The Boston Bruins made three signings on August 8. Patrice Bergeron re-signed a 1-year deal worth $2.5 million. David Krejci also signed a 1-year deal, which carries only a $1 million cap hit. Lastly, new acquisition Pavel Zacha signed a 1-year $3.5 million deal.
Take a more in-depth at these Boston Bruins signings and what they do for the Bruins.
Analyzing Boston Bruins Signings
Patrice Bergeron Re-Signs a 1-Year, $2.5 Million Deal
The Captain's still steering the ship. © pic.twitter.com/RvuXxfuk9j
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) August 9, 2022
Captain Patrice Bergeron announced his decision to return next season with the black and gold. He has the potential for $2.5 million in performance bonuses. The Bruins centre won an NHL record 5th Selke Trophy, awarded to the league’s best defensive forward, last season. Also in 2021-22, 37-year-old Bergeron had 65 points in 73 games. That is good for 0.89 points per game (PPG), higher than his career average of 0.81 PPG. The center had 17 multi-point games in the 2021-22 season. 18 points shy of 1000 for his career, Bergeron still plays at an elite level.
He has undeniable chemistry with B’s left winger Brad Marchand. Over the last decade, the duo has consistently formed one of the best lines in the NHL regardless of who is playing on the other wing. Tyler Seguin spent time with the line before being shipped to the Dallas Stars. David Pastrnak claimed the right wing spot and the line was dubbed “the Perfection Line”. Whoever Bergeron’s linemates are he seems to make them better.
Last season Jake DeBrusk was given a shot on Bergeron’s line. On Feb 23 last season, former head coach Bruce Cassidy announced Debrusk would be playing on the first line. The 25-year-old turned his season around from that point on. Playing on Bergeron’s wing Debrusk scored 16 goals in the final two months of the season. Expect Debrusk to remain on the top line and excel this season. Bergeron’s decision to return for another season is a huge win for the Bruins.
David Krejci Returns to Bruins
David Krejci returns to Boston after playing one season in his home country. This is another steal for Boston getting Krejci signed with a cap hit of $1 million. The one-year deal includes a potential $2 million in performance bonuses.
When speaking about signing with the Bruins Krejci said “I told my agent just get a deal done. Do what you’ve got to do, let’s just get it done. I want to be a Boston Bruin next season.”
While some question whether Krejci can still produce at the NHL level, there is no reason to believe that he won’t. The playmaker Krejci, 36, has shown great chemistry with Taylor Hall and fellow Czechia countrymate David Pastrnak. While playing with Hall for only 17 games after Hall’s arrived in Boston, Krejci posted 21 points. At the World Championships, while playing alongside Pastrnak, the duo also showcased their great chemistry.
Hall and Pastrnak developed good chemistry as they played well together without Krejci centring them last season. If this becomes the Bruins’ second line behind Marchand, Bergeron and Debrusk, it will give the Bruins the second line they’ve needed for years. Krejci brings the bruins more options for the powerplay, who struggled down the stretch last season.
Pavel Zacha signs 1 Yr/3.5 Million
The Boston Bruins signings continued on August 8. The last announcement was the newly acquired Zacha had signed a 1-year $3.5 million deal to avoid arbitration in doing so.
Zacha is an interesting signing as he, to this point in his career, is considered one of the biggest busts of the 2015 1st round. Drafted 6th overall, the change of scenery could benefit Zacha.
The 6’3 210lb centre brings size and depth to the Bruins. As previously mentioned, it is possible Zacha gets top-line minutes playing in Marchand’s spot early in the season. The 25-year-old Zacha also could see time on the Bruins 2nd powerplay unit. He has played on the penalty kill before as well.
When Boston is fully healthy Zacha should slot in on the third line with Charlie Coyle and Trent Frederic or Craig Smith. Smith’s name however has been coming up in trade rumours recently.
Overall
When looking at the Boston Bruins signings it is unbelievable they were able to lock up Bergeron and Krejci for a combined hit of $3.5 million. Zacha’s contract puts the Bruins over the salary cap by $2.2 million.
While providing the Bruins with immediate depth for this season, these deals also help Boston bide some time to figure out who their future centres will be. The Bruins have a number of contracts coming off the books after this season which will help alleviate the cap crunch they are currently in. With centres such as Ryan O’Reilly, Bo Horvat, and J.T. Miller all set to become unrestricted free agents, next summer Boston can potentially land their replacements for Bergeron and Krejci via free agency if they retire after this season.
All stats used for the article from HockeyReference.
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