Boston Bruins Aim At Addressing Offence Needs

As we wait for the Conference Finals to begin, it’s time for another NHL episode.

We’ve reached the final four in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, there is plenty to talk about among the teams who were eliminated. The Boston Bruins are one team that is reflecting on what could have been. They fell short in the Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Florida Panthers. Today’s NHL rumors center on the Boston Bruins offense and potential adjustments.

All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.

NHL Rumours

Boston Bruins Offence Needs This Off-Season

Rumour: The Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa gave a list of possible off-season needs that General Manager Don Sweeney needs to fill.

Trading Linus Ullmark is atop the Bruins' offseason checklist. What else will they do? https://t.co/RhrX3ZCyW5

— Fluto Shinzawa (@FlutoShinzawa) May 21, 2024

Analysis: Florida eliminated Boston from the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second consecutive season. The Bruins pushed the Panthers to six games, but a lack of scoring and the Cats’ depth dashed their hopes. Shinzawa conducted a postmortem on what Boston and Sweeney might do in the offseason to make a push.

Strength Down the Middle

The Bruins currently have Pavel Zacha, Charlie Coyle, and Morgan Geekie at the center position. This club missed Patrice Bergeon’s clutch play and defensive expertise. This weakness was exploited against top-tier pivots such as Aleksander Barkov. Shinzawa stated that the Bruins must make acquiring another top-tier centre a priority.

Sweeney might try to arrange a deal to land a centre, using Linus Ullmark as a negotiating chip. The Bruins writer’s off-season checklist included trading the Swedish goalkeeper. Using Ullmark as trade bait could help you accomplish two goals at once. However, Ullmark maintains the no-trade clause.

Some of the money should be utilized to pay restricted free agent Jeremy Swayman a raise. However, considerable funding is required to establish a powerful center. If Elias Lindholm and the Vancouver Canucks cannot reach an agreement, he may enter the free agent market. Lindholm, on the other hand, is likely looking for a bump in his $4.75 million valuation.

Steven Stamkos, the Tampa Bay Lightning’s center, might also be considered. The Lightning and their captain are both concerned about the salary cap. Tampa Bay is pressed against the cap and may make Stamkos a cheaper offer. Boston could make a move for the skilled forward.

Adding a Scoring Winger

Shizawa also stressed the necessity for a scoring punch on the wings. David Pastrnak led the squad in goals, assists, and points, despite some groin concerns. Brad Marchand is still with Boston, but he is entering the final year of his contract. Jake DeBrusk has taken some steps ahead, but his future remains undetermined. Trent Frederic’s contract will expire at the end of next season, just like Marchand’s.

Depth scoring became an issue as the club progressed further into the playoffs. Boston needs some help on the wings to advance to the next level of competition.

Sam Reinhart of Florida appears to be the prize that other teams are attempting to sign. However, as we mentioned in prior NHL speculations, Reinhart appears to want to stay with the Panthers. The state of Florida also has the advantage of being tax-free, so his pay would go further.

There may be additional solutions that are not as high-quality. However, they may fill the hole and assist Pastrnak and Marchand. Some of these players are Tyler Bertuzzi, Jonathan Marchessault, Teuvo Teravainen, Matt Duchene, and Patrick Kane. Sweeney and the rest of the team’s fan base will be very interested in what happens this offseason.