Boston Bruins: Three important players they might lose in a year

BUFFALO, NY - December 19: Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug (47) talks over the next play with teammates Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88), Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) and Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) during an NHL game between the Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres on December 19, 2017, at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY. (Jerome Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - December 19: Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug (47) talks over the next play with teammates Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88), Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) and Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) during an NHL game between the Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres on December 19, 2017, at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY. (Jerome Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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BOSTON - FEBRUARY 26: Boston Bruins Charlie Coyle is welcomed to Boston by a fan during pre-game warmups prior to his home debut as a member of the team. The Boston Bruins host the San Jose Sharks in a regular season NHL hockey game at TD Garden in Boston on Feb. 26, 2019. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON – FEBRUARY 26: Boston Bruins’ Charlie Coyle is welcomed to Boston by a fan during pre-game warmups prior to his home debut as a member of the team. The Boston Bruins host the San Jose Sharks in a regular season NHL hockey game at TD Garden in Boston on Feb. 26, 2019. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

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.