Bruins GM Don Sweeney has a massive off-season ahead of him.
Yes, Sweeney is keeping his job, despite the desires of a certain corner of Boston fans, so those people will have to hope that Sweeney improves the roster himself. The Bruins are clearly still good enough to be a playoff team in the Eastern Conference, but have serious work to do if they want to elevate themselves to true Stanley Cup contenders.
That’s going to fall on Sweeney’s shoulders. His coming off-season was a hot topic on the newest episode of the Sports Hub Underground podcast (listen below, starting at 59:37). Sweeney did the best he could with limited cap space this past season, after pushing all his chips into the table the year before. Now, the B’s are projected to have at least $20.9 million in cap space to work with (via CapFriendly), and options to bolster their roster coming on the open market.
On top of that, Sweeney has a big decision to make on one (or two) of his own players – both at goaltender. What does the future hold for Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark in Boston? It’s going to be up to Sweeney to determine how much the Bruins invest in the goaltender position in the first place, let alone who stays and who goes – if anyone.
Bruins Offseason To-Do List For 2024-25
Sweeney may be safe in his post for now, but the Bruins GM may very well define his tenure over the next off-season. He might also need more than one summer to fix everything, but in an ideal world, he makes great use of his cap space to bring in some much-needed talent.
Here’s what we got on the docket for Sweeney this off-season…
Add A Top-6 Center
EDMONTON, CANADA – MAY 14: Elias Lindholm #23 of the Vancouver Canucks faces off against Leon Draisaitl #29 of the Edmonton Oilers during the third period in Game Four of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on May 14, 2024 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
In an ideal world, the Bruins add a new playmaking center to pair with David Pastrnak. Because they simply cannot go into the 2024-25 season thinking Morgan Geekie would be good enough at that spot, and they would also be best suited moving Pavel Zacha to left wing.
But realistically, the Bruins would want a frontline two-way center, more of a do-it-all player who can score, defend, take faceoffs, and be relied upon for heavy minutes in all situations. Not exactly easy to find. But watching Selke trophy winner Aleksander Barkov two-way the Bruins to death should be enough of a signal that the B’s need their new Patrice Bergeron.
Among the free agents, their best (and possibly only) option is Elias Lindholm. No relation to Hampus. Lindholm is 6-foot-1 and 202 pounds, and has the talent to excel in all three zones. His offensive production has tailed off recently, but he’s only two years removed from a 42-goal season, back when he had star linemates. Put Lindholm with Pastrnak and Zacha, and that line would start cooking.
EDMONTON, ALBERTA – MAY 14: Leon Draisaitl #29 of the Edmonton Oilers skates against J.T. Miller #9 of the Vancouver Canucks during the third period in Game Four of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on May 14, 2024 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
Elsewhere in free agency, Chandler Stephenson or Sean Monahan would be legitimate top-6 guys and upgrades over the current core, but fall just below the “star” or “game-changer” category. Lightning legend Steven Stamkos is also on track to become a free agent, but he feels like a Bolt for life.
Sweeney may ultimately be forced to wait until the 2025 off-season, or swing a big trade for a pending UFA and extend him. Names to know in that department? Leon Draisaitl, Sidney Crosby, John Tavares, Mikael Granlund, Brock Nelson, Yegor Sharangovich … Sam Bennett?!
There will be no shortage of potential options for Sweeney as he hits the phones to find a new top-6 center of the future. It’s a matter of taking the financial plunge, and/or finding a willing trade partner.
Extend Jeremy Swayman
SUNRISE, FLORIDA – MAY 08: Jeremy Swayman #1 of the Boston Bruins warms up prior to Game Two of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena on May 08, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
Feels like a no-brainer, right? Swayman was clearly the Bruins’ best player in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, establishing himself as their franchise goaltender going forward – if they’re willing to pay up.
Swayman deserves to be paid like a top-10 goalie in the NHL. That means his AAV would likely be at least $6 million. But he played himself into a higher salary than that. Paying him $8 million would park him just outside the top-5 highest-paid netminders.
The good news for the Bruins is that Swayman is a restricted free agent, so there’s no danger of losing him for nothing. But they don’t want to take him to arbitration again, either, not after that playoff run. Sweeney has to make a tough decision on whether he’s willing to pay a premium for high-end goaltending, or risk starting over at the position.
Swayman emerged as not only one of the Bruins’ best players, but as a leader whose confidence permeated the locker room. So, it would be surprising if Sweeney did anything but lock him up for the long-term. Otherwise, what has this all been for? This may be the first order of business for the B’s.
Find A Trade Partner For Linus Ullmark
SUNRISE, FLORIDA – MAY 08: Jeremy Swayman #1 of the Boston Bruins walks off the ice during the third period against the Florida Panthers in Game Two of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena on May 08, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
It feels necessary. Can the Bruins possibly extend Swayman and ride it out for Ullmark’s final year of his contract, tying up as much as $12-13 million at goaltender?
Problem is, they may be forced to do so. If not, Sweeney may be cornered into giving up Ullmark in a trade for a minimal return (would a second-round pick excite you?). Ullmark has about half the league on a no-trade clause, and said teams are a mystery. He does not sound interested in waiving it to move out of Boston.
“My future here? I’ve got one more year,” Ullmark said during Sunday’s end-of-season media availability. “I’m very excited about what’s to come. We’re in for a heck of a summer. I’m very motivated, mixed in with some revenge, obviously some inspiration this fall, but most of all, excitement of what’s to come.”
MORE: Everything Linus Ullmark said on his future with the Bruins
Ullmark’s happiness is what it is. But Sweeney has a team to build and the Bruins have a business to run. It wouldn’t be great for business to over-invest in goaltending, when one of them is going to be highly paid and presumably in a full-time starting role. Ullmark would be an expensive backup. So, Sweeney may have to bite the bullet and move Ullmark for whatever he can get, because it would free up $5 million in cap space.
But if you’re an optimistic one, Ullmark could be used to…
Get A Scoring Winger
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – MARCH 21: Tyler Toffoli #73 of the Winnipeg Jets plays in his 800th NHL game against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on March 21, 2024 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The Bruins don’t seem particularly interested in re-signing Jake DeBrusk, so they’re going to be in the market for a top-six wing – and they would be, anyway. A polarizing player for several years, DeBrusk may make a lot of fans happy if he departs. But the Bruins would have production to replace, and even after that, they may need an additional forward that can put the puck in the back of the net.
There will be veteran options in free agency among right-shot forwards, such as Tyler Toffoli, who is coming off a 33-goal season between the Devils and Jets. Panthers winger Sam Reinhart, who’s become familiar to Bruins fans, is on track to hit the open market, but will probably be pricey after scoring 57 goals this past season. Jonathan Marchessault is a proven winner with the Vegas Golden Knights, having won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2023.
If the Bruins opt for a left shot – they would need to replace DeBrusk, after all – the market is flush there, too. Old friend Tyler Bertuzzi could be out there again after signing a one-year deal with Toronto. Other names to know are Jake Guentzel, Vladimir Tarasenko, Teuvo Teravainen, Anthony Mantha, Anthony Duclair, and Matt Duchene.
Frankly, the Bruins have so many options here, and the organization is so player-friendly, there’s no excuse for Don Sweeney not to land someone. The Bruins’ lack of legitimate top-6 skill was glaring last season and needs to be remedied.
Add A Left-Shot Defenseman
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 02: Pius Suter #24 of the Vancouver Canucks skates with the puck against Brayden McNabb #3 of the Vegas Golden Knights in the third period at T-Mobile Arena on April 02, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Canucks 6-3. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
Mason Lohrei emerged for the Bruins in the playoffs, and should be a roster regular going forward. Hampus Lindholm likely isn’t going anywhere, much to the chagrin of anyone who wants him gone after an uneven few years in the playoffs. So, the Bruins’ best bet for the defense is to add to the left side, rather than try to overhaul it.
Ty Anderson would love to see Brayden McNabb in a Bruins uniform, as he noted on the Sports Hub Underground. The Golden Knights defenseman is under contract for one more year, but it appears the team will need to shed some payroll. McNabb also has a 10-team no-trade list, so it’s possible the Knights would need his permission to trade him to Boston in the first place.
But, if not McNabb, someone like that would be a huge help for the B’s defense. Someone with size who is a proven performer in his own end, who can block shots and play hard defensive minutes and kill penalties. That would free up Lindholm to play a more balanced game, and provide the Bruins with some long-needed stability on the back end. Not to mention, someone whose game translates well to the playoffs, which they’ve relatively lacked in recent years.
Tailor The System To The Players
SUNRISE, FLORIDA – MAY 14: Morgan Geekie #39 of the Boston Bruins scores a goal against Sergei Bobrovsky #72 of the Florida Panthers during the first period in Game Five of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena on May 14, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
Oddly enough, Sweeney said in a press conference during the Panthers series that the Bruins were not a team that depended on volume shooting. This was after a loss in which they went down 3-2 in the third period then didn’t register a shot on goal for the rest of the game.
Sweeney and head coach Jim Montgomery’s approach was curious, because the 2023-24 Bruins were not built to focus on quality over quantity when it came to shooting the puck. The roster was filled with big-bodied forwards who could fight to the front of the net and go for garbage goals. They didn’t have nearly enough offensive skill to give themselves a legitimate chance to win while being vastly out-shot.
MORE: Bruins reveal list of injuries from regular season, playoffs
So, it would be a good idea for Sweeney and/or Montgomery to go back to the lab with this one. Build out your roster with the type of team you want to be in mind. Don’t try to force a system that doesn’t fit your personnel. Because that ultimately played a role in their demise.
Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital content producer for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read all of his articles here.
