Top-six options at centre if Patrice Bergeron stays or goes
PUBLICATION
Dorin Canaday
May 16, 2022 (11:51)
The Boston Bruins' season has come to an end much earlier than the club and fans expected, and next season's roster hinges on the decision of franchise legend Patrice Bergeron.
Bergeron's contract is about to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) in July, and he said before the season that he wasn't focusing on his contract and didn't want to discuss it during the season. He made similar comments in his press conference following the game seven loss to the Carolina Hurricanes:
"It's too early right now ... Not after ... it's too fresh right now. It still stings, obviously, from a hard-fought series. Came up short. Obviously, I'm going to have to think about it, but I'm not there right now."
If Bergeron were to leave, it would leave a massive hole at the first-line centre. David Krejci left the team last offseason to finish his career at home in the Czech Republic, and general manager Don Sweeney failed to replace Krejci last summer and at the 2022 Trade Deadline.
And let's be honest, Charlie Coyle and Erik Haula, as the top two centres, is very far from a contending team.
Who would be the best replacements?
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Mark Scheifele of the Winnipeg Jets would be the best replacement that's available via trade or free agency if Bergeron does retire or leave. Scheifele stated that he is open to a trade out of Winnipeg:
"I'd love to be in Winnipeg, but I also have to see where this is all going and what direction this team is going in, and I guess we'll see this summer ... I'm in the prime of my career. I still have so much to improve on too, and I like where my game is at. I like the physical nature that my body is at. I'm only improving, I'm only getting better, and I'm only going to be a better player next year than I was this year ... I just have to know where this team is going and what the direction is and what the changes are going to be if any. I have to think about my career and what's going to be best for me. Those are going to betalks with my agents and everyone in my family and stuff like that and figure out what I really want."
The 29-year-old has 230 goals and 347 assists for 577 points in 642 career NHL games. He's a big-bodied centre that only has two years left on his current contract, which carries an average annual value of $6.125 million. Scheifele would be the perfect option to replace Bergeron's offensive capabilities, but there are levels of concerns about his defensive play, which would be far from what Bruins fans are used to seeing from Bergy.
Would you like Sweeney to try and package a deal involving Jake Debrusk, Matthew Grzelcyk and other possible pieces to acquire the point-per-game player like Mark Scheifele?
Pierre-Luc Dubois is another option from the Winnipeg Jets, who is a restricted free agent. Meaning it would take a lot more to acquire the 23-year-old centre, whether it be by offer sheet or trade, I believe it will be too costly for the Bruins. Other RFA options include Dylan Strome of the Chicago Blackhawks and Pavel Zacha of the New Jersey Devils.
The top-two centres available via free agency, besides Bergeron, are Evgeni Malkin and Claude Giroux. Two more veterans that would make no sense to sign even if Bergy doesn't come back.
Younger free-agent options would include Ryan Strome of the New York Rangers, Vincent Trocheck of the Carolina Hurricanes and Nazem Kadri of the Colorado Avalanche. All three of these options would be massive additions to the Bruins' top-six, but the question would be, can Boston afford any of them? As all three will be looking for a pay increase.
Here are their salaries and stars from 2021-22:
Trocheck: $4,750,000 - 21 goals, 30 assists, 51 points
Kadri: $4,500,000 - 29 goals, 59 assists, 87 points
Strome: 4,500,000 - 21 goals, 33 assists, 54 points
If Bergeron stays or leaves, I still think Don Sweeney has to find another top-six centre to compliment the captain. However, to get one via trade or free agency, the Bruins' will have to offload cap space from somewhere on the current lineup.
Let us know your thoughts!
