Keys to the Boston Bruins offseason
Greg Wyshynski and Chris Peters of ESPN: Looking at the keys to the Boston Bruins offseason.
The window remains open – Have some older core players but have a nice collection of under 26-year olds.
Get even younger – Defenseman Urho Vaakanainen and forward Jack Studnicka could be ready to make the jump.
Re-sign defensemen Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo – Both will be looking for raises off of their entry-level deals. Aaron Ekblad‘s eight-year, $7.5 million per could be a comparable for McAvoy.
Explore a Torey Krug for help on the wing – Krug will be an unrestricted free agent after next season. He is their power play QB though and they may not have a replacement for that just yet. They could use a second line winger for Jake DeBrusk and David Krejci.
Consider buying out David Backes – He was a healthy scratch by the end of the Final. The Bruins could look to trade him, but he has a limited no-trade clause. Buying out the final two years is an option.
Krug on his future
Boston.com Bruins: Bruins defenseman Torey Krug on his future: “I want to be here. I’m sure they feel the same way. Hopefully that’s the case.” Krug would like to work out an extension but adds that it might not happen.
Are the Bruins interested in Hayes?
Jimmy Murphy of Boston Hockey Now: A source that is close Kevin Hayes has said that there is a “mutual interest” between Hayes and the Boston Bruins.
The Bruins were interested in Hayes at the trade deadline, with the source saying the Bruins were close at the deadline before he was traded to the Jets.
The Bruins could be making some changes this offseason, with center David Krejci as one player who could be traded.
Could the Bruins look at moving Krejci?
Jimmy Murphy of the Boston Hockey Now: Boston Bruins center David Krejci has two years left on his deal at a $7.2 million salary cap hit. Krejci didn’t put up the playoff numbers as he has in the past, but if the Bruins are looking to shed some salary and if they explored a trade, there would be interest.
“Obviously with Donny being busy in the Final, GM’s probably weren’t calling him as much the last few weeks, but I can tell you there’s a buzz around Krejci again,” one NHL Assistant GM told BostonHockeyNow. “His cap hit could be an issue for sure, but he proved he’s still a No. 2 center in this league and if the Bruins really decide they need to, they could move him.”