Boston's most coveted restricted free agent is off the market after Morgan Geekie and the Bruins agreed to a six-year, $33 million contract extension ($5.5 million AAV) on Sunday. The 26-year-old is coming off his best campaign to date, posting career highs in nearly all statistical categories, including goals (33), assists (24), points (57), SOG (150) and TOI (16:55).
Acquired at the 2024-25 trade deadline, Marat Khusnutdinov will remain in Boston for at least two more seasons after signing a two-year, $1.85 million contract extension on Sunday. The 22-year-old former 3rd round pick started his career with 11 points in 73 games with Minnesota, but caught his footing after his trade to Boston, where he had three goals and five points in 18 games played after the trade.
Columbus acquired a depth forward on Thursday after trading for Branden Gaunce from Minnesota for AHL forward Cameron Butler. Gaunce, 31, spent most of 2024-25 as a healthy scratch for the Wild, which led to him only putting up an assist and a -4 plus/minus in 12 games played. He returns to familiar territory in Columbus, where he spent three seasons between 2021-2024 and had 12 points in 59 games played.
Minutes after being acquired by Utah, JJ Peterka was announced to a 5-year extension worth $7.7M AAV ($38.5M total). The 23-year-old right-winger has made consistent 18-point jumps in each of his first three NHL seasons, finishing 2024-25 with 27 goals, 68 points and 173 SOG in 77 GP after 50 points in 82 games the year before. He is expected to take a top-six role in Utah in the upcoming season.
With rumours circulating all week that Buffalo was looking to move a few key players, Utah swooped in late Thursday by acquiring the rights to JJ Peterka for forward Josh Doan and defenseman Michael Kesselring. Minutes after the trade, Utah announced they had signed Peterka to a 5-year extension worth $7.7M AAV ($38.5M total). The 23-year-old right-winger has made consistent 18-point jumps in each of his first three NHL seasons, finishing 2024-25 with 27 goals, 68 points and 173 SOG in 77 GP after 50 points in 82 games the year before.
Zajicek is an undrafted 23-year-old netminder who has spent the last six seasons with HC Litvinov (Czechia) and will join Boston on a one-year, entry-level contract worth $872,500. The 6'2" goalie opened eyes recently at the World Hockey Championships, where he was the definition of perfect, stopping all 40 shots he faced and posting two shutouts for Czechia in his only two starts. In 29 games with HC Litvinov as well in 2024-25, he posted an eye-popping .930 SV% and 15-13-0 record.
Brunet was a fifth-round pick, 132nd overall, of the Boston Bruins in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old defenseman has 24 points (5G / 19A) in 68 games with the Providence Bruins (AHL) this season.
The Bruins will close out a disappointing 2024-25 season on Tuesday, with Swayman tending the twine against the New Jersey Devils. Swayman struggled in his most recent outing, allowing four goals on 16 shots (.800 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. The 26-year-old netminder has a 3.08 GAA and .894 SV% in 57 games this season (22-29-6). The Bruins enter Tuesday's contest as +121 home underdogs against a Devils team they defeated 7-2 last week.
Reichel has not played since April 8th, but will re-enter the lineup on Monday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 22-year-old Reichel is averaging 11:57 time-on-ice and has 21 points (7G / 14A) in 68 games this season. He has two points (1G / 1A) in his last 16 contests.
