How Will the Boston Bruins Replace Patrice Bergeron?

It will be difficult for the Boston Bruins to replace a captain and six-time Selke Trophy winner. Some speculation suggests a big trade is the ideal option.

It won't be easy for the Boston Bruins to replace retired captain Patrice Bergeron. Winner of the Selke Trophy for a record six times, his departure leaves a big hole at center that they'll struggle to fill going forward.

NBC Sports Boston's Nick Goss looked at their internal options, suggesting Charlie Coyle centering Brad Marchand and Jake DeBrusk on the top line. That would leave Pavel Zacha on the second line with all-star scorer David Pastrnak should David Krejci follow Bergeron into retirement.

More suitable options might be found in the trade market. Goss suggested Elias Lindholm of the Calgary Flames and Mark Scheifele of the Winnipeg Jets. Eligible to become UFAs next July, both centers are reportedly reluctant to sign contract extensions with their current clubs.

Goss believes Lindholm, 28, is the better fit. He cited the Flames center's all-around skills, plus he's two years younger than Scheifele.

Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald shares Goss' opinion of Lindholm and Scheifele. He also looked at which players the Bruins might draw on for trade bait.

Conroy wondered if the Bruins might break up their goalie tandem by shopping 2023 Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark or Jeremy Swayman, a co-holder of the 2023 William M. Jennings Trophy with Ullmark. Swayman, 24, could be the easiest to move. He's currently filed for salary arbitration, but a new contract will be more affordable than Ullmark and lack no-trade protection if it goes to the hearing.

Like Lindholm and Scheifele, DeBrusk and defensemen Matt Grzelcyk and Derek Forbort are eligible for UFA status next summer. Only Forbort carries a modified no-trade clause.

The Bruins could package Swayman or DeBrusk along with Grzelcyk or Forbort and perhaps a draft pick or promising prospect for Lindholm or Scheifele.

Whether that's enough to outbid other interested clubs is another matter.