The Boston Bruins added depth to their roster this summer in NHL Free Agency. Tanner Jeannot signed a five-year contract with Boston on the open market. Viktor Arvidsson came over through trade. And names such as Sean Kuraly and Mikey Eyssimont signed on the dotted line.
All of these players — except Kuraly — share one thing in common. They are primarily wingers. This is not a bad thing in and of itself. In fact, the Bruins needed wing depth. To that end, this offseason filled an important need.
However, the team’s most glaring need remains. The Bruins need depth at center in the worst way. Kuraly is a good signing, especially since he knows the organization well from his previous stint. In saying this, they need more centers at the NHL level.
Of course, adding a center is easier said than done. Boston is certainly not alone in their search for a pivot. Every team would jump at the opportunity for a first-line center. Most teams are looking for second-line anchors, as well.
There are very few options on the free agency market to fill this void. However, there is one name who has the experience. Evgeny Kuznetsov is available to be signed, and The Hockey News writer Michael DeRosa believes Boston is a potential landing spot.
“While Kuznetsov would not be a true answer for the Bruins’ first-line center problem, he would offer them another intriguing playmaker to work with in their middle six and on their power play. If he bounces back from his last NHL season, Kuznetsov may even get opportunities to set up (David) Pastrnak for goals on the first line,” DeRosa wrote.
Evgeny Kuznetsov Looking to Return to NHL
Kuznetsov had a successful stint with the Washington Capitals in the NHL. He played at a near point per game pace through his prime. And he helped the Capitals win the Stanley Cup in 2018 over the Vegas Golden Knights.
However, Kuznetsov struggled with injury in 2023-24. Eventually, he was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes at the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline. His time with the Hurricanes did not go well, unfortunately. And he went back to his native Russia that offseason to sign in the KHL.
He scored 12 goals and 37 points in 39 games for SKA St. Petersburg this past season. He terminated his contract with the Russian outfit this summer as he sought a return to the NHL.
“I talk to [NHL] teams all the time,” agent Shumi Babaev told Mikhail Zilis recently, as translated by Chris Cerullo of Russian Machine Never Breaks. “Every day I talk to two or three clubs, feel out what’s going on, some signings. [Kuznetsov] is now motivated to come back, to show what he is capable of. We need to guess with the coach and the team. It’s not about money. So I think there will be a team.”
Kuznetsov’s Playmaking Could Help Bruins
As DeRosa pointed out, Kuznetsov’s playmaking ability could be of interest to Boston. The Bruins have wingers who can find the back of the net. David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie both scored 30+ goals this past season, for instance.
However, the wingers in the middle of their lineup could use a facilitator. Kuznetsov won’t produce at elite levels if he returns to the NHL. But he could help put Jeannot Arvidsson, and Casey Mittelstadt in position to score.
The Bruins have cap flexibility and a need down the middle. Kuznetsov has a clear path to the NHL in Boston. It will be interesting to see if the two sides can get something done before training camp.
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