Bruins tender qualifying offers to Sean Kuraly, two others

The Bruins extended a qualifying offer to restricted free agent Sean Kuraly on Tuesday after they signed restricted free agent Matt Grzelcyk to a two-year deal last week.

Kuraly, who had 14 points in 75 games last season, was a refreshing presence on the Bruins fourth line with his energetic, physical style of play. By the end of the playoffs, he was bumped to the third line and could get the chance this fall to compete for the third-line center position.

Qualifying offers were also extended to Anton Blidh and Colby Cave, who spent most of the season with Providence. Justin Hickman was not tendered an offer and is free to pursue options elsewhere.



Blidh, a 23-year-old wing, had 26 points in 71 games. Cave, a center, had 33 in 72 games. It was the second consecutive season Cave scored at least 30 points with the Providence Bruins after tallying 35 in 2016-17.

According to CapFriendly.com, Kuraly’s base salary of $832,500 puts him in line for a qualifying offer of $874,125.

Kuraly’s style endeared him to his teammates, especially fellow fourth-liners Tim Schaller and Noel Acciari. If the Bruins move on from third-line center Riley Nash, who’s also an unrestricted free agent July 1, Kuraly will have the opportunity to contend for the spot. Even if he does not win it out training camp, he gives the Bruins good depth on the bottom-six of the roster and is a solid penalty-killer.