The last time Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney had available cash, he spent big. Ahead of the 2021-22 season, the Bruins invested just under $25 million in Taylor Hall, Linus Ullmark, Nick Foligno, Erik Haula, Derek Forbort, Mike Reilly and Tomas Nosek.
A similar shopping spree could be coming. In fact, the Bruins could have nearly the same amount of money if Sweeney can execute his No. 1 summer priority.
Here’s how a dream offseason would unfold:
1. Ullmark is traded. Acquiring Martin Necas from the Carolina Hurricanes would be a big step in reinforcing the offense. But it’s unlikely the Bruins would have the additional assets required to make the deal happen.
But clearing Ullmark’s $5 million average annual value and receiving futures in return would be a satisfactory conclusion. Perhaps the New Jersey Devils, who have expressed interest in trading the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, would be a landing spot for the 2023 Vezina Trophy winner.
This would clear the way for Jeremy Swayman to be the No. 1 goalie in 2024-25 and Brandon Bussi to be the backup.
Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark seem to have enjoyed their time together, but a split is necessary. (Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)
2. Swayman signs a long-term extension. This is the goal for both parties. Swayman likes being a Bruin. The team has a good trove of data following the playoffs to determine that Swayman, 25, is capable of ace performance. It is a far more productive outcome than Swayman signing an offer sheet.
On Aug. 16, 2021, Juuse Saros signed a four-year, $20 million contract with the Nashville Predators. Saros was 26 years old. He had 155 games of NHL experience and a career .920 save percentage. Swayman has 144 NHL appearances and a .920 save percentage.
Using the Saros deal as a baseline, we’ll project a five-year, $30 million contract for Swayman. It gives him security but also a chance at another score. The Bruins get five years of relative certainty in net.
3. Jake DeBrusk re-signs. Surprise, surprise! Both sides have a change of heart after months of inaction. DeBrusk realizes he’s happy in Boston and comes off his price. The Bruins acknowledge they need his top-six presence and improve their offer. The settlement: five years, $25 million.
4. Elias Lindholm signs. The right-shot center did not make much of an impact with the Vancouver Canucks. As such, his price dips on the open market. The Bruins are more than happy to take advantage.
The 29-year-old is not a line-driving center. But he gives the Bruins another Charlie Coyle-like pivot who can impact play at both ends. Lindholm slots in as the No. 2 center behind Pavel Zacha, moving Coyle back to the third line.
The deal: seven years, $56 million.
5. Tyler Bertuzzi signs. It was a good fit the first time around. It should be just as good on Bertuzzi’s second spin. This time, the Bruins offer the greasy left-shot wing the term he wanted the first time. The 29-year-old, who sparred with Marchand during Round 1, is delighted to rejoin his fellow irritant — and perhaps even ride on his line.
The deal: four years, $19 million.
Is it time for a Brad Marchand-Tyler Bertuzzi reunion tour? (Claus Andersen / Getty Images)
6. Brad Marchand signs an extension. There is no rush to re-sign the captain. Marchand is under contract for one more season.
But by giving him a new deal, the Bruins put Marchand at ease. There’s risk in signing Marchand, 36, to a multi-year extension. But the Bruins are confident that Marchand’s commitment to training reduces the risk of injury.
As for the left wing, a new contract optimizes his push not just to peak for the Bruins but also to compete for a Canadian roster spot in the 2026 Olympics. It would please Marchand to no end to play on an all-Nova Scotia line with Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon.
The contract: two years, $10 million.
7. Matt Poitras, Fabian Lysell and Georgii Merkulov hit the gym hard. Perhaps the biggest reason Poitras cut his rookie season short was that undergoing shoulder surgery in February would set him up for a full training load in the summer. The right-shot center takes advantage of the timing and puts on the muscle needed to turn lost puck battles into wins.
Ditto for Lysell and Merkulov. By becoming stronger on the puck, all three put themselves in line for full-time NHL duty in 2024-25. The Bruins need their skill and cost efficiency on the varsity.
(Top photo of Tyler Bertuzzi and Brad Marchand: Jim Rassol / USA Today)
