WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 28: Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers looks on against the Washington Capitals during the second period in Game Four of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena on April 28, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
NHL insider floats 2 potential centers for Bruins this offseason.
The Boston Bruins enter the offseason with almost $21 million in cap space and a few roster needs — including center. General manager Don Sweeney said they’ll be “aggressive” this summer and made an emphasis on getting faster.
Whether the Bruins will add via trade or free agency remains unknown, but one NHL analyst believes there are two intriguing options that could be on Boston’s radar.
“We talked about Elias Lindholm, and how he’s a player they liked before he got traded to Vancouver,” Elliotte Friedman said during a recent episode of the “32 Thoughts” podcast. “So I am expecting them to be in on him if he hits the market. Someone else said to me — throw Chandler Stephenson’s name in there. I think there are a lot of people expecting that Stephenson will be on Boston’s radar. People definitely believe Boston is going to get a center.”
Friedman added that the Bruins “tend to attract good players” because they’re “generally a well-run organization. ”
“When the Bruins say they’re going to do something, they tend to do it. … So I think there’s — whether it’s Lindholm or Stephenson or somebody we’re missing right now,” Friedman said. “There’s definitely a belief Boston is going to do something here down the middle as they have promised.”
Aside from getting Jeremy Swayman signed to a long-term contract, adding a center is a big priority for the Bruins. Adding someone with a proven track record of being a top-six center would not only help bolster Boston’s lineup, it would also help players like Pavel Zacha, Charlie Coyle and Morgan Geekie better fulfill their roles.
The trio took on larger roles during the 2023-24 season and did a fine job of doing so. But if the Bruins can add a top-six center this summer, that could allow Coyle to slot back to his usual third-line center role — somewhere he’s thrived.
Lindholm is set to become a free agent July 1. Despite having a down year with the Calgary Flames and the Vancouver Canucks — 44 points in 75 games — his faceoff production was 56.4% — something the Bruins were missing this season with Patrice Bergeron retiring and Tomas Nosek leaving in free agency before the 2023-24 season.
Stephenson, meanwhile, has one more year left on his contract with the Vegas Golden Knights and finished the most recent campaign with 16 goals and 35 points.
Either player would be an upgrade for the Bruins and certainly help provide some scoring depth.
