Things have gone well for the most part for the Boston Bruins in 2023-24 and it’s only fitting that they clinch a Stanley Cup Playoff berth on a night where they don’t play. In this edition of Bruins News & Rumors, the Black and Gold are officially in the postseason, a trade deadline acquisition is working his way back, a new defenseman is settling in with his team, will the Bruins prioritize rest ahead of the playoffs, and more.
Pat Maroon Working Out on His Own
Three weeks ago at the trade deadline on March 8, Boston General Manager (GM) Don Sweeney swung a couple of minor deals to bring in depth and toughness. The first trade he made was to acquire former Stanley Cup champion Pat Maroon from the Minnesota Wild, but the former Tampa Bay Lightning champion remains out recovering from back surgery.
Maroon is not on the current road trip for the Bruins and second-year head coach Jim Montgomery said after practice on Friday (March 29) that the veteran forward has been working out on his own at Warrior Ice Arena. Maroon was not brought in for the regular season, although it would be nice to get him action ahead of the postseason, but he fills a void Boston missed last season in the first round of the playoffs against the Florida Panthers, toughness.
Andrew Peeke Settling in With the Bruins
The second deal that Sweeney made at the trade deadline was to acquire defenseman Andrew Peeke from the Columbus Blue Jackets with Jakub Zboril, who was the 14th overall pick in the 2015 Entry Draft, going back. Peeke, who has two years remaining on his contract with a reasonable $2.75 million average annual value (AAV), moved up to the second pairing against Tampa Bay on March 27 with Hampus Lindholm and is trying to form a connection with whoever he’s paired with.
“New team, new system, new players, obviously, but for me personally, building that momentum, building that confidence on a nightly basis, it’s all I can do. All I have to do is get ready for that next one when the opportunity is there.”
Andrew Peeke (from ‘Linus Ullmark up, James van Riemsdyk down as Bruins lose to Lightning,’ The Athletic, March 27, 2024)
Acquiring Peeke gives the Bruins depth under contract for the next couple of seasons and allows Sweeney to let Derek Forbort and Matt Grzelcyk leave in free agency. With Charlie McAvoy, Lindholm, Parker Wotherspoon, Brandon Carlo, and Mason Lohrei locked up on defense, it will allow the…
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