The Boston Bruins’ offseason has started, and now is the moment for management to start planning for the upcoming campaign. The team will be “aggressive” in free agency, according to general manager Don Sweeney, since they are just a few moves away from potentially being a top Stanley Cup contender in 2024–2025. There aren’t many tradeable assets that Boston could employ to add a significant player to the squad.
There aren’t many prospects to lure other clubs to the Bruins, and they only have three draft picks available from rounds four through six of this year’s draft. Goaltender Linus Ullmark, who is about to enter the final year of a four-year contract, might be a significant trade asset. Given that the other half of the league is on his no-trade list, the Bruins might utilize the previous Vezina Trophy winner to pull off a strong trade with half of the league. The following five players are potential additions to the Bruins this offseason.
For the Edmonton Oilers, Leon Draisaitl
Let’s be sincere. For the Bruins, this is a bit of a pipe dream. In the NHL, Draisaitl is among the top five players and is quite wealthy. After the upcoming season, his contract will expire, and there are rumors that the Oilers won’t re-sign the large center. Getting Draisaitl would be a great move for Boston and would address many issues. Is there enough for the Bruins to trade for him, though? And would they be open to having someone like Mason Lohrei on board? Though it’s probably not possible, it’s entertaining to consider.
Carolina Hurricanes’ Martin Necas
Necas is more likely to happen in Boston. The Bruins will definitely need a younger forward with offensive prowess and quickness if they lose Jake DeBrusk to free agency. Sportsnet According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, around the trade deadline, the Bruins and the Carolina Hurricanes discussed a trade involving Ullmark. The 25-year-old center, who finished 77 games with the Hurricanes with 24 goals and 29 assists, has also drawn interest from Calgary and Vancouver. In 11 postseason games, the 2017 12th overall pick added four goals and five assists. Necas requires a new deal because he is a restricted free agent.
Senator Jacob Chychrun of Ottawa
Longtime NHL blogger and beat reporter for the Ottawa Senators Bruce Garrioch claims that the Senators were one of the teams that made a strong push to acquire Linus Ullmark going into the 2024 NHL Trade market. Chychrun has ties to the Bruins, and he would make a fantastic left defense triad with Mason Lohrei, Hampus Lindholm, and the offensive-minded defenseman. Chychrun would need to sign a new contract, and his salary will likely be between $6 and $7 million a year. But the general manager of the Boston Bruins is crazy about him, so if Ullmark’s no-trade list allows it, a deal for Chychrun might once again be considered.
Brock Nelson, an Islanders player
There are rumors circulating that Nelson might be traded by the Islanders during the offseason. Nelson, who is 32 years old, is about to start the last year of a six-year, $36 million deal. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound forward played in 82 regular season games last season, recording 35 assists and 34 goals. In the Islanders’ five-game series loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Nelson also recorded two goals and two assists. Nelson has scored 30 goals or more in each of the previous three seasons. In 840 regular season games, he has 275 goals and 256 assists, and in 78 Stanley Cup Playoff games, he has 27 goals and 23 assists.
Anthony Cirelli, the Lightning from Tampa
Cirelli is a possible trade candidate because he has no trade protection and a $6.25 million salary cap impact. You have a little bit of a cap conundrum in Tampa when you consider that the Lightning still want to sign center Steven Stamkos and only needed defenseman Ryan McDonagh. A complete no-trade clause for the center in 2025–2026 is another aspect of Cirelli’s contract. Cirelli would fit in well with Boston and the Bruins could use a reliable NHL center. Would the Lightning make divisional trades? Perhaps, perhaps not. Cirelli played in 79 games the previous season, tallying 20 goals and 25 assists. In addition, the 26-year-old is a consistent contender for the Selke Award as the greatest defensive forward. The Bruins might give Cirelli a test drive if they are unable to locate a more attacking center.
Ullmark is one of the few assets the Bruins have, so trading for him could be the best course of action to address their needs at center and left defense. Anticipate an agreement to be reached prior to the June draft.
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