A reunion, a major arrival, a trade for Ullmark, and an extension for Swayman capped off the Boston Bruins’ ideal offseason.
Another shopping frenzy might be on the horizon. In fact, if Sweeney can fulfill his top summer goal, the Bruins might have almost the same amount of money. This is how the ideal off-season would go:
1. Traded is Ullmark. To strengthen the offense, acquiring Martin Necas from the Carolina Hurricanes would be a significant step. However, it is improbable that the Bruins would possess the extra assets needed to close the trade.
A good outcome would be to clear Ullmark’s $5 million average annual value and receive futures in exchange. Perhaps the 2023 Vezina Trophy winner would end up with the New Jersey Devils, who have indicated that they would be interested in selling the No. 10 choice in the 2024 NHL Draft. This would provide room for Brandon Bussi to be the backup goalie and Jeremy Swayman to be the starting goalie in 2024–25.
2. Swayman agrees to a protracted prolongation. This is what each party wants to achieve. Swayman enjoys his status as a Bruin. The organization can conclude that Swayman, 25, is capable of an elite performance thanks to a wealth of data that was collected after the playoffs. That is a significantly more fruitful result than Swayman’s offer sheet signature.
Julius Saros inked a $20 million, four-year contract with the Nashville Predators on August 16, 2021. Saros was twenty-six. He had a career save percentage of.920 and 155 NHL games under his belt. Swayman has a.920 save percentage in 144 NHL games. We will predict a five-year, $30 million contract for Swayman using the Saros agreement as a benchmark. He gains security as well as an opportunity to score another point. The Bruins will have a net for roughly five years.
Thirdly, Jake DeBrusk resigns.Whoa, whoa! After months of inaction, both parties had a change of heart. DeBrusk lowers his price after realizing he’s content in Boston. The Bruins boost their offer after realizing how much they depend on his top-six presence. $25 million over five years was the settlement.
4. Signs from Elias Lindholm. With the Vancouver Canucks, the right-shot center did not have much of an impact. His open market price, therefore, decreases. The Bruins are eager to seize the opportunity.
The 29-year-old center does not drive the line. However, he provides the Bruins with another pivot who can influence play on both ends, like Charlie Coyle. After Pavel Zacha, Lindholm takes over as the starting center, pushing Coyle back to the third line. $56 million over seven years is the arrangement.
5. Signs from Tyler Bertuzzi. The first time, it fit quite well. Ideally, Bertuzzi’s second spin should be equally impressive. The Bruins gave the greasy left-shot wing the term he initially requested this time. The 29-year-old is happy to see his fellow irritant again and may even ride on his line. The two sparred during Round 1. $19 million over four years is the arrangement.
6. An extension is signed by Brad Marchand. The skipper is not in a hurry to resign. Marchand has a one-year contract remaining. But the Bruins comforted Marchand by offering him a new contract. Signing 36-year-old Marchand to a multi-year deal carries some risk. However, the Bruins are certain that Marchand’s dedication to his conditioning lowers his chance of injury.
Regarding the left wing, a new deal will maximize his efforts to strive for a Canadian team slot in the 2026 Olympics as well as to reach his full potential for the Bruins. Marchand would be ecstatic to play on an all-Nova Scotia line alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby. The deal was for $10 million over two years.
7. Matt Poitras, Georgiai Merkulov, and Fabian Lysell worked out vigorously. The fact that Poitras’ shoulder surgery in February would prepare him for a rigorous training load in the summer was possibly the main factor in his decision to end his rookie campaign. The right-shot center capitalizes on the timing and applies the necessary force to win puck battles that are otherwise lost.
Likewise with Merkulov and Lysell. All three of them positioned themselves to play in the NHL full-time in 2024–2025 by strengthening their puck play. On the varsity, the Bruins require their talent and economical use of resources.