The Boston Bruins have outperformed expectations this season, which might lead to a hectic offseason once their
salary cap space becomes available.
The Boston Bruins’ limited salary-cap room last season precluded them from making significant moves in the free-
agent market last summer or at the NHL trade deadline in March. With a projected $21.7 million in cap space for
2024-25, GM Don Sweeney will be able to acquire players this summer through trades and free agents.
Sweeney may free up another $5 million by dealing Linus Ullmark. The 30-year-old netminder has one year left on
his contract and reportedly used his 16-team no-trade list to turn down a move that would have sent him to a
Western Conference club before the trade deadline.
With Jeremy Swayman becoming an RFA this summer and vying for the Bruins’ full-time starting goalkeeper
position, Ullmark could be playing his final season in Boston. Sweeney could transfer the 2023 Vezina Trophy
winner to a team not on his no-trade list, with the New Jersey Devils among those interested.
Sweeney may use some of his cap room to sign a veteran two-way center to his top six forwards. He was allegedly
interested in Elias Lindholm before the Calgary Flames dealt the 29-year-old centre to the Vancouver Canucks. The
Bruins’ general manager could try to acquire Lindholm if he becomes a free agent on July 1.
According to THN blogger Michael DeRosa, Sweeney might also pursue Noah Hanifin if the 27-year-old defenseman
tests the market this summer. He is thought to have been interested in the Boston native before the Flames sold him
to the Vegas Golden Knights just before the trade deadline.
According to Jimmy Murphy of Boston Hockey Now, Sweeney has prepared the stage for potentially huge changes
this offseason, according to one NHL executive. If he can pull it off, the Bruins may remain among the NHL’s elite
teams for the foreseeable future.
