By: Declan Flavin | Follow me on Twitter / X @FlavinDeclan
What did you think when Alex Steeves first started to emerge as a piece for the Boston Bruins? Whatever thoughts there may be, they can be workshopped a while longer, as Steeves and the Bruins have agreed to terms on a two-year extension with a $1.625 million annual value.
This is a player who is tied for eighth on the team in goals with eight finishes, while playing a career high 33 National Hockey League games so far. He’s a long way from the underusage he experienced in the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, becoming much more of a role piece for a competitive team than most originally expected.
The Person
Head coach Marco Sturm reminisced in early December about a difficult conversation he had with Steeves regarding a demotion to the Providence Bruins, recalling, “I remember he said, ‘I will be back and I’m going to do everything I can to show you,’ and that’s what I like.”
His determination as a person and player is clearly evident to the locker room, and it’s the main intangible he provides for both himself and his teammates at this point. Considering that the culture just a regular season ago was desperate for a general fire and a stronger desire towards on-ice performance, it goes a long way to have a personality like this around.
The Fit
Related to his determination, the fourth-line physicality he plays with is a coveted asset within the front office’s long-term blueprint. He’s able to put pressure on opposing defensemen when they try to exit their own zone, and that’s a key trait for a player who can stick around in today’s league.
What has especially made him stand out as a role player, though, is the fact that there’s also some semblance of finishing to his offensive game, as simple as his approach may be. A successful modern-age team like the Florida Panthers have boasted a combination like this with guys like Evan Rodriguez.
Other
As our own contributor Eamonn McLean pointed out, this extension now leaves the Bruins with 12 of 13 forwards signed through the 2027 season. Unless the team plans to move forward with roughly the same roster next season, certain players will have to be on their way out at some point before then.
Could this deal be an indicator that a selling approach will be taken later this season at the trade deadline? You can certainly make the case, as Steeves is the type of player who could slot in for Casey Mittelstadt in the offense based on his alignment with the team’s identity.
I thought Steeves would belong in providence. Cool that he’s carved a piece out for himself