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Daily Bean: Kucherov Extension Talk; Chara Hits 108.8 Again; Minten U23 Ranking
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- Daily Bean: Kucherov Extension Talk; Chara Hits 108.8 Again; Minten U23 Ranking
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Zee's Final Shift came and went yesterday, and now we are left with 38 days until the Boston Bruins take the ice.
Bruins news was filled with Zee's Final Shift, and there are some highlights down below. The Bruins also had four players ranked in the latest U23 player list. Fraser Minten seems to be ranked lower than what his 2025-26 season showed, as he was grouped into the "NHL prospect tier."
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Elsewhere around the league, the Lightning have a tough extension negotiation with Nikita Kucherov ahead. There are a handful of Flames who may be moved, and a look at the five teams that got weaker entering the 2026-27 season. A bunch of Blackhawks made it to the U23 prospects list, the one that included first-round picks, and Pittsburgh Hockey Now dives into the longevity of an NHL arena.
Happy Saturday, catch up on Bruins and league news in today's Daily Bean :
Boston Bruins
MINTEN : The Athletic's recent U23 poll, which looked at everyone drafted outside the first round, is not too high on Fraser Minten . The 22-year-old is coming off a 35-point rookie season, but still landed in the "NHL prospect tier."
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Sure.
Zee's Final Shift (via Instagram) : The stars were out in TrenΔín yesterday, but the spotlight was on Zdeno Chara . After the game, Chara tied his hardest shot record at 108.8 mph.
Here is some more behind-the-scenes footage from Zee's Final Shift:
Doxxbet.sk (via Instagram) : Here is Chara's introduction.
Hannah (video via π) : To close, Chara left his skates at center ice.
NHL News & National Hockey Now
Sportsnet : It was a perfect time for Nikita Kucherov to win the Hart Trophy. Kucherov is eligible for a contract extension, and after a 130-point season, he's deserving of a raise from the $9.5 million AAV he currently earns. Michael Amato dives into why Kuch's extension may be complicated, and he looks at the term, the roster, and contract history in Tampa.
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Daily Faceoff : Which teams look weaker going into the 2026-27 season? Matt Larkin of DFO takes a look at which teams may take a step back, including the Bruins' first-round opponent and the Western Conference champions.
Calgary Sun : The Calgary Flames have a few trade candidates entering the new season. Kent Wilson looks at five Flames that could be next to go as the team continues to rebuild. They've already moved off Rasmus Andersson , MacKenzie Weegar , Nazem Kadri , and Blake Coleman , but they might not be done there.
Chicago Hockey Now : The Blackhawks saw 10 of their own land on the top-156 U23 players list. Jack Bushman breaks down which players made it, with Connor Bedard obviously highlighting the board at No. 2.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now : The Penguins are not looking for a new arena. However, Vince Comunale examines how NHL arenas have evolved and what the landscape looks like down the road. Arenas from the past were built to last, and the lifespan of the new ones has shortened.
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The current average age for NHL venues is 26 years. The TD Garden just celebrated its 30th anniversary this past season.
TSN (video) : What's a successful season for the Toronto Maple Leafs ? Jim Tatti and Dave Feschuk of TSN dive into the offseason moves and why expectations need to be higher in the first year of Jim Hiller.
Bruins Offseason Schedule
Friday, September 11: Rookie Camp opens – Warrior Ice Arena, Brighton, MA
Sun, Sept 13-Mon, Sept 14: Prospects Showcase – LECOM Harborcenter, Buffalo, NY
Wednesday, September 16: Training Camp opens – Warrior Ice Arena, Brighton, MA
Sunday, September 20: First preseason game – TD Garden, Boston, MA
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Tuesday, September 29: Home opener – TD Garden, Boston, MA
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The post Daily Bean: Kucherov Extension Talk; Chara Hits 108.8 Again; Minten U23 Ranking appeared first on Boston Hockey Now .
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