Eight things we learned about Bruins from first 24 hours of a revamped NHL free agency

With a revamped offseason welcoming the start of free agency on Friday afternoon, here are a few thoughts on what has been an ... well, eventful, 24+ hours for the Boston Bruins: 

1. Bruins still could be in play for a UFA splash: 

As expected, Don Sweeney didn't disclose much when it came to what's next for Boston after signing Craig Smith to a three-year contract on Saturday. While Smith brings a ton of great value to Boston, especially if slotted next to Charlie Coyle on the third line, the Bruins still have plenty of work to do — be it on the blue line with Torey Krug gone or with another piece up front.

The top forward on the free-agent market in Taylor Hall remains up for grabs — with the factors impacting this offseason potentially making the 2017-18 Hart Trophy winner a potential target for Boston, given that the 28-year-old star could opt for a short-term deal with a contender while waiting for the league's revenue to bounce back.

Sweeney didn't specifically mention Hall specifically (although the question posed mentioned the former Coyotes winger by name), but Boston's GM did note that Boston is keeping its options open while waiting for a hamstrung free-agent market to settle itself out.

"We’re comfortable having conversations with the remaining free agents that we feel would help our club," he said, adding:  In regards to other players, we’re certainly engaging the interest on both sides of it and seeing what we can potentially fit in."

We won't be offering a deep dive for now in terms of why Hall would be a great addition to Boston because, well, it's rather self-explanatory — especially given that he would be slotted next to David Krejci on this B's roster.

With a little under $12 million in cap space remaining (and RFAs to sign like Matt Grzelcyk and Jake DeBrusk), things could get dicey when it comes to signing Hall to a deal — but it's not completely out of the question, especially if Boston moves some assets out (DeBrusk could be a candidate here for a deal).

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At this point, given how unforgiving this market has been to free agents, it seems as though Hall will have to decide between long-term deals with clubs with heavy pockets like Columbus or Nashville, or short-term contracts with a team like the Bruins or Avalanche. It's not exactly a great spot for UFAs to be in, but it plays into Boston's favor if they intend to really swing for the fences this fall.

2. Doesn't seem like Alex Pietrangelo is headed to Boston: 

While Boston is apparently keeping its options open as far as additions up front and perhaps on the blue line, it appears as though the top dog on the free-agent market, former Blues captain Alex Pietrangelo, will not be in the cards.

"I have not, full disclosure in this case, I have not had a discussion with Pietrangelo’s camp," Sweeney said. "We feel that our right side might not be the absolute best fit for our club. Very respectful for the player, an elite player in the National Hockey League. That’s not the discussion we’ve had."

With Torey Krug signing with St. Louis — who already foolishly committed seven years and $45.5 million to signing ... Justin Faulk? — it appears as though the Blues will not retain their star defenseman in Pietrangelo, who is currently visiting the Vegas Golden Knights. While the lack of available suitors could prompt Pietrangelo to settle for a shorter-term deal — or one that would pay less than the $9+ million in AAV he was likely looking for — Boston likely wouldn't be an ideal fit.

Yes, adding a top-pairing defenseman like Pietrangelo would be a great coup, but his value wanes a bit given that he's a right-shot D — which Boston already has plenty of in the form of guys like Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo. Yes, you could then package a player like Carlo for more forward help, but Boston has more pressing issues to deal with on the other side of its D corps.

3. As for left D? 



While a player like Matt Grzelcyk could thrive in a top-pairing role next to Charlie McAvoy, the Bruins still have a massive hole in their lineup when it comes to finding another viable top-four defenseman to take over for Krug. Other than someone like T.J. Brodie (who signed a four-year, $20 million contract with Toronto on Friday), the market for a solid, top-four D that can offer perhaps a different look than Krug isn't exactly robust. Perhaps a player like Erik Gustafsson could be had for the right price, although he has his own warts, especially on defense.

Sweeney noted that Boston's younger crop of blueliners could perhaps be used to supplement what will be lost (at least in terms of 5v5 play and minutes) with Krug's departure. However, there's an awful lot of risk rolling out the likes of Urho Vaakanainen and Jakub Zboril to help support this D corps — especially during a season in which the B's should be going all in. Ultimately, the trade market will likely be the best route when it comes to finding a suitable replacement for Krug.

"We’re continuing to explore external options," Sweeney said. "We feel that we have some young players, not unlike a few years ago where Carlo came on to the scene. Did we absolutely know that Brandon was going to be able to go in and play the amount of minutes right out of the gate? Nope. But we felt comfortable that we were going to give him that opportunity, and felt we could insulate it. Charlie and Brandon now have been in this league and have had a tremendous amount of success.

"Can they carry a younger player? Is Grizz ready for an elevated role? Some of that is to be determined. Vaakanainen, Zboril, John Moore and the collection of the group is what it is at this stage, while I continue to explore external options and it might be by committee in some of those situations. And I think some of the younger players are excited."

4. Sweeney talks Krug negotiations: 

Speaking in his first official press conference with the St. Louis Blues, Torey Krug didn't exactly hold much back when it came to negotiations — or lack thereof — with the Bruins since the start of free agency. 

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On Saturday, Sweeney offered his position on how the negotiations went with Krug, who eventually signed a seven-year, $45.5 million contract with St. Louis Friday night.

"In this sense, I’ll leave it in the context of a player and how we do communicate effectively," Sweeney said. "I think that we take a lot of pride in maintaining that communication. Not agreeing, from a contractual standpoint, is never disrespecting a player. You just don’t find the common ground. The bottom line is, we fell short on term. But from a competitive standpoint and what offers were made, we were very comfortable in the position we were in and what we tried to accomplish.

"And in full respect to Torey, as I’ve said previously, or any player heading to the market and testing the market and finding the value they seem comfortable, that’s their entitlement. They’ve reached that point and they’re able to do that. And the club has to, during that period of time, has to have plans accordingly, whether or not it’s with that current player moving forward or a different player."

5. Bruins remain in holding pattern with Chara:

Not only do the Bruins need to address the vacancy left by Krug's departure, but the situation involving Zdeno Chara remains up in the air. The 43-year-old defenseman expressed a desire to return to the B’s for a 15th season when asked back in September, and could still bring value to this club on a cheap, one-year deal — especially if his role is modified into that of a third-pairing, PK ace that can hold shutdown shifts in short spurts.

But on Saturday, Sweeney didn't have much in terms of concrete info to offer when it came to discussions with Chara — with Boston likely still exploring some of the more expensive avenues and players to target before circling back to its longtime captain.

"There’s communication between the two sides and again I’ve had a great deal of communication with Zdeno and his representative Matt Keator, to make sure there is no ambiguity in terms of that," Sweeney said. "And whatever Zee decides to do, ultimately, he’ll tell us. We’ll react accordingly to that. We have our own feelings as to where these things will go. We’ve certainly relayed them. We’ll continue to relay them. As I’ve mentioned before, he’s an iconic player, a personality and a leader, and things that we want to make sure that we’re dealing with this with the utmost respect as we try to treat all our players with. And communicate it as effectively as possible. Like I said, we take a lot of pride in that, making sure that there is really, no really unanswered questions in that regard or ambiguity."

So, for now, we wait... But this might be worth keeping tabs on.

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6. Patrice Bergeron is an effective recruiter: 

There were many factors that played into Craig Smith's decision to sign a three-year contract with the Bruins on Saturday morning.

"We looked at obviously, the team, the organization, the people that we’d be working with," Smith said. "The city has a big part to do with it. My wife is in love with Boston and I’ve always had a soft side for it so that definitely checked it. Those were two of the big boxes that we wanted to check and definitely checked them off, so we’re excited."

But Smith also received a solid pitch once free agency opened on Friday afternoon, as the 31-year-old winger confirmed that he received a call from Patrice Bergeron shortly after the phones started buzzing at noon.

"Yeah, we spoke," Smith said of Bergeron's call. "The way – I have a lot of respect for him, especially his game. I don’t know him personally. This was the first time that we had talked, but the way he discussed his team and where they’re at, and the manner that he carried himself throughout the phone call was impressive to me. As a player, I’ve played a little while now and it’s definitely attractive to hear a guy talk about his team like that and how much passion he has for his city and the love he has for his teammates. That’s something I want to be a part of."

Who needs Tom Brady ... and Kelly Olynyk when you have Bergeron serving as your pitchman?

7. Kevan Miller expects knee to be 100% ahead of 2020-21 season: 

While it remains to be seen just how recently re-signed Kevan Miller will be utilized next season with Boston, the veteran defenseman — who missed all of last season while recovering from serious knee issues — doesn't expect any additional setbacks when once he's given the green light to practice at Warrior Ice Arena once again.

"I’m doing really well," Miller said on Friday night. "Knee is feeling great, body is feeling great. Obviously, had a lot of time to get things in order. I’m making really good progress. I’ve been skating two to three times a week. I’ve been training. I’m really, super excited to have the opportunity to play again. If we were playing right now, I wouldn’t be cleared. But come puck drop, I definitely will be. I have no doubt in my mind I will be 100% by then."

Even if he's not penciled in as a regular third-pairing presence for the 2020-21 season, Miller could still offer value as a hard-nosed, punishing presence that can be inserted into the lineup when the situation calls for it. Of course, the overall status of that rebuilt knee will hold the most sway over just how much Miller can contribute out on the ice in 2020-21, given that a pair of additional setbacks (and subsequent procedures) are what robbed Miller of playing for the entire 2019-20 season.

However, even with the amount of roadblocks he's had to face over the past year, Miller feels as though he's finally pushed himself over the hump — and still has plenty to offer to this Bruins club.

"I’d be totally lying to you if there weren’t some times where I was staring at myself in the mirror going, I don’t know if this is going to work," Miller said. "If I’m ever going to make it back. But through the support from my family, my friends, the coaches, my teammates, everybody that’s kind of been behind me – a special shout out to a lot of the docs and the trainers, they know who they are, that have really helped me through this. It’s been, it’s definitely been a test. But I think I’ll come out stronger from it and I know that my knee will be 100% and ready to go and I’ll have not one bit to worry about with that. I’m super excited for that. I think, like I said, I have some unfinished business to do and I just remember watching up in the stands, game seven versus St. Louis and knowing I could help. I still lose sleep over that. I’m excited to be back and to be chasing that again. I’m really looking forward to getting back after it."

8. Grzelcyk elects for salary arbitration 

On Saturday, the NHLPA announced 26 players who elected for salary arbitration this offseason — with Matt Grzelcyk standing as the lone Bruin on the list. Salary arbitration hearings will be held from Oct. 20 to Nov. 8.

If both the Bruins and Grzelcyk (an RFA) can't settle on a contract extension, an arbitrator will make the decision on the terms of a new contract. After both parties submit their suggested salaries to an arbitrator, a ruling will come down from the official when it comes down to the chosen salary. Once a salary has been decided, the Bruins can elect to accept the terms set down by the arbitrator and then choose either a one or a two-year deal for the player. The Bruins also have the right to walk away from a player, with an NHL club given 48 hours to choose to accept a deal based on the arbitrator’s decision. Boston last did that back in 2006 when it cut ties with defenseman David Tanabe after he was set to earn a deal with an AAV of $1.25 million. 

Of course, just because a player opts for salary arbitration, it doesn't mean that the chances of working out a contract before said hearing are long gone. Last offseason, Danton Heinen filed for arbitration, but then signed a two-year contract with Boston just five days later.