BOSTON — The Bruins enter this offseason in a much different position than last year, but Boston still has a slew of questions to answer once free agency begins. After getting eliminated in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Bruins now embark on a crucial offseason.
The Bruins have a good core that includes David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, Charlie Coyle and Pavel Zacha. An offseason priority is to sign Jeremy Swayman to a long-term deal, and add players who can help with speed and scoring — something Boston struggled with throughout its playoff run.
With nearly $21 million in cap space, Don Sweeney knows his team is in a good position to fill the holes in the offseason.
“We are in a situation where we can look to add to our core group of guys, and that also includes some of the younger guys,” general manager Don Sweeney said Wednesday at TD Garden. “… But we’re gonna be aggressive to be able to complement what we currently have in some areas.”
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There are several unrestricted free agents that the Bruins have to decide whether to let walk or try to re-sign. Atop that list is Jake DeBrusk — who admitted he was a bit surprised he hadn’t reached an extension with Boston during the season. Sweeney said they took an “aggressive position” with the forward but that “negotiations are a two-way street.”
Other unrestricted free agents include Danton Heinen, Pat Maroon, Matt Grzelcyk, Derek Forbort, James van Riemsdyk and Kevin Shattenkirk. It won’t be possible to bring every UFA back — plus the UFA’s with Providence — but Sweeney said he’s had discussions with all upcoming free agents about where they see the team going and what their future could look like.
“I’ve had conversations with all of our impending free agents, giving them an indication of where we’re leading, but we haven’t made any final, concrete decisions,” he said. “We have upcoming meetings that we have to go through and then put the jigsaw puzzle together as we see fit…. I’ve indicated some players the likely direction, but nothing concrete.”
When asked specifically about Maroon, Sweeney indicated that health would be a big factor in deciding whether the veteran forward — who the Bruins traded for at this year’s deadline — will be brought back.
Even though the Bruins have a good amount of cap space to make some moves that will certainly bolster the team, Sweeney called upon the younger players to improve — specifically Matt Poitras. The rookie center had his season cut short due to a shoulder injury that required surgery. Still, even with young players like Johnny Beecher and Mason Lohrei emerging for Boston last year, Sweeney knows it’s up to him to find players who will help get the Bruins to their ultimate goal without disrupting the culture they’ve worked hard to build.
“I’ve got to find players that complement our current group and push us forward,” he said.
