Charlie Coyle
This one gets very, very interesting if David Krejci leaves in free agency to sign with another team or he decides to go play in the Czech Republic. If that happens, that means Charlie Coyle slides up to the No. 2 center slot behind Patrice Bergeron, and based on this past season and his contract, that’s not good for the Bruins at this present time.
Following a trade that landed Coyle from the Minnesota Wild at the trade deadline in 2019, Coyle played a big part in the Black and Gold’s run to the Stanley Cup Final against the Blues with nine goals and seven assists in 24 games. In November of 2019, the B’s signed the East Weymouth, Massachusetts center to a six-year, 431.5 million extension.
This season, Coyle hardly seemed like he was a $5.25 million a year player.
In 51 games, he had six goals and 10 assists, but he was moved around between center and wing by coach Bruce Cassidy to try and get the 29-year-old going. Nothing really worked.
With four years remaining on his contract, 2021-22 is going to be a big season for Coyle. If Sweeney tries to move that contract, good luck. If Krejci returns, Coyle will stay on the third line, but if Krejci leaves, then the Bruins could be in a pickle behind Bergeron.