TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 02: Jaroslav Halak #41 of the Boston Bruins gets the start as they skate out for the start of the game against the Philadelphia Flyers during Game One of the Eastern Conference Qualification Round prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 02, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario., Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images)
After an offseason of many more downs than ups, the Boston Bruins are going into the 2021 season with tons of unanswered questions.
The Boston Bruins had an offseason of nightmares. The blue line took two devastating blows in free agency losing both Torey Krug and captain Zdeno Chara. As per usual, Don Sweeney failed to find David Krejci a legit second line right wing scoring threat. Craig Smith was a solid snag to bolster the right side, but he really is a great third line guy and not a guy you can rely on for consistent scoring in a top-six role.
There are more questions than ever for this Boston Bruins squad heading into this un-regular season. Will the young guys be able to fill in for the craters that were Krug and Chara? Will the Bruins mysteriously find some secondary scoring? Will anything transpire from Sweeney’s calls on Noah Hanifin or Pierre-Luc Dubois?
The Boston Bruins East Division is the strongest by a mile. Making the playoffs out of this division is by no means a lock and will be more of a struggle than ever with the many unknowns of this Boston Bruins roster. If the Bruins get off to a slow start and can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, it isn’t out of the question for management to consider making moves for the future as they seem to have already started to shift focus.
The Boston Bruins hold many veteran assets that could prove valuable to contending teams. Although it would be tough to let these guys go, the front office has to do what is right for the club and shouldn’t lose assets for anything to just squeak into playoffs.
Jaroslav Halak
Every playoff team needs a solid backup goaltender. Look at the Dallas Stars situation with Anton Khudobin. This is a guy who got thrown to the dogs and had to play nearly every game of the Stars playoff run. Khudobin became a local Dallas legend after grinding his way to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Jaroslav Halak is another contender for best backup in the game and has been eating up games for the Boston Bruins for the past couple of years while taking the weight off Tuukka Rask‘s shoulders. Halak kept the Bruins in the 2020 NHL Bubble to the best of his abilities and surprised non-Bruins fans with his quality of play.
Both Boston Bruins goalies are UFA’s after the 2021 season and it would be a stretch to say both (or either) will return for the 2022 season. If the Bruins are out of the playoff mix, you can be sure other teams will be making calls on both of their netminders. Backup goalies can bring in a solid haul and Halak could bring in picks, a lower-tier prospect, or a solid depth player.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 08: Sean Kuraly #52 of the Boston Bruins takes a shot against Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Vegas Golden Knights in the first period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on October 8, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bruins defeated the Golden Knights 4-3. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
Sean Kuraly
Sean Kuraly has been the model of consistency and Boston Bruins hockey on the fourth line for his past four years on the squad. One of the greatest gets in Don Sweeney’s tenure as GM, Kuraly brings the energy and a rare skill game for a bottom-six unit.
Kuraly is a young guy that the Boston Bruins surely would love to keep for whatever direction they head in the future. Saying that, playoff teams pay for depth now more than ever and Kuraly is an approaching UFA that the Bruins would absolutely be able to snag some picks or a nice prospect for. He could also be a guy the Bruins package for a big move.
Tuukka Rask
Tuukka Rask has never been truly accepted since getting the full-time job as Boston Bruins goaltender. After his sudden departure from the NHL Bubble, the buzz heated up more than ever on if the clock is ticking on Rask’s time with the Bruins organization.
If the Boston Bruins truly decide that it is time to cut ties with one of the great Bruins goalies or don’t see him returning in 2022, it would be wise for them to get assets for what would surely be a great haul for a Vezina winning goalie.
The only possible issue with trying to trade him is that not many playoff-contending teams are in need of an actual starter. Usually, their need is for a solid backup. If they can find a partner for the blockbuster, the Bruins would be absolutely getting a 1st round pick and/or an A+ prospect in return.
VANCOUVER, BC – FEBRUARY 22: Goalie Jacob Markstrom #25 of the Vancouver Canucks redirects the puck over his net as David Krejci #46 of the Boston Bruins looks on during NHL action at Rogers Arena on February 22, 2020 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) /
David Krejci
Easily the most unlikely scenario out of all the aforementioned players. David Krejci has been an absolute stud up the middle behind Patrice Bergeron for the past decade. Nonetheless, Krejci is getting up there in age and hits UFA status after this season. If management continues in their path of working towards the future, Krejci could be a question mark to return if he hits free agency.
If the Boston Bruins lack of scoring and defensive depth comes back to bite them, then Krejci would be another valuable piece that the Bruins could put on the block. Here’s another guy that could bring back a more than a solid return. We’re talking first-rounders and A+ prospects again. Possibly with a player of Krejci’s caliber, the Bruins could slide an NHL top-six winger or second pairing defenceman.
Final Thoughts
The Boston Bruins are heading into a season full of unknowns. In an un-regular season like the one coming up, nothing is out of the question.
The Bruins should still be a playoff team and have the pieces to make a run in 2021. Don Sweeney will finally have to make a few big moves though and mortgage a bit of the future to get this club over the hump if they are seen as a contender.
Next. Boston Bruins 2020-21 Depth Chart: Center. dark
In a season where we saw our captain leave for a new team, Boston Bruins fans shouldn’t be shocked if the Bruins become sellers if the front office sees this year as a wash.
