BREAKING: These three bruins may be gone if they don't produce
The Boston Bruins encountered a challenging offseason due to salary cap restrictions, leading to the departure of key players from their highly successful 65-win roster.
While the absence of notable names like Taylor Hall, Tyler Bertuzzi, Dmitry Orlov, and Garnet Hathaway is disappointing, it presents an opportunity for other players to step up and shine in the upcoming 2023-24 season.
Let's examine three players who have the potential to make significant strides in their development.
First on the list is Jakub Lauko, a promising young forward who had an impressive debut season with the Bruins in 2022-23. Despite limited playing time, the 23-year-old displayed his impact with four goals, three assists, 44 hits, and a plus-2 rating in 23 games.
Lauko's tenacity and high-energy style of play showcased his potential to become a reliable bottom-six forward in the NHL.
With the departure of several players, including Hall and Hathaway, Lauko now has the opportunity to compete for a spot in the Bruins' bottom six.
Considering his progress last season, it's reasonable to expect a noticeable improvement from him this year.
Another player to keep an eye on is Morgan Geekie, a center who recently joined the Bruins on a two-year, $4 million contract. The 24-year-old had an impressive season with the Seattle Kraken, scoring nine goals and achieving a career-high 28 points in 69 games.
Despite not receiving a qualifying offer from his former team, Geekie has the potential to become a valuable middle-six forward. Joining the Bruins could provide the necessary boost for his development, similar to Pavel Zacha's success after joining the team last season. Furthermore, the potential absence of veterans Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci opens up opportunities for Geekie to receive significant ice time.
Lastly, we should pay attention to prospect Mason Lohrei during training camp. The 22-year-old defenseman made a strong impression during the recent development camp, garnering excitement from GM Don Sweeney about his potential.
Lohrei is considered one of the Bruins' top prospects, and there's reason to believe he could earn a spot on the NHL roster at the start of the season. If the Bruins make a move involving one of their left-shot defensemen to alleviate salary cap concerns, Lohrei's chances of making the team increase further.
During his sophomore season with Ohio State University, Lohrei achieved impressive numbers with four goals and 32 points in 40 games. Standing at 6-foot-4, Lohrei possesses the offensive contributions, defensive responsibility, and physicality required to become a top-four defenseman in the NHL. There is a genuine potential for him to make a notable impact in Boston.
While it remains to be seen whether these three players will have breakout seasons for the Bruins, they undoubtedly possess the potential to do so. The key now is for them to seize the opportunity and translate their potential into on-ice success.
If Lauko, Geekie, and Lohrei can make significant contributions to the Original Six club, the Bruins should be in a favorable position for the upcoming season.
However, if they fail to produce, the Bruins may consider trading them to acquire valuable assets.
As seen on: Thehockeywriters
| POLL | ||
11 JUILLET | 256 ANSWERS BREAKING: These three bruins may be gone if they don't produce Do you believe Jakub Lauko, Morgan Geekie, and Mason Lohrei will have breakout seasons for the Boston Bruins in 2023-24? | ||
| Yes | 163 | 63.7 % |
| No | 93 | 36.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
