It's been a busy end to the week for general manger Don Sweeney and company. Just one day after
signing Urho Vaakanainen to a entry-level deal, the Bruins announced another signing.
This time it was the signing of 28-year old Martin Bakos to a one-way contract worth $700,000 at the NHL level. Bakos spent the previous season with Liberec Bili Tygri HC of the Czech Hockey League. In 52 games Bakos scored 14 goals and added 26 assists for 40 points. Bakos has also spent parts of three seasons playing in the KHL for Bratislava Slovan and Kunlun Red Star.
The native of Slovakia is a six-foot-two, 194 pound right shot right wing. Bakos will be thrown into the group of forwards who will look to make the Bruins opening night roster come October.
After the signings of Vaakanainen and Bakos, the Bruins announced their most important signing of the summer to date, as on Friday the team revealed that they have come to terms on a two-year contract with restricted free agent Matt Grzelcyk. The contract will pay the Charlestown, MA native $1.4 million annually.
After the Bruins lost Adam McQuaid for a period of time last season due to a broken leg, Grzelcyk got the call to show his worth. Grzelcyk exceeded expectations, earning himself a permanent spot on the Bruins blueline. After a successful campaign last season, he's now earned himself a nice little raise.
Grzelcyk's size will never intimidate any NHL forward. but he makes up for it with his smarts and his skill with the puck. Grzelcyk is one of the Bruins best at retrieving the puck and getting it out of the zone quickly with his puck moving skills.
The former Boston University Terrier also saw a solid amount of power play time last season, something that should increase in 2018-19.
After Grzelcyk and the Bruins season came to en end last month, Grzelcyk talked a bit about what he wants to improve on this summer. Getting stronger was the fist thing that came to mind.
"Getting in the weight room is obviously huge for me, like it is every offseason," said Grzelcyk. "I think just quite a bit of confidence going into next year, and trying to earn a spot again, that hasn’t changed."
In getting stronger, Grzelcyk hopes that his shot velocity will increase.
"Yeah, it’s something that obviously I have to work on a ton. So, take some time off, then
start getting going with that," Grzelcyk said.
"I think it’s more about just shooting a certain number of pucks, not changing anything crazy. I worked on it a lot in college and that improved, so hopefully I can do that this offseason too."
Teams checking in on availability of David Krejci
On Friday TSN's Darren Dreger told WGR Sports Radio 550 in Buffalo that teams have contacted the Bruins about trading center David Krejci. Dreger went on to add that the Bruins are "reluctant" to move their second line center.
Three years remain on Krejci's current contract, one that pays him $7.25 million per season. Krejci sits as the Bruins highest paid player. Despite the Bruins reportedly being reluctant to move Krejci, the fact that they are even taking calls on the forward is interesting.
Sweeney continues to talk about his want for moving into the first round of next weeks draft. You would think that any potential deal involving Krejci will get the Bruins the first round pick Sweeney wants.
It's will be an interesting few days leading up to next weekends draft.
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