The Boston Bruins made several additions this offseason. Their two most notable new guys are forward Elias Lindholm and defenseman Nikita Zadorov, but they also brought in some interesting depth players who have the potential to be hits.
One specific under-the-radar newcomer who should grab the attention of Bruins fans is forward Mark Kastelic.
Kastelic was one of the pieces the Bruins acquired from the Ottawa Senators in the big Linus UIlmark trade earlier this offseason. While the Phoenix, Arizona native was not the centerpiece of the deal for Boston, he could end up being a solid addition to the Bruins' roster.
Kastelic appeared in 63 games this past season with the Senators, posting five goals and 10 points. While he did not dominate the scoresheet, he made an impact with his gritty style of play, recording 126 hits and 63 penalty minutes. The 6-foot-3 forward's tenacious style of play and toughness should make him a key addition to the Bruins' fourth line.
However, besides being a very physical player, Kastelic also offers value because of his excellent skill at the faceoff dot. During this past season, Kastelic won 54.4% of his faceoffs. In addition, throughout his three-year career, Kastelic sports a 56.3% faceoff winning percentage. Kastelic has garnered praise for his defensive play and speed, so he should be a fantastic option for the Bruins' penalty kill.
Kastelic is also connected to the Bruins, as his grandfather, Pat Stapleton, spent his first two NHL seasons with Boston in 1961-62 and 1962-63.
At 25 years old, Kastelic also still has the potential to hit a new level. Sometimes, a change of scenery helps a player reach new heights, and it will be intriguing to see if Kastelic can as a Bruin from here.
