This new Boston Bruins forward has the potential to be a solid addition.
This new Boston Bruins forward has the potential to be a solid addition.
Earlier this offseason, the Boston Bruins made a massive move, trading star goaltender Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators. This ended the NHL's top tandem between him and fellow star Jeremy Swayman. Now, Swayman will have a far more significant role in 2024-25 because of it.
One of the pieces the Bruins received in the Ullmark trade was forward Mark Kastelic. While he may not be the flashiest player, he has the potential to be a very solid addition to the Bruins' lineup.
Kastelic is well-known for his immense physicality and tenacity on the forecheck, so he should fit nicely in the Bruins' system. However, besides providing grit, he is quick and works well in a shutdown role. In addition, he is excellent at the faceoff dot, as his 56.3% career faceoff percentage effectively displays. With these qualities, he could be a sneaky good addition to the Bruins' fourth line and penalty kill.
Kastelic appeared in 63 games this past season with the Senators, recording five goals, 10 points, 63 penalty minutes, and 126 hits. While he had a quiet year offensively, it is also possible that the 6-foot-3 forward could take his offense to a higher level in Boston. This was only his third NHL season, and he is still only 25 years old. Thus, perhaps this change of scenery could help elevate his game. Boston tends to help players break out.
Nevertheless, at a minimum, the Bruins have landed a solid, hard-nosed checking forward in Kastelic for their bottom six. It will be intriguing to see what kind of year he puts together for the B's in 2024-25 from here.
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