The Rise of Morgan Geekie
The Boston Bruins have quickly climbed the ranks to become one of the top ten teams in the Eastern Conference, largely due to the unexpected performances from players who were not considered stars at the onset of the season. Among these players, Morgan Geekie has emerged as a standout.
Geekie’s Impressive Stats
The 27-year-old winger currently leads the NHL with 20 goals, contributing significantly to the team’s offensive output with a total of 26 points across 27 games. This remarkable achievement follows a career-best season for Geekie, where he netted 33 goals and amassed 57 points.
Only Colorado Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon matches Geekie in the goal tally this year, positioning the Bruins’ player on a trajectory that could see him score 61 goals and 79 points by season’s end. While it may be unrealistic to expect him to drastically surpass his previous records, his offensive surge has undeniably alleviated some of the burden on established veterans like David Pastrnak, who has unfortunately been sidelined recently due to injury.
Impact of Pastrnak’s Absence
In Pastrnak’s absence, Geekie has continued to shine, registering three goals in the two games he played without his main linemate. Geekie’s rise has been particularly surprising given his relatively modest history prior to joining the Bruins as a free agent in the summer of 2023.
Geekie’s Journey
His previous career highs were nine goals and 28 points during his tenure with the Seattle Kraken, who selected him during the 2021 expansion draft from the Carolina Hurricanes. The Boston organization saw potential in Geekie when he had already improved to 17 goals and 39 points in the 2023-24 season, and now, he is clearly evolving his offensive capabilities.
Interestingly, the Kraken could use Geekie’s scoring ability this season. They chose not to issue him a qualifying offer after the last season, which has resulted in the team struggling for goals, as their top players have combined for just eight goals thus far. This highlights the irony of Geekie’s growth—while Seattle is suffering, he is flourishing in Boston, potentially approaching his prime.
Contract and Future Prospects
This past summer, the Bruins made a calculated gamble by signing Geekie to a six-year, $33 million extension. The pressure is on for him to justify this investment, as his new contract could seem excessive if his output declines to previous levels. However, if he maintains or even exceeds his current scoring pace, the Bruins will have secured an incredible value for his talents.
With the season still in its earlier stages, the question remains whether Geekie can maintain this impressive rate of production. Should he falter, it doesn’t diminish the effectiveness of his strong start. His newfound offensive rhythm is crucial for the Bruins’ hopes of playoff success.
Notably, Geekie’s career trajectory traces back to being a 67th overall draft pick by the Hurricanes in 2017, and his prolific season with the Tri-City Americans, where he scored 35 goals in 2016-17, indicates he has always possessed untapped potential. Whether or not he is bound to slow down remains uncertain; if anything, his future with the Bruins looks promising, potentially enhancing their playoff aspirations.
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