{"numbering":"no_numbering","slides":[{"index":"","title":"Intro","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/09/17/Sweeney_Don_Getty_1157490641.jpg","caption":"

The Boston Bruins saw their 2019-20 season end in disappointing fashion with a second-round loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

It was the second time in three years that the B's were eliminated by the Lightning in Round 2.

The upcoming offseason is pivotal for the Bruins if they're going to remain a legit title contender in the short term. If they keep the veteran core mostly intact, changes will have to be made via the trade and free agent markets to upgrade the roster.

Before that, the Bruins must decide on which of their own free agents to keep or let go. Boston has a little under $15 million in salary cap space, per Cap Friendly.

Here's a list of the Bruins players with expiring contracts.

","credit":"USA TODAY Sports"},{"index":"1","title":"Jake DeBrusk, LW (RFA)","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/09/17/DeBrusk_Jake_USATODAY_13890745.jpg","caption":"

2019-20 Stats: 65 GP, 19 G, 16 A, 35 P

Age: 23

Expectations were high for Jake DeBrusk after he scored a career-high 27 goals last season, but he failed to make a consistent impact in 2019-20.

He started the year with one goal in his first 12 games, and he finished the regular season with one goal in his final 14 games.

When DeBrusk is on top of his game, he's scoring goals and playing a heavy, physical style of hockey. Unfortunately for the B's, DeBrusk doesn't play at this level consistently enough.

","credit":"USA TODAY Sports"},{"index":2,"title":"Joakim Nordstrom, LW (UFA)","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/09/17/Nordstrom_Joakim_USATODAY_14132128.jpg","caption":"

2019-20 Stats: 48 GP, 4 G, 3 A, 7 P

Age: 28

Nordstrom was acquired by the B's in free agency before the 2018-19 season, and he filled his role well as a bottom-six forward. That said, the B's would be better off giving his minutes to a younger, more offensively skilled forward who needs NHL experience to take the next step in his development.

","credit":"USA TODAY Sports"},{"index":3,"title":"Zdeno Chara, D (UFA)","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/09/17/Chara_Zdeno_USATODAY_14184194.jpg","caption":"

2019-20 Stats: 68 GP, 5 G, 9 A, 14 P

Age: 43

Chara has played 22 NHL seasons, with the last 14 coming with the Bruins as their captain.

He doesn't plan on retiring, and wants to be back with the Original Six club.

"I want to stay in Boston, I want to be a Boston Bruin and I want to continue to lead by example and share my experiences and my game skills with the younger players and my teammates," Chara told reporters earlier this month. "That hasn’t changed. I’m committed, so we’ll see what’s going to happen next.”

The Bruins should bring Chara back for a third-pairing/penalty kill role. He's still an effective defenseman and a tremendous leader.

","credit":"USA TODAY Sports"},{"index":4,"title":"Torey Krug, D (UFA)","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/article/hero/Krug_Torey_USATODAY_14183575.jpg","caption":"

2019-20 Stats: 61 GP, 9 G, 40 A, 49 P

Age: 29

Krug recently admitted he's not interested in a short term deal, and why should he sign one? He's poised to land the first major contract of his career, one that could pay him more than $7 million annually for seven or eight years. Another bonus for Krug is the fact he's in a weak free agent class where he's the second-best defenseman expected to hit the market. Any team in search of an offensive defenseman with loads of playoff experience should pursue him.

Krug has been underpaid his whole career, so unless the Bruins are willing to pay up to re-sign him, he could be wearing a different jersey next season.

","credit":"USA TODAY Sports"},{"index":5,"title":"Matt Grzelcyk, D (RFA)","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/09/17/Grzelcyk_Matt_USATODAY_14863090.jpg","caption":"

2019-20 Stats: 68 GP, 4 G, 17 A, 21 P

Age: 26

Grzelcyk is a solid third-pairing defenseman who skates well, has improved as a playmaker and is able to contribute on the power play. The Bruins will need his offensive skill set if Krug leaves in free agency.

","credit":"USA TODAY Sports"},{"index":6,"title":"Kevan Miller, D (UFA)","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/09/17/Miller_Kevan_USATODAY_11947658.jpg","caption":"

2019-20 Stats: Did not play

Age: 32

Miller missed most of the 2018-19 season and the entire 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs, as well as the entire 2019-20 campaign due to injuries.

The veteran defenseman's physical play and ability to kill penalties are valuable to the B's, but will the team feel comfortable re-signing him given his injury history? We'll find out soon enough.

","credit":"USA TODAY Sports"},{"index":7,"title":"Other Notable Free Agents","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/09/17/Kuhlman_Karson_USATODAY_14861663.jpg","caption":"

The Bruins' lack of quality depth at the NHL level can partly be attributed to striking out in the first round of the 2015 draft, when Boston had picks No. 13, 14 and 15. Boston selected Jakub Zboril, Jake DeBrusk and Zach Senyshyn in that order. Only DeBrusk has made any sort of impact in Boston. And, depending on how free agency unfolds, it's possible none of them are in the B's organization next season.

FORWARDS

Zach Senyshyn, 23, RW (RFA)

Peter Cehlarik, 25, LW/RW (RFA)

Karson Kuhlman, 24, RW (RFA)

DEFENSEMEN

Jakub Zboril, 23 (RFA)

GOALTENDERS

Maxime Lagace, 27 (UFA)

","credit":"USA TODAY Sports"}]}

Boston Bruins free agents 2020: List of B's UFAs and RFAs