Boston Bruins: Matt Beleskey Scores First Goal With Boston
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
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The Boston Bruins received dividends from their biggest offseason signing just two games into the season as Matt Beleskey scored his first while wearing Black and Gold. Unfortunately for the Bruins, The Montreal Canadiens ended up winning the game 4-2, but the Bruins still have to be encouraged by what they’ve seen from Beleskey, Pastrnak, and Krejci. Coming off of his first 20 goal season last year in Anaheim, Beleskey is looking to build on that success moving forward. A prototypical power forward, Beleskey was immediately slotted onto David Krejci‘s left wing, the role that had previously been filled by Milan Lucic for years. While Beleskey doesn’t have the size that Lucic does, he has the same tendencies to hit first and rush the net to force a goal.
While it took Beleskey five periods of hockey to score a goal for the Bruins, he had an impact from the get-go. His strong forechecking was overshadowed by his linemates David Krejci and David Pastrnak scoring goals in the 6-2 loss against Winnipeg. There was concern around the league related to signing Matt Beleskey due to his 22 goals last season being a potential anomaly, but Boston was able to secure him for a modest $3.8 million cap hit for the next five seasons. If his first two games are any indication of how he’ll contribute over those five years, then Boston got a very good hockey player at a bargain price.
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It’s safe to assume that the Bruins were also thinking about insurance for their youngest forward in David Pastrnak. The Bruins first round pick from 2014 has shown all the makings of an elite hockey player since being drafted, and Matt Beleskey has the strength and grit needed to defend him. Milan Lucic would have been that guy in the past, but his trade to the Los Angeles in the offseason clearly meant Boston required a plan B. The cap hit of Beleskey being $2.2 million less than Lucic’s last contract looks like a smart move by Boston, especially moving forward after Lucic’s retained salary is off of the books entirely.
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