Lucic joined the St. Louis Blues, while Smith is headed to the Columbus Blue Jackets. After Jack Johnson signed a PTO with the Minnesota Wild on Aug. 11, this could be the start of more NHL free agents taking a tryout to convince teams they deserve a contract this fall.

Lucic last played in 2023 as a member of the Bruins — his second stint with the team — and amassed two assists. His return to Boston lasted just four games after he was arrested in November 2023 for pulling his wife’s hair and trying to choke her, according to a police report.