The Boston Bruins’ season came to an abrupt end Saturday when they were eliminated from playoff contention for the second time in as many seasons.
With no postseason hockey on the horizon for Boston, it’s time to instead look ahead to what should be a very busy summer for the B’s.
Next up: a look at which Bruins players are set to become restricted free agents July 1. For a rundown of Boston’s impending unrestricted free agents, click here.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
Torey Krug, defenseman ($3.4 million cap hit in 2015-16)
2015-16 stats: Four goals, 40 assists in 81 games
The highest-priced RFA on this list also will be the most intriguing to monitor this summer. Krug, who signed a one-year deal last offseason, played in all but one game this season and racked up a career-high 40 assists, but he was perhaps the most snakebitten player in the NHL when it came to goal-scoring. The 25-year-old ranked third on the team in shots on net (244) but 15th in goals and failed to light the lamp once during a 54-game slump that began in early December and did not end until last week. Krug said Monday that he and the Bruins had yet to discuss a contract extension.
Brett Connolly, right wing ($1.025 million)
2015-16 stats: Nine goals, 16 assists in 71 games
Connolly has yet to flourish in black and gold since the Bruins acquired him at the 2015 trade deadline. The 23-year-old had a tendency to vanish for long stretches of time this season, slogging through multiple slumps of 10-plus games without a point. A mix of injury and ineffectiveness kept him out of eight of Boston’s last 10 games.
Joe Morrow, defenseman ($863,333)
2015-16 stats: One goal, six assists in 33 games
Morrow split time with Zach Trotman and Colin Miller this season as part of Boston’s rotating crew of young defensemen. He should not cost much if the Bruins choose to retain him.
Seth Griffith, right wing ($759,167)
2015-16 stats: Zero goals, one assist in four games
Though he made just a cameo at the NHL level this season, Griffith has torn up the American Hockey League, entering Tuesday ranked second in the league with 72 points (23 goals, 49 assists) despite playing in just 54 of the Providence Bruins’ 73 games.
Zach Trotman, defenseman ($625,000)
2015-16 stats: Two goals, six assists in 38 games
Similar to Morrow, Trotman spent more time out of the lineup than in it this season. He spent most of the home stretch as a healthy scratch, appearing in just two of the Bruins’ final 24 games.
Colin Miller, defenseman ($602,500)
2015-16 stats: Three goals, 13 assists in 42 games
Though his first season with the Bruins included a seven-week stint back in the AHL, Miller showed the most upside of the B’s trio of young blueliners. There’s no reason he shouldn’t be back next season.
Landon Ferraro, forward ($600,000)
2015-16 stats: Five goals, five assists in 68 games (with Boston and Detroit)
Ferraro was a solid waiver-wire pickup for the B’s, though his numbers dropped off drastically after a productive first month. He’d be a cheap fourth-line option if the Bruins opt to keep him around.
Tyler Randell, right wing ($600,000)
2015-16 stats: Six goals, zero assists in 27 games
The Bruins’ resident brawler, Randell tied for second on the team with five fights despite the infrequency of his appearances in the lineup. He also potted a surprising six goals, scoring on one-third of his 18 shots on net.
Alex Khokhlachev, forward ($453,120)
2015-16 stats: Zero goals, zero assists in five games
This season played out much like Khokhlachev’s previous two: impressive numbers in Providence (23 goals, 43 assists in 57 games) but minimal playing time with Boston. After the comments he made back in September, it would be stunning to see him still with the organization by the time training camp rolls around.
Others: left wing Brian Ferlin, defenseman Chris Casto, center Ben Sexton, defenseman Tommy Cross
Salary cap info via Spotrac
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
