In 2019, the Boston Bruins made an intriguing draft choice by selecting Matias Mäntykivi in the sixth round. Although the 21-year-old hasn't signed with the team yet, he's been making a name for himself in the Liiga Champions Hockey League (LCHL) with Tampereen Ilves.
According to sources like Dom Tiano of Dom.Hockey.com, the Bruins have until June 1st, 2023, to secure a National Hockey League contract with Matias Mantykivi, their promising forward prospect.
Taking a look at the team's contract situation, the Boston Bruins currently have 15 NHL players locked in for the upcoming season. When considering the entire organization, they have a total of 28 NHL contracts committed for the 2023-24 campaign. However, with bonus overages already putting them $4.5 million over the salary cap, the Bruins face significant challenges and will need to make some moves during the summer.
Mäntykivi's talent speaks for itself, as he was one of the top five European players drafted. He had a breakout season with 31 points last winter and followed it up with an impressive 33 points in 60 regular season games this year. Additionally, he performed exceptionally well in the postseason, tallying 3 goals, 9 assists, and 12 points in just 12 games.
Fans are eagerly awaiting Mäntykivi's arrival in Providence next season, as it seems highly likely that the Bruins will sign him soon. Given his skill and dedication, it's only a matter of time before this promising young player gets his opportunity to shine in the AHL. However, time isn't on the Bruins' side, and they'll need to act soon.
