Boston Bruins 2023-24 lineup takes shape amid salary challenges
The 2023-24 Bruins lineup is coming into focus as the new season approaches. After some uncertainty, Patrice Bergeron's future has been determined, and Trent Frederic and Jeremy Swayman are locked in following arbitration-related delays.
Don Sweeney & Co. have wrapped up most of their on-ice roster management, but the signings have pushed them slightly over the salary cap for the upcoming season.
Despite trading Taylor Hall and making other moves, the Bruins find themselves in a bit of a salary cap bind.
The team had the option for a secondary buyout window due to arbitration, but that avenue wasn't pursued.
The Bruins have evaluated potential buyout candidates, but their core players with high cap hits make that strategy unfeasible.
While Derek Forbort's name surfaced in buyout discussions, his value as a penalty-killing defenseman keeps him in the mix. The Bruins are weighing options for improving their cap situation while retaining Forbort's gritty contributions.
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Matt Grzelcyk's name also came up in trade rumors, but GM Sweeney dismissed the speculation. Grzelcyk's strong performance last season and his compatibility with Charlie McAvoy make him valuable to the team.
Despite cap constraints, the Bruins are likely to stick with their Ullmark-Swayman goaltending tandem. The lack of attractive offers for Linus Ullmark and the team's need for a reliable netminder indicate that their goaltending situation is stable.
The Bruins are poised to enter the new season with minimal cap space and a slightly different roster configuration.
As the season approaches, they face decisions on optimizing their lineup and cap management, making strategic moves as needed.
