Part 1 of the Boston Bruins mailbag covered free agency, center options and more.
For Part 2, let’s dig deep on the goalie and trade questions.
(Note: Some questions are edited for length and clarity.)
Did Don Sweeney miss his chance at the highest return for Linus Ullmark by not trading him at the deadline? — Rick W.
Unknown. He was, in all likelihood, dealing with fewer interested parties at the deadline. The market expands now as teams have all their assets, have yet to spend their budgeted money and have greater hopes for the playoffs in 2024-25. That said, there may be more goalies available for trade now than at the deadline. There’s greater demand now, but probably also more supply.
Should the Bruins consider trading Jeremy Swayman in an effort to bring in massive return along with shifting their core identity/philosophy away from goaltending? They have been built around their goaltenders for 15-plus years, and it has resulted in a great deal of regular-season success but a lot of playoff disappointment. — John M.
No. They have a sure thing in net for 10 years.
What are the chances of trading Ullmark for 2024 draft compensation? What do you think he would yield if that were the case? Is there any chance of getting the Devils’ mid-first-round pick? He’s an established Vezina-level starter. How many of those are out there right now? — Karen L.
Ideal scenario is trading Ullmark before the draft. As for New Jersey’s pick, general manager Tom Fitzgerald told colleague Pierre LeBrun recently that he’d listen on offers. At this point, I see it as being too high. Perhaps the market will improve for the Bruins as the draft gets closer. It depends on what other goalies are available. Ullmark projects to be the top goalie available, but the fact he needs a new deal depresses the asking price.
What is Ullmark’s realistic trade value this offseason? — Jacob P.
Second-round pick.
Any chance of a blockbuster trade coming this summer? This team feels so close but may need a change of scenery for some. — Jim K.
Zero. The Bruins aren’t trading David Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy or Swayman. Those are the three pillars. I don’t think they’d want to trade Brad Marchand. They need Pavel Zacha and Charlie Coyle. Hampus Lindholm has no-move protection. The only player beyond Ullmark I could see being moved is Trent Frederic because he’s unrestricted after 2024-25. But I don’t think the return would qualify as blockbuster material.
If Ullmark is moved, is Brandon Bussi the backup or do they sign a cheap veteran? — Ed M.
Yes and yes. Bussi needs waivers to go to Providence. He would absolutely get claimed. Bruins need an experienced goalie in case Swayman or Bussi get hurt.
Which is the real Hampus Lindholm: first or second year? — Daniel H.
Second at this point of his career. He’s 30 and a big man. It all starts with his skating.
Sweeney and Co. have obviously been preparing for this offseason for a year or more. After a better-than-anticipated 2023-2024 season and the emergence of guys like Matt Poitras, Justin Brazeau and Johnny Beecher, does that change the calculus as to how they approach the draft and free agency? My guess is they are now more likely to cash in Ullmark for picks, and take one big swing at a top free-agent forward. — Andy M.
Yes and yes on Ullmark and a UFA forward. I don’t think there is necessarily a change of plan for the draft and free agency. They’d like to get back into the first, second or third round. They will spend in the offseason.
Why are you so often overly negative about the Bruins and what are you doing to fix it? — Adam B.
They were who they were in 2023-24: a team that played very well considering the offseason departures, deserved to win one playoff round and set themselves up to take another step in 2024-25. My coverage reflected their performance.
How come no forward or defenseman has learned to play goalie? If I were a good-but-not-great skater and learned to play decent backup goalie, I’d have a better chance of making a roster. Could a skater put on the pads and replace an injured or ineffective goalie during a game or are there rules against that? — Peter C.
A skater is eligible to play goalie during a game. If you were a good but not great skater, you cannot be an NHL goalie. You have to be an elite skater to play the position. It is not about size and blocking anymore. Swayman and Ullmark are terrific skaters.
The Bruins prospect pool seemed to move from the bottom of the league to average pretty quickly. Do all three of Beecher, Poitras and Mason Lohrei become mainstays next year? Anyone else we should be looking at for promotion from Providence (Fabian Lysell, Georgii Merkulov)? — Jory M.
Beecher and Lohrei are on the team next year. Poitras’ recovery will dictate whether he’s up full-time. The Bruins would be disappointed if Lysell or Merkulov don’t see time up top in 2024-25. I could see Marc McLaughlin, John Farinacci and Riley Duran taking some varsity shifts at some point.
If the summer roster building and by extension next season are duds, do you see a changing of the guard in the front office/hockey ops? — Andrew S.
No. Ownership is pleased with Sweeney and Cam Neely.
Any insight on Jack Edwards’ replacement next year? — Mike L.
Maybe Alex Faust. NESN was happy with how he filled in.
With the youth movement on the horizon, where do you project players like Lohrei, Lysell, Beecher to be this upcoming season and perhaps in the next 3 years? Do Lysell and Lohrei have top-line/top-pair/ PP1 upside? And do you anticipate Beecher sticking in the bottom six? — Michael C B.
Yes and yes.
Let’s talk Jake DeBrusk. He’s taken a lot of heat over the years for his inconsistency. But if you take the player for what he is, you’re looking at 20 to 25 goals per year and a legit top-six winger with the flexibility to play up and down the lineup. Seems like things are trending toward the B’s moving on. Doesn’t it feel like they’re just going to be chasing the same caliber player at a similar cost or higher? — Chris F.
Clearly, the Bruins believe they can replace DeBrusk at a cheaper cost than his ask. He’s a valuable player. He’s not someone they want to lose. But there is a ceiling to what they’ll pay. He’s obviously exceeding that at this point.
Do you think the Bruins will add an enforcer type? They seemed to prioritize it with the Milan Lucic signing and Pat Maroon trade. — Spencer H.
Ideally yes. But there are fewer of those types with each year. Not a front-burner add.
What are your major plans this offseason? Do you get to take any time off to spend with the family? Any good vacations planned? — Michael C B.
I’ll be on my bike and watching the Tour de France daily in July. Hopefully some time in Vermont in August. Summer is the best!
Does the NHL have a legal tampering period with UFAs prior to the opening of free agency? — Chip O.
Not anymore.
What’s wrong with McAvoy and are they doing anything to fix it? — Daniel H.
He’s not an ideal PP1 quarterback. He was not as good five-on-five, partly because of how poorly Matt Grzelcyk played. Like any defenseman, McAvoy is better with a good and reliable partner. It remains to be seen if Lohrei can fill that position. There’s more there than McAvoy showed in 2023-24.
Not too long ago, Brandon Carlo was frequently missing time with concussions, and his play looked to be in decline (remember Derek Forbort and Connor Clifton taking on second-pair duties in Bruce Cassidy’s final playoff series). In the past two years, Carlo has hardly missed time and has probably been Boston’s steadiest playoff defender. What has changed under Montgomery that has allowed Carlo to be so effective while also staying out of harm’s way? — Matthew C.
Part of it is personal development. Carlo is now 27 years old, right in the sweet spot of his career. In terms of health, he’s figured out how to protect himself in dangerous situations. That kind of awareness comes with time. As for his play, Carlo is a serious person and critical thinker. This didn’t work to his advantage under Cassidy. He was often worrying about mistakes and not repeating them. Montgomery’s positivity has made a big difference in Carlo’s sense of self. He’s become very good at playing to his strengths.
With the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary released earlier this week, which highlighted the Bruins’ Stanley Cup victory and the riots that followed, what was your favorite moment from the Bruins’ postgame celebration? What do you recall if anything about the riots that followed? — Sean V.
Funniest thing I remember was Tuukka Rask leaving the room wearing Nathan Horton’s helmet. Tuukka was blitzed. I got back to my hotel really late. Not late enough to avoid the rioter who smashed into a pane of glass while I was unwinding outside. That was a good sign to get back to my room ASAP.
(Photo of Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman: Justin Berl / Getty Images)
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What's Linus Ulmark's trade value? Would Bruins trade Jeremy Swayman? Mailbag, part 2 - The New York Times
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