The Boston Bruins are reportedly considering signing two free agents to PTOs.
We are starting to see NHL teams sign players to professional tryout (PTO) contracts, and the Boston Bruins could end up following that trend.
According to Shawn Hutcheon of The Fourth Period, the Bruins are considering signing forwards Blake Wheeler and Kailer Yamamoto to PTOs.
Wheeler is certainly a familiar face to Bruins fans, as he spent the first three seasons of his NHL career in Boston. His time with the Bruins ended during the 2010-11 season when he was traded along with Mark Stuart to the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for Rich Peverley and Boris Valabik.
Wheeler, 37, spent this past season with the New York Rangers, posting nine goals and 21 points in 54 games. Overall, it was a down year for the Plymouth, Minnesota native, but there is reason to believe he could bounce back if given a chance. Keep in mind, he just posted 16 goals and 55 points in 72 games for the Winnipeg Jets in 2022-23. The former Jets captain also had 60 points in 65 games during the 2021-22 season.
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Yamamoto is a player we discussed here at The Hockey News as a prime PTO target for the Bruins. It is understandable that the Bruins are considering him, as he is a former first-round pick who has shown promise at the NHL level. However, he struggled this past season with the Seattle Kraken, recording eight goals and 16 points in 59 games.
Similar to Wheeler, he is another player who could bounce back if given an opportunity. During the 2022-23 season with the Edmonton Oilers, the 25-year-old had 10 goals and 25 points. He also set career highs during the 2021-22 season with Edmonton, posting 20 goals, 21 assists, and 41 points in 81 games.
Kailer Yamamoto
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Ultimately, with the Bruins having a clear hole in their lineup at right wing, it is understandable that they are considering signing Wheeler and Yamamoto to PTOs. If they joined the Bruins at training camp, they would create more competition for NHL spots. We will now need to wait and see if they do, in fact, invite these two to training camp from here.
