Boston will add to its overall grit after signing towering defenseman Nikita Zadorov to a six-year deal worth $30.0 million ($5.0M AAV). By joining the Bruins, the 29-year-old will join his sixth NHL team in the 12th year of his career after posting six goals, 20 points and 125 PIMs in 75 games between Calgary and Vancouver in 2023-24.
Boston made one of the biggest free agent splashes on Monday as it signed forward Elias Lindholm to a seven-year deal worth $54.25 million ($7.75M AAV). The 29-year-old will join his third team in two seasons after a down year in 2023-24, with his 15 goals, 44 points, 25 PIMs and -14 plus/minus in 75 games played between Calgary and Vancouver.
Mittelstadt was flipped for Bowen Byram on March 6th and had 10 points (4G / 6A) in 18 games with the Avalanche following the deal. He looked much better in the postseason, where he had nine points (3G / 6A) in 11 games. The 25-year-old should continue to serve as the Avalanche's No.2 centre behind Nathan MacKinnon in the 2024-25 season and has back-to-back 55-plus point seasons.
Bussi finished his third professional season at 23-10-5 with a 2.67 GAA, .913 SV% and one shutout in 41 games with the Providence Bruins (AHL). Bussi figured to become Jeremy Swayman's backup next season following the Linus Ullmark trade, but with Joonas Korpisalo coming the other way, he may have to continue waiting. The two-way contract will allow the Bruins to have that flexibility.
Kastelic is a big (6-2, 210 lbs), rugged forward who will fit into the Bruins' bottom-6 in 2024-25. During the 2023-24 season, Kastelic had 10 points (5G / 5A), 126 hits and 31 blocked shots in 63 games with the Senators.
Korpisalo signed a five-year deal with a $4.0M AAV last July 1st but struggled to live up to his cap-hit in his first year with the Senators. The 29-year-old net minder went 21-26-4 with a 3.27 GAA and .890 SV% in 55 games (49 starts) and gets moved to Boston, where he'll serve as the backup to Jeremy Swayman if he isn't traded again or bought-out. The Senators retained 25 percent ($1.0M AAV) of Korpisalo's contract.
Mitchell was acquired by Boston last offseason in a deal that involved Taylor Hall going to Chicago and has now signed a one-year, two-way contract to remain with the Bruins. The 25-year-old defenseman has four goals and 18 points in 95 career NHL games played after appearing in 13 games for Boston in 2023-24.
Swayman allowed three goals on 41 shots in the Bruins loss to the Panthers in Game 4. After posting a .950 SV% in six games in Round 1, Swayman has served up a .904 SV% in the first four games vs. the Panthers. Overall, he's 5-5 with a .930 SV% and leads the postseason with 11.6 Goals Saved Above Expected.
Swayman allowed three goals on 41 shots in the Bruins loss to the Panthers in Game 4. After posting a .950 SV% in six games in Round 1, Swayman has served up a .904 SV% in the first four games vs. the Panthers. Overall, he's 5-5 with a .930 SV% and leads the postseason with 11.6 Goals Saved Above Expected.
Brown has appeared in one playoff game with the Bruins after just 11 regular season games. The veteran forward spent most of the season in the AHL, where he had 11 goals and 21 assists (32 points) in 42 games.
Wotherspoon was a healthy scratch for Game 3 but will draw back into Boston's lineup for Game 4 on Sunday vs. Florida. The 26-year-old has appeared in seven games so far in the playoffs and has an assist, eight SOG and four PIMs while averaging 16:54 TOI.
Swayman was not on the ice for Boston's optional morning skate and is presumably their starter again for Game 4 on Sunday vs. Florida. The 25-year-old has dropped Boston's previous two games but still has a sensational playoff record with his 5-4-0 record, 2.45 GAA and .919 SV%. He will look to even up the Bruins' round two series at home on Sunday vs. Florida. who has won six of their last eight playoff games.
Swayman was not on the ice for Boston's optional morning skate and is presumably their starter again for Game 4 on Sunday vs. Florida. The 25-year-old has dropped Boston's previous two games but still has a sensational playoff record with his 5-4-0 record, 2.45 GAA and .919 SV%. He will look to even up the Bruins' round two series at home on Sunday vs. Florida. who has won six of their last eight playoff games.
Peeke suffered a finger injury in Game 2 vs. the Maple Leafs and has missed the last seven games. Expect Peeke to draw back into the Bruins' lineup for Game 3 vs. Florida, but it's unclear who he will replace.
