The Boston Bruins are a team looking to spend big this offseason after a 2024 NHL Stanley Cup playoff second round loss to the Florida Panthers. The Bruins are expected to have over $20 million in cap space this offseason. They are expected to target a true top-six centre, another top-six winger, and more depth scoring. This has been challenging for this organization over the years. The Bruins currently have ten expiring contracts, the most important being Jeremy Swayman, who is one of the best young star goaltenders in the NHL and was one of the main contributors to the team’s success this year, and the last couple of seasons.
The Overall Boston Bruins Goaltending Situation
Boston is looking to lock up the young goaltender who will be looking for a massive payday. Linus Ullmark trade rumors have been talked about all season long because of Swayman’s contract situation and phenomenal play. Considering he is only 25 years old, he is the future of the organization and the whole league, leading the Bruins to look at all options regarding moving Ullmark, who currently is holding $5 million in cap with one more season left on his contract. Let’s look at some potential trade options that the Bruins could attack around the 2024 NHL Entry Draft in late June.
Linus Ullmark Trade Destinations
Detroit Red Wings and the Deal:
DET receives: Linus Ullmark
BOS receives: 2024 1st Round Pick (#15), Robby Fabbri
The Detroit Red Wings have shown interest in acquiring a big-name goaltender this offseason. With the recent trades involving Darcy Kuemper to the Los Angeles Kings and Jacob Markstrom to New Jersey, Detroit will be more aggressive in pursuing Ullmark. This trade features the Bruins acquiring pick #15 in this year’s draft. This gives Boston a late lottery pick this year, which will hopefully help them land a solid prospect. This trade also has the Bruins receiving centre/left wing Robby Fabbri, who has had trouble staying healthy in his career. However, when healthy Fabbri can put the puck in the net, and be a major contributor to the team’s offence. He would slide into Boston’s top-six forward core and help provide the team with much-needed depth in goal-scoring.
Ottawa Senators
OTT receives: Linus Ullmark
BOS receives: 2024 1st Round Pick (#25), Jakob Chychrun
The Ottawa Senators are one of the few teams that are a goaltender away from being a true contender next season. Linus Ullmark being a recent Vezina Trophy winner possesses high trade value. This could cause many teams to potentially have to overpay for Ullmark. Luckily, the Senators possess two first-round picks in this year’s draft. They are also still holding their first-round picks for the next two years. However, don’t forget that as fallout from the Evgenii Dadonov trade debauchery, after deciding to keep this year’s seventh overall selection, they will have to give up one of those next two first round picks. The thinking from Steve Staios and staff is that they will be higher in the standings, and not such a good pick the next two years.
With the Bruins’ current draft pick situation, receiving a first round pick in this year’s draft will give Boston their first pick in the first three rounds. Considering if they didn’t have this pick, they wouldn’t be picking until the late fourth round. This trade also involves the Bruins getting a young top-four defenceman with Jakob Chychrun who plays on the left side, which will be needed for this team as Matt Grzelcyk and Derek Forbort, two left-handed defencemen are likely leaving for free agency.
Chychrun is a 6 ‘2″, two-way defenceman who has one year left on his current contract. He can provide Boston with another solid offensive option on defence, who could fit in and quarterback their second power play unit. Bruins would also be getting a defenceman who is a smooth skater and isn’t afraid to jump into offensive rushes. With the Bruins having over $20 million in cap space this offseason and letting many of their current players test free agency, Chychrun’s contract wouldn’t be an issue that the Bruins would have to face.
Edmonton Oilers
EDM receives: Linus Ullmark
BOS receives: 2025 1st Round Pick (TBD), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
The Edmonton Oilers have been succeeding with average goaltending over the past couple of seasons. Ullmark is a goalie that Edmonton has been looking into since the beginning of the 2023 season. With Ullmark being a main trade target for a lot of teams, there would be no surprise seeing the Oilers try to land the superstar netminder again this offseason. The main piece in return for Boston would be centreman Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Boston desperately needs centre help. Nugent-Hopkins would be put right into their first-line centre role. He would provide them with aggressive offensive zone play. He can also create scoring chances for himself and his teammates. This trade additionally has the Bruins receiving a first round pick in next year’s draft. This will allow Boston to continue to build their prospect pool for the future.
Main photo: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY
