starting their training camp next week. The B’s will begin the process of integrating new defensemen into the team. Players like Matt Irwin and Colin Miller will get their chance to prove to their new squad they’re ready for Bruins hockey. Zach Trotman and Joe Morrow will be trying to prove they can handle the move from Providence to Boston.
More from Bruins News
- Bruins release Prospects Challenge roster, schedule Tuesday
- Bruins bringing back familiar forward on tryout contract
- The Bruins should take a look at these four free agents
- NHL Network lists Ullmark as sixth-best goalie in the league
- The Lasting Legacy of David Krejci
Hopefully, the Bruins will be able to find themselves three pairs of defensive players that will be ready for the 2015-16 season. If not, the Bruins will need to be ready to implement a ‘Plan B’ for their blueline. These are the top five defensemen available to the Bruins (and will fit within their current cap space). If the current crop of young defensemen don’t do it in Boston, expect to see one (or more) of these players in the Black and Gold.
Cody Franson, 27, (2014-15 cap hit: $3.3 million)
Franson is big guy(6’5″, 213lbs) that could bring size back to Boston. He’s a right shot, which the Bruins could find useful if the current potential crop of young blueliners doesn’t feel like it’s working. Still, he seems overpriced for a player that is coming off a disappointing season (36 points, 7 goals).
Andrej Meszaros, 29, (2014-15 cap hit: $4.75 million)
Another bigger player (6’2″, 223 lbs), Meszaros has over six-hundred NHL games to his name. He wasn’t much of an impact player for the Bruins in the past, so it’s highly unlikely that the B’s would look back at him. Still, he did soak a decent amount of time per game while playing with the often suffering Buffalo Sabres. If Meszaros took a pay cut to something commensurate with his status, the Bruins might just grab him again.
Puck Prose
Tim Gleason, 32, (2014-15 cap hit: $1.2 million)
The Bruins organization could find a cheaper diamond in the rough with Gleason. He’s a physical player who is fearless in the dirty areas. If the Bruins are serious enough to move Adam McQuaid and/or Torey Krug up to second pair duties, Gleason would do well as a bottom six d-man.
Anton Volchenkov, 33, (2014-15 cap hit: $1 million)
A veteran who is coming to the end of his career, Volchenkov is trying to find a team that can use him. To his credit, he has no compunction about getting in front to block shots and won’t hesitate to get in the face of his opponents. While Volchenkov could still be useful for the B’s, it’s clear that the Russian has lost a few steps, and it’s entirely possible he could head back to the KHL or retire all together if he can’t find himself a contract in the near future.
Marek Zidlicky, 38, (2014-15 cap hit: $4 million)
The oldest member of the Plan B group, Zidlicky is still capable of offering the total package. The 38-year old Czech still has a solid shot, and could be very effective for the Bruins. He’s been an asset on special teams (6 PPG, 14 PPA) and could be surprisingly effective if the Bruins were willing to risk money on a one-year rental. from the point and can run a power play as well as anyone. Zidlicky has held up better than most players his age. Last season found him playing in eighty-four games last season for the New Jersey Devils and the Detroit Red Wings.