Boston Bruins: Three important players they might lose in a year
Torey Krug
Torey Krug has collected 163 points over the past three seasons. That’s the fifth-best result among NHL defensemen in the mentioned period. Unfortunately, it also makes him an expensive option should the Boston Bruins seek to renew him.
Firstly, the Bruins would love to extend Torey Krug. Secondly, he would be thrilled to stay in Boston. Thirdly, the Bruins should consider Krug’s extension as their top priority.
There is one big difference between his situation in a year and the present situation with McAvoy or Carlo; Krug is an unrestricted free agent next summer.
The Bruins have to get Krug’s extension done before July 1 next year. How much would Krug demand? It’s believed the 28-year-old defenseman might seek at least $8 million per season on a long-term deal.
Projecting the 2020 off-season, the Bruins will have approximately $34 million in the salary cap space. That’s without McAvoy and Carlo inked, of course. If the Boston Bruins assume they won’t have enough cap space to re-sign Krug, they won’t want to lose him for nothing next summer.
However, would they consider a trade?
That’s not all that probable, because Krug is a very vital part of this team and the Boston Bruins would miss him during their expected route to the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs. In the worst case scenario; if the Bruins somehow become a struggling team, a trade might become more plausible but that’s an improbable scenario, surely.
With the Boston Bruins salary cap situation pretty tight, it’s clear Krug would find a suitor offering him more money than the Boston Bruins next summer.
Nonetheless, Torey Krug has previously stated that he wants to stay in Boston and that he loves the Bruins. For now, both parties will likely find common ground, though it might require Krug to take a discounted rate.
Charlie Coyle
Charlie Coyle’s short tenure with the Boston Bruins has been a huge success. His $3.2 million per year salary cap hit is not something that negatively affects the team. However, Coyle will become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
For now, the Bruins would like to keep the 27-year-old forward for the next season. But with the salary cap situation being tight, again, with McAvoy and Carlo unsigned, the Bruins might, shockingly, turn their attention to trading Coyle.
After his fine run with the Bruins during the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs, if the Weymouth native continues to impress and run the Bruins third line, his price might only get higher. That’s good news for him certainly, but not for Boston next summer. What might they want to do with Coyle in 2020?
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Re-signing the then 28 year-old versatile forward would be a good idea. However, Coyle will be a highly sought after commodity on the free-agent market. He will want a long-term deal and would undoubtedly seek a pay rise.
Let’s say if Coyle demands a six-year deal worth $5 million per season, are the Boston Bruins giving it to him?
Having a lovely homecoming at a deal worth $3.2 million per season for one and a half year is great, but what about the future?
Krug’s case is different, the Bruins will look into extending him first. Nevertheless, the odds of Charlie Coyle being traded during the 2019-20 season are likely higher than trading Torey Krug. There is not as much mutual history between the two parts.
There is no guarantee that the hometown hero remains a Boston Bruins player come October 2020. None at all.
David Krejci
David Krejci‘s situation isn’t as pressing as Torey Krug or Charlie Coyle. Those two aforementioned are destined to become the unrestricted free agents next summer, whereas Krejci won’t be a free agent for another two summers.
Would the Bruins somehow consider trading Krejci next season?
No, that’s very unlikely.
Krejci is coming off a 73-point season, matching his career-best and he has been able to keep himself healthy. Why would the Boston Bruins look to trade a player that has the second-line center duties nailed down and increased his production last year, after all.
But, what are the chances he stays as a Bruin in October 2020?
It’s not 100%, certainly.
Next summer, the Bruins salary cap problems pop up again (they would have to re-sign Krug or Coyle, for example) and Krejci’s $7.25 million salary-cap hit until 2021 is significant.
If the Bruins don’t intend to extend Krejci’s contract after 2021, there is no reason why should they not at least explore the trade option.
With one year left on his contract (talking about the 2020 summer projection); a reliable guy posting at least 70 points per season is worth a look for any team around the league. The Boston Bruins would find a trade partner if they wanted to.
Still, it’s more probable than not, that the Bruins keep Krejci and extend his contract when it expires in 2021.
Would it be a right call letting Coyle go in 2020 because of his salary demands and then re-sign Krejci a year after?
Have in mind, that there is a six-year gap between the two centers. The Czech forward will be 35 in 2021. The Bruins probably extend Krejci for a less salary and on the short-term deal.
Also of note, the first-line Bruins center Patrice Bergeron is 34 already. It wouldn’t hurt to aim for a much younger center in the free agency either in 2020 or 2021, and that’s why Krejci’s time with the Bruins might be up ahead of the 2020-21 season.
If I had to make a guess; I would bet to re-sign Krejci for a two or three-year deal in 2021. But you just cannot keep extending ageing centers forever.
From the trio of Krug, Krejci and Coyle; Krejci’s odds to commence the 2020-2021 season with Boston are the highest ones.
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It’s very much a case of ‘watch this space’ with the rest; new deals for Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo will obviously shape this and they’ve yet to land.