The job of an NHL team’s general manager (GM) is never easy, but some seasons are easier than others. What salary cap restraints are there? Do you have to give up key assets at the trade deadline? Do you have a star player to re-sign with little cap room to do so? Are you going to lose a franchise great to retirement? Do you have a lengthy list of long-term injuries, but no prospects ready to fill their spots? Is your best prospect playing his way into an unaffordable payday?
The Boston Bruins are usually in one, two, or more of those pickles each and every season. The 2023-24 season feels a bit different: there’s simply less stress. I’m personally not sweating this trade deadline or the offseason, and it’s the first time I’ve been able to say that in a long time – if ever.
Bruins’ Upcoming Free Agents: DeBrusk, Grzelcyk & More
If Bruins GM Don Sweeney and president Cam Neely decided to go on an eight-month vacation and make absolutely zero roster moves or transactions during that time, where would the Bruins be on July 1?
Let’s start with the notable unrestricted free agents (UFAs): The Bruins would lose Jake DeBrusk, James van Riemsdyk, Danton Heinen, Matt Grzelcyk, Derek Forbort and Kevin Shattenkirk. Those players represent roughly $13.7 million in cap space this season (we’re rounding up a tad on Grzelcyk’s $3,687,500 cap hit because that is an ugly number).
RELATED: 3 Bruins Dark Horse Trade Candidates for 2024 Deadline
DeBrusk and Grzelcyk are the ones you’d least like to lose to free agency, given their value on the trade market. It’s nothing out of this world, but the B’s could net a decent return for them. But, if you do lose them to free agency, is it going to lead to some sort of hostile takeover by Boston fans? Will cars be tipped over in the streets of Boston (sorry, Vancouver)?
Most Bruins fans out there seem underwhelmed by both players’ performances so far this season, even though DeBrusk has finally shown signs of life in the past month and Grzelcyk’s injury struggles are worth noting. Plus, when you know Boston is going to have to give something up to beef up the lineup ahead of the playoffs, DeBrusk and Grzelcyk are the prime candidates, especially in a package: decent return, not a magnificent loss.
RELATED: What Should the Bruins Do with Jake DeBrusk?
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