Could the Bruins look to make a last-minute addition after not landing Chris Kreider?
The Boston Bruins were hit were some bad news on Saturday, as target Chris Kreider signed a one-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens.
With the Bruins' forward group needing help, Kreider would have been a strong pickup for them. However, they will now be dealing with him as a foe, as he has signed with one their biggest Original Six rival.
With the Bruins missing out on Kreider, it is fair to wonder if they could make a last-minute addition before the start of the season.
Due to this, let's look at three free agents the Bruins could consider targeting after not landing Kreider.
Patrik Laine
On a professional tryout (PTO) agreement, Patrik Laine could be worth a look for the Bruins. Given the fact that he played all but five games last season for Montreal, signing him to a contract for the season right away could be risky for the Bruins. Yet, if he impressed during a PTO, he could be worth signing to a cheap one-year deal.
In his last mostly healthy season in 2024-25, Laine posted 20 goals and 33 points in 52 games with the Canadiens. He has also scored at least 20 goals in seven of his NHL seasons and at least 30 goals three times. With this, he could be a skilled player for Boston to take a gamble on.
Vladimir Tarasenko
Despite posting 23 goals and 47 points in 75 games last season with the Minnesota Wild, Vladimir Tarasenko is still a free agent. With the Bruins needing another top-six winger, the 34-year-old winger could be worth taking a flier on with a one-year, prove-it deal.
Tarasenko may not be the same star as he was during his prime years, but he showed last season that he can still make an impact offensively. He would have the potential be a nice replacement for Viktor Arvidsson on Boston's second line, who left for the Detroit Red Wings this off-season.
Michael Bunting
Michael Bunting would be an interesting bounce-back candidate for the Bruins to take a chance on. While he posted only 14 goals and 33 points in 74 games last season, he also scored at least 19 goals in his four previous seasons. He also had 49 points or more in each season from 2021-22 to 2023-24.
If the Bruins signed Bunting and he regained his top form, he could be a solid pickup for Boston's top nine. This is especially so when noting that he also plays with a bit of snarl, which is a nice bonus.
