How ex-Bruins Ullmark, DeBrusk, others are enjoying with new groups

How ex-Bruins Ullmark, DeBrusk, others are playing with new teams initially appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Bruins had a busy offseason that included a pair notable departures.

They made a blockbuster trade that despatched former Vezina Trophy-winning goalie Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators again in June, after which when free company began July 1, the Unique Six franchise lost top-six forward Jake DeBrusk, veteran defensemen Derek Forbort and Matt Grzelcyk, amongst others.

The B’s introduced in loads of new faces, too, highlighted by the free agent additions of top-six center Elias Lindholm and top-four defenseman Nikita Zadorov.

Let’s examine in on how a few of the gamers who left the Bruins over the offseason are enjoying with their new groups now that the 2024-25 marketing campaign is about three weeks outdated.

Linus Ullmark, G, Senators

It has been a tricky begin in Ottawa for Ullmark. He has a 1-2-0 file with a .885 save share and a 3.35 GAA in 4 appearances (three begins). He missed a pair video games earlier this month attributable to damage. Ullmark additionally ranks 57th out of 70 goalies in objectives saved above anticipated (-2.3), per MoneyPuck.

It is solely a four-game pattern for Ullmark, who has been one of many league’s finest goalies for the final three years, however the Senators want him to play at a excessive stage on a constant foundation to make the playoffs from an extremely aggressive Atlantic Division. Goaltending was the Senators’ main weak spot final season, and Ullmark was introduced in to repair it.

Fortunately for Ullmark, he signed a four-year, $33 million contract extension ($8.25 million wage cap hit) earlier than Opening Night time, so he does not have to fret about free company subsequent summer season. He’s signed by means of the 2028-29 marketing campaign.

Jake DeBrusk, LW/RW, Canucks

DeBrusk, who signed a seven-year, $38.5 million deal in free company, has but to attain his first objective as a member of the Canucks.

The 28-year-old ahead has zero objectives and 4 assists in eight video games with Vancouver. He has registered simply 13 pictures on web throughout that span, together with three video games wherein he tallied zero pictures.

DeBrusk has been an inconsistent objective scorer his total profession, and he usually went lengthy stretches with out discovering the again of the web for the Bruins. However when he is rolling, DeBrusk can rating objectives in bunches.

Gradual begins aren’t unusual for DeBrusk. It took him 9 video games to attain his first objective with the Bruins final season, and he had simply three objectives for Boston over his first 18 video games within the 2021-22 marketing campaign.

DeBrusk’s lack of offense is not hurting the Canucks an excessive amount of, although. They’re 4-1-3 by means of eight video games with a five-game level streak.

Danton Heinen, LW/RW, Canucks

Heinen has scored two objectives with two assists in eight video games for the Canucks.

He is additionally enjoying a significant position on particular groups with 1:38 energy play ice time per sport and 1:15 of penalty kill ice time per sport.

Heinen has settled into a task at left wing on the third line alongside Teddy Blueger and Kiefer Sherwood. This trio has performed 35:19 collectively at 5-on-5, and the Canucks have a 43-35 benefit in shot makes an attempt, a 25-19 lead in pictures on web, a 16-15 edge in scoring probabilities and a 4-0 objective differential in these minutes.

Derek Forbort, D, Canucks

Forbort has scored zero objectives with one help and three pictures in three video games for the Canucks. The veteran defenseman has introduced measurement, physicality and a gradual defensive presence to Vancouver’s blue line. He is additionally performed a key position on the Canucks’ penalty kill with 3:27 of shorthanded ice time per sport (second-most on the group).

Forbort rejoined the Canucks on Monday following the passing of his father. He has not performed for Vancouver since Oct. 15.

Matt Grzelcyk, D, Penguins

It has been a tricky begin defensively for Grzelcyk in Pittsburgh. His minutes performed with Erik Karlsson have not gone nicely, to say the least. The Penguins have been outshot 42-22 and outscored 5-1 throughout the 55:10 of 5-on-5 ice time Grzelcyk and Karlsson have performed collectively, per Natural Stat Trick.

Grzelcyk has performed the vast majority of his 5-on-5 ice time (102:29) with Kris Letang, however these minutes have not been nice, both. The Penguins have been outshot and outscored when the Grzelcyk-Letang pairing has been on the ice.

Total, Grzelcyk has been on the ice for 53 high-danger chances against at 5-on-5, which is essentially the most of any defenseman coming into Tuesday. That is not all his fault, however the Penguins do want extra from him defensively.

From a scoring perspective, Grzelcyk has zero objectives with 4 assists in 10 video games. He ranks third amongst Pittsburgh defensemen with 1:45 of power-play ice time per sport, and he nonetheless hasn’t tallied some extent with the person benefit.

James van Riemsdyk, LW, Blue Jackets

Van Riemsdyk has scored two objectives with one help for the Columbus Blue Jackets, who’ve performed above expectations with a 4-3-1 file by means of eight video games.

The veteran ahead excels in entrance of the web, and he is already made a distinction there for Columbus:

Van Riemsdyk is usually enjoying a bottom-six position for the Blue Jackets, whereas additionally getting 1:27 of power-play ice time per sport. His scoring depth and management might be beneficial for a younger Blue Jackets group that is making an attempt to learn to win.