( Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta / Imagn Images )

By: Declan Flavin | Follow me on Twitter / X @FlavinDeclan

When Matej Blumel signed with the Boston Bruins this offseason after spending time in the Dallas Stars organization, many fans were unfamiliar with the name. It was a low-key signing amid the lingering shock of the recent trade deadline, but it may prove to be more important than many first thought.

There has been plenty of talk about the roster’s struggles to match other teams’ forecheck pace and urgency, but they also need to regain the scoring touch they once had. That has been easier said than done, but a small free-agent signing like this could be the first step toward upgrading the talent. Blumel has shown the finishing ability and instincts needed to be a scoring threat.

As shown in the video above, Blumel cuts in from the right side to position himself for a tap-in off a feed from Casey Mittelstadt. Making that kind of instinctual drive to the net and finishing is something rarely seen from the secondary lines, and that’s where the excitement comes in.

Blumel could potentially play alongside David Pastrnak on a power-play unit, which would give the star player more room to shoot thanks to the scoring threat he provides. Pastrnak said of Blumel, “He’s very smart, he works hard, he’s got a little bit of everything and it’s amazing to watch him… Good for me and Pav to try to be here for him and make sure we give him the best opportunity and best confidence to succeed.” He already has the team’s support and is making the most of his opportunities in the offensive zone.

As long as Blumel maintains the confidence to shoot when he wants while remaining responsible in his own zone, he will earn his chance in the National Hockey League. He also adds the shooting mentality needed for a team that has often struggled to convert in high-quality scoring areas.

The Bruins are chasing teams like the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes in the forecheck race, but they will be chasing the scoreboard just as long if they don’t create shooting threats. After what was an iffy free-agency pool in the offseason, it made sense to take a flyer on a player like this, who had enjoyed so much success in the American Hockey League. It’s only two games into the preseason, but Head Coach Marco Sturm must like the offensive looks the lineup could produce with number 13 on the ice.