Bruins Should Sign Former Oilers Forward
The Bruins could use one more winger, so they should consider adding this free agent.
© Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports - Bruins Should Sign Former Oilers ForwardThe Boston Bruins have had a good offseason, but GM Don Sweeney should not be done making moves just yet. Besides needing to re-sign RFA Jeremy Swayman, the Bruins would also benefit by adding one more winger to their roster. This is especially so when noting that they lost Jake DeBrusk, Danton Heinen, and Pat Maroon in free agency. In addition, they let James van Riemsdyk walk, and he has yet to find his new home.
While the Bruins have a nice chunk of cap space left, most of it will be spent on Swayman's next deal. Because of this, the Bruins will likely need to add a bargain player if they hope to sign one more forward before the start of the season. Kailer Yamamoto is a free agent who should grab their attention.
Yamamoto, 25, remains a free agent after a down season with the Seattle Kraken. In 59 games, he posted eight goals, 16 points, and a plus-9 rating. Overall, it was a challenging year for the Spokane, Washington native, but there is reason to believe he could bounce back.
Before his stint with the Kraken, Yamamoto put together some strong seasons as a member of the Edmonton Oilers. In 2022-23, he posted 10 goals and 25 points in 58 games. While that is decent secondary production, he has done even more in the past. For example, he had 20 goals and 41 points in 81 games for the Oilers just back in 2021-22. He also recorded 11 goals and 26 points in 27 games for Edmonton in 2019-20.
Yamamoto has displayed previously that he can be a decent middle-six forward when playing at his best. With the Bruins entering next season with a hole at right wing, he may be worth taking a flier. On a cheap one-year deal, he would provide the Bruins with another option for their top nine if they feel prospects Fabian Lysell and Georgii Merkulov are not ready for the show yet. A PTO for Yamamoto could also be an avenue worth exploring. It worked out last season with Heinen.
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