The Bruins should not look to trade goaltender Linus Ullmark
The Boston Bruins enters the 2023 offseason among the most cap strapped teams in the NHL. Ahead of the July 1st start date of NHL free agency, the Bruins have a grand total of $4,937,500 in cap room according to spotrac.com. With the Bruins approaching an important offseason in which critical decisions must be made by Bruins GM Don Sweeney and Bruins President Cam Neely, the Bruins have to figure out a way to improve the roster while creating cap room which will give the Bruins salary cap flexibility. This is where things get rather dicey for Sweeney.
Where do the Bruins go from here after having the greatest regular season in NHL history? How much should the Bruins tinker with the roster?
One of the critical aspects of understanding how professional sports work is acknowledging that rarely does a team stay the same following a season of epic disappointment. Roster changes are made, sometimes firings happen whether it be within the front office and head coach, etc. When you begin to assess some of the difficult decisions that must be made regarding the Bruins roster, one looks at potential trades that may become reality as a result of the salary cap.
Among the changes that will come this summer, goaltending should not be among them
Linus Ullmark is going to win the 2022-2023 Vezina Trophy (given to the best goaltender in the NHL) as he led the NHL in wins (40), save percentage (.938) and GAA (1.89). Ullmark also has two years remaining on his contract at $5 million AAV per season. Ullmark was one of (if not) the best goaltender in the NHL this past regular season. The Bruins have areas of need that needs to be addressed whether it be at number one & two center, a defenseman, and left wing. Goaltending is one area the Bruins should try to avoid making any deals involving Ullmark if possible.
The importance of Linus Ullmark to the Boston Bruins cannot be overstated. Ullmark was a major factor in the Bruins setting the new NHL record in wins in a regular season (65). He stood on his head on multiple nights when the team did not play their best hockey in front him. Plus, who can forget the goalie goal he scored against the Vancouver Canucks as it one of the memorable moments from the historic season.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B97Kxv7ji-o[/embed]
However, if the Bruins are going to trade Ullmark this summer he should be used as a trade chip to get the most for his value whether it first round drop picks, a first/second line center, or top tier prospects that will bolster the Bruins prospect pool.
The Bruins should not trade Ullmark despite having less than $5 million dollars in cap space is because they have what most teams in the NHL would wish for. They have the best goaltending duo in the league in Ullmark & Swayman and having stellar goaltending night in and night out is a recipe for success both in the regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs. For the start of the new season, it would be wise to keep Ullmark & Swayman together in net and give goaltending prospect Brandon Bussi more time to develop.
The best moves in sports are the ones you don't make. The Bruins would be wise to hold off on dealing Ullmark and explore other ways to free up salary cap room while improving the roster for the 2023-2024 season.