The offseason keeps ticking away, and the Boston Bruins are set for another change in the hockey operations department.
The Bruins are reportedly losing player development coordinator Ben Smith. He will not be going far. He is expected to return to his alma mater, Boston College, a school the Bruins are very familiar with. Smith is set to become an assistant coach, quickly filling the spot that opened up Tuesday.
There are 46 days until the Bruins’ home opener, and 28 until rookie camp opens.
Around the league, Zach Werenski spoke to the media in Columbus yesterday. He said he loves Columbus and has no issue staying longer, but he wants to see the Blue Jackets take the next step. He also talked about the trade rumors and being part of them as opposed to reading them.
Also, more trade chatter on Zach Whitecloud, the Red Wings’ GM search, top cap-era Penguins contracts, and projected lines.
Happy Friday, catch up on Bruins and league news in today’s Daily Bean:
Boston Bruins
BC Hockey Blog ($): Boston College associate head coach Brendan Buckley recently departed the school. BC Hockey Blogger reported that Bruins player development coordinator Ben Smith, who played at BC, is a potential replacement.
Smith joined the Bruins ahead of the 2025-26 season and worked alongside Parker MacKay as a player development coordinator.
Evan Marinofsky (via 𝕏): Yesterday, New England Hockey Journal’s Evan Marinofsky reported that Smith is expected to be hired to the BC bench.
Expect Ben Smith to be hired as an assistant coach for the Boston College men’s hockey team.
Smith was the player development coordinator for the Boston Bruins over the last year.
Played at BC from 2006-10.
— Evan Marinofsky (@EvanMarinofsky) August 13, 2026
NHL News & National Hockey Now
The Athletic: Zach Werenski met with reporters in Columbus yesterday. A month and a half ago, he used his trade protection to reject a trade to Dallas, and yesterday, he spoke about his commitment to the Blue Jackets. Werenski wants to win in Columbus, but he also dove into the statement he/the team released and his conversations with GM Don Waddell.
Dave Maetzold (video via 𝕏): Here are some of Werenski’s comments about being part of the trade rumors.
More with Zach Werenski dealing with being the subject of so much off-season speculation on line. A mix of rumors and bonafide great moments for him since the season ended. #CBJ. pic.twitter.com/ErUyxlJkgy
— Dave Maetzold (@DMaetzMedia) August 13, 2026
NHLTradeRumors.me: Much like the Bruins, the Flames have an excess of defensemen competing for six spots. Zach Whitecloud, who was traded to Calgary in the Rasmus Andersson trade, has some value in the trade market. He’s on a cheap deal, right-shot defensemen are hard to come by, and there are “15 or more” teams who have checked in since he landed in Calgary.
Detroit Hockey Now: We know the Red Wings have turned to a search firm, but said firm is TurnkeyZRG. Len Perna is the CEO, and he used to work for the Ilitch family, but the firm was connected to the Maple Leafs’ hire of John Chayka. Max Smith dives into the history of the firm and why there’s plenty of reason to think Detroit may get this one right.
The TurnkeyZRG website shows that the firm works with the Red Sox, and the firm connected Charlie Baker with the NCAA.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Four GMs have been in charge during the salary-cap era in Pittsburgh. They’ve signed some pretty good contracts, and Dan Kingerski goes into both a subjective list and a cost-per-point list.
Colorado Hockey Now: In an interview with a Russian outlet, Valeri Nichushkin opened up about the trade that sent him from Colorado to Columbus. He referenced the Blue Jackets’ young core, while referring to the Avalanche as one of the older teams with a limited window at the Stanley Cup. Aarif Deen has more on Nichushkin’s interview.
Chicago Hockey Now: The Blackhawks are starting the season without Connor Bedard after a shoulder injury sustained at a summer practice in Vancouver. He is not expected back until November, and Jack Bushman projects the Blackhawks’ forward lines for when No. 98 is cleared to return.
USHL: Colby Cohen has been named the vice president of hockey and player experience for the USHL. The newly formed role will have Cohen overseeing hockey operations, as well as leading the player-development strategy and player-experience initiatives. He will also continue his media work with ESPN, per the release.
Cohen played in 147 games for the Providence Bruins from 2010-13. He also played three years at Boston University.
Sportsnet: The longtime radio voice of the Calgary Flames, Peter Maher, passed away at 79. He was on the call for 33 seasons and retired in 2014.
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