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4 Bruins Primed to Disappoint in 2023-24 Season

By Devon Platana

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 06: David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period at TD Garden on April 06, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 06: David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period at TD Garden on April 06, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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4. Kevin Shattenkirk

The Bruins signed a handful of players to one-year contracts this summer, including Kevin Shattenkirk.

The right-handed blueliner has had a successful career, suiting up for 891 games with six different teams and even winning the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020. On paper, it seems like the perfect move to shore up Boston’s backend.

At the same time, Shattenkirk isn’t the top-line defenseman that he used to be. While he won’t be expected to play that kind of minutes with us, his declining play is still a cause for concern.

For instance, Shattenkirk saw a minus-30 goal differential last season, which was worse than his expected on-ice goal differential of minus-25. He also finished the 2022-23 year with a 43.8% Corsi percentage, meaning the opposition controlled the puck more often than not when he was on the ice.

His offensive numbers have also dropped. Although the 56 points he tallied last season were the second-highest total of his career, the 1.1 points per 60 minutes he averaged was only better than his 2020-21 rate (0.8).

If the Bruins plan on playing Shattenkirk for 17 or 18 minutes per night, I think he’ll be fine. However, if they plan on using him more often than that, I could see his play being disappointing.

If these guys disappoint, it might hurt your chances of cashing in when you bet the Bruins. Unless you sign up for DraftKings Sportsbook, that is. You get a $350 bonus just for placing your first $5 wager at DraftKings. That includes $200 guaranteed (it pays out instantly, before you even find out if your bet won or lost) plus up to $150 in no-sweat bets. This offer might not be around by the start of NHL season though, so make your bet now to cash in before you miss out!

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