Boston Bruins: Are they able to make a Marcus Johansson return possible?

The Boston Bruins had a marvelous run in the Stanley Cup playoffs. That fairytale path ended on just 15 wins, which is not good enough for the most elusive trophy in the world of hockey. Marcus Johansson arrived at the deadline and played a key role in the run.

How to make a return to the Stanley Cup Final a reality next season? That’s what bothers the Boston Bruins as of now. The main point of focus should be keeping the same squad, which helped the Bruins making it that far, intact. Will it be possible? One of the main contributors for the Bruins during their playoff run was Marcus Johansson. Is a Marcus Johansson return plausible for the Bruins?

Firstly, the Boston Bruins have approximately something over 14 million in the salary cap space left. Secondly, keeping Marcus Johansson is a pipe-dream. As it stands now, it’s more than 90% probable that Johansson has no chance of staying with the Bruins. But is there any chance, any way that they could keep him for at least another year?

The Bruins have been a force in the playoffs for one key reason – the third line existed. Last year, when the Boston Bruins had a hard time handling the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round of the playoffs, their bottom-six’s non-existence cost them a lot. This time around, excellent chemistry built by Charlie Coyle, Danton Heinen and Marcus Johansson changed the discussion. The change had almost the best possible outcome – the Stanley Cup.

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The Bruins will use most of their salary cap space to sign Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo and Danton Heinen; their restricted free agents. If the General Manager Don Sweeney does these signings via bridge deals, there might be some space left, but not more than 5 million which snapping up Marcus Johansson might require.

Johansson is coming off a deal worth $4,583,330 per season. After what he showed in the playoffs (11 points in 22 games and a great overall display), he definitely deserves a raise. That’s very logical and he will get the suitors. The New Jersey Devils, who sent him to Boston on the Trade deadline, might take a look at him after they have a ton of the salary cap space left.

For the Boston Bruins, the term is not a problem. Johansson will require, and should get a long-term deal, for at least five years. He will be 29 years-old when the new 2019-2020 season kicks in.

From the Boston Bruins perspective, the price is the problem. Another important piece of that third line, Charlie Coyle will require a new contract next year. That’s a guy, whom you want to lock in long-term as a bigger priority, as he is one year younger than Johansson.

If the Bruins cannot sign Johansson for a, let’s say, very discounted price like 2 million per season, the Marcus Johansson return is just a pipe dream. Not realistic. The Bruins would have to make some trades.

The most ideal one would be one of David Backes; giving Johansson Backes’ contract would probably fit, but that’s not how it works. David Backes’ buyout also doesn’t thread the needle. The Bruins would need to trade him, somehow.

Where to find the salary cap space elsewhere? When the Bruins started the Stanley Cup Final, there were pretty comfortable not having two defensemen in their lineup – Kevan Miller and John Moore. Both these blue-liners eat up more than 5 million in the salary cap space combined.

Those are the two only realistic areas where the space for Marcus Johansson return to Boston can be accomplished in the summer. Otherwise, no luck. The Bruins might give that roster spot to someone else – Jack Studnicka, Anders Bjork, Jakub Lauko or someone else from Providence.

And when the calendar turns into the month of February, maybe a ‘new Johansson’ can be acquired cheaply via the trade.