The Boston Bruins have signed free agent forward John Farinacci to a two-year entry-level contract with a $910K cap hit, per a team release. Farinacci, a 2019 third-round pick of the Arizona Coyotes, became a free agent yesterday when the Coyotes let his exclusive signing rights lapse by not signing him to an ELC. Steve Conroy of The Boston Herald first reported the Bruins were closing in on Farinacci.
Farinacci heads to Beantown after completing three productive collegiate seasons at Harvard. He lost his sophomore year when Harvard suspended play due to the COVID pandemic. Last season, the natural center was limited to 19 games due to injury but was one of four players on the team to produce above a point-per-game pace, recording five goals and 15 assists while serving as captain. He finishes his stint at Harvard with 25 goals, 36 assists and 61 points in 79 games.
Still just 22, Farinacci immediately becomes one of the best center prospects in the Bruins’ paper-thin pipeline. He’s shown smart two-way acumen throughout his time at Harvard and possesses an above-average shot. He may have some top-six upside, but his sample size over the past few seasons has been limited thanks to injuries and COVID – increasing the variability in his projection.
While Boston will give him a long look in camp, he’s nearly a lock to start 2023-24 with AHL Providence, so the organization can see how his 200-foot game adapts to the professional level. He will become a restricted free agent with possible arbitration rights in 2025.
It’s worth noting this is a family affair for Farinacci in Boston, as his uncle is former Bruins forward Ted Donato (and is cousin is former Bruin and current Blackhawks forward Ryan Donato).
Like this signing.
I think this is a decent signing