January 3rd 2025.
Every time Mark Kastelic takes to the ice, the Bruins can count on him to bring his trademark tough and gritty style of play. And now, Kastelic himself knows exactly what he can expect from the Bruins. The team announced on Friday that they have signed the 25-year-old forward to a three-year extension, with an annual cap hit of $1.567 million.
Kastelic joined the Bruins in the offseason as part of the trade that brought goalie Joonas Korpisalo and a first-round pick. At 6-foot-4 and 227 pounds, he not only has a strong family connection to the Bruins but also understands the team's identity and style of play. He's primarily been used as a fourth-line center, but has also filled in on the third line when needed. Kastelic leads the team in hits and isn't afraid to mix it up physically. He's also a reliable centerman, winning over half of his faceoffs and contributing offensively with 11 points in 39 games.
With the signing of Kastelic, General Manager Don Sweeney can check off one of the items on his to-do list. However, there are still several players whose contracts are up for renewal, including Brad Marchand, Trent Frederic, and Justin Brazeau. The team also needs to make decisions on restricted free agents, such as Morgan Geekie and Oliver Wahlstrom. Marchand, who has been a key player for the team for the past eight years, is likely a top priority for the Bruins to bring back. Another player that the team may want to keep is Mason Lohrei, a promising young defenseman.
But perhaps the biggest question mark for the Bruins is what to do with Frederic. While he had a career-high in goals and points last season, he's struggled to produce offensively this year. At 27 years old, Frederic is a well-respected and team-oriented player. Sweeney has already started discussions with his camp, along with those of other players like Marchand and Geekie. However, it's still unclear if a deal will be reached. If Frederic doesn't improve his production and another team offers the Bruins a valuable trade before the March 7 deadline, Sweeney will have to seriously consider it. But if Frederic can pick up his game, it may change the team's plans.
For now, Frederic is doing what the team needs him to do - playing center on the third line. While he's had more success on the wing in the past, he's been playing better in recent games, even though it hasn't translated into points on the scoreboard. The decision on Frederic's future with the team is still a pressing matter for Sweeney and the Bruins. But with the signing of Kastelic, at least one important piece of business has been taken care of.
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