The Boston Bruins’ general manager, Don Sweeney, revealed his intentions and objectives for the forthcoming offseason to the media this morning. The Fourth Period’s later summary of the press conference shows that Sweeney’s primary objective is to increase the team’s secondary scoring.
To quote Sweeney, the veteran General Manager stated, “There are some things that we need to address from the standpoint of free agency and/or internal growth. I have to be able to find some players that can come in and provide secondary scoring. We’re going to be aggressive to be able to complement what we currently have in some areas… I’ve got to find the players that complement our group and push us forward”.
The Bruins will have about $22 million to deal with come summertime, but Jeremy Swayman, the team’s goalie, will receive a sizable portion of that amount since he is scheduled to become a restricted free agent on July 1. Swayman will probably ask for a deal akin to that of Connor Hellebuyck, who inked a seven-year, $59.5MM contract to stay with the Winnipeg Jets organization last summer, following an outstanding three-year career in Boston.
The Bruins will undoubtedly need to let go of Linus Ullmark, who has one year and $5MM left on his deal for the 2024–25 NHL season, if they are willing to give Swayman that type of money. Even though the pair has been excellent for Boston over the past two seasons, it is difficult to imagine a competitive team paying nearly $14 million on goaltending, even for a single season.
With an extension for Swayman and the ability to move out of Ullmark’s deal without receiving any compensation, the Bruins should have about $18MM in cap flexibility to explore the free agent and trade block markets. If that is ultimately the cap space they are working with, they should be able to accomplish that goal because Sweeney is placing a premium on secondary scoring this summer.
Regarding internal possibilities, the Bruins already have Jake DeBrusk, who will become an unrestricted free agency in a few short weeks, as a quick fix. Boston should be able to sign DeBrusk to a short- to mid-term contract, depending on the price, as he will always be among the better backup scoring alternatives available. DeBrusk has been able to consistently score 20–30 goals annually during his seven years in Massachusetts, placing him in the top five on the team in that category every year.
Fortunately for the Bruins, there will be no shortage of secondary scoring alternatives on the free agent market this summer as they may sign players like Anthony Duclair, Patrick Kane, Tyler Toffoli, Chandler Stephenson, Anthony Mantha, and others. If the organization is not pursuing players like Steven Stamkos, Sam Reinhart, or Jake Guentzel, then none of those players should take up an excessive amount of Boston’s available salary space.
This summer’s trade market should start to take shape and become more evident than it is presently once the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs conclude. Martin Necas of the Carolina Hurricanes, however, is already anticipated to be traded this summer as the Hurricanes don’t seem to be willing to abide with his contract demands. Necas would make an excellent addition to the Bruins’ starting six if Carolina is determined to move him.
Whatever path they finally decide on, Boston will have no shortage of options this summer to increase their secondary scoring. Furthermore, the Bruins may be able to sell from their roster of established players as a result of a few prospects’ rise this past season, giving them even more cap flexibility going into the offseason.
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