Bruins take chance on intriguing winger

It has been a successful season in the minors for winger Justin Brazeau and he has been rewarded for his efforts.  BNG Productions’ Mark Allred was first to report (X link) that the Bruins have converted his AHL contract to an NHL one; CapFriendly adds (X link) that it’s a two-year deal which breaks down as follows:

2023-24: $775K NHL salary, $135K AHL salary
2024-25: $775K NHL salary, $165K AHL salary, $190K guaranteed salary

The 26-year-old finished up his major junior career with a bang, scoring 61 goals in 68 games with North Bay.  That helped him earn a two-year AHL deal with Toronto at the time but he played in only 22 games for the Marlies over that stretch.  He then signed a minor-league deal with Boston in 2021 and his fortunes have certainly changed since then.

Brazeau scored 15 goals in his first season with Providence and followed that up with 16 tallies last season in 67 games.  This season, the 6’5 winger has already surpassed that mark, notching 18 goals along with 19 helpers in 48 appearances, good for fourth on the team in scoring.  It appears that will be enough to get him his first NHL opportunity which could come as soon as Monday against Dallas as it appears he’ll take the place of Oskar Steen on the roster who was waived earlier Sunday.

Brazeau is not subject to any entry-level rules and thus will only be waiver-exempt for the remainder of this season.  Starting in 2024-25, he’ll have to clear waivers if Boston wants to return him to Providence.  The Bruins now have 48 contracts on the books out of the maximum of 50.