The Boston Bruins have signed Erik Haula to a two-year deal that carries an annual average value of $2.375 million.
Erik Haula signs in Boston, two-year deal, $2.375M AAV
Year 1, $2.25M
Year 2, $2.5M@TSNHockey @TheAthletic— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 28, 2021
Boston Bruins Sign Erik Haula
In Haula, the Bruins add a solid depth winger with a knack for the net. A journeyman, Haula entered the league as a seventh-round pick in the 2009 draft with the Minnesota Wild. His eight-year career spans time spent with the Wild and Predators, as well as the Vegas Golden Knights, Carolina Hurricanes, and Florida Panthers. This year, he scored nine goals and 12 assists for 21 points. In addition, he added four points (one goal and three assists) in six playoff games. For his career, he has recorded 196 points (94 points and 102 assists) in 456 career games. Aside from a single year in which Haula potted 29 goals and 55 points in 76 games with Vegas, Haula’s numbers this year are more on-pace with every other year in his career.
What This Means for the Future
The Bruins needed some offensive depth in their lineup. The Bruins middle six has always been a problem. They finally got a second line that can score when they acquired and then re-signed Taylor Hall. Now they add Haula, who can play the second and third line. Haula, on the other hand, can now support a team on a playoff run. He showed in Vegas that he can score with consistency if used in proper scenarios, but he’ll likely start as a second or third-line winger. He could factor in on both the team’s powerplay and penalty kill units as well, and with free agency heading his way this summer, he’s got plenty to play for. This will allow Trent Frederic to play centre. Maybe another piece or two becomes expendable. The real question for the Bruins is now with the addition of Tomas Nosek and Haula, where does David Krejci fit in all of this.
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