By: Kenny Kaminsky | Follow me on Twitter/X @KennyKaminsky
Another season has come to an end for the Providence Bruins, and the organization is now facing critical decision-making regarding several players as they head into free agency. General Managers Evan Gold and Don Sweeney of the Providence and Boston Bruins will have some tough choices to make regarding these pending free agents.
Some players will be Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA), meaning they can sign with any team they choose. In contrast, Restricted Free Agents (RFA) can receive offers from other teams, but Boston has the right to match the offer. If Boston does not extend a qualifying offer, that player will turn into a UFA. While the offer sheet situation is uncommon, it’s essential to understand the distinction between the two types of free agency.
I’ll break this series down into four categories: those who must be re-signed, those who could be re-signed, those who should be let go, and those the Bruins should target. Each of these categories will be its own article, so be on the lookout for the others.
Let’s start by reviewing the players the team should consider releasing. The first player on my list is Jaxon Nelson, who is a Restricted Free Agent. A University of Minnesota alum, he signed with the team last season but had limited playing time. Although he created opportunities on the ice, he often struggled to capitalize on them, likely due to the lack of game experience he had. This season, Nelson played in only 35 games, recording 2-7-9. My decision regarding him doesn’t reflect his ability; instead, there is simply no room for him on the roster. If the team opts not to extend a qualifying offer to the Omaha Lancers product, it will be best for both parties unless they decide to give Nelson an elevated role next season.
Next on this list is Drew Bavaro, another player like Nelson who hasn’t found a consistent role on this team. He was traded during the deadline on a loan agreement to the Cleveland Monsters in exchange for forward Jake Gaudet and is an RFA. This move indicates the Providence Bruins’ intentions with the Notre Dame alum. This season, Bavaro has played 20 games with the Baby Bruins, recording three assists. He had a more successful stint with Cleveland, where he posted 1-4-5 in 15 games. However, his performance may still not be sufficient, especially with the additions of Loke Johansson and Ty Gallagher, who will be joining Providence full-time next season.
Lastly, it’s time to consider Daniil Misyul as a player who should not remain on the roster. The New Jersey Devils dealt him in a trade for the fan favorite Marc McLaughlin. Misyul is an RFA and had a limited opportunity to prove himself in Providence, but struggled to find his footing. He faced challenges in defensive play and had difficulty moving the puck efficiently. During the playoffs, his performance was particularly noticeable for the wrong reasons. While he does possess potential and has shown moments of promise, it is crucial to make room for younger players in the organization, such as Gallagher and Johansson. The Belarus native recorded just one point in 11 regular-season games while accumulating 27 penalty minutes. In the playoffs, he managed one assist in five games.
Just a reminder, this is my opinion and is not set in stone. All three of these players could be re-signed next season. Stay tuned for my upcoming article about players the P-Bruins should consider re-signing under the right circumstances.
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