Exclusive: Four goals for the Bruins’ off-season
In light of the roster losses from the previous season and the limited budget General Manager Don Sweeney possessed, the Bruins’ 109-point regular season record was an overachievement. Perhaps they could have taken the series from the Florida Panthers in the playoffs if they had won a particular goalie interference call. But the superior squad prevailed. It’s not necessary for the Bruins to give up.
However, qualifying for the next round is not the aim. This was a season of transition, as we all knew, and management made the most of it. Now that the Bruins have more salary cap room and a few intriguing players available, they have an opportunity to reclaim their place among the top teams in the National Hockey League. There will undoubtedly be a lot of turnover this summer with three unrestricted free agents on defense and four unrestricted free agents in the forward group.
The Boston Bruins should focus on these four items as they prepare for what might be an exciting offseason.
1. Locate Linus Ullmark’s landing site. This man is not deserving of being “dumped.” He’s still a great goalie and was awarded the Vezina Award in 2022–2023. According to all reports, Jeremy Swayman, a rising star, has found him to be a fantastic partner and sounding board. Furthermore, he did not complain when it was clear that Swayman would start in the postseason after a season of debate about goaltender rotations. Over the past two years, we have witnessed genuine hugs.
However, Swayman, who is an arbitration-eligible restricted free agent, will be paid a lot more than the $3.475 million he received this year. The Bruins’ best goalkeeper prospect, Brandon Bussi, is also a restricted free agent who needs to be signed. However, he hasn’t played in the NHL and will make a lot less than Swayman’s projected salary or Ullmark’s $5 million. It’s unclear what they can receive for Ullmark. On July 1st, his 16-team no-trade list will shrink to 15. By the deadline, he reportedly canceled an agreement. Maybe he would be open to adding players to his list in order to locate the ideal hockey setting and prepare for another shot at free agency.
In exchange, the Bruins might be able to acquire a valuable skater or make it back into the first three rounds of the June draft. But it will be too valuable to use the cap space. There are gaps that need to be filled, and not with temporary fixes this time.
2. DeBrusk, Jake, sign. That is not to imply that Sweeney should sign the wing if he marches into his office and demands $8 million multiplied by eight years. On all sides, reason must win out. But over a number of years, his estimated AAV should be $6 million.
With a one-dimensional game early in his career, DeBrusk earned the right to be a divisive figure. However, compared to when he was younger, he is now a far more well-rounded player. He can kill penalties quickly because of his length and speed, and he has shown far more tenacity than his critics would want to admit. He scored the game-winning goal in the Winter Classic the previous year despite having a broken leg, and following Friday’s Game 6 defeat, he disclosed that he had played a large portion of the season with a broken hand.
If the Bruins had a lot of players up top, perhaps they could let DeBrusk go. However, they already lack impact players in the front. Allowing DeBrusk to go would just make a bigger hole.
3. Strengthen the corps of forwards. I can appreciate the sadness over not having a top center. Sasha Barkovs, though, don’t just appear. Furthermore, they don’t frequently become available on the free agent market. Elias Lindholm might be the closest thing, but if he doesn’t lower his rumored $9 million asking price, it won’t be worth it. If the Canucks can upset the extremely skilled Oilers in the West, he might even win it.
While Pavel Zacha and Charlie Coyle are not David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron, they are nevertheless respectable two-way centermen who might be more than useful if they had some support from the wings.
And some ought to be accessible. After a stellar season, we’ll see if Florida general manager Bill Zito allows Sam Reinhart to enter free agency. In south Florida, something extraordinary is happening. Jake Guentzel is going to be extremely wealthy. The Bruins would benefit greatly from any player. Additionally, there is Tyler Toffoli, who can score 25–30 goals a season on average. Even at 33, Jonathan Marchessault would still be incredibly beautiful. He is a true misfit from Vegas who may be too attached to stay. Maybe Patrick Kane would want to be a member of his fourth Original Six squad? Options will be available.
David Pastrnak is in danger. It’s his fault if he can’t capitalize on Grade A opportunities when facing the Panthers. He is getting paid a lot of money to convert those. However, it became apparent at the close of the regular season that he was wearing a physical toll from having to lead the club in offensive production. In the postseason, single stars may have limited opportunities if their team faces minimal threats.
4. Include a left-handed defenseman as well. By acquiring Andrew Peeke at the trade deadline, Sweeney strengthened the defense on the right side and added a blueliner capable of playing big minutes. For the left side, they now require another one. After the Bruins gave the AHL veteran a shot, Parker Wotherspoon was a fantastic story this season and evidence that their pro scouting team is pretty damn good. Derek Forbort entered the lineup and performed his duties after getting hurt. Going ahead, I would want him on my squad. However, in our opinion, he’s a perfect seventh defenseman who can return to the lineup seamlessly after a break.
Due to their tremendous growth during the playoffs, Hampus Lindholm and Mason Lohrei should have received two of the three available spots. However, they could put more punch into the third spot. If Carolina lets Brady Skjei walk, he might be the top player on many clubs’ lists and might not be suitable for the Bruins’ salary structure. But he, or a Nikita Zadorov, may be of considerable assistance. They need to add another experienced player (Joseph Edmundson, Brennen Dillon?) who has the ability to challenge Wotherspoon and vice versa, at the very least.
