Ready for business
Sweeney has many options
DALLAS — Less than 24 hours before the NHL draft commences today at American Airlines Center, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney was still dealing with some unknowns.
Sweeney has kicked the tires on some trades but doesn’t know if he’ll click with another team. He continues talking to his own unrestricted free agents, including goalie Anton Khudobin and winger Rick Nash, but doesn’t know if he can sign anyone before they get to Sunday’s open interview period. And without a draft pick in today’s first round, he’s still working on the admittedly difficult task of trying to land one.
“It’s a unique time. A lot of balls in the air,” said Sweeney.
One thing for certain is that he’s continuing the full court press on Russian free agent Ilya Kovalchuk.
“We’ve spoken to their camp. We did not meet, but we’ve spoken and had numerous conversations with their representatives to see where they’re at,” said Sweeney. “We feel we’re a team he has a strong interest in and we’re going to see where it goes between now and however long it takes to make a decision. We’re in position to certainly explore that and he fits in. I know (coach) Bruce (Cassidy) spoke about it at length.
“We did talk very specifically about our roster with him and where we see him fitting in and what he brings to the table. So we’ll be excited to continue to explore that.”
Sweeney is not too concerned that Kovalchuk is 35 and hasn’t played in the NHL in five years.
“The scoring, the potential, the size and strength,” said Sweeney about Kovalchuk’s assets on the forward lines. “Again, he’s five years removed from the NHL and a lot has changed and what’s transpired in that league, but I think he’ll be fine. He’s played on big stages and been very successful. He’s a unique talent and probably fits into a slot we could utilize.”
While Kovalchuk appears to be the B’s 1A option, Nash would be 1B.
“We continue to talk with Rick and he’s going to take some time to make his decision. And time’s on his side,” said Sweeney. “We’ve been open to looking at that. Obviously we’d close the door if we were lucky enough to sign Ilya.
“But you’re jockeying simultaneously and we understand that he has options as well.”
Nash could draw interest from either of his former teams, the Columbus Blue Jackets or New York Rangers.
Bruins notes
The news-making New York Islanders made some more yesterday with new general manager Lou Lamoriello inking Stanley Cupwinning coach Barry Trotz to a reported five-year deal worth $4 million a year. That’s a big jump up from the $1.8 million he would have made on an extension with the Capitals.
Cassidy was glad to see it happen.
“Personally for a coach, any time you can move the needle, salary-wise, termwise, it’s a good thing,” he said. “You’ve seen it. We’re fairly replaceable, so you want to do well when you can. Even new guys coming in, some people might say ‘Oh, he’s never coached a game.’ But it’s always good for the coaches. It will eventually drive salaries up. When it’s your turn to be up and you’ve done the job and the organization respects you, you’re going to get yours. As far as for (Trotz), his resume speaks for itself, so I’m sure he’ll do just fine.” ...
Sweeney said discussions continue with Khudobin’s camp. “It’s an area we have to fill. It’s a need,” he said . . . . Sweeney hasn’t got any cost certainty on RFA Sean Kuraly yet, but has had “very good, healthy communication” with the fourth-line center . . . .
The league announced the full 2018-19 schedule with a couple of oddities. The Bruins have not one but two back-to-backs at the Garden, first against Toronto then Western Conference champ Vegas on Nov. 10-11, then consecutive matinees Feb. 9-10 against Los Angeles and Chicago. Montreal makes its first appearance at the Garden Oct. 27. The Bruins have 12 sets of backto-backs in all and have a slightly lighter load down the stretch, with 15 games and just one back-to-back.
The B’s longest road trip will be a five-gamer Feb. 15-23 to Anaheim, Los Angeles, San Jose, Vegas and St. Louis. That trip will be immediately followed by a season-long six-game home stretch.
And as has already been announced, the B’s will play the Blackhawks in the Winter Classic at Notre Dame Stadium on New Year’s Day.
The B’s bye week will run from Jan. 20-24 and into the All-Star weekend in San Jose on Jan. 25-26 . . . .
The salary cap for 201819 will be $79.5 million, giving the B’s just under $12 million under the cap.