Bruins not planning on Bergeron or Krejci returning till they hear in any other case

That doesn’t assure that Krejci and Bergeron gained’t return. However the retirement rumors will proceed to swirl till two of Boston’s marquee centermen affirm a method or one other.

On the identical time, the Bruins must plan forward, with or with out two of their prime centermen in workforce historical past.

“For us, we’ve actually acquired to plan that they’re not coming again till we hear in any other case,” Bruins President Cam Neely stated. “We might not be doing the group a service if we deliberate that they’re coming again after which we’re instructed they’re not. So, for us, it’s form of happening two paths. Hopefully, we’ll hear one thing quickly, however we actually need to give these guys the time they want.”

As Bergeron and Krejci enter one other low season pondering over their futures, the Bruins enter this summer time with a completely totally different outlook.

Right now final 12 months, the Bruins had most of their roster intact earlier than the beginning of free company. Their solely important transaction got here on Day 1 of the free agent signing interval, buying Pavel Zacha from the New Jersey Devils for Erik Haula.

Bergeron had leaned on returning anyway. Krejci additionally had his eyes set on one other go-around after spending a season taking part in in his native Czech Republic.

But, Sweeney admits their choices gained’t influence the Bruins’ plans forward of the midday opening for this 12 months’s free agent class. For that matter, Bergeron stays versatile on doubtlessly returning beneath the same bonus-incentive contract much like final season, based on Sweeney.

“It actually doesn’t [affect us],” Sweeney stated. “You possibly can inform the place Patrice was final 12 months in what we had been making an attempt to perform in bringing Krech again and being very, very versatile. He’s indicated that he’s prepared to do it once more this 12 months, so I don’t foresee it as an issue.”

On Monday, the Bruins started the cap-shedding course of after buying and selling Taylor Corridor — and his $6 million cap hit for the following two seasons — and Nick Foligno to the Chicago Blackhawks for defensemen Ian Mitchell and Alec Regula, each pending RFAs. The Bruins now have a bit of over $10.9 million of projected wage cap area and 14 gamers dedicated for subsequent season.

The departures from final 12 months’s squad will possible proceed, with Dmitry Orlov, Tyler Bertuzzi, Garnet Hathaway and Tomas Nosek all set to hit the open market. Even with the additional cap area, Boston’s GM didn’t sound optimistic about re-signing Orlov, Bertuzzi, Hathaway and Nosek.

“None of these guys have essentially been closed off,” Sweeney stated. “Clearly, we recircled with most of them based mostly on our determination [to trade Hall and Foligno] yesterday. I haven’t actually concretely put something collectively that we’ll have the ability to…however you simply by no means know.”

Maybe Sweeney will acquire extra monetary aid via one other commerce, with Linus Ullmark and Matt Grzelcyk among the many different cap casualty candidates. They might additionally pursue the commerce market — primarily for a top-six middle — to assist ease the transition of the post-Krejci and Bergeron period.

Partially, the Bruins’ arms stay tied attributable to Bergeron’s and Krejci’s bonus overages carrying over to this 12 months’s cap. However the same bonus-incentive deal subsequent season will possible carry a lesser burden because of a projected wage cap ceiling enhance of as much as $4 million for the 2024-25 season.

Certainly, Neely and Sweeney would like to have Bergeron and Krejci again for yet one more try on the Cup. However Boston’s entrance workplace should additionally act accordingly in case the duo decides to hold up the skates.