2 weeks Ago
The Boston Bruins have a head start on their offseason work as their rivals square off in the playoffs. It gives them time, for example, to determine which of their restricted free agents to qualify. But being deliberate could come at a cost.
A nightmare offseason could begin with one of their top priorities being waylaid if another team cuts the line. Advertisement Here are seven steps to take them from bad to worse: 1. Their preferred coach goes elsewhere Four other teams currently have vacancies besides the Bruins: the Anaheim Ducks, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers and Seattle Kraken.
Others could join this cohort. It’s unknown how Rick Tocchet will proceed with the Vancouver Canucks. Mike Sullivan is not guaranteed to be back with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Patrick Roy’s status with the New York Islanders is in question following the ouster of general manager Lou Lamoriello. Most coaches would consider the Rangers opening to be the gem of the group. It’s Manhattan.
The Rangers have foundational players in Adam Fox, Artemi Panarin and Igor Shesterkin. A coach would enjoy the challenge of optimizing youngsters such as Alexis Lafrenière and Will Cuylle. General manager Don Sweeney suggested there are candidates for the coaching job working for playoff teams.
As such, it’s unknown when their runs will conclude and when they’d become available to interview. “In a perfect world, timing might be that the coaches we identify are still part of the NHL playoffs,” Sweeney said. “When you get permission, when is the appropriate time to get permission and opportunity, could present some challenges.
” If Sweeney practices deliberation, he runs the risk of a target favoring another opportunity. 2. Providence loses in the first round of the AHL playoffs The Bruins are hopeful that Fabian Lysell, Fraser Minten and Matt Poitras, three of their top prospects, go deep in the AHL postseason.
It would help them understand the competitiveness of the postseason and help them in their development toward becoming full-time NHL contributors. But Providence lost to Springfield in the Round 1 opener, 2-1. Another loss on Friday would end their season.
3. World Championships participants flame out The Bruins are sending five players overseas: Jakub Lauko, Elias Lindholm, Mason Lohrei, Andrew Peeke and Jeremy Swayman. The tournament begins onMay 9.
Advertisement Swayman, in particular, should stand to benefit most from the international competition. He has nowhere to go but up next year. A good showing would be helpful for Swayman to regain his swagger.
But if Swayman and his teammates struggle, their swagger could instead buckle. The Bruins need players coming back with more confidence next season, not less. 4.
Conditions aren’t met on the Marchand trade If the Florida Panthers lose in Round 1 or 2 or Brad Marchand plays in less than half of their games, it would lock the conditional 2027 pick the Bruins acquired for Marchand into the second round. It becomes a first-rounder if the Panthers advance to the Eastern Conference final and Marchand plays in at least half of the games. Marchand played 17:15 in the Panthers’ Game 1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
5. The lottery drops them to No. 7 in the draft The NHL’s fifth-worst club could lose a maximum of two slots in the lottery.
This would not be a welcome development. It’s unlikely that centers Anton Frondell or Jake O’Brien would still be available. The Bruins want the best player available, but they are short on impact pivots.
6. Geekie goes to arbitration Morgan Geekie, 26, has said he does not want to exercise his option. However, if the Bruins’ offer is not in Geekie’s preferred neighborhood, the restricted free agent would let his numbers do the talking for a one- or two-year settlement.
Geekie’s statistics would hold up well in a hearing. He scored 33 goals, more than Nathan MacKinnon. It’s not just that Geekie could cash in via a hearing.
The Bruins would have to counter their employee’s argument. For example, they could make the case that Geekie’s career season was the primary result of burying 22 percent of his shots. In comparison, Leon Draisaitl turned 21.
7 percent of his shots into 52 goals. The Bruins could also argue that Geekie rode in David Pastrnak’s slipstream. Advertisement Geekie understands the process.
But no employee likes hearing these things from an employer. Swayman carried the grudge of his 2023 hearing into last offseason’s negotiations. Geekie is wired differently than Swayman.
But a hearing would not be comfortable. 7. Striking out on high-end free agents Free agency is the franchise’s most likely route toward restocking the roster.
The Bruins would love to bring on Mitch Marner as their No. 2 right wing behind Pastrnak. But what if Marner finds a bigger payday elsewhere? And Brock Boeser and Nikolaj Ehlers, the other top scoring wings in the class? With the stars gone, Sweeney would have no choice but to fill out the roster with second-tier signings, adding to last year’s bungle of committing $84.
25 million to Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov. (Photo of David Pastrnak: Matthew Stockman / Getty Images).
