Money and lineups for the Bruins.
Krejci and his $7.25 cap hit would go to Calgary, along with DeBrusk and his $3.765 cap hit. DeBrusk would be under contract for the Flames for next season.
The 27-year-old Gaudreau is in the fifth season of a six-year, $40.5 million deal that carries a $6.75 cap hit this season and in 2021-22. Hanifin, who is 24 years old, is in the third year of a six-year, $29.7 million contract that carries a $4.96 million cap hit.
Projected lineup
Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak
Gaudreau-Coyle-Smith
Ritchie-Studnicka-Senyshyn
Fredric-Kuraly-Wagner
McAvoy-Grzelcyk
Hanifin-Carlo
Zboril-Lauzon
Losing Krejci as a second-line center would slide Coyle up from the third line to take his place, while inserting Jack Studnicka as the third-line center. Studnicka has been much more effective this season as a center compared to right wing, but if Krejci does not come back next season, why not insert him now as the third-line center?
Defensively, the Bruins would be able to keep McAvoy and Grzelcyk together, while upgrading Hanifin with Carlo as a good top-four set for the Bruins.
It’s clear that the Bruins are a team that can get into the playoffs, but in order to make a run with their core players, upgrades are needed and Sweeny has an opportunity to work out a deal with Flames. This trade allows Boston to move on from two disappointing forwards from this season, while upgrading the offense and defense for not only this season, but next season also.