Amid player losses from free agency and retirement, the Boston Bruins' goaltending duo, Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman, garners immense attention. As Taylor Hall, Tyler Bertuzzi, Dmitry Orlov, and Patrice Bergeron bid farewell, a move involving their star goalies could jeopardize the playoff aspirations.
Yet, beyond this season, uncertainty looms. Ullmark and Swayman's combined 2023-24 cap hits stand at $8.475 million, potentially triggering a strategic move if Swayman's salary escalates. NBC Sports Boston's Nick Goss explores the notion that one of them might be traded next summer.
Goss proposes that if Swayman secures consistent top-10 goaltender status, releasing Ullmark's $5 million cap hit becomes plausible. Freed capital could bolster other critical positions, notably the need for a top-six center to fill the void left by Bergeron and potentially David Krejci.
Anticipate a significant move next off-season, as the Bruins navigate complex decisions. Goss envisions trading Ullmark, driven by a higher salary cap and one year left on his contract.
For now, the Bruins rely on both goalies, seeking more than just sporadic victories. Their immediate focus centers on competitive prowess fueled by elite goaltending. After this season, a reevaluation at that position seems inevitable, irrespective of the outcome on the ice.
