Following a record-setting 65-win regular season and a disappointing Stanley Cup Playoffs exit, the Boston Bruins are tightening up their roster in hopes of a playoff run next season.
The Boston Bruins saw a disappointing end to their 2022-23 season after a phenomenal regular season. An early Round 1 exit from the Stanley Cup Playoffs left a sour taste in the Bruins' mouths. They'll look to chase the Cup again in 2023-24.
The NHL offseason has only just begun, but there's already been a flurry of moves around the league. The Bruins have been in on the action. They recently traded winger Taylor Hall and the rights to pending UFA winger Nick Foligno in exchange for pending RFA defensemen Ian Mitchell and Alec Regula.
More moves are sure to come as the offseason continues. In the meantime, let's take a look at some players who have probably played their last game as a Boston Bruin.
Bruins who won't be on the roster next season: 1. Dmitry Orlov
Pending UFA Dmitry Orlov probably won't be back with the Boston Bruins next season. With the Bruins' salary cap issues and Orlov's price tag, it just won't work out. He's projected to be the top defenseman available via free agency on July 1. Orlov was traded to the Bruins ahead of the 2023 trade deadline by his long-time team, the Washington Capitals. The Capitals made the move to gain draft picks to restock on prospects.
It already seemed unlikely Orlov would be extended by the Bruins, but now it's all but a sure bet that he was just a rental. Earlier this week, Bruins GM Don Sweeney told the media that the Bruins are unlikely to re-sign Orlov. It comes down to cost — they just can't afford him.
The two-way defenseman tallied 36 points during the 2022-23 regular season. He made 137 hits and blocked 85 shots. Orlov is strong on both the penalty kill and the power play.
Heading into his age 32 season, this is likely Orlov's last chance for a big payday. With the state of the group of UFA defenseman available this summer, a team is going to make a deal with Orlov that he'll like. That deal just won't be with the Bruins.
Bruins who won't be on the roster next season: 2. Matt Grzelcyk
Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk is a likely trade candidate. As the Boston Bruins continue to struggle with cap space, they are reportedly looking to move Grzelcyk. Clearing his cap hit of $3.68 million would be beneficial for the Bruins. He's entering the final season of his contract.
Grzelcyk is a mobile defenseman who moves the puck, skates well, and has a high hockey IQ. He had 26 points this past regular season. He blocked 78 shots and held a 46 +/-. Grzelcyk has proven his worth as a top-four defenseman. 2022-23 was his best season yet.
A lot of the Bruins' offseason maneuvers will come down to cap space. They've already moved Taylor Hall with his $6 million cap hit, which should go a long way. But they're looking to clear more space, and moving 29 year old Grzelcyk makes a lot of sense.
This one especially hurts considering the Bruins are Grzelcyk's hometown team. Conversations continue to swirl about where Grzelcyk will land and when a trade will happen. Some think this move is coming next for the Bruins. When Boston finds the right team to make a deal with, Grzelcyk will be on the move.
Bruins who won't be on the roster next season: 3. Patrice Bergeron
It is likely the end of an era for Patrice Bergeron. The elite two-way center is the Bruins' captain. After 19 seasons in Boston, Bergeron is expected to retire this offseason. He will be 38 this summer. While nothing is official yet, signs are pointing towards Bergeron calling it a career.
During exit interviews, Bergeron expressed that it was too early to make a decision about next season. Team president Cam Neely recently acknowledged that the Bruins are giving Bergeron the time he needs to decide where he's at, but as of now, the organization is planning as if he won't be back.
At the 2023 NHL Awards, Bergeron won his sixth Selke Trophy, the award for the forward who excels in defensive skills. In 2022-23, Bergeron showed that he still has some gas left in the tank. He tallied 27 goals and 31 assists during the regular season. He blocked 54 shots, made 66 hits, and had 38 takeaways. He won 61.1% of his faceoffs. The veteran didn't let his age slow him down.
The Bruins saw a disappointing end to their historic season with a Round 1 playoff exit, so one has to wonder if that will be incentive for Bergeron to make one more run. If he does decide to play in 2023-24, it surely would be with the Bruins. He might decide to push through one more year and take a team-friendly deal to stay with his long-time team. If this it for Bergeron, he surely had a career to be proud of.
Don't expect these three players to be back with the Bruins next season.