The Bruins need to sign a top scorer in the offseason.
The Boston Bruins face elimination from the NHL Playoffs in 2024. They defeated the Florida Panthers in a strong fashion in Game 1, but they have since dropped their last three games while only managing five goals. The absence of a reliable top-line goal scorer other than David Pastrnak is a weakness in the Bruins’ lineup that the Panthers have been able to highlight and force them to rectify this offseason.
Bruins’ Attacking Issues
Prior to their matchup with Florida, the Bruins struggled to score goals this postseason, as they were unable to score more than two goals in any of the last three games of their first-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. They have, all told, scored two goals or less in six of their previous seven outings. Even if they were able to defeat the Maple Leafs thanks to the outstanding play of goalie Jeremy Swayman, scoring at such a low rate in the playoffs is just not a viable strategy for success.
Despite their tragic nature, some people might not be surprised by these challenges. In contrast to the dynamic 2022–23 roster, the forward group was diminished following the seasons of Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, Tyler Bertuzzi, and Taylor Hall. Consequently, the squad scored over 0.5 goals less per game this season than they did the previous one. In 2022–23, eight Bruins players scored 50 points or more; in 2023–24, that number dropped to four. In addition to the decreased output, these players’ exits allowed teams to target Pastrnak because they were left with fewer danger men in the black and gold. He scored 14 less goals in the regular season than the previous one, as his stats declined.
At moments during this postseason, Pastrnak has appeared to be struggling. Teams have physically attacked him, and he hasn’t been able to dominate games as he has in the past. It would be less stressful and harder for opponents to stop the Bruins’ top line if they had another scoring option to go with their standout right winger.
Participants to Aim for
The most obvious way for the Bruins to fill this need is through free agency, but they have other choices as well. In 2023–24, the following five players scored 30 goals or more: Sam Reinhart (57), Jonathan Marchessault (42), Steven Stamkos (40), Tyler Toffoli (33), and Jake Guentzel (30). All five are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents in the 2024 offseason. The team should have the option to pursue at least one of them because they have a sizable amount of cap space scheduled to be available.
Given that he scored more goals this season than any other player in the NHL save Auston Matthews, Reinhart will likely earn a huge contract. The Bruins should avoid him since, in 2023–24, 24% of his shoots were successful, which is very certainly an unsustainable rate. Not to mention the animosity between the Bruins and nearly every current Panther player, that paired with the reality that he will be the highest-paid free agent available makes for an overpay.
Marchessault, Stamkos, Toffoli, and Guentzel are the remaining players. All four of these players are experienced NHL players who have earned a good living over their careers. It is possible that they will be interested in joining a strong team like the Bruins. All of these would have an instant effect on Boston, but one is clear to choose. Of the group, Guentzel is the only one the Bruins ought seriously think about inking to a long-term contract. Though he joined the Pittsburgh Penguins before the trade deadline this season, he is older than the other three and has been a reliable player throughout his NHL career. This season, the Hurricanes acquired him.
Guentzel, a left-shot, averaged almost a point per game over the previous four seasons and has scored 30 goals or more in each of those times. His ability to improve in the postseason—he has scored 12 goals and 19 points in 16 games in his last two postseason appearances—may be the most fascinating aspect of him. The Bruins would be thrilled to sign Guentzel to a long-term contract because he would have an instant impact in Boston.
The players that are left are Marchessault, Stamkos, Toffoli, and Guentzel. These four players have all played in the NHL for a considerable amount of time and have made respectable salaries. They might be considering a move to a competitive team like the Bruins. Boston would immediately be impacted by all of these, but it would be obvious which to pick. Guentzel is the one player in the group whom the Bruins should give serious consideration to signing a long-term deal with. Despite being a pre-trade deadline addition to the Pittsburgh Penguins this season, he is older than the other three and has established himself as a dependable player throughout his NHL career. The Hurricanes acquired him this season.