Bruins considering PTOs for Blake Wheeler and Kailer Yamamoto

Wheeler, who has been a mainstay in the NHL for years, recently hinted during his exit interview with the New York Rangers that he's on the fence about playing next season. At 37, it's no secret he's not the player he once was. He only managed nine goals in 54 games last season, and it was clear that father time was catching up with him.

Yet if he's in decent shape and injury-free, he could potentially fill a depth role. Whether or not Wheeler decides to lace up his skates again, he'd be an interesting addition to the Bruins, even if just to see what he has left in the tank.

Meanwhile, Yamamoto, could provide as a measuring stick for the B's younger talents in Fabian Lysell and Georgi Merkulov. In his brief time with the Seattle Kraken, the 25 year-old notched 8 goals and 8 assists over 59 games.

The organization didn't extend him a qualifying offer as an RFA, making him an unrestricted free agent this offseason. While Yamamoto's numbers don't jump off the page, bringing him in on a PTO would give the Bruins a chance to evaluate where their prospects stand against a player with NHL experience.

The deals could give the Bruins some low-risk, high-reward opportunities to bolster their lineup, even if it's just to push the younger guys or fill out the bottom six.