Sweeney has work to do
B’s GM doesn’t get too specific on plans
Never one to paint himself into a corner, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney had no definitive word on which of his free agents he wanted to sign or which he’ll let seek other opportunities.
There could be a player or two the Bruins would like to keep and simply can’t or won’t pay because of the team’s salary cap structure.
“Obviously, our team accomplished a lot to get to the 112-point level so ideally you’d like to bring everyone back and hope to take another run at it. I don’t think that’s realistic in a cap environment,” said Sweeney at the year-end press conference yesterday with coach Bruce Cassidy.
“We can afford the salary the guys are at, but some of them had very good years and you’d expect that to change. I’ve had discussions periodically with some of those players and will have with their representatives going forward, but I don’t have clarity on any of the players that are in the UFA status. We’re going to seek clarity, and we’ve got some players that we think internally that can continue to push and carve out roles, and we’ll see how we piece the jigsaw puzzle together.”
Riley Nash falls into the category of a player who’s earned a bigger payday. He bloomed into a good thirdline center who scored 15 goals and 41 points. The 29-year-old Nash just might triple his bargain basement salary of $900,000 on the open market. If the B’s pay that, it could become a road block for some of the young centermen in the system like Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson, Trent Frederic and Jack Studnicka.
As good a find as Nash was, another contract for the bottom six player might be the exact kind of deal Sweeney wants to avoid. Tim Schaller, who scored 12 goals as a fourth liner while making just $775,000, could also fall into the same category as Nash.
It did sound like Sweeney was interested in bringing back backup goaltender Anton Khudobin. Minor leaguer Daniel Vladar is not ready yet, and Zane McIntyre, the most experienced goalie in the system, had an inconsistent year at Providence and was sat out in the playoffs. Khudobin was pivotal in helping Tuukka Rask get through an early season rough patch and posted a 16-6-7 record. He’ll be looking for a raise from his $1.2 million salary. Will it be too much? “I thought Anton did a really good job this year,” said Sweeney. “Zane had pushed the previous year. He had an up and down this year. He had some real good pockets of games where he was excellent and he had some other games where there some situations he didn’t necessarily rise up to. He’s in the mix to push for our group. We’re exploring bringing Anton back. Well see if that might work. If not, we’ll have to go to an alternative.”
The case of Rick Nash, whom Sweeney did not talk about, is interesting. His production did not meet expectations and, at 34, he won’t be getting anything near the eight-year deal worth $7.8 million annually he got from Columbus. But what is he worth now? Would he take a two-year deal worth half the salary?
While some may still be bitter with his playoff performance and have no interest in re-signing him, that means the B’s would still have to find a second line right winger. Anders Bjork, another left shot who was given the chance to be Patrice Bergeron’s right wing before getting hurt, could get another look there, but it’s no slam dunk he grabs on to it. First-rounder Zach Senyshyn did not have the kind of first pro season — 12 goals, 16 assists in 66 games in Providence — that would have the club clearing the decks for him.
As for others, it doesn’t seem likely 39-year-old Brian Gionta will be back. Tommy Wingels is a good role player, but the B’s might find that in-house. If they make some move on defense, maybe Nick Holden could be part of the mix.
However he shapes his 2018-19 roster, Sweeney was not closing any doors. Opportunities will be available for more young players, but roster spots will have to be earned. Sweeney could also dip his toe into the free agency market. A trade or two could happen.
“We’re certainly going to explore everything,” said Sweeney.