On the Boston Bruins …
Craig Custance of ESPN: Looking at the offseason priorities for the Boston Bruins.
1. A decision on interim head coach Bruce Cassidy – Cassidy has a good relationship with GM Don Sweeney and was able to get the Bruins into the playoffs. Do the Bruins think the Dan Bylsma or Darryl Sutter would be an upgrade over Cassidy?
2. A David Pastrnak extension – The pending RFA is coming off 70 points in 75 games this season. Predators Filip Forsberg is a comparable and he signed a six-year contract worth $36 million last offseason.
3. Bring in another defenseman – They had to bring in Charlie McAvoy for the playoffs. He played a big role but it shows they lacked depth. The Bruins have been tied to Kevin Shattenkirk and should see what the price would be to acquire him. Zdeno Chara is nearing the end of his playing career. A better option for the Bruins might be to trade for a defenseman that is cheaper than Shattenkirk and one who is on a shorter contract.
Jimmy Murphy: Source saying that if Bruce Cassidy wants it, the head coaching is his. He’s been Sweeney’s guy all along.
Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald: Interim head coach Bruce Cassidy on if he wants to be their permanent coach: “Absolutely. One hundred percent,” Cassidy said.
Ryan Spooner’s days in a Bruins uniform could be coming to an end. The pending RFA was a healthy scratch in Game 5 and Game 6.