Multiple Bruins land on the top free agency lists
When it comes to the free agency period, fans and analysts usually anticipate a group of top-tier players hitting the market. However, last year's crop was an exception, featuring only eight notable names. This year's class is even more underwhelming, with just one standout player available for teams to pursue.
That standout is none other than Dmitry Orlov, a seasoned defenseman whose Net Rating is projected to rank him 41st among his fellow blue-liners for the upcoming season. While he may not be at the very top of the list, Orlov's performance places him slightly above average, making him a solid choice for a second-pairing defenseman or even a top-line role.
However, the main concern surrounding the 31-year-old is how long he can maintain this level of play, a question often raised when evaluating free agents in their thirties. According to Evolving Hockey's predictions, Orlov is looking at a five-year contract worth $6 million. While he is undoubtedly deserving of such compensation currently and should perform well next season, there are doubts about his ability to maintain that level of play as the contract progresses.
That being said, for a contending team, the risk might be worth taking. Orlov has demonstrated his ability to handle challenging minutes during his time with the Capitals, and he seemed revitalized when he joined the Bruins. In his 23 games with Boston, he recorded an impressive 17 points and excelled by contributing to 58 percent of the expected goals. These numbers finally align with his underlying performance indicators, showcasing his true potential.
Although Orlov has never been known as a prolific scorer, his tracked stats reveal that he is one of the league's premier defensemen when it comes to puck possession. His exceptional skills in breaking out of the defensive zone, carrying the puck up the ice, and setting up scoring opportunities with his accurate passes truly set him apart from his peers.
One area of concern, however, is Orlov's ability to perform at his best during the postseason. Despite his impressive performance at five-on-five with the Bruins throughout the season, he was only on the ice for 45 percent of the expected goals during the playoffs. Particularly worrisome were his defensive contributions, as he allowed 3.2 expected goals against per 60 minutes, which is 0.42 higher than when he was off the ice. This continues a troubling trend that has persisted for four years. Since 2020, Orlov has had the ninth-worst impact on expected goals against among defensemen who have played over 100 minutes.
Nevertheless, Orlov remains a valuable investment due to his considerable talent. Like any free agent, he carries a certain degree of risk, but for a team in contention, the potential rewards may outweigh the concerns.
Shifting the focus to forwards, the most prominent name in the 2023 unrestricted free agent class is Tyler Bertuzzi. Admittedly, the list lacks the allure of marquee names at the top, leaving teams searching for a game-changing presence in their lineup somewhat disappointed.
However, Bertuzzi has the potential to be a true game changer within a formidable roster. Excelling as a second-line winger, he possesses the ability to score gritty goals that prove crucial in the intense atmosphere of playoff hockey. While the Bruins may have stumbled in the opening round, Bertuzzi cannot be faulted. In his first taste of playoff action, he thrived, registering an impressive five goals and 10 points in just seven games, dominating every shift with his commanding presence.
Such a performance comes as no surprise considering Bertuzzi's track record with the Red Wings, where he consistently displayed strong play-driving abilities, culminating in 62 points across 68 games two years ago. Despite encountering a few challenges at the start of the year
Source: TheAthletic
| POLL | ||
19 MAI | 84 ANSWERS Multiple Bruins land on the top free agency lists If you could only resign one, which one are you picking? | ||
| Orlov | 7 | 8.3 % |
| Bertuzzi | 77 | 91.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
