The Bruins do not lack for defensive prospects.
Connor Clifton played in 18 of Boston’s 24 playoff games. Urho Vaakanainen practiced with the team during the Stanley Cup Final. Jeremy Lauzon and Jakub Zboril are former first-round picks who aren’t too far away.
But of those players, Clifton is the graybeard. He is 24 and has played in 19 regular-season games.
That’s part of the reason why the Bruins, who went into last year carrying eight defensemen to protect against injuries and wound up using 12, extended Steven Kampfer on Monday.
The club on Tuesday announced a two-year deal with a cap hit of $800,000 per season, reasonable dough for a player with a defined role.