Providence Bruins Players to Watch for Boston Next Season

By: Lauren Spencer | Follow Me On Twitter: @laurenspenc

Next season, with the limited cap space and a large number of free agents that may potentially leave town, the Boston Bruins will need to rely on younger talent to step up. The Bruins lack draft picks, so it’s especially important for these younger players to come from within the organization.

The American Hockey League Providence Bruins had a successful regular season, finishing first in the Atlantic Division. Despite a disappointing 2023 Calder Cup Playoff second-round exit at the hands of the Hartford Wolf Pack club, there have been standout players that may be beneficial to the Boston squad next season. Based on their AHL performances in Providence, here are some players that may make the move up to the National Hockey League next season.

Johnny Beecher

Johnny Beecher was a first-round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. After his college career at Michigan University, Beecher played the entire 2022-2023 season in Providence. He collected nine goals and fourteen assists on the season. Beecher is big, measuring 6″-3′ and 215 pounds. He can benefit the Bruins in a bottom-six forward role and is a substantial penalty killer. With the potential loss of Tomas Nosek, Beecher may be able to fill that position well.

Beecher, a 22-year-old forward, finished the 2022-23 campaign with Providence as a rookie, so he has two years remaining on his entry-level contract. If he earns an NHL roster spot next season, his annual average value on his contract would be $925K, and he could be a solid replacement for departing members of the NHL squad if the team indeed wants to go with youth on the fourth line.

Georgii Merkulov

Another player who may see himself moving up is Georgii Merkulov. Signed as an undrafted free agent from Ohio State University, Merkulov led the team in points with 55 points in 67 games. He also had a team-high 24 goals. Though he is originally a center, Providence played around with Merkulov at left wing to improve his gameplay near the boards. With his offensive power, if Merkulov can improve his defense, there is a good chance he will be in Boston next season.

Georgii finished the first year of his three-year, entry-level contract last season. If his services are needed as a young and upcoming B’s forward next season, his AAV would only be $925K at the NHL level. Bruins General Manager Sweeney mentioned in the 2022-23 season-ending press conference that the Bruins roster will look different next season, and some youth could be integrated. Merkulov and his first full season in the AHL last year make him a candidate for roster consideration if the Bruins organization wants to make a cap-friendly addition moving forward.

Marc McLaughlin

Marc McLaughlin is another Providence player that may find his way to Boston if he performs well at camp. Different from the other players on this list, McLaughlin has limited NHL experience. He has played in 13 NHL games over the last two seasons. In the 2021-2022 NHL season, he scored three goals after being signed at the end of his career at Boston College.

Last season in Providence, McLaughlin had 13 goals and 17 assists. He is big-bodied, standing at six feet tall and weighing 203 pounds; McLaughlin may potentially return to Boston full-time if he can impress during this fall’s Bruins training camp if the Bruins retain his services. Marc is a restricted free agent this summer with arbitration rights, so with Boston having control of his rights, he’s most likely to sign a new deal sooner rather than later.

Mason Lohrei

The defensive side of the Bruins will look different next year, and one player who may be able to take advantage of that is Mason Lohrei. Lohrei, the 22-year-old left-handed defenseman, was signed to an amateur tryout in Providence during the tail end of last season and signed an entry-level contract with Boston in May. During his 2022-2023 season with Ohio State, Lohrei finished second on his team in assists (28) and third in total points (32).

Though he had nerves at the start of his professional career, he has been highly lauded as an NHL-caliber player. Quinnipiac head coach Rand Pecknold said as much after their NCAA Frozen Four match, going so far as to compare him to Avalanche player Cale Makar. That comparison brings hefty expectations, but Lohrei can be a difference-maker if he moves up to Boston.

Brandon Bussi

While the Bruins have some of the strongest goaltending in the league, there may be an opening next year if Linus Ullmark or Jeremy Swayman were to be moved during the offseason. Luckily for the Bruins, Brandon Bussi had a fantastic rookie season in Providence. In the 2022-2023 season, Bussi was an AHL All-Star with a 22-5-4 record. He also had a .924 save percentage, the second-highest among AHL goalies. If he’s needed in Boston next season, his career so far indicates that he will perform well.

Bussi is a restricted free agent this summer, and with his stellar rookie season with the ECHL Maine Mariners and later AHL Providence, it’s hard to think that the two sides will part. Brandon is an important piece of the Bruins depth in the crease, and with the Boston salary cap constraints this off-season for B’s General Manager Don Sweeney and Assistant Evan Gold, Bussi could be the backup at a cap-friendly number next season. That’s if a current goaltender at the NHL level is traded, creating a roster spot and increased salary cap funds.