The Boston Bruins are not a team known for making big splashes on days of free agency. They also never really make the big trade to acquire someone. A lot of their winning comes from drafting and developing.
With that said, they made a couple of very smart signings on Monday that should help lead them to more winning in the coming years.
They added Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov in free agency. Both of them started last year with the Calgary Flames. They were also both individually traded to the Vancouver Canucks at different times.
Now they are both going to be members of the Boston Bruins at the same time. Both of them are 29 years old and looking to do a lot of winning with this Boston organization.
The Boston Bruins added two very good players to their roster
Lindholm inked a seven-year deal worth $54.25 million with a cap hit of $7.75 million. Zadorov got six years for $30 million which carries a cap hit of $5 million.
These are good contracts for good players that will help them in areas of need. After losing Matt Grzelcyk in free agency to the Pittsburgh Penguins, Zadorov will help them replace him defensively. The Bruins also lack center depth and everybody knows it. That is where Lindholm comes in.
Right away, you'd assume that Zadorov gets a chance to be partners with Charlie McAvoy. As for Lindholm, he will be the center on the top line. Will he get David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, or both as his wingers?
The Bruins have a few elite players on the team. They also play a very smart defensive system which is why they've been so good for so long. Now, the hope is that adding these two can help them stay afloat as they continue looking for depth down the middle.
If they can find themselves one more high-end offensive centerman to play ahead of Lindholm, they'll be good enough to win the Stanley Cup.