Possible Way Boston Bruins Will Utilise $21.2 Million In Cap Space

The NHL has announced an increase in the salary cap for next season to $88 million per team.

According to CapFriendly, the Boston Bruins now have $21.2 million in cap space, with restricted free agent Jeremy Swayman expected to sign soon. Don Sweeney, the Bruins’ General Manager, is also looking for a center, a scoring winger, and a left-shot defenseman to add depth to the back end. A busy summer is begun, and the Bruins have some money to spend for the first time in several years.

When you include goaltender Linus Ullmark’s tradeable deal, the Bruins might have more than $26 million to play with assuming no money is retained in a trade. Boston is in solid financial situation to upgrade a group that advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, which many believe exceeded expectations. Sweeney is responsible for using the money wisely and adding a piece or two to help the Bruins reach their first Stanley Cup Final since 2019.

How will the Bruins spend the money? There are a variety of circumstances. Boston might make a big offer for Edmonton center Leon Draisaitl, who will become an unrestricted free agent after next season. His talents will come at a high cost, and it is questionable whether the Bruins have the necessary pieces. Draisaitly might possibly command close to $15 million each season in his next contract.

The Bruins may also trade for a restricted free agent, such as Carolina’s Martin Necas, who will likely earn $7-8 million in his next contract. Carolina requires a goaltender, which might put Ullmark in play; however, other teams are interested in Necas and may offer more. The 25-year-old forward is one of the most popular commodities on the trade market.

Boston may also be interested in unrestricted free agent centers Steven Stamkos, Elias Lindholm, and Chandler Stephenson. The list also includes viable wingers, highlighted by Sam Reinhart and Jonathan Marchessault. With the amount of cap room the Bruins have, they could sign or acquire a handful of $7 million players while still retaining Swayman.

As is customary at this time of year, there is a lot of speculation about what the Bruins will do. In recent years, Boston has not signed many major stars on the free agent market, but the club has also had less money to spend. It will be intriguing to see how or if that money is ultimately used to enhance the roster this offseason.