The Boston Bruins 2024 offseason and the Vancouver Canucks 2024 offseason had a certain symmetry to them. Each team came off a big, 109-point season with some optimism. Both had lost in the second round of the previous year’s playoffs. And both teams were hoping their offseason free agent losses wouldn’t hurt them too much.
With their first match of the season rapidly approaching, how did each team do?
Compare, Contrast, Conflict
The Bruins and Canucks may have had similar records, but it meant something very different for each of them.
For Vancouver, it was a shocking result after three very mediocre seasons. The promise that they could make the playoffs “if everything goes right” was more than fulfilled. The 2023-24 season concluded with the third-highest point total in team history, and seven players reaching career highs.
In Boston, their 109-point season was, incredibly, a come-down from the previous year’s 65-win, 135-point year. Still, it was hard to argue too much against finishing the regular season one point back of the division crown. But they got bumped from the Stanley Cup playoffs early, so were looking for changes.
The Bruins and Canucks 2024 Offseason Not-Trade
Despite the NHL’s brain trust hoping differently, the only thing that creates long-term animosity is the playoffs. Even if they have proximity, teams playing each other in the regular season don’t engender much hate. Doubly so if one team is clearly better than the other.
The Final is different, but even there what rivalry existed between Boston and Vancouver has long dissipated. The Bruins returned to the playoffs repeatedly while the Canucks failed to continue their momentum. Not only didn’t the two meet in the playoffs again, they were often in different classes.
Even so, there has only been a single trade between the teams since that 2011 Final. It wasn’t exactly a world-shaker, with Jack Studnicka coming home to Vancouver for Michael Dipietro and Johnathan Myrenberg.
But the five players switching places as free agents is close enough. If this were actually a trade, the Canucks would have been judged the losers at the time. More outright talent went to Boston, though Vancouver got the additional skater.
Now, approximately a quarter way through the season, how does that not-trade look?
No Deals, But Deals
The Bruins and their players have a history of fraught negotiations. It was no different with Jake DeBrusk, the 14th overall pick from 2014.
He put up solid numbers in his first three seasons, scoring 62 goals and 120 points in 203 games. They managed to get a two-year deal done, but it wasn’t easy.
Unfortunately, he had a very mediocre 2020-21, and even though he followed it with a good 2021-22, negotiating was even harder. It was no surprise when the two sides split when DeBrusk reached free agency.
Danton Heinen also started his NHL career with Boston, the Bruins selecting him in the fourth round of 2014. He had an excellent rookie season three years later, but hasn’t found those numbers again since. He was traded once and has signed a series of single-season contracts since.
Derek Forbort was coming off a three-year deal with Boston, playing as a middle-pair, penalty-killing specialist. Penalty-killing was a severe weakness for the Canucks over the past few seasons, so no surprise they signed him.
For Vancouver’s part, they liked the players they had traded for. They were there for the playoff run, added as the team surprised fans and management alike. Alas, the salary cap is a hard truth, and the Canucks 2024 offseason included missing on both free agents.
Neither of the players they lost to Boston had a long history with the team, though they made an impact in the playoffs. Nikita adorov quickly became a fan favourite, playing some of the best hockey in his career in the post-season.
Elias Lindholm was very popular with his teammates, who encouraged him to stay. He was a huge part of Vancouver’s playoff run, scoring five goals and ten points in 13 games.
To Vancouver
Signed for seven years at $5.5 million. His previous deal was two years at $4 million.
A bit of an odd spot for DeBrusk, as he averages about 45 points per season on aggregate. But he’s expected to deliver more given a plum spot in Vancouver’s top six. Fans have been waiting for him to produce beyond his regular volume, and he may still.
A streaky scorer the team needs to start streaking wile their top scorers are out.
Signed for two years at $2.250 million. His previous deal was for one year at $775K
Heinen’s been just fine in his bottom-six role. He’s covered for other players as they’ve moved up to replace absent stars and done well. His three goals and ten points in 19 games has been worth the money.
Signed for one year at $1.5 million. His previous deal was for three years at $3 million.
An incomplete grade for now, as he has only played four games for the Canucks so far. He’s currently injured, with no real time frame for his return.
To Boston
Signed for seven years at $7.750 million per season. His previous contract was for six years at $4.85 million.
Some regression was predictable, but the Bruins were hoping it wouldn’t be this much. On a team that needed a veteran centre to come through, Lindholm’s 10 points in 22 games is a disappointment.
Signed for six years at $5 million per season. His previous deal was for two years at $3.750 million.
Zadorov isn’t living up to his monster playoff run either, but that wasn’t expected of him. His five assists in 22 games are in line with his career numbers. He’s still making an impact in Boston’s second pair with big hits and killing penalties.
So Far, So Meh
Given what’s happened in Boston lately, it’s hard to declare them the winners of anything. That these two big free-agent signings are producing fairly indifferent results doesn’t help. Yes, the salary cap should be going up substantially, but six years is a long time in the NHL.
For Vancouver, the Canucks 2024 offseason has been much more generous. In part by them not being quite so generous. DeBrusk and Heinen have been fine rather than essential. And Forbort has a long way to go to prove he even has a place on the team, especially after Erik Brännström‘s emergence.
Still, on balance, this is an easy one to call. Between the two teams, Vancouver’s former Bruins have been a better value than the ex-Canucks who went to Boston. We’ll see if they change anyone’s mind on Tuesday.
Main Photo: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
