The Boston Bruins re-signed both Torey Krug and Reilly Smith to nearly matching $3.4 million dollar contracts last week. Some fans believed that the Bruins overpaid Krug, and a lot more of them thought they gave too much money to Smith. The organization was trying to lock up two important players. While the Bruins have achieved that objective, they now find themselves is a very rough space against the NHL cap ceiling.
Puck Prose
The Bruins have now committed $62,475,000 to their players in the 2015-16 NHL season. That money is being used to secure the services of eleven forwards, four defensemen, and one goaltender. With the initial cap ceiling expected to be around $73 million, this leaves the Black and Gold just barely over ten million dollars to lock up or acquire any additional players to the Bruins.
This is where the Peter Chiarelli era of long-term, high(over)paid contracts, with no-trade clauses will come back to bite the Bruins. The Bruins will need to figure out who is the most valuable next season. They’ll also have to start the horse-trading to see who in their no-trade group would be willing be waive that clause in order to be moved to another team.
The Bruins have several players they have yet to lock up this season. It’s likely that the Black and Gold will have to part waves with certain players at the end of the year. Here’s a list of the remaining players and their likelihood of leaving.
Adam McQuaid – McQuaid has had several rough seasons in Boston. Injuries have held him down over the last few years, and the B’s will likely try to either move him or allow him to test the waters of free agency. The B’s may offer him a contract next year, but it will likely be a one-year, cap-friendly contract.
Dougie Hamilton – The Bruins see the twenty-one year old as the future face of the franchise. It’s almost inconceivable that Boston would make any attempt to move him. His play will easily garner him a larger contract this season, and if they want to keep him in Boston and pay (likely slightly overpay) him what he’s worth, then they’ll have to be a move somewhere else on the roster.
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Matt Bartkowski – A lot of us were surprised that Bartkowski still had a job this season. A lot of fans found it galling that Bartkowski would take the Bruins organization to arbitration, and even more surprised when he was awarded a $1.25 million dollar contract. Bartkowski has sat out for considerable stretches this season (he’s only played thirty games so far). The Bruins have only used him due to a depleted roster caused by injury.
The Bruins have attempted to move him in the past, but haven’t quite found the right mix to seal the deal. Bartkowski will be a free agent after this season, and it will be surprising to see him in a Bruins uniform after July.
Niklas Svedberg– Svedberg’s greatest sin at the moment is his ability to give up soft goals. He had two of those in the Bruins game against the Detroit Red Wings last weekend. If Svedberg can correct that deficiency, then he’ll be solid for the Bruins next season. While his 2.43 goals against, and .918 save percentage aren’t Olympic, they’re pretty close to the numbers posted by Tuukka Rask.
The Boston Bruins have dumped their last two number two goaltenders. Anton Khudobin and Chad Johnson have moved on to other teams and have decent seasons. The B’s track record will mean that Svedberg will likely be moved in order to give Providence Bruins goaltender Malcolm Subban another shot in Boston.
Gregory Campbell and Daniel Paille – If you’ve read my work over the last few years, it’s obvious that I’ve got a man crush on the guys who wear Merlot. While the man crush still burns, it’s highly doubtful either of them will be in a Bruins uniform next season. Campbell has been battling injuries and himself this year, and just hasn’t had a very effective season. While Daniel Paille certainly has put up a good streak recently, his overall performance is still sub-standard for a team that is desperate to have all four of their lines producing for them.
Carl Soderberg – Next to Dougie Hamilton, Soderberg is the player the Bruins should try hard to keep in a Black and Gold uniform. Soderberg had a streaky season, but he’s still be one of the better performers for Boston this season. He’s got a double digit goal total (10), and is fifth in points overall (35). Soderberg proved to be so effective as a center that he was given that position over veteran Chris Kelly. Soderberg’s next contract will be on par with what Kelly makes now, so if the B’s commit to keep him, they’ll need to see who they can move in July.
The sad truth is that B’s will likely let this Swedish fish go swim in the ocean of free agency where another big net will scoop him up.
Ryan Spooner – A player that has become a fan favorite in spite of Claude Julien‘s continued reservations about him. The injury depleted lines gave Julien no choice but to play him, and Spooner has made the most of his opportunity. He’s proven to be a decent play-maker as a member of the improvised line that includes Milan Lucic and David Pastrnak, The Bruins should attempt to retain him. He has the potential to be a solid center (or winger) for the Bruins down the road. (At worst, he’d be a suitable replacement for Gregory Campbell on the fourth line.)
Brett Connolly – Brett Connolly was a summer rental that never got a chance to get in the sun. He was injured in his second team practice, and will miss the rest of the regualar season. If Connolly wants to stay in Boston, he’s going to have to have a postseason to rival the 2011 performance of Brad Marchand.