The Bruins clearly had some high-profile free agent signings on July 1 when they made big splashes addressing the center and defensemen position, but as always Don Sweeney did some quality work under-the-radar work as well.
Former first-round pick Max Jones is expected to be a regular member of the bottom six forward group to start the season and is a bit of a known NHL quantity with some untapped potential there.
But the B’s also stocked up on other intriguing signings with former first-round pick Riley Tufte, skill and speed forward Cole Koepke, Hanson, Mass. native Billy Sweezey and bruising forward Jeffrey Viel all added to the mix as organizational depth. Much has been written and said about Fabian Lysell, Georgii Merkulov and others competing for NHL spots in training camp, but any one of these players could pop prior to the season as well.
“[The message to young players in Bruins camp] is a similar message that I have to Cole Koepke, and Riley Tufte, and [Max Jones] and [Jeff Viel],” said Don Sweeney. “I think we've made some hard decisions when players…I think this year in Poitras and Beecher were good examples of that. That they played well enough they earned their opportunity, and I would say that [Georgii Merkulov] and [Fabian Lysell] or Riley Duran keep going down the list.
“Just pin your ears back, train your ass off this summer, and come with the intent that there'll be an opportunity here. If you're the best player, then we find a way to get you in the lineup.”
The 6-foot-6, 230-pound Tufte had a goal and two points in five games with the Colorado Avalanche and has posted two goals and three points in 18 games logged for the Avs and Dallas Stars over the last three seasons. More importantly, Tufte has improved his numbers in each of the last three years culminating with 23 goals and 45 points along with 91 penalty minutes in 67 games for the Colorado Eagles.
The former Minnesota-Duluth standout has also become a spokesman and advocate for those battling Type 1 diabetes after continuing his hockey career after being diagnosed with the autoimmune disease as an 11-year-old boy.
Given his size, his obvious skill and his increased production level at the AHL level as of late, there’s little doubt Tufte is going to get opportunities with the Bruins should injuries hit their forward group, or if anybody expected to win a job should falter in training camp. It will be the most prepared he’s been for an NHL opportunity while likely logging most of his time next season in Providence and waiting for the chance to materialize at the NHL level.
Interestingly, Tufte was teammates with Koepke at Duluth and comes to the B’s after managing just one goal in 26 games for a talented-stacked Tampa Bay Lightning organization over the last couple of seasons. The 26-year-old Koepke has a pair of 20-goal AHL seasons under his belt and will be in the same situation as Tufte, though Tufte’s standing as a former first round pick and a big forward body might get him additional NHL looks.
The 28-year-old Sweezey is a defenseman that the Bruins have been interested in going back to his NHL draft year, and one that caught their eye when he dropped the gloves with Jakub Lauko a couple of years ago as a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Jakub Lauko and Billy Sweezey drop the gloves. Sweezey's dad loves it pic.twitter.com/wpGydrWobk
— Spoked Z (@SpokedZ) March 31, 2023
Sweezey’s most productive AHL season was four goals and 11 points with 114 penalty minutes in the 2021-22 season, so he will more than likely spend all of his time in Providence.
The 6-foot-1, 206-pound Sweezey isn’t a flashy puck mover or a guy that’s ever going to be quarterbacking the power play, but he does give the Bruins depth and hardnosed toughness on the back end should injuries bite into Boston’s defensemen depth next season.
The 27-year-old Viel could be a really useful player for the Bruins given his resume as a legit tough guy that racked up 114 penalty minutes in 34 games with the San Jose Sharks a couple of seasons ago. The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder has averaged 16 goals and 35 points in the AHL in each of the last two seasons but has also distinguished himself as a legitimate intimidator that the Bruins can call upon should things get a little heated at times at the NHL level next season.
If the Bruins really want to add an element of toughness and physicality to a crash-and-bang fourth line, he could be a guy that see a decent amount of time in Boston next season. Honestly, anybody that's ever been willing to drop the gloves with Zdeno Chara is next-level tough.
The Bruins have not regularly had a guy like that at the AHL level that they could call upon situationally over the last few years, and Viel’s presence could be helpful at points over the year.
“Cole Koepke [is] a guy that we've tracked, and our scouting staff has identified as the guy that can push our competitive internal competition. He's taken two strides two years in a row where he's really taken off, I mean, this kid can skate, kills penalties. Billy Sweezey, we saw him fight [Jakub] Lauko, and I wish Jakub [Lauko] well. It's difficult to see young players leave our organization and I wish him well in Minnesota. Vinni Lettieri, we welcome back, Billy Sweezey as I said went and challenged Lauks [Jakub Lauko] right off the draw, so that competitive nature in him,” said Don Sweeney. “Jeff Viel is going to bring a level of competitiveness and toughness that I think our players and organization respect as well. I think we're trying to check off the box to being internally competitive. Do we have a gap there we want to see somebody take advantage of, whether it be Fabian Lysell or anybody else?”
That’s a clear message from the B’s general manager that at least one NHL job should be somewhat up for grabs in training camp, and that should make it interesting as the practices and preseason games unfold this fall.