Offseason Review: Boston Bruins

Now that the dust has settled on a wild NHL offseason, let's take a look at how each team did in regards to drafting and free-agent signings. Today, we'll look at the Boston Bruins.

Boston always seems to make a splash in the offseason, and this year is no different. The team has suffered the loss of some of their core players this summer, with Krejci returning to play in the Czech League, and Tuukka Rask out with injury until the New Year. The Bruins had some work to do to fill the gaps, but as always seems to be the case, they managed quite well.

Free Agency:

First, we'll look at the pieces that left Boston in the last month. Defenceman Kevan Miller retired, Sean Kuraly left for Columbus, Jaroslav Halak signed in Vancouver, and Tuukka Rask remains a UFA, still uncertain if he will return to the NHL following his hip surgery this summer. David Krejci and his family returned to the Czech Republic, Jarred Tinordi signed with the Rangers, and both Ondrej Kase and Nick Ritchie went to the Maple Leafs. That's a ton of pieces, big and small, for a team to lose in the span of a month. It's remarkable that the Bruins roster isn't in shambles right now, but GM Don Sweeny simply didn't allow that to happen.

First, the team locked up Taylor Hall for 4 years. Everyone and their dog saw the shift in Hall's game when he went from Buffalo to Boston, and the Bruins were wise to capitalize on that. Next, they signed Linus Ullmark, another former Sabre who put up excellent numbers playing for a very bad team last season. He and Hall will reunite as Bruins mainstays for the next four seasons. Then they signed Tomas Nosek out of Vegas to fill out their bottom 6, and defenceman Derek Forbot came over from Winnepeg. They signed former Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno to a 2-year deal, possibly to take Krejci's spot at 2C. Foligno could also play 3LW, but the Bruins then inked Erik Haula for 2 years as well, who is more likely to slot into that position. Finally, they re-upped on Mike Reilly for 3 more years and brought in well-traveled goaltender Troy Grosenick to be their third-string behind Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman. They also traded goalie Dan Vladar to Calgary for a 3rd-round pick.

Grade: A; For how many pieces they lost, the Bruins' roster is as complete as it was when the season ended. There are still questions at 2C, but plenty of solutions for Boston to choose from in the new squad.

Draft:

The Bruins are familiar with drafting in the early- to mid-twenties, so picking 21st overall in the 2021 Draft was nothing new for Don Sweeny. However, he likely skipped over to the phone to tell Gary Bettman his pick when Fabian Lysell - who some had going as early as 11th overall - fell to the Bruins after Minnesota picked up Jesper Wallstedt. Lysell is a fantastic skater, with explosive quickness and speed to spare. He has great vision and hockey sense, and a dangerous release. Lysell is both a goal-scorer and a playmaker, one of those all-around forwards that can be so dangerous with or without the puck when paired with skilled linemates, and his work ethic will earn him a lot of attention from the coaches. His ceiling is high even though his 2-way game still needs a bit of work, but the Bruins have never had issues there.

Boston didn't draft in the 2nd round, having sent their pick to Buffalo in the trade that brought in Taylor Hall. Patiently waiting until round 3, Boston picked up a big centreman in Brett Harrison. Harrison is a physical puck hound who will pressure defenders and jostle pucks loose. He likes to imitate Leon Draisaitl by trailing behind the play to lose checks and then firing off a one-timer on net. Harrison cracked Canada's World Junior roster in 2021, scoring 2 goals in 7 games with the team.

Grade: B; Not much for the Bruins to work with in terms of top 100 picks this year, but they made the most of what they had thanks to a bit of luck that saw Lysell fall right into their lap.

Overall grade: A-; Boston came out with one of the best hauls from this year's offseason, and despite losing several members of their core, look to be ready to compete for a Cup again in 2021-2022.

What do you think of the Bruins' moves this offseason?

Photo credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports