NHL Rumours: 5 Boston Bruins On The Trade Block, Cap Space Issues
PUBLICATION
Dylan Robillard
May 28, 2023 (6:34 PM)
As everyone already knows, the Boston Bruins are facing a serious cap space hit this summer.
Due to a $4.5M overage penalty due to bonuses coming from Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, the Bruins have little to no room in their roster after the 20 players who are signed to a cap total of $75M.
Trades are going to have to happen whether fans like it or not.
With that in mind, here is a look at five Bruins that could be on the table; players who the team could very well be ready to deal:
Jeremy Swayman & Linus Ullmark
Jeremy Swayman is a restricted free agent, the netminder has played extremely well in his three seasons in Boston, and he's now in line to earn about $4M annually on a new contract, per Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic.
Must read on Bruins Insider
Can the Bruins realistically afford it? Or can the Bruins afford to trade him? This leading into Linus Ullmark, As the team's No. 1 netminder, and Vezina Trophy favorite this year, Ullmark will be turning 30 next season.
He was an asset for the Bruins in the playoffs but didn't show up, cleary not at the top of his game during the Bruins' disastrous first-round playoff flameout. He'll be earning $5M in the third season of his 4-year contract in 2023-24.
Do the Boston Bruins utilize a slightly-cheaper, but much younger (24-year-old) Jeremy Swayman, and trade Ullmark at the height of his value after such a remarkable season? The answer right now leans towards yes.
Verdict: Swayman - STAY | Ullmark: GO
A very strong defensive defenseman (2nd in the NHL in plus-minus rating this season at +46), he, too, is seeing plenty of interest from other teams. His size, or lack of, is a factor that kept him out of the lineup in the playoffs this year. But he would be a pinnacle player on any other roster.
His name will continue to be heard in plenty of trade rumors, already things stirring up between Boston and Edmonton, which could possibly bring over Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for Matt Grzelcyk, a source tells Jimmy Murphy.
A player who originally wanted out of Boston, requesting a trade in 2022 but later rescinded the move. Nevertheless, Jake DeBrusk finds himself on the chopping block. He is entering his walk year at $4M, and, as Shinzawa notes, whether he'd be worthy of a long-term investment after the season "is difficult to say." He would certainly bring back some nice value on the trade market.
At $6M AAV, and going into next season at 32-years-old, his value just doesn't match his contract, especially considering the Bruins' cap crunch condition. His partial no-trade clause could be an issue, however.
