By: Eamonn McLean | Follow me on Twitter/X @EamonnMcLean44
Last year, the Boston Bruins added forward Tyler Johnson to their Training Camp Roster on a Professional Tryout, or PTO. The Spokane, Washington, native won a spot on the roster after a strong performance with the team in preseason.
While not every PTO opportunity results in a contract or a roster spot, it doesn’t hurt to see what’s out there. There’s no cap burden or loss of assets for bringing a player in for a few weeks, even if it’s just to make up the numbers for a preseason game. Now, who is still out there?
Robby Fabbri, C/LW
A native of Mississauga, Ontario, Fabbri has had a difficult couple of years after a strong start to his career in St. Louis. Fabbri won a Stanley Cup with the Blues in 2019, but has struggled with injuries throughout his career, including a torn ACL in 2017 that cost him the entirety of the 2017-2018 NHL season.
After a trade to Detroit in 2019, Fabbri spent parts of five seasons with the Red Wings, where he was productive but often unable to stay healthy. He spent this past season with the Anaheim Ducks, where he had 16 points in 44 games. Fabbri could be an interesting depth addition to the Bruins’ bottom six if he can stay healthy.
Matt Grzelcyk, D
The only former Bruin on this list, Grzelcyk, is still without a team after posting a career high of 40 points last season with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Boston native is still an NHL caliber defenseman, but will someone give him a chance?
The Bruins could be in line to give him one. While there’s already a plethora of options for the Bruins’ seventh defenseman role, Grzelcyk offers a level of NHL experience and familiarity that the others would not. As Hampus Lindholm returns from a significant knee injury that cost him the majority of last season, Grzelcyk could step in when needed if Lindholm needs a night off.
Yevgeni Kuznetsov, C/RW
Perhaps the most popular name on my list, Kuznetsov, is seeking an NHL return after spending last season in the KHL with SKA St. Petersburg. Kuznetsov scored at nearly a point-per-game pace in Russia, putting up 37 points in 39 games. Kuznetsov’s agent had previously expressed that his client would not be considering tryout offers; however, with Kuznetsov still a free agent at the time of writing, if he’s serious about an NHL return, he may need to reconsider that stance.
For the Bruins, adding Kuznetsov would give them offensive skill at a cheap cost and provide needed scoring depth. He could also be a one-year stopgap while James Hagens develops at Boston College.
Victor Olofsson, LW/RW
A native of Ornskoldsvik, Sweden, Olofsson finds himself without a team for next season, after a productive year with the Vegas Golden Knights, where he had 15 goals and 29 points in only 56 games. This year wasn’t a one-off for Olofsson either. As a member of the Buffalo Sabres, the Swedish forward had three separate 20-goal seasons.
What Boston needs most is scoring depth, and that’s exactly what Olofsson provides. With his ability to play either wing, he’d make perfect sense for a Bruins team that lacks goal scoring.
Jan Rutta, D
A two-time Stanley Cup Champion, Rutta has spent the past two seasons with the San Jose Sharks after being acquired from the Penguins in the Erik Karlsson trade. A native of Czechia, Rutta was teammates with Bruins’ forwards David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha at the 2024 IIHF World Championships, where they won a Gold Medal.
Rutta would add depth to the right side of the Bruins’ defense, an area where there isn’t a lot of it. He could also be a good veteran presence on a team that is looking to get younger.
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