Bruins
If the Bruins have to clear cap house and recoup property, shifting a goalie may be an possibility this summer season.
Don Sweeney acknowledged the plain in the course of the Bruins’ end-of-season press convention on Could 9.
“Roster adjustments are possible coming,” Boston’s common supervisor famous. “We’re not going to be the identical workforce.”
As a lot as Boston would like to roll out the identical roster that rewrote the file books in the course of the 2022-23 common season, it’s not potential in a salary-cap league.
With a bit of over $6 million in obtainable cap room, over $4.5 million in bonus overages on subsequent 12 months’s books, and no reply but with reference to their top-six facilities, Boston might want to make some drastic strikes this summer season in an effort to area a aggressive roster underneath the $83.5 million cap ceiling.
And whereas a lot of the cap-shaving measures proposed normally revolve round dealing our bodies off the blue line or up entrance, might a goalie commerce take advantage of sense for Boston?
Let’s run via the professionals and cons of what may very well be a franchise-altering transfer for the Bruins this summer season.
PRO: Your goalies are your high commerce chip
There are a selection of commerce chips that Boston may half with earlier than directing its consideration to both Linus Ullmark or Jeremy Swayman.
On the blue line, no less than two of Matt Grzelcyk, Mike Reilly, and Derek Forbort may must be moved.
Taylor Corridor and Jake DeBrusk are key cogs up entrance, however each gamers ought to draw some suitors if Boston is dangling them out in the marketplace.
And despite the fact that providing up a star like Charlie McAvoy or Hampus Lindholm would spur a feeding frenzy among the many remainder of the NHL, Boston isn’t shifting items that they view as a part of their subsequent core of expertise.
But when considered one of Ullmark or Swayman was obtainable, many groups may be keen to pony up a hefty haul of draft capital or different property.
Swayman’s an apparent blue-chip commerce goal, given his contract (restricted free agent), age (24), and the potential he’s showcased for a number of seasons.
But when Ullmark (who has his no-movement clause revert again to a 16-team no-trade checklist on July 1) was obtainable?
Be it the Kings, Oilers, or numerous different golf equipment felled by substandard goaltending, there will probably be no scarcity of determined front-office personnel keen to surrender a pleasant return in an effort to purchase the possible 2022-23 Vezina Trophy winner.
If Boston must each shed a contract ($5 million cap hit for Ullmark) and recoup property like a first-round decide or a ahead/defenseman that aids in its rebuilding course of, concentrating on a place of energy like goaltending makes loads of sense.
PRO: Ullmark’s worth may by no means be larger
Whether or not or not it’s harm, fatigue, or an ill-timed regression from his sterling play between the pipes, Ullmark didn’t have a postseason to recollect.
Over six video games in opposition to the Panthers, Ullmark posted a 3-3 file with an .896 save proportion.
It was a stunning dip from his very good common season, when the 29-year-old netminder posted a 40-6-1 file, .938 save proportion, and 1.89 goals-against common.
Originally posted 2023-05-19 03:52:52.