The Boston Bruins have been hard at work this summer in preparation for the 2024-25 NHL season. The Bruins entered the offseason looking to turn things around following a second-round playoff exit against the Florida Panthers, resulting in general manager Don Sweeney adding reinforcement such as Elias Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov, and Max Jones.
The Bruins' offseason wasn't without some casualties, though. Adding new players means that old ones had to be kicked to the curb. While various members of last year's roster have already landed in new homes, certain individuals are struggling to receive their next NHL contract.
Here's a look at three former Bruins who are still jobless as the 2024-25 campaign approaches.
1. James Van Riemsdyk, LW/RW
After signing a cheap one-year deal last offseason, James Van Riemsdyk looked like the steal of the summer to open the 2023-24 regular season. The former 2007 No. 2 selection thrived in a middle-six role with the Bruins, tallying 11 goals and 26 points through his first 51 games.
Assuming that he stayed on that path, Van Riemsdyk was on pace for 59 points in 82 games, which would've been three points away from his career high. Unfortunately, the veteran forward quickly fell off after his electric start, recording just one assist without a goal in his final 20 regular-season games.
Van Riemsdyk ended up being more productive in the postseason, but not by much. The 35-year-old left-handed shot scored one goal while adding four assists in 11 playoff games, which includes ending the postseason on a nine-game goal drought.
Speculation is now circling about where Van Riemsdyk could play next season, however, no concrete suitors have emerged. It's entirely possible he'll have to go through the professional tryout (PTO) system to earn his next contract. Otherwise, JVR might have to take another route to continue his career.
2. Kevin Shattenkirk, D
Kevin Shattenkirk was another veteran that the Bruins signed to a one-year contract during the 2023 offseason. Although the established blue liner was several seasons removed from his prime, he was still viewed as serviceable and his Stanley Cup-winning experience only made him more attractive to add to Boston's lineup.
Shattenkirk wound up being a solid presence for the Bruins as he averaged nearly 16 minutes of action across 61 games. The former 2007 first-rounder scored six goals while adding 18 assists and blocking 85 shots. Even though he barely played on the penalty kill, he did record nine assists on the power play — his second-best mark of the last six seasons.
Shattenkirk played six games in the playoffs but didn't do much, registering one assist with a minus-1 plus/minus rating. He was even a healthy scratch multiple times and was stuck on the third pairing for most of his postseason minutes, indicating that he fell out of head coach Jim Montgomery's favor.
Shattenkirk isn't completely washed up, so I fully expect at least one more team to take a shot on him. While he's no longer the first-pairing defender he once was, he's still decent enough to play third-pairing minutes on a cheap, short-term contract. Expecting anything more than that is just asking for disappointment at this point in his career.
Much like Van Riemsdyk, look for Shattenkirk to potentially enter training camp on a PTO somewhere next month.
3. Milan Lucic, LW
The 2023-24 season was supposed to be a special year for Milan Lucic. After all, the veteran power forward was returning to the Bruins after spending eight seasons away from the franchise that drafted him. The hope was that his veteran leadership in the twilight of his career could help push the Bruins to another Stanley Cup run.
Having said that, Lucic's return ended almost as quickly as it began. After being put on the injured reserve with an ankle injury just four games into his campaign, Lucic was arrested in Boston following an alleged domestic violence incident, resulting in a leave of absence and his joining the player's assistance program. Although the charges were eventually dropped, the 36-year-old didn't end up playing another game with the B's.
NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported earlier this month that Lucic has been training in New Jersey for a possible comeback, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
Ignoring his off-ice issues (which you shouldn't), Lucic looked like a shell of his former self during his limited time with the Bruins. He's only grown slower with each passing season and his offensive upside is no longer there given that he hasn't scored more than 10 goals since 2016-17.
In other words, anyone expecting the Lucic of old will be greatly disappointed by his current version. Outside of a potential PTO with a forward-desperate team — and I mean desperate — chances are that we've seen the last of Lucic in the NHL.
