3 former Bruins players we’re pleased are gone, 2 we wish never went
The Boston Bruins experienced another summer of transition, as they always do. Some significant players from the previous six years have left the franchise, while GM Don Sweeney solved a pair of free agent needs in center Elias Lindholm and defender Nikita Zadorov.
Sweeney still has one important unfinished business to complete: completing a deal with goalie Jeremy Swayman following the trade of Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators last month. When some players join the team, others must leave, either through trade or free agency.
With the comings and goings presumably complete and free agency having begun three weeks ago, it’s time to look at three former Bruins players we’re delighted are no longer with us and two we wish never departed the Black and Gold.
Bruins supporters should be relieved that Derek Forbort is gone.
Derek Forbort will be remembered for one thing during his tenure with the Bruins: the way he killed penalties with Brandon Carlo and his willingness to block shots at even strength or on the penalty kill. His most productive season with Boston came in 2021-22, when he blocked 100 shots, dished up 133 hits, and played more over 18 minutes per night in 76 games.
The 6-foot-4, 208-pound left-shot blueliner has struggled with injuries over the last two seasons, limiting him to only 35 games in 2023-24. He had surgery in March and gradually fought his way back into the lineup during the postseason, but he was not the same player. He left in free agency for the Vancouver Canucks, which is OK given Mason Lohrei’s rapid development as a top-six defenseman for the future.
