Bruins rank among NHL's best contract efficiency under Sweeney's leadership
As the dust settles on the Bruins' eventful offseason, fans and analysts alike have scrutinized General Manager Don Sweeney's moves, especially given the limited cap space available.
The departures of key players like Tyler Bertuzzi, Taylor Hall, and the legendary Patrice Bergeron have raised concerns about the team's strength for the upcoming season.
The roster certainly looks different from last year's powerhouse on paper, but the Bruins' cap constraints required Sweeney to focus on value signings, hoping that some players would exceed expectations.
According to The Athletic's Dom Luszczyszyn, the Bruins fare well in contract efficiency, ranking fourth in the league, behind the Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Colorado Avalanche.
The team's model appreciates several team-friendly contracts, including David Pastrnak's, which it values at $14.2 million per year, though he carries an $11.3 million cap hit. Similarly, Charlie McAvoy's worth is estimated at $13.3 million, despite his $9.5 million cap hit.
These favorable evaluations extend to other players like Jake DeBrusk, Pavel Zacha, and Matt Grzelcyk, as well as veteran signings James van Riemsdyk and Kevin Shattenkirk.
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While the ranking signifies good contract management, it doesn't necessarily predict on-ice performance. The model solely focuses on skaters, omitting goalies from consideration, likely due to the challenges of projecting their performance.
As Bruins fans eagerly await the new season, they can rest assured that Sweeney has secured financial flexibility for the future, a crucial aspect given the projected salary cap increase next year.
As questions loom about the 2023-24 roster, the Bruins have positioned themselves well in terms of contract efficiency.
