The NHL offseason slowly churns out news, and the Boston Bruins have been no part of it.
The market is shifting, though. Young players are getting long-term contracts. That’s not new… but giving them to unproven young players is. The Penguins took a bet on a 23-year-old who has 47 games on his resume. That raises the bar for Don Sweeney and the Bruins, who have two younger players currently eligible for extensions.
There are Sean Kuraly (52) days until opening night, and it’s been exactly two years since NESN hired Judd Sirott.
The P-Bruins also made a signing on Friday.
Elsewhere around the league, the LA Kings are retiring the number of a franchise legend. The Ville Koivunen contract raises some questions, and the Devils still have their eyes on Quinn Hughes. Elliotte Friedman spoke about the Wild defenseman, offering his insight on the extension negotiations.
The Bruins love their reunions, but they’re not the only team. So do the Panthers. Also in today’s Daily, a high-end Red Wings prospect and the best value contracts in the NHL.
Happy Saturday, catch up on Bruins and league news in today’s Daily Bean:
Boston Bruins
MARKET SHIFTING: The Penguins signed Ville Koivunen to an 8x$4M on Thursday. The deal impacts the Bruins, but not because they have an unproven 23-year-old. The Bruins have two forwards who are extension eligible, and Don Sweeney has just over a month if he wants to close on an eight-year deal.
JUDD SIROTT: Two years ago, NESN hired Judd Sirott as the play-by-play commentator for the Boston Bruins.
Providence Bruins (via 𝕏): The Providence Bruins signed forward Cross Hanas to a one-year AHL contract. Hanas, a native of Highland Village, TX, is coming off a 38-point (15-23–38) season with the Texas Stars.
NHL News & National Hockey Now
Los Angeles Kings (via 𝕏): The Los Angeles Kings did not hesitate or waste time. Anze Kopitar’s No. 11 will be hanging from the Crypto.com Arena rafters on February 24, 2027. The Kings will also be unveiling a bronze statue for their former captain.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: That Ville Koivunen contract raises a lot of questions in Pittsburgh. The 23-year-old hasn’t established himself as a full-time regular at the NHL level, and he had just nine points (2-7–9) in 39 games last season. Dan Kingerski has more on Koivunen, including some words from him and his Wilkes-Barre/Scranton coach.
New Jersey Hockey Now: More on Quinn Hughes. Elliotte Friedman is not backing down from his prediction (3x$18M) on Hughes’ extension, but he set a personal deadline for when he will begin to worry. The 3x$18M might not match what Hughes’ camp is willing to take anymore, but Friedman suggested the delay is not due to the sudden shift in the market. James Nichols has more on the Wild defenseman.
NHL Media (video via 𝕏): Here are Elliotte Friedman’s comments on the Hughes situation.
Florida Hockey Now: The Panthers are bringing back some players for their second stint in South Florida. Jacob Markstrom, Radko Gudas, and Alexander Petrovic are all returning, hoping to disprove Thomas Wolfe’s famous quote: “You can’t go home again.”
Detroit Hockey Now: Axel Sandin-Pellikka has already proven himself at the NHL level, and he’s DHN’s No. 2 Red Wings prospect. The right-shot defenseman has 68 games under his belt, and when he was drafted, TSN’s Craig Button compared him to a young Sergei Zubov. Kevin Allen writes that comparison is still on the table and does a full deep dive into the Swedish defenseman.
Sportsnet: The market has been shifting, so which contracts are the best value contracts in the NHL? Michael Amato of Sportsnet takes a look at some deals that should end up as “absolute bargains.”
Taylor Hall (via 𝕏): The former Bruin got to spend his day with the Stanley Cup. It’s been a long 15 years, but he finally has his boaters license, and he reactivated his Twitter to let the people know.
Failed my boaters licence again. I’m a joke I just want my licence
— Taylor Hall (@hallsy09) June 22, 2011
Bruins Offseason Schedule
Friday, September 11: Rookie Camp opens – Warrior Ice Arena, Brighton, MA
Sun, Sept 13-Mon, Sept 14: Prospects Showcase – LECOM Harborcenter, Buffalo, NY
Wednesday, September 16: Training Camp opens – Warrior Ice Arena, Brighton, MA
Sunday, September 20: First preseason game – TD Garden, Boston, MA
Tuesday, September 29: Home opener – TD Garden, Boston, MA
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