2024 Bruins Off Season News - Everyone Else But the Center

[cshea]

Fluto chimes in:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5587350/2024/06/24/bruins-linus-ullmark-trade-value/?source=emp_shared_article

The cliff notes:

• Fluto cites an anonymous GM who speculates that Ullmark would not return a 1st round pick without an extension.
• With an extension, Fluto speculates the Bruins may be interested in Shane Pinto.
  • Acquiring Pinto would add to center depth, let them focus on LHD and the wing in UFA.
• Unclear if the Bruins have given Ullmark permission to talk extension with interested teams.
• There's also a one-liner that states DeBrusk is unlikely to return.

 

[lexrageorge]

I disagree with Garrioch's statement that the Bruins aren't dealing from a position of strength. They do have leverage. They have the player under contract for another season. They have the cap space to bring him back if they so choose. They don't need to trade Ullmark. It makes sense for the Bruins to trade him given the goalie depth chart, salary structure and needs elsewhere on the roster but it is not a necessity. They aren't under the cap pressure like they were last year when they had to deal Hall for two AHL defensman.

Agree that the Bruins have more leverage here than Garrioch believes. As in a lot more. I guess the only thing potentially pushing the Bruins is if they want a 2024 1st, as the draft is only 4 days away. As Fluto notes in the Athletic, the pressure is off if the Bruins can accept players and/or future draft picks instead.

 

[j44thor]

When does Ullmark get to submit a new NTC list or did that already happen? I read that his next list will be heavily curated with teams that might be interested in him even if he initially wouldn't have had them on the NTC list in prior years. For example he may normally have NYR on his list because he doesn't want to play in NYC but knows they would never trade for him with Igor there so he will add them and replace a more favorable location that needs a G purely for leverage.

I think that is what hurts B's leverage. If the teams interested in Ullmark are on his NTC list then he can effectively negotiate his contract as if he was a UFA. Teams have to meet both BOS asking price and Ullmark's.

 

[Salem's Lot]

I think that teams may have assumed that this was going to be a cap dump situation for the Bruins, and the Bruins are not approaching it that way.

 

[Salem's Lot]

Bussi just signed a1 year 2 way extension at $775,000 per Bruins Twitter.

 

[cshea]

When does Ullmark get to submit a new NTC list or did that already happen? I read that his next list will be heavily curated with teams that might be interested in him even if he initially wouldn't have had them on the NTC list in prior years. For example he may normally have NYR on his list because he doesn't want to play in NYC but knows they would never trade for him with Igor there so he will add them and replace a more favorable location that needs a G purely for leverage.

I think that is what hurts B's leverage. If the teams interested in Ullmark are on his NTC list then he can effectively negotiate his contract as if he was a UFA. Teams have to meet both BOS asking price and Ullmark's.

Yeah this is what’s happening. It doesn’t seem like there is a hard “no” on the no trade but an extension is the condition to waive if that team is on the list.

FWIW, Friedman has said multiple times this week it is a 14-team no list.

 

[RedOctober3829]

View: https://twitter.com/conroyherald/status/1805378524812898371?s=46&t=IVL2VrlFgLlpc3mjGGto8Q

 

[tims4wins]

Hold me

 

[TSC]

Don’t like this.
View: https://twitter.com/mikegrinnell_/status/1805378622850842852?s=46

 

[TSC]

Or this

View: https://twitter.com/emptynetterspod/status/1805372670927679616?s=46

 

[Salem's Lot]

The only thing that would really piss me off is if we retained salary.

 

[j44thor]

The only thing that would really piss me off is if we retained salary.

Would Korpisalo count as retained salary if he comes back? That might be worse.

 

[Salem's Lot]

Would Korpisalo count as retained salary if he comes back? That might be worse.

Yes. It’s taking salary back. For four years. It’s the worst case scenario. I honestly would have rather held on to Ullmark. Sweeney better have a plan to dump that contract.

 

[cshea]

Re-setting after the Ullmark deal:

Marchand - Coyle - Pastrnak
Frederic - Zacha - Geekie
Lauko - Kastelic - Brazeau
Brown

Lindholm - McAvoy
Wotherspoon - Carlo
Peeke

Korpisalo
Bussi

RFA: Swayman, Boqvist

Cap Space: $24.3 million

That covers all the 1-way contracts. For the purposes of the offseason, Lohrei, Poitras and Beecher are in Providence and don't count against the cap.

 

[cshea]

Charlie Jacobs...speaks?

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/06/26/sports/charlie-jacobs-bruins-owner/?s_campaign=bostonglobe:socialflow:twitter&utm_campaign=Globe_Twitter

I guess the most notable nugget is that it sounds like he was going to fire people if the Bruins lost game 7 against Toronto. He had a press conference ready to go and "take that wherever you want."

Then in the next sentence, praises Cam, Don and Evan.

 

[Salem's Lot]

Charlie Jacobs...speaks?

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/06/26/sports/charlie-jacobs-bruins-owner/?s_campaign=bostonglobe:socialflow:twitter&utm_campaign=Globe_Twitter

I guess the most notable nugget is that it sounds like he was going to fire people if the Bruins lost game 7 against Toronto. He had a press conference ready to go and "take that wherever you want."

Then in the next sentence, praises Cam, Don and Evan.

And my response to that would be, either you think these are the right guys to run the team or you don’t. A game 7 coin flip shouldn’t change your mind.

 

[lexrageorge]

To be fair, reading the interview, Charlie Jacob's comments about potentially calling a press conference if they lost Game 7 was in the middle of his discussing his emotions during that first round series. The full quote:

“I remember thinking, ‘You know what, if we lose this game, we got what we deserved because we took those other games for granted.’ Which I’m not sure they did — that was me telling my own narrative in my head. I’m not sure they did. I just feel they did. But we won.”

Had the Bruins lost, Jacobs was planning a press conference.

“You could take it wherever you wish,” said Jacobs, who made it a point to compliment the very top of the hockey operations department — he singled out president Cam Neely, general manager Don Sweeney, and assistant general manager Evan Gold — for their work ethic and the current roster mix of young and veteran talent.

Also wonder if he was making the comment with his tongue firmly in cheek, trying to play with the reporter or the audience a little bit. Did he laugh when he said that?

 

[cshea]

Sweeney:

• Swayman's contract is a priority,. Continue to work towards it.
• Admits they haven't had talks with DeBrusk in "quite some time." Says that it is Jake's perogative to test the market (I think this was a defense of Jake openenly wondering to the media why a deal wasn't done yet at break up day)
• Still talking with Heinen
• Focused on strength down the middle for FA. Talking to their group, hope to identify the right guy and then make the right pitch.
• Also looking at strengthening the back end.
• Swayman's contract lurks in the background as they need to budget for it.
• Compares Bussi's situation to Beecher and Poitras last year. Bussi will be given an opportunity and if he beats out Korpisalo, he'll play.

 

[cshea]

I will say, it's a bit hard to square the "Bussi will get a chance" comment with acquiring Korpisalo for 4 years at $3 million. I get the veteran insurance policy but there shorter term, less money options.

 

[pedro1918]

How much of the Korpisalo acquisition leverage for Sweeney with the Sway negotiations? If they hadn’t acquired an “NHL veteran goalie”, Swayman’s agent could just say - are you ready to go into the season with Bussi as your #1?

$3M*4 years seems like a lot for leverage, but it does give them, god forbid, insurance.

 

[kenneycb]

None. It’d be like saying if we don’t pay you were prepared to put kenneycb in net. Now I’m a natural defenseman so it wouldn’t be horrible but it’s not a plausible scenario.

 

[Salem's Lot]

How much of the Korpisalo acquisition leverage for Sweeney with the Sway negotiations? If they hadn’t acquired an “NHL veteran goalie”, Swayman’s agent could just say - are you ready to go into the season with Bussi as your #1?

$3M*4 years seems like a lot for leverage, but it does give them, god forbid, insurance.

If anything it helps Swayman’s position. His agent would be like “You better pay up Donny, or every writer I talk to is going to be writing about you going into the year with that stiff as your starter.How do you think your season ticket holders are going to react? Good luck at State of the Bruins this October.”

 

[cshea]

Swayman is restricted. What’s his leverage? Sit out the year?

 

[Murby]

According to a beat writer in Winnipeg:

“Another team to keep an eye on when it comes to Rutger McGroarty: The Boston Bruins.

Hearing tonight they’ve had ongoing talks with the #NHLJets. We’ll see if this goes anywhere.

Was told earlier today from a source Buffalo, Columbus, NY Islanders have also checked in.”

Link: https://x.com/mikemcintyrewpg/status/1806506112524431845?s=12

 

[cshea]

Some background on McGroarty.

Winnipeg selected him with the 14th overall pick in 2022. He is a winger who has played the past 2 seasons at Michigan, putting up 16g 34a in 36 games this season. The scuttle with Winnipeg is that McGroarty wanted to turn pro this spring. Apparently Winnipeg was ready for it but wanted him to start in the AHL. He then turned around and said he'll go back to Ann Arbor.

 

[RedOctober3829]

On the rado, Chris Gasper brings up dangling Charlie McAvoy to Edmonton for Leon Draisaitl. I would say that would be robbing Peter to pay Paul, but I'd at least throw it out there. I wouldn't be in favor of it because it just opens up another hole.

 

[Salem's Lot]

On the rado, Chris Gasper brings up dangling Charlie McAvoy to Edmonton for Leon Draisaitl. I would say that would be robbing Peter to pay Paul, but I'd at least throw it out there. I wouldn't be in favor of it because it just opens up another hole.

Gasper fucking hates McAvoy.

I think that would have very little chance to work, and a better chance of pissing off one of your important core players.

 

[cshea]

You trade McAvoy for Draisaitl and then the next move is figuring out how to acquire a McAvoy.

 

[TSC]

The Bruins have 21.5 million in capspace, yea?

In my dream world:

Swayman signs for 8 years x 8 million (just beating out what Juuse Saros just signed).
Trade for Kadri (with 2 million retained). Assume Poitras goes in that deal.
Sign Stamkos for 4 years x 7.5 million.
Sign Jordan Martinook for 3 x 2.75
Korpisalo goes down to PVD.

Marchand / Stamkos / Pasta
Zacha / Kadri / Martinook
Frederic / Coyle / Geekie
Lauko / Beecher / Brazeau

Lindhold / McAvoy
Lohrei / Carlo
Wotherspoon / Peeke

Swayman
Bussi

All that still allows you to roll into the season with just over 1.1 million in space for god knows what. And suddenly, you're a legitimate contender again.

Another thing I'd love to see: if Tampa really wants to bring Stamkos back, see what they're be looking for to pry Brandon Hagel away from them. Pairing him on the left of a line with Pasta would be dangerous.

 

[TSC]

Ok well shit. Maybe you give up 25OA and Poitras for Calgary to retain half on Kadri, and you offer Stammer 4x9.

View: https://twitter.com/spittinchiclets/status/1806809219922038935?s=46

 

[cshea]

3x8 or 8x3? He is 34

 

[Salem's Lot]

3x8 or 8x3? He is 34

Gotta be 3 years $8 million. I’d go a 4 @ 9 to get him here.

 

[cshea]

A couple things with Stamkos. I think he’s mostly played wing the past couple of seasons. Secondly, how does the PP work? Pasta and Stanlos are both left circle rockets on the PP. Someone has to move.

 

[veritas]

This team had 109 points and the only impact player they need to replace is Jake DeBrusk, with 21 mil in cap space. Maybe I have a different definition than everyone else, but I think they're already contenders unless they give all 21 million to Zac Rinaldo.

I'm assuming Edmonton's asking price on Draisaitl will be way too high, but how much I'd want to trade for him really depends on what he is willing to sign with them for. Trading significant assets to pay him 17 million is a dumb idea, but if we're talking 13 million, I wouldn't rule out McAvoy.

 

[LogansDad]

This team had 109 points and the only impact player they need to replace is Jake DeBrusk, with 21 mil in cap space. Maybe I have a different definition than everyone else, but I think they're already contenders unless they give all 21 million to Zac

I mean, I get where you are coming from, but there were signs in the regular season that the point total was a little bit of smoke and mirrors, and while they managed to sneak by Toronto I think they got exposed in the playoffs as a bit of a paper tiger, especially against Florida.


I know Florida (puke) went on to (puke) win the Cup (vomit everywhere), but I think that series showed that Sweeney and Co have a lot of work to do to get this team back to being elite.

 

[Salem's Lot]

This team had 109 points and the only impact player they need to replace is Jake DeBrusk, with 21 mil in cap space. Maybe I have a different definition than everyone else, but I think they're already contenders unless they give all 21 million to Zac Rinaldo.

I'm assuming Edmonton's asking price on Draisaitl will be way too high, but how much I'd want to trade for him really depends on what he is willing to sign with them for. Trading significant assets to pay him 17 million is a dumb idea, but if we're talking 13 million, I wouldn't rule out McAvoy.

McAvoy is a 30 minute a night defensive horse. It would create a huge hole on the back end if he was gone. I know guys like Chris Gaspar don’t like him because he doesn’t have the offense of Cale Makar, but he’s still a legit number 1 defenseman in his prime. You don’t trade that guy, you build around him.

 

[TSC]

wow. I read that wrong. Apparently TBL really did offer Stamkos 3 million a year for 8 years. A neat little cap circumvention trick.

 

[veritas]

McAvoy is a 30 minute a night defensive horse. It would create a huge hole on the back end if he was gone. I know guys like Chris Gaspar don’t like him because he doesn’t have the offense of Cale Makar, but he’s still a legit number 1 defenseman in his prime. You don’t trade that guy, you build around him.

I agree, I think McAvoy is one of the best defensemen in the league. I’d still trade him for one of the best centers in the league, especially if the contract was reasonable.

If we already had Leon, everyone would be laughing at the idea of trading him for McAvoy

 

[RedOctober3829]

6 foot 7 center?

 

[fiskful of dollars]

6 foot 7 center?

I wonder if he signed up for the wrong sport when he was a kid?

 

[TSC]

View: https://twitter.com/acein603/status/1807210861913657485?s=46


Does Donny have a move up his sleeve to send out one of our other D?

Zadorov will command a pretty decent contract (6 million plus, I imagine). Going to be tough to have him, McAvoy, Lindholm, and Carlo taking up so much of the cap.

 

[jercra]

View: https://twitter.com/acein603/status/1807210861913657485?s=46


Does Donny have a move up his sleeve to send out one of our other D?

Zadorov will command a pretty decent contract (6 million plus, I imagine). Going to be tough to have him, McAvoy, Lindholm, and Carlo taking up so much of the cap.

I used to play golf with Zadarov weekly back in Colorado and heard directly from him that he would LOVE to play in Boston. Before he got traded to Chicago, he was really hoping it would be Boston. That's all I got. Oh, he can also hit a golf ball a mile... in a random direction but almost never the intended one.

 

[Salem's Lot]

I used to play golf with Zadarov weekly back in Colorado and heard directly from him that he would LOVE to play in Boston. Before he got traded to Chicago, he was really hoping it would be Boston. That's all I got. Oh, he can also hit a golf ball a mile... in a random direction but almost never the intended one.

Hopefully he wants to play here enough to take a team friendly contract.

 

[cshea]

Knee-jerk reaction is Zadorov is Russian for Forbort.

 

[TheRealness]

Knee-jerk reaction is Zadorov is Russian for Forbort.

My immediate reaction to their interest as well. I am not a fan of another plodding defender back there, but Sweeney can’t help himself with these. Blowing valuable cap space ($6m for this guy!? Jesus) on another plodding defenseman seems like a good way to stay mediocre.

 

[burstnbloom]

I don't believe he's capable of winning against the level of competition that McAvoy gets and even worse with Carlo. That means he would play mostly with Peeke. I'm not sure I can handle that. I really hope that isn't the move.

 

[TSC]

Old friend Tyler Bertzuzzi has said that he would take less than his last deal to stay in Toronto (1 year/5.5 million).

If he were willing to extend that same grace to Boston, is there any interest in bringing him back at say - 4 years/17-19 million?

 

[joe dokes]

Gasper fucking hates McAvoy.

I think that would have very little chance to work, and a better chance of pissing off one of your important core players.

The only thing Gasper knows about hockey is that it's played on grass and that it's dominated by players from Uruguay.

 

[cshea]

B’s qualify McLaughlin, Callahan, Swayman and Regula.

Do NOT qualify Boqvist

View: https://twitter.com/nhlbruins/status/1807520248054341834?s=46&t=23orJRFkAhpzRtm4p3-oEw

 

[TSC]

View: https://twitter.com/frank_seravalli/status/1807521728408527284?s=46


Don’t love this.