The Chicago Blackhawks have several former Boston Bruins in their projected lineup for 2024-25.
The Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks are connected, as they are two Original Six clubs with deep histories. While they may not have the biggest rivalry out of the Original Six teams, they have had some big battles, including the 2013 Stanley Cup Final.
Interestingly, when looking at the Blackhawks' current roster, they have several ex-Bruins players. In fact, there is a real chance that half of their forward group will be made up of former Bruins. Tyler Bertuzzi, Taylor Hall, Nick Foligno, Pat Maroon, Ryan Donato, and Craig Smith are all projected to be on Chicago's NHL roster next season.
Hall and Foligno were notably traded by the Bruins to the Blackhawks last offseason in a cap dump move. Hall was limited to only 10 games last season due to injury, while Foligno emerged as a key leader for Chicago and earned an extension. He was also quite solid offensively for the Blackhawks, recording 17 goals and 39 points in 74 games.
Donato, 28, signed a two-year, $4 million contract with the Blackhawks last offseason. In his first year as a Blackhawk, he proved to be a solid part of their group, recording 12 goals and 30 points in 78 games.
However, the Blackhawks added to their former Bruins collection significantly this offseason. Bertuzzi, Maroon, and Smith were all brought in through free agency and are expected to be key parts of their roster. Bertuzzi, of course, is the most notable of the bunch and should be in their top six. As for Smith and Maroon, they will be veteran presences in the Blackhawks' bottom six.
Nevertheless, it is always entertaining to keep up with former Bruins, and the Blackhawks have an abundance of them. Because of this, they could be a team Bruins fans pay more attention to next season. It doesn't hurt that they also have a superstar youngster in Connor Bedard who is always a treat to watch.
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