The Boston Bruins should consider inviting this former top prospect to camp.
The Boston Bruins should consider inviting this former top prospect to camp.
With it being the middle of August, we are starting to see professional tryout (PTO) contracts being signed. Jakub Vrana (Washington Capitals) and Logan Brown (Tampa Bay) were the latest players to land PTOs this week. Don't be surprised to see this trend continue as we get closer to training camp.
It would not be particularly surprising if the Bruins went down the PTO route this summer. It certainly worked out for them last year, as they took a chance on Danton Heinen with a PTO, and he proved to be one of their top offensive contributors in 2023-24 after earning a deal.
When looking at the Bruins' roster, it would not hurt for them to look at another winger on a PTO at training camp. One specific free agent who may be worth taking a gamble on with a PTO is Kailer Yamamoto.
Yamamoto, 25, is a former top prospect coming off a tough season with the Seattle Kraken. In 59 games, the 2017 first-round pick posted eight goals and 16 points. While it was a down year for the Spokane, Washington native, he has the potential to bounce back if given another chance.
Yamamoto has had some solid previous years in the NHL. In 2022-23, with the Edmonton Oilers, he posted 10 goals and 25 points in 58 games. During the previous season with Edmonton, he also set career highs with 20 goals, 21 assists, and 41 points. However, his best stretch at the NHL level came in 2019-20, as he had 11 goals and 26 points in 27 games.
With the Bruins losing Heinen and Jake DeBrusk in free agency, they could use another skilled winger. While prospects like Fabian Lysell and Georgii Merkulov are competing for NHL jobs for the 2024-25 season, it would also not hurt to have an experienced player like Yamamoto at training camp on a PTO. If he impressed, he could earn a cheap one-year deal and be a solid addition to Boston's forward depth.
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