The Bruins’ Centennial Season kicked off with a frenzy of activity.
On the eve of the NHL Awards, Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno became the first casualties of Boston’s cap crunch. The two of them were dealt to Chicago for a pair of RFA minor-league defensemen. It was rumored that Boston was looking to move Hall’s contract for cap flexibility, and Foligno was a pending free agent.
The Award ceremony itself was a bittersweet night for Boston.
Bergeron, Ullmark and Jim Montgomery all claimed their nominated awards as the Best Defensive Forward, Best Goaltender, and Coach of the Year, but the accolades rang hollow with the playoffs still fresh. Bergeron’s sixth Selke Trophy win extended his own NHL record, and the voting wasn’t particularly close.
David Pastrnak finished runner-up to Connor McDavid in both the Hart (League MVP) and Lindsay (Players MVP) Trophy races.
With the Award show officially wrapping up the 2022-23 NHL season, the Bruins kicked off their Centennial season by debuting a new logo to commemorate the milestone.
The past meets the present.
Introducing the #NHLBruins Centennial crest. pic.twitter.com/F1dclRLjby
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) June 27, 2023
Along with the team’s schedule release, the team announced a series of “Era Nights” to take place throughout the upcoming year. The first of the Era Nights will be the Home Opener against Chicago on October 11th.
While the Draft was underway, Don Sweeney had his focus elsewhere.
Joe Haggerty reported that Sweeney was not optimistic about re-signing any of his deadline acquisitions. The Hall trade was initially viewed as a move to clear money for Tyler Bertuzzi, but there are other holes to address. The Bruins only have six forwards signed to the active roster at the moment, and Swayman needs a new contract as well.
There are still plenty of rumors about potential moves for Boston to make, including the return of Milan Lucic.
Milan Lucic to the Boston Bruins!
1 year, 900K
Not bad at all!
— Savage (@SavageSports_) June 28, 2023
Looch is a welcome addition of cheap veteran leadership in Foligno’s spot and would be loved like he never left.
It’ll be interesting to see what moves Sweeney has planned ahead of Free Agency on Saturday.
There’s still a lot of work to be done before the Bruins take the ice for the 100th season.
Photo: John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
