Bruins reunite with Lucic, add Shattenkirk, lose Bergeron to retirement

Sign forwards van Riemsdyk, Geekie, lose Bertuzzi, waiting on Krejci

By Amalie Benjamin

@AmalieBenjamin NHL.com Staff Writer

July 25, 2023

After the NHL Draft, free agency and other offseason moves, NHL.com is examining where each team stands in preparation for the 2023-24 regular season, which starts Oct. 10.Today, the Boston Bruins:

2022-23 season: 65-12-5, first in Atlantic Division; lost in Eastern Conference First Round

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Key arrivals

Milan Lucic, F: The 35-year-old, who signed a one-year contract July 1, was selected by Boston in the second round (No. 50) of the 2006 NHL Draft and played eight seasons for them between 2007-15, including their Stanley Cup-winning season in 2011. Lucic had 19 points (seven goals, 12 assists) for the Calgary Flames last season. … James van Riemsdyk, F: The 34-year-old signed a one-year contract July 1 and should bring some net-front presence. He had 29 points (12 goals, 17 assists) in 61 games for the Philadelphia Flyers last season. … Morgan Geekie, F:The 24-year-old signed a two-year contract July 1 and can play either center or wing. He had 28 points (nine goals, 19 assists) in 69 regular-season games with the Seattle Kraken last season and four points (one goal, one assist) in 13 Stanley Cup Playoff games. …Kevin Shattenkirk, D:The 34-year-old signed a one-year contract July 1 after he had 27 points (four goals, 23 assists) in 75 games for the Anaheim Ducks last season.

VGK@CGY: Lucic puts Flames on the board in the 1st

Key departures

Video: VGK@CGY: Lucic puts Flames on the board in the 1st, F:Announced hs retirement July 25. Bergeron spent his entire 19-season NHL career with the Bruins, helping them win the Stanley Cup in 2011. The 38-year-old was third on the Bruins with 58 points (27 goals, 31 assists) in 78 games and was voted the Selke Trophy as the best defensive forward in the NHL for the second striaght season and record sixth time. ... Tyler Bertuzzi, F:Acquired March 2 in a trade with the Detroit Red Wings, Bertuzzi's net-front presence fit in well with the Bruins and they wanted to re-sign him, but he signed a one-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 2. Bertuzzi had 16 points (four goals, 12 assists) in 21 games for the Bruins and 10 points (five goals, five assists) in seven playoff games. … Taylor Hall, F:Traded to the Chicago Blackhawks on June 27 along with Nick Foligno, Hall was a luxury that the Bruins couldn't afford on their third line. He had 36 points (16 goals, 20 assists) in 61 regular-season games last season and eight points (five goals, three assists) in seven playoff games. … Dmitry Orlov, D: Acquired on Feb. 23 in a three-team trade with the Washington Capitals and Minnesota Wild, Orlov had 17 points (four goals, 13 assists) in 23 regular-season games and eight assists in seven playoff games last season. He signed a two-year contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on July 1. … Nick Foligno, F:Traded with Hall, Foligno signed a one-year contract with the Blackhawks on June 27. He was a key locker room presence who had 26 points (10 goals, 16 assists) in 60 regular-season games last season and three points (one goal, two assists) in six playoff games. … Connor Clifton, D: Signed a three-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres on July 2 after he had 23 points (five goals, 18 assists) in 78 regular-season games last season and no points in three playoff games. … Garnet Hathaway, F:Acquired in a trade with the Capitals on Feb. 23, Hathaway had six points (four goals, two assists) in 25 regular-season games for the Bruins and one assist in seven playoff games. He signed a two-year contract with the Philadelphia Flyers on July 1.

On the cusp

Video: VGK@CGY: Lucic puts Flames on the board in the 1st, F: The 20-year-old arguably is the Bruins top prospect with a chance to compete for a spot in training camp. He started development camp in a non-contact jersey after a concussion ended his season with Providence of the American Hockey League on May 3 during the Calder Cup Playoffs. Lysell, the No. 21 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, had 37 points (14 goals, 23 assists) in 54 games in his first pro season. … Video: VGK@CGY: Lucic puts Flames on the board in the 1st, D: The 22-year-old had 32 points (four goals, 28 assists) in 40 games as a sophomore at Ohio State and had one assist in five AHL games. The No. 58 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, Lohrei signed a two-year, entry-level contract May 10 and is expected to play in Providence but could get a look with the Bruins. … Video: VGK@CGY: Lucic puts Flames on the board in the 1st, F:The 23-year-old, who was the No. 77 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, could make a real push to become a regular in the NHL after he had seven points (four goals, three assists) in 23 regular-season games with the Bruins and one assist in three playoff games last season.

BUF@BOS: Lauko scores his second with 52 seconds left

What they still need

To determine if forward Video: VGK@CGY: Lucic puts Flames on the board in the 1st will return this season. The 37-year-old center is an unrestricted free agent after playing his entire 16-season NHL career for the Bruins. He has 786 points (231 goals, 555 assists) in 1,032 games, including 56 points (16 goals, 40 assists) in 70 games last season, when he returned after one season playing in his native Czech Republic. Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said he has spoken with Krejci and that the organization will "cross our fingers" that he will play in 2023-24. If Krejci opts not to return, along with the retirement fo Bergeron, the Bruins will be short at the center position.

They said it

"I think I was pretty honest that we weren't going to be the same team. We had an incredible amount of depth and we felt that we put together a good team, but we fell woefully short in the playoffs with what our goals were. We know we're a competitive group and we want to remain a competitive group and with an eye toward the future." -- Bruins general manager Don Sweeney

Fantasy focus

Although the Bruins have some key departures this offseason after trading Hall and losing Bertuzzi in free agency, van Riemsdyk has fantasy bounce-back appeal with a chance to play in the top-six forward group. Van Riemsdyk has five seasons of at least 27 goals and would benefit if Krejci decides to return for another season. Keep an eye on the offseason developments and consider targeting van Riemsdyk in the late rounds of a fantasy draft or off the waiver wire. -- Pete Jensen