Time’s running out on Loui
Sweeney takes last shot at Eriksson
BUFFALO — Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said he was going try one last time to nail down unrestricted free agent-tobe Loui Eriksson to a deal.
But with the open-speaking period beginning tomorrow and free agency starting on July 1, Sweeney did not sound hopeful that the gap could be bridged.
“I’m going to have another conversation with J.P. ( Barry) and see if things have changed,” Sweeney said about Eriksson’s agent. “Take one more stab at it to see if he thinks the internal landscape is as green as what we think it is, as opposed to what the outside may look like.
“Obviously, he’s on the cusp of exploring things,” Sweeney continued, “so he may see it otherwise. I’ve told you all along that we really value Loui and what he brings to the table and we’d like to find a fit, but it may not happen.”
It is believed the two sides are still far apart on both terms and money. TSN’s Darren Dreger reported Eriksson is looking for a six-year deal while the B’s are not willing to go beyond four.
Have the Bruins made their last offer?
“There are two sides in a negotiation,” said Sweeney. “Everybody says, ‘Make your best offer.’ If your position isn’t strong enough and you continue to negotiate against yourself, that’s not necessarily the best practice in this business. Again, we’ll see if there’s common ground and, if there isn’t, we’ll have to move forward.”
An Eriksson departure would leave a huge hole in the Bruins’ lineup. He was proficient both on the penalty kill and on the power play. He can be used on both the left and right sides and up and down the lineup.
If the team can’t come to an agreement with Eriksson, Sweeney said he’d move his rights for a pick in the draft if a deal presented itself. But he said he hasn’t fielded calls on that yet.
“I don’t know if that works or not, to tell you the truth,” he said.
Negotiations continue
The team continues to negotiate with deadline acquisitions forward Lee Stempniak and defenseman John-Michael Liles. Both will be unrestricted free agents on July 1.
According to Sweeney, defenseman Zach Trotman, a Group-6 free agent, will not return to the Bruins and will hit the market. The same goes for UFA backup goaltender Jonas Gustavsson.
“I’ve talked to (Gustavsson’s) camp. We obviously have a very strong internal candidate in Malcolm ( Subban) in that regard,” the GM said, “but we’re going to look at all the possibilities for goaltending.”
Gave it best shot
Sweeney said he talked with Nashville about obtaining the rights to negotiate with Harvard forward Jimmy Vesey of North Reading. However, the Sabres obtained the rights to the thirdround pick earlier in the week.
Vesey’s representatives continue to say he will test free agency on Aug. 15. . . .
Sweeney hasn’t made a decision on any buyouts. That could change during weekend if the Bruins obtain an experienced defenseman. At that point, veteran defenseman Dennis Seidenberg could be a buyout candidate.