Here’s what Bruins free agents are projected to be paid.
Seven members of the 2023-24 Boston Bruins will be unrestricted free agents when free agency opens on July 1. They range from Jake DeBrusk, who is in the prime of his career and in position for a significant pay day, to several older players looking for the best of what’s left.
How much is each man likely to command? The Athletic, using Evolving Hockey’s formula, looked at the top 50 free agents available while AFP Analytics, a consulting firm focused on player valuation, projected deals for everybody.
Peter Laviolette, Adam Fox, K’Andre Miller, Barclay Goodrow & Will Cuylle on adjustments heading into Game 2Peter Laviolette, Adam Fox, K’Andre Miller, Barclay Goodrow & Will Cuylle on adjustments heading into Game 2
Here’s each of the Bruins’ unrestricted free agents and the projections for their next contract:
Jake DeBrusk
The Athletic has DeBrusk ranked as the No. 15 free agent available. They project he’ll get a deal of five years for $5,833,000 AAV.
AFP is similar giving DeBrusk a five-year, $5.8 million pact.
If they’re right, the Bruins could certainly stay in the mix for his services.
Danton Heinen
The Athletic’s No. 39. overall free agent is headed for a pretty good pay raise after joining the Bruins on a PTO to start the season. The Athletic thinks he’ll get term too. They expect a deal of four years with an average annual value (AAV) of $3,589,000.
AFP is less bullish on the Heinen market projecting three years for $2.9 million for the versatile 29-year-old forward, who had 17 goals and 19 assists while making $775,000 last year. Given the role he’d likely play in Boston, he’d have probably have to accept closer to AFP to stay a Bruin.
Matt Grzelcyk
Despite a rough year, there is expected to be a market for Grzelcyk. The Athletic has him as its No. 43 free agent getting three years for an AAV of $3,412,000. AFP isn’t far behind with three years for $3.2 million. It’s unlikely he’ll be back in Boston.
Grzelcyk, 30, could take a one-year somewhere hoping to rebuild his value long-term and become a free agent again next year.
