The Boston Bruins are keeping around one of their bottom-six forwards for the next few years. According to a team announcement, the Bruins have signed Alex Steeves to a two-year, $3.25MM ($1.625MM AAV) extension.
Steeves, 26, has been a success story for Boston this season. Still, he had a longer path to the NHL than expected after failing to garner much consideration when he was with the Toronto Maple Leafs. After a strong collegiate career at the University of Notre Dame, Steeves signed with the Maple Leafs as an undrafted talent ahead of the 2021-22 season.
Despite having a relatively deep forward core the past few years, it became puzzling that Toronto didn’t give Steeves more of an opportunity. Considering that some of their issues stemmed from a lack of impact in the team’s bottom six, Steeves was always seen as a positive and inexpensive option.
There’s no question that he earned himself an opportunity. Throughout four years with the Maple Leafs organization, Steeves spent much of his time with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. Over that duration, the Bedford, NH native scored 105 goals and 216 points in 247 games. Nonetheless, he only appeared in 14 games for the Maple Leafs, registering one goal and three points while averaging 9:04 of ice time per game.
Becoming an unrestricted free agent last summer after being non-tendered by Toronto, the Bruins moved quickly, signing Steeves to a one-year deal on the opening day of free agency. By no means was he projected to be a top-six option for Boston, but the team knew he had some upside they could tap into.
After another strong start in the AHL, the Bruins recalled Steeves on November 8th, and neither player nor team has looked back. He’s already matched his output across four years in Toronto, scoring eight goals and 14 points in 33 games for Boston. Additionally, his 91.0% on-ice SV% at even strength shows that Steeves can hold his own on the defensive side of the puck, as well.
Despite being the highest cap hit of his career, Steeves only projects to be the ninth-highest paid forward on the Bruins next season. Furthermore, it will only account for approximately 1.5% of the salary cap, which is more than justifiable after his solid campaign.