2016 NHL offseason outlook: Boston Bruins

Free Agents

The Boston Bruins have several key restricted free agents. One of them is Torey Krug. Krug is a very important member of Boston’s blue line moving forward because Chara has proven that he is no longer a first pairing defenseman. Meanwhile, Krug has shown that he perhaps is ready to be a first pairing defenseman. He has quietly been one of the more productive defensemen in the NHL. Expect a long-term deal with an average annual value between $5 million and $6 million. It will most likely be closer to $6 million than $5 million.

Another important restricted free agent is Colin Miller. Miller was somewhat of an afterthought in the Milan Lucic trade, but he proved to be a promising young defenseman and is now primed to play a second or third pairing role in 2016-17. Expect him to sign a one or two year deal worth between $1 million and $2 million annually.

Brett Connolly and Landon Ferraro are both restricted free agents. Connolly will likely stay since he is at worst a solid depth option for the third or fourth line. Ferraro, though, might not be re-signed because Boston has better options.

Lee Stempniak, an unrestricted free agent, might stay with the Bruins, but don’t expect Eriksson, Chris Kelly, John-Michael Liles, Gustavsson or Zach Trotman to stay unless they come dirt cheap.

Next: Offseason Questions