Boston Bruins: Making A Case For Re-Signing Drew Stafford
Drew Stafford proved to be a solid addition to the Boston Bruins forward core. How would bringing the 31-year-old winger make sense for the Bruins?
The Bruins aren’t expected to make a big splash in free agency this summer, so they will focus on free agents already in the organization. Drew Stafford is one name that comes up.
After carrying a $4.35 million cap hit the past two seasons, what he will ask for is up in the air. Stafford was acquired as one of the last deals of the 2017 NHL Trade Deadline for a 2018 conditional sixth-round draft pick. It’s safe to say that the price paid was a bargain for the Bruins in their only deadline deal.
As a member of the Bruins last year, in 24 games including playoffs, Stafford had six goals, four assists, and 10 points. Those totals nearly eclipsed his four goals, nine assists and 13 points in 40 games with the Winnipeg Jets. It’s fair to say that Stafford was a good fit in the Bruins lineup, and he is open to a returning to the NHL wearing Black and Gold next season.
The right wing is a weak spot on the Bruins roster and re-signing Stafford could open up some interesting possibilities for the Bruins. Part of the decision to keep Stafford or not will depend on the growth of young guys like Zachary Senyshyn, Jake DeBrusk, Anders Bjork etc. Sure not all of these guys are natural right wings, but we have seen the Bruins play young guys out of their position in the past to see if they can find a good fit.
Why it makes sense
Say Ryan Spooner is gone next year, which sounds very likely, the consensus replacement is Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson. If JFK isn’t ready at the start of next year, signing Stafford could really help. If JFK isn’t ready and guys like DeBrusk, Senyshyn, and Bjork are, Stafford could push David Backes into the third line center role. During his career as a St. Louis Blue, Backes’ natural position was center, allowing young guys to take roles on the wing could give Backes ice-time as the third line center.
A forward core could look something like this, in the situation mentioned above:
Brad Marchand – Patrice Bergeron – David Pastrnak
Anders Bjork – David Krejci – Drew Stafford
Jake DeBrusk/Frank Vatrano – David Backes – Zachary Senyshyn/Frank Vatrano
Sean Kuraly – Riley Nash – Noel Acciari
When looking at it on paper, that’s a pretty solid looking forward core that could display some high octane offense. One that also has a good balance of skill and physical presence as well. Jimmy Hayes and Matt Beleskey aren’t in the lineup, maybe one of them will be in the Vegas Golden Knights lineup next year.
They have not proven worthy of a spot in the lineup in a league that is phasing out slow guys like them and is becoming a league reliant on speed, puck movement, and skill. If JFK is ready, Drew Stafford could still play an important role on the second or third line wing, with David Backes being there as well.
What could his contract look like?
Drew Stafford will likely make less than the $4.35 million he has made the past two years. His new deal would likely be a one-year deal to bridge the gap for young guys and add depth. If Ryan Spooner departs, that opens up opportunities for Stafford to return.
The Bruins have $10,468,332 in cap space, according to capfriendly.com, the majority of that will go to David Pastrnak. Pastrnak will command somewhere in the $5.5-7 million range per year, leaving the Bruins with not much space. Additionally, outside of Pastrnak, the Bruins don’t have many big time free agents to re-sign.
Some of the remaining money will go to Anders Bjork if he chooses to leave the University of Notre Dame. As well as Noel Acciari and maybe Joe Morrow. Ryan Spooner’s status is very much up in the air, as is Anders Bjork’s.
So then let’s say for example David Pastrnak signs a six-year, $36 million contract and is set to make $6 million in his first year, that leaves $4,468,332 for the remaining free agents. John-Michael Liles and Tim Schaller likely won’t be back and Acciari and Morrow won’t command much. Drew Stafford then signs a one-year contract worth $3 million. This could work depending on other players re-signed, players traded, bought out or sent to Providence.
The verdict
When it all comes down to it, I think there Bruins like what they saw from Drew Stafford. Unless they are blown away by a particular rookie or particular rookies, I think Drew Stafford returns on a one-year deal worth anywhere from $2.5-3 million.
He is a player that fit well in the lineup, saw success and made some big plays. He is a better option than Jimmy Hayes and Matt Beleskey as well. Honestly, the confidence might be present in the young forward talent that the Bruins possess and Stafford could just be cast away. Don Sweeney has given out some questionable and thought-provoking deals in the past, so it will be interesting to see how the Stafford situation unfolds over the summer.