Now that the NHL Draft is over and the Bruins have selected players who might one day contribute to the team, it’s time to turn our attention to free agency.
The Bruins will likely have $24 million in salary room after dealing Linus Ullmark and Jakub Lauko. Naturally, a portion of that cash is probably set aside for the renewal of Jeremy Swayman’s contract. However, general manager Don Sweeney made it apparent during the news conference at the end of the season that the Bruins intend to be proactive in order to support the core group in Boston.
Considering the depth the Bruins have in the blue line, it appears that Sweeney and company are more focused on pursuing a top-six forward.
The Bruins may choose to target these five players on July 1st in an effort to improve their lineup’s toughness, speed, and scoring.
Marchessault, C. Jonathan
With the exception of the 2021–22 campaign, Marchessault has scored 20 goals or more every season since joining the Florida Panthers in 2016–17. In the 2022–23 Stanley Cup playoffs, the 33-year-old wing won the Conn Smythe Trophy and helped the Vegas Golden Knights capture their first-ever championship. In his second-best scoring season to date, Marchessault scored 42 goals and added 27 assists during his final season with Vegas. His previous deal had a $5 million yearly cap hit and lasted six years. Marchessault may be available for the Bruins to sign because Vegas doesn’t have much salary space to offer him an extension.
C Lindholm Elias
During the trade deadline this past season, Lindholm was reportedly a target for the Bruins. However, in the last year of his six-year contract, Calgary shipped the 29-year-old to Vancouver. Throughout his 11 seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes, Flames, and Canucks, Lindholm has scored 20 goals or more four times. In 2021–22, he recorded a career-high 82 points (40 assists and 42 goals). That year, he lost to Patrice Bergeron in the Selke final. The fact that Lindholm has a career faceoff percentage of 53.5% is a plus. Although Vancouver has cap space of more than $12 million, the Canucks may find him to be too costly.
RW Reinhart, Sam
Reinhart played a key role in guiding the Florida Panthers to their first-ever Stanley Cup victory. In 24 playoff games for Florida, the 28-year-old forward recorded 10 goals and 6 assists, including 6 points against the Bruins in the second round. In eight of his ten seasons in the league, he has scored 20 goals or more, including a career-high 57 goals in the 2023–24 campaign. With the Panthers and Buffalo Sabres together for 696 NHL games, Reinhart has collected 254 goals and 285 assists. His deal was set to expire at a salary of $6.5 million annually. With 11 players about to hit free agency, the Panthers will have just under $20 million available. Reinhart might end up on the other side of the cap and be signed by the Bruins.
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