By: Tom Calautti | Follow me on Twitter @TCalauttis
The Boston Bruins have an interesting offseason ahead of them. According to Bruins Cap Space on Twitter, the team will have approximately $20.9 million in space when the season ends. With five unrestricted free agents and three restricted free agents on the docket, General Manager Don Sweeney has some critical decisions to make about the franchise’s future. One easy decision would be to re-sign Morgan Geekie.
Geekie came to Boston in the 2023 offseason when he was signed to a two-year, $2 million deal on the first day of free agency. The former third-round pick was one of the team’s bargain bin signings (along with James van Riemsdyk, Patrick Brown, Kevin Shattenkirk, and Milan Lucic) following the all-in run they made at a Stanley Cup in 2022-23. Bruins management bought low on Geekie, who spent the majority of his previous two seasons playing fourth-line minutes in Seattle, hoping he’d develop into a middle-six scoring threat.
Geekie made the most of his opportunities in his first season donning the spoked-B. He posted 17-22-39 in 76 games with the team while spending time on the first, third, and fourth lines. After struggling out of the gate and missing time in November, Geekie finished the 2023-24 season with 16-20-36 over his last 63 games. He also added 4-1-5 in 13 playoff games.
It’s no secret that the Boston Bruins had a disappointing start to the 2024-25 campaign. Like so many of his teammates, Geekie struggled out of the gate, scoring only one goal and three assists over his first eighteen games. It wasn’t until management relieved Jim Montgomery of his duties and interim head coach Joe Sacco united Geekie with David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha that the Manitoba native found his footing.
Since November 27th, Geekie has registered 12-8-20 in 27 games. Those 12 goals are good enough for 20th among forwards over that stretch. He’s been even more impressive when you look at his even-strength scoring over that stretch. Geekie has 10 even-strength goals since 11/27, which ranks 13th in the league. That puts him ahead of skaters like Nikita Kucherov, Mikko Rantanen, and Kyle Connor.
Geekie has put up 13-11-24 throughout 45 games this season, good enough for fourth on the team. Looking at more advanced stats, it becomes apparent how impactful he’s been to Boston this season. Geekie ranks third in even-strength goals (11), points per 60 (1.83), shots on goal per 60 (7.32), and shot attempts per 60 (13.39). He’s second on the team in overall Corsi percentage (51 percent) and is first in expected goals percentage (54.3 percent) and goals per 60 (1.06).
Regardless of how this season ends, it’s become abundantly clear that the Bruins must retool their roster. Geekie is joined by Brad Marchand, Trent Frederic, Johnny Beecher, Cole Koepke, Justin Brazeau, Mason Lohrei, and Parker Wotherspoon in free agency. Lohrei and Beecher are likely locks to rejoin the team based on their age and production early in their careers. Wotherspoon is a solid defensive defenseman who’s cost-controlled and provides good value. The significant questions arise when you consider the rest of the forward group.
If Marchand isn’t traded and remains with the team for the rest of this season, I would anticipate him signing a (somewhat) team-friendly deal to stay on as captain. I could also see Koepke taking a better offer in a more elevated role on a different team. The rest of Boston’s cap space will come down to Geekie, Frederic, Brazeau, and whatever other needs they identify in free agency.
Given that Geekie and Brazeau are restricted free agents, and Trent Frederic is unrestricted, it’s more likely that the Bruins have an easier time signing the former. Over the last two seasons, Geekie has 30 goals to Frederic’s 25, 33 assists to Frederic’s 29, and 63 points to Frederic’s 54. They’re both 26 and have played essential roles on the team over the past two seasons. But based on where the team is and what is needed to improve the future, the best move may be to trade Frederic for assets and lock Geekie up long-term.
Whatever they decide to do with Frederic, you can’t overlook how valuable young, controllable scoring talent is in the NHL. Geekie is entering his prime, improving on his previous season, and may develop into a 20-goal scorer. Those are the kinds of guys you just don’t let walk out the door. If I were Bruins management, I’d make it a priority to extend Morgan Geekie at a reasonable price and lock him up long-term.
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