The Boston Bruins are in a prime position to significantly retool their roster this offseason, thanks to a boost in the NHL’s salary cap ceiling and several expiring contracts on their depth chart.
According to reports, the Bruins are set to enter the offseason with nearly $21 million in cap space. This financial flexibility provides general manager Don Sweeney with the means to be active in the free agent market and potentially make impactful additions to the roster.
Furthermore, if the Bruins are able to find a way to trade goaltender Linus Ullmark, their available cap space could increase to almost $26 million. This would give the team even greater financial resources to work with as they look to strengthen their lineup.
Even after addressing in-house business, such as securing a lucrative new contract for Jeremy Swayman and potentially retaining Jake DeBrusk, the Bruins are expected to have enough remaining cap space to add at least one impact forward, if not more. This presents an exciting opportunity for the organization to bolster their offensive firepower and set the stage for a successful 2023-24 campaign.
With this financial flexibility and the potential to make significant roster moves, the Bruins are poised to take advantage of the offseason and position themselves as a formidable contender in the NHL. Fans can look forward to seeing how Sweeney and the Bruins front office utilize this cap space to reshape and strengthen the team in the coming months.
The Bruins are focusing on which type of player this offseason?
After struggling to score more than two goals in five of their six playoff games against the Panthers, it’s clear that the Bruins are prioritizing adding more offensive firepower.
General Manager Don Sweeney highlighted the importance of secondary scoring, emphasizing the need to capitalize on rebound opportunities and generate more offense in tight games. Sweeney acknowledged the challenges of playoff hockey, where goals are hard to come by, and stressed the importance of finding players who can step up and contribute crucial goals when it matters most.
As the Bruins look to address their offensive shortcomings, both through free agency and internal player development, the focus will be on acquiring players who can provide that much-needed secondary scoring punch to complement the team’s core contributors.
Despite the fact that Charlie Coyle, Pavel Zacha, and Morgan Geekie all exceeded expectations in elevated roles during the regular season, the Bruins are still seeking to add another top-six center. This would provide them with another proven scoring option and create a positive domino effect on the team’s depth chart.
However, Coyle emphasized that the Bruins don’t want to sacrifice their defensive structure just to improve their offensive output. He stressed the importance of having two-way players who can excel at both ends of the ice, much like Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci have done for the team in the past.
Coyle stated that the Bruins want to add players who not only produce offensively, but also mesh well with the team’s defensive identity and serve as good team players. He expressed that if the Bruins’ plan is to bring in such a player, the team will welcome them with open arms, as they look to strike the right balance between offense and defense.
The Bruins are clearly seeking to bolster their scoring depth, particularly down the middle, but they are also mindful of maintaining the defensive structure that has been a hallmark of their success. Finding the right player who can contribute at both ends of the ice will be crucial as the Bruins look to retool their roster for the upcoming season.
Coyle’s comments suggest that the Bruins place a high value on players who can seamlessly integrate into the team’s culture and identity. He emphasized that anyone who comes to the Bruins needs to be willing to fully embrace the way things are done in Boston, without standing out as an outsider.
These remarks could potentially rule out players with a history of discontent, like Pierre-Luc Dubois, who may have difficulty adapting to the Bruins’ tight-knit environment.
Instead, the Bruins appear to be targeting two-way centers who can excel at both ends of the ice, much like their past leaders Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. One player who fits this profile is Elias Lindholm, who was recently linked to the Bruins by Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.
Lindholm, who finished second in Selke Trophy voting in 2021-22, is known for his strong two-way play and faceoff prowess. Although his production dipped this past season, he has surpassed 50 points four times in his career, and playing alongside a talent like David Pastrnak could provide an opportunity for a bounce-back campaign.
The Bruins seem to value players who can seamlessly integrate into their team culture and identity, while also providing the necessary two-way skills to complement their existing core. Lindholm’s profile aligns well with these priorities, making him an intriguing target for the Bruins as they look to retool their roster this offseason.
President Cam Neely acknowledged that the Bruins need to add more speed and skill to their forward group this offseason. While players with strong two-way games like Elias Lindholm will be in high demand, Neely stressed the importance of improving the team’s overall pace and offensive capabilities.
Neely admitted that the Bruins were not as fast as they would have liked to be this past season, noting that some of those limitations stemmed from the challenges they faced in the previous offseason. However, he praised the work of the pro scouting staff in assembling a competitive team that exceeded expectations.
Despite the team’s success, Neely recognizes the need to evolve and adapt to the increasing speed and skill in the NHL. The Bruins will likely target players who can add an extra dimension of pace and offensive flair to complement their strong two-way game.
As the Bruins look to retool their roster, they will need to strike a balance between maintaining their defensive identity and adding the necessary speed and skill to compete with the top teams in the league. Neely’s comments suggest that the team is committed to making the necessary changes to ensure they remain a contender in the years to come.
The Bruins are aware of areas where they need to improve, particularly in terms of speed and puck battles. They are looking to address these issues this offseason, with a focus on adding players who can win 50/50 puck battles and create scoring opportunities.
One player who fits this profile is Jake DeBrusk, who showcased his speed and puck skills during the postseason. The Bruins would ideally like to retain DeBrusk and add another speedy forward to their lineup, rather than losing him and having to find another player to fill the void.
If the Bruins are unable to re-sign DeBrusk, they could consider other options like Chandler Stephenson, a center with a high motor who excels in puck battles. Alternatively, they could target Anthony Duclair, a speedy winger who has the potential to score 30 goals per season.
By adding a player like DeBrusk, Stephenson, or Duclair, the Bruins can address their need for speed and create a more dynamic offense. This would allow them to compete with the top teams in the league and improve their chances of success in the future.
Things Chandler Stephenson loves:
– Hockey
– Scoring the first goal
– Other stuff too prob pic.twitter.com/YhYlmV8iVQ— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) November 25, 2021
The Bruins should keep a close eye on the Carolina Hurricanes’ plans for Martin Necas, a 25-year-old forward who is set to become a restricted free agent. Necas’ age, high-end skill, and skating ability make him an attractive option for the Bruins, who are in need of another impact forward in their top-six grouping.
If the Hurricanes decide to trade Necas, the Bruins should be prepared to make a move to acquire him. Necas’ ability to play at a high level and his potential for growth make him an intriguing option for the Bruins, who are looking to strengthen their offense.
PP2: We need a zone entry
Martin Necas: I got this pic.twitter.com/jhogcEEDF4
— Michael Smith (@MichaelSmithNC) January 15, 2021
The Boston Bruins are prioritizing the acquisition of a two-way centerman and another speedy forward this offseason. With their significant spending power, the Bruins have the financial flexibility to sign both players and bolster their roster.
The team is looking to add depth and talent to their lineup, and these two positions are crucial in achieving that goal. By bringing in a two-way centerman and another speedy forward, the Bruins can improve their overall speed, skill, and depth, making them a more formidable opponent in the NHL.
The Bruins’ financial resources will allow them to pursue top-tier talent in free agency, giving them the opportunity to make significant moves and reshape their roster. With their spending power, the Bruins are well-positioned to make a splash in the offseason and emerge as a top contender in the league.
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