Boston Bruins Reportedly Set To Target Multiple Big-Named Players In Free Agency To Avoid A Rebuild
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The Boston Bruins are set on acquiring a big-name forward during the offseason, according to Ty Anderson of 98.5's The Sports Hub.
The Boston Bruins and GM Don Sweeney could spend to the salary cap ceiling this offseason as they'd like to forego a rebuild.
That all depends on the quality of forward a lot of cap space can buy, as GM Don Sweeney will have to consider not only the costs of a future lottery pick, but someone like the Florida Panthers' UFA Sam Bennett.
But Anderson didn't just mention Bennett's name, as he thinks the Bruins will go for broke as they will attempt to lure players like Nikolaj Ehlers of the Winnipeg Jets, the Vancouver Canucks Brock Boeser, the Toronto Maple Leafs, Mitch Marner and could attempt to re-sign Brad Marchand.
A surprising notion after their last negotiations.
«And so I think they're going to be big time players. And I look at things like this. The business model isn't hurting, but it will if you keep this kind of roster. They have a season ticket waiting list, but ticket prices in Boston have gone up 13% over the last two years. I believe it's the second highest get-in in the United States behind Madison Square Garden. So fans want a reason to come to the games. What you have right now is not a reason to come to the games.
«So I think their star power is really lacking. And for that reason, I expect them to try to make a move for a big-time player in free agency, because that's when ownership gets their eyebrows raised a little bit, when the business suffers. And it hasn't happened yet, but if they roll out this roster in the fall, it's going to hurt, and it's going to hurt them in a big way.»
«So I think their star power is really lacking. And for that reason, I expect them to try to make a move for a big-time player in free agency, because that's when ownership gets their eyebrows raised a little bit, when the business suffers. And it hasn't happened yet, but if they roll out this roster in the fall, it's going to hurt, and it's going to hurt them in a big way.»
The Bruins will have a projected cap space of $27.1 million moving forward and currently have 13 players under contract.
They'll have to use that cap space wisely to re-sign their RFAs, including forward Morgan Geekie.
If they can't match other teams who will be bidders for top free-agents in the NHL, they could lure other players here with an offer-sheet including players like the Minnesota Wild's Marco Rossi, the Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies, or JJ Peterka, a Sabres forward.
It'd be ironic if they do win the Sam Bennett sweepstakes, though, as he'd be a perfect fit for the Bruins.
Bennett's $4.4 million AAV contract will expire at the end of the 2024-2025 season and he can sign anywhere he'd like.
Previously on Bruins Insider
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 10 | 544 ANSWERS Boston Bruins Reportedly Set To Target Multiple Big-Named Players In Free Agency To Avoid A Rebuild Who do you think GM Don Sweeney of the Boston Bruins will pursue in free agency? | ||
| Sam Bennett | 262 | 48.2 % |
| Brock Boeser | 141 | 25.9 % |
| Nikolaj Ehlers | 141 | 25.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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