Former Bruins Who Signed With New Teams This Summer

Now that we are almost to August, several former Boston Bruins players have signed with new teams during this off-season.

Now that we are almost to August, several former Boston Bruins players have signed with new teams during this off-season. 

Due to this, let's take a look at a handful of former Bruins who have signed with new clubs this summer and how they performed during their time in Boston. 

Dmitry Orlov, D: San Jose Sharks

After spending each of the last two seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes, former Bruins defenseman Dmitry Orlov signed a two-year, $13 million contract with the San Jose Sharks in free agency this year. The 34-year-old defenseman will now be an incredibly important part of San Jose's defense as they continue their rebuild.

In 23 games with the Bruins during the 2022-23 season, Orlov recorded four goals, 13 assists, and 17 points. He also had eight assists in seven playoff games for the Original Six club that year.

James van Riemsdyk, LW: Detroit Red Wings

Former Bruins winger James van Riemsdyk signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings this summer. The veteran forward will now provide the Red Wings with more forward depth and secondary offensive production.

van Riemsdyk spent the 2023-24 season with the Bruins, where he had 11 goals, 27 assists, 38 points, and a plus-7 rating in 71 games. His time with the Bruins ended during the 2024 NHL off-season when he signed a one-year deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Parker Wotherspoon, D: Pittsburgh Penguins

After being a solid depth defenseman for the Bruins in each of the last two seasons, Parker Wotherspoon signed a two-year, $2 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins this off-season. When looking at the Penguins' defensive depth, he should have a spot on their bottom pairing and penalty kill next season.

In 96 games over two seasons with the Bruins, Wotherspoon recorded one goal, 14 assists, 15 points, 159 hits, and a minus-4 rating. Overall, he was not the flashiest of players while with the Bruins but worked well in a small role.

Justin Brazeau, Pittsburgh Penguins

Former Bruins forward Justin Brazeau also joined the Penguins this off-season, signing a two-year, $3 million contract with the Metropolitan Division club. This was after he recorded 11 goals, 22 points, and a minus-9 rating in 76 games last season split between the Bruins and the Minnesota Wild.

In 76 games over two seasons as a member of the Bruins, Brazeau had 15 goals, 27 points, 132 hits, and a minus-2 rating. His time with the Bruins ended when he was traded to the Wild in exchange for Jakub Lauko and Marat Khusnutdinov before this year's deadline.

Cole Koepke, LW: Winnipeg Jets

After cementing himself as an NHL player this season with the Bruins, Koepke signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Winnipeg Jets this off-season. He should now be a solid part of the Jets' bottom six, just like he was while with the Bruins.

In 73 games this past season with the Bruins, Koepke set new career highs with 10 goals, seven assists, 17 points, and 177 hits.

Dan Vladar, G: Philadelphia Flyers

Former Bruins goalie Dan Vladar moved on from the Calgary Flames this off-season, as he signed a two-year, $6.7 million contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. He will now look to provide the Flyers with more stability between the pipes, which is a massive need for them.

Vladar was selected by the Bruins with the 75th overall pick of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. In five games with the Bruins during the 2020-21 season, he had a 2-2-1 record, a .886 save percentage, and a 3.40 goals-against average. His time with the Bruins ended when he was traded to the Flames during the 2021 NHL off-season.

Mike Reilly, D: Carolina Hurricanes

Former Bruins defenseman Mike Reilly landed a one-year, $1.1 million contract with the Hurricanes this off-season. He should now serve as a bottom-pairing or seventh defenseman for the Metropolitan Division club.

Reilly played three seasons with the Bruins from 2020-21 to 2022-23, where he posted four goals, 22 assists, 26 points, and a plus-6 rating. His tenure in Boston ended when he was bought out during the 2023 off-season.

Jack Studnicka, C: Florida Panthers

Former Bruins top prospect signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Florida Panthers this summer. This was after he spent all of this season in the AHL with the Ontario Reign, recording 16 goals and 45 points in 72 games.

Studnicka was selected by the Bruins with the 53rd overall pick of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. The Bruins' hope was that he would become a key forward for them, but he was never able to become a regular in their lineup. In 38 games over four seasons as a Bruin, he had one goal, seven points, and a minus-7 rating.

Brandon Bussi, G: Florida Panthers

Longtime Providence Bruins goalie Brandon Bussi also signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Panthers this off-season. He is expected to play with Florida's AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers.

Bussi appeared in 33 games this past season for Providence, where he had a 23-10-5 record, a .913 save percentage, and a 2.67 goals-against average.

3 Bruins Who Need A Bounce-Back Season3 Bruins Who Need A Bounce-Back SeasonThe Boston Bruins will be looking to prove their critics wrong during the 2025-26 season. There are naturally many who feel that they will not be a playoff team because of how poorly this past campaign went for them. Yet, now that the Bruins have made multiple additions to their roster this summer, it will be fascinating to see if they can turn things back around next season.

Photo Credit: © Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images

Category: General Sports