When looking at contracts and potential extensions over the past summer or during the current season, there were a few names that popped up that were interesting for the Boston Bruins. One of those players, Fraser Minten, was signed before training camp.
However, there were a few other names out there that were rather interesting: Pavel Zacha and Marat Khusnutdinov. Zacha is one that it feels like won't end well in Boston. It was noted that Bruins GM Don Sweeney and Zacha's agent have been in discussions about an extension, but you get the feeling that Sweeney has a limit he will go in terms of AAV and years. Both are likely well below what Zacha's camp wants. It certainly feels like this is going to end with a trade.
As for Khusnutdinov, an extension was more likely. He is playing this season on a two-year deal with an AAV of $925,000. Talk about a steal for the Bruins. However, he certainly is someone who is a key piece of the future, and Sweeney did what he needed to do, he locked him up with an extension on Tuesday.
Bruins lock up speedy forward on contract extension
On Tuesday, Kevin Weekes of ESPN reported that the Bruins were closing in on an extension with Khusnutdinov, and on Wednesday, Weekes reported it was an extension with an AAV of around $4 million. Emily Kaplan of ESPN reported it to be a three-year extension with a $3.95 million AAV.
Khusnutdinov has been a vital part of Marco Sturm's lineup the last two seasons. He is someone who can slot in anywhere in the top nine. He got his first full-time shot in the NHL last season, and in 77 regular-season games, he had 15 goals and 18 assists with a plus/minus of plus-12 while averaging 14:30 a night.
He has picked up this season right where he left off last season. Going into Tuesday night's game against the Dallas Stars in Texas, Khusnutdinov had two goals and five points. He broke a 1-1 tie on Saturday night in Los Angeles against the Kings with a goal, knocking home a loose puck into an empty net to back a 4-1 victory. He is 5-foot-10, but his speed and ability to get to the front of the net create headaches for opposing teams.
There have been some trades made by Sweeney that are turning into steals, and the one he made to acquire Khusnutdinov from the Minnesota Wild at the trade deadline in 2025 was part of moving parts that sent Justin Brazeau to Minnesota. Since that deal, Brazeau has moved on to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Add us as a preferred source on Google