Amalie Benjamin of NHL.com: Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney said they plan to be aggressive this offseason.
“We’re in a position where we can look to add to our group of guys, and that includes some of the younger guys, as mentioned,” Sweeney said. “But we’re going to be aggressive, so we can complement what we have right now in other areas.”
They will want to add a case.
The Bruins have $20 million in cap space. Re-signing goalkeeper Jeremy Swayman is a priority according to Sweeney.
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“Obviously it’s a priority. And Jeremy knows, I told him this. … We clearly engaged in a discussion during the regular season to get a long-term extension. We are not there yet. It is a priority now and it will continue to be a priority until we reach the finish line.”
- Jimmy Murphy: Sweeney noted that it was Swayman who filed for salary waivers last season and not the Bruins who took him.
Bruins president Cam Neely said they want to be quick. Sweeney said they will look for secondary points in free agency or internal growth.
Forward Brad Marchand is eligible for a contract extension this offseason and Sweeney will try to get a deal done.
Sweeney is pending UFA Jake DeBrusk, who said in their exit meetings that he was surprised the deal had not been reached:
“Negotiation is a two-way street. We took an aggressive position with Jake, unlike other players who chose not to re-sign and evaluate. That is within his right, certainly at this time of year. Do I see the way? Yes, there is a way. … I would love to have Jake DeBrusk on our team.”
- Belle Fraser: GM Sweeney on DeBrusk: “We took an aggressive position with Jake…Do I see a pattern? Yes, I can see the way. I told him that on our way out…I would prefer to have Jake DrBrusk on our team, but there may be some opportunities he can explore in another way.”
Jimmy Murphy of Boston Hockey Now: The Boston Bruins traded Pat Maroon at the trade deadline. He did not enter the game until the last week of the regular season recovering from a back injury.
The 36-year-old is a UFA and has loved his short time with the club. The Bruins have more than $20 million in cap space. Will they want to bring back his leadership next season?
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Jimmy Murphy of Boston Hockey Now: Brad Marchand is eligible for a contract extension this offseason and hopes to sign ‘at some point.’
“Obviously, I can’t believe how quickly it came. It will certainly be a discussion at some point. We will go from there. I’ve been here my whole career and I’d like to continue that when the time comes.”
