Daily Bean: Kreider Hits Waivers; Sturm Talks Captain; RIP Barry Melrose

The Boston Bruins hit the links yesterday and will exchange their clubs for sticks for today's captains' practice.

The regular season is 19 days away, and the Bruins still do not have a captain. Marco Sturm provided an update, though not much of one, at yesterday's golf outing, and Elias Lindholm spoke on the existing leadership group.

Elsewhere around the league, a Massachusetts native wants to come back east. Chris Kreider and the Ducks mutually agreed to terminate his contract, and the Boxford native (and his $6.5M cap hit) now sits on waivers. The Oilers signed one of the five players acquitted in the 2018 Hockey Canada sexual assault case, and the Red Wings may have a GM by default. Two Sportsnet analysts re-upped, and the 2027 NHL Draft will look the same as the last two years.

The hockey world is also mourning the loss of player, coach, and longtime ESPN analyst Barry Melrose, who passed away Wednesday at 70.

Happy Thursday, catch up on Bruins and league news in today's Daily Bean :

STURM/CAPTAIN : The Boston Bruins Foundation hosted its 23rd annual golf tournament yesterday at The Pinehills in Plymouth. Bruins of the past and present gathered for a round on the course, but Marco Sturm said the team is still "in the process" of naming the 28th captain in franchise history.

CAPTAINS' PRACTICE : The Bruins will be back at Warrior Ice Arena this morning. The last captains' practice starts at 10:00 AM.

The Bruins will open rookie camp on Friday at Warrior. On Saturday, the rookies will travel to Buffalo for games on Sunday and Monday.

Hockey Hall of Fame (via 𝕏) : Patrice Bergeron 's banner is now up at the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Sportsnet : Chris Kreider and the Ducks are terminating his contract. The Anaheim Ducks placed the Boxford, MA, native on waivers yesterday after mutually agreeing to a contract termination. Elliotte Friedman reported that the 35-year-old left winger has a preference to play in the East, "closer to family." He also will not report if he's claimed somewhere he does not want to play.

Immediately, eyes shifted toward the black and gold.

Sportsnet : The Edmonton Oilers signed forward Alex Formenton yesterday. Formenton was one of five players acquitted in the sexual assault trial involving Canada's 2018 World Juniors team. He has not played in the NHL since the 2021-22 NHL season and posted 23 points (13-10–23) last year with Ambri-Piotta in the Swiss league.

Detroit Hockey Now : The Red Wings are the only team in the NHL without a GM. At Tuesday's virtual meeting with NHL GMs and head coaches, AGM Shawn Horcoff represented the Red Wings. DHN dug, but could not find anyone from another NHL club who is gearing up to make the move. Is Shawn Horcoff going to be the GM by default?

Sportsnet PR (via 𝕏) : Elliotte Friedman and Kevin Bieksa are sticking with Sportsnet. The network announced its Saturday Night Hockey and Monday Night Hockey programs yesterday, with Friedman and Bieksa featured on Saturday night.

TSN : The 2027 NHL Draft will once again be decentralized. This will mark the third straight decentralized draft, with all 32 teams and staff remaining in their home cities. The draft is set for June 25-26.

ESPN : Barry Melrose, a former player, coach, and beloved hockey analyst, passed away at 70. Melrose coached Wayne Gretzky and the LA Kings in the 1990s. He worked at ESPN from 1996 until 2023 and retired after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

Tributes poured in from Melrose's ESPN colleagues , among many more around the NHL.

Thursday, September 10: Captains' practice – Warrior Ice Arena, Brighton, MA

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

Tuesday, September 29: Home opener – TD Garden, Boston, MA