Jarome Iginla signed a three-year, $16 million contract with Colorado.
You know you haven’t improved your roster when your biggest free agency moves outside of your own organization is signing Christopher Breen and Jeremy Smith to one-year, two-way contracts. Basically, Peter Chiarelli and the Boston Bruins let all of the top free agents come off the board while they sat back and bolstered their American Hockey League roster.
One has to wonder if their complacency thus far in free agency will once again leave the Bruins a player or two away from contending for a cup next year. The Bruins already possess one of the best defenses and goaltenders in the National Hockey League but their lack of goal scoring in this year’s playoffs really opened some eyes to what this team really needed: at least one goal scorer in addition to bringing back Jarome Iginla. Not only has that not been addressed this offseason but they saw 30-goal scorer Iginla walk out the door via a three-year, $16 million contract with the Colorado Avalanche.
Now what we have to look forward to is the likelihood that Chiarelli is willing to accept above average regular seasons and playoff mediocrity. Just ask the San Jose Sharks how that’s worked out for them. Chiarelli is set to replace Iginla with the slow-footed Loui Eriksson in his top-six forwards, exchanging a 30-goal scorer with a 10-goal scorer. Eriksson hasn’t had a 30-goal season since 2008-2009 and fought off concussion issues all of last season.
Instead of prioritizing the signing of a top-six forward, Chiarelli satisfied his craving for his obsession of players within his own organization. I mean, the focus on bringing back Jordan Caron and Matt Bartkowski should’ve been his top priority, right?
You still have one of the best defenseman in the league in Zdeno Chara, a healthy Dennis Seidenberg returning and a goaltender in Tuukka Rask who’s in his prime.You couldn’t address the one thing that you really needed?
There’s still time for trades, but Chiarelli hasn’t exactly aced those either. Tyler Seguin’s 37 goals and 84 points certainly would’ve looked great in black and gold last year.
Right now, the Bruins don’t have enough to win a cup and their championship window is closing.
