Media rumors and speculation suggest the Boston Bruins could be forced to free up cap space via the trade market.
The Boston Bruins went all-in this season in what proved to be a failed attempt to win the Stanley Cup. After being buyers leading up to this season's trade deadline, salary-cap constraints could turn them into off-season sellers.
Boston Hockey Now's Jimmy Murphy cited a league source claiming Bruins GM Don Sweeney could be forced to swing some trades he doesn't want to make. Murphy cited puckpedia.com showing them sitting $1.5 million above next season's projected $83.5 million salary cap due to bonus overages.
Another of Murphy's sources previously suggested starting goaltender Linus Ullmark could be a trade candidate. However, a recent report by ESPN's Kevin Weekes claimed the Bruins netminder battled a “debilitating and painful” injury that could affect his trade value.
Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli had Bruins winger Taylor Hall and defenseman Matt Grzelcyk on his recent list of off-season trade targets. CapFriendly indicates Hall, 31, has two more seasons on his contract with an average annual value of $6 million and a modified no-trade clause. The 29-year-old Grzelcyk is a year away from unrestricted free-agent status and could be easier to move given his $3.687 million cap hit and lack of no-trade protection.
In a recent mailbag segment, The Athletic's Fluto Shinzawa agreed that Hall or Grzelcyk could become cost-cutting casualties. He included Jake DeBrusk as well, observing that he's also slated to become a UFA next summer. He carries an affordable cap hit ($4 million) and lacks a no-trade clause.
Sweeney could also be forced to pursue a trade for a center if Patrice Bergeron and/or David Krejci decide to retire. Shinzawa suggested Winnipeg's Pierre-Luc Dubois, Calgary's Elias Lindholm or Philadelphia's Kevin Hayes as trade options but doubted the Bruins had sufficient trade capital to outbid other teams.