Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) blocks a shot on goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Tuesday, April 2, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)AP
BOSTON — Don Sweeney was doing more than talking to the media as he sat at the podium at the Bruins’ end-of-the-season management press conference on Wednesday at TD Garden.
Sweeney was asked about Linus Ullmark’s stated desire to stay in Boston and whether it was feasible from a roster-building standpoint to have a large percentage of the salary cap tied up in two goalies.
Ullmark is heading into the least season of a deal worth $5 million per season, while the Bruins and Jeremy Swayman are working toward a long-term contract that is likely to pay him more than that coming off a terrific postseason run. The Bruins have almost $21 million in cap space, but are looking to add scoring to their roster. Trading Ullmark and making the Swayman the No. 1 goalie would free up more cap space, but Ullmark has a 15-team no-trade clause that makes dealing him that much harder
We’re going to find a landing spot with Jeremy Swayman, and if we can make the math work, we’re going to have the best tandem,” Sweeney said. “If we can’t, we’re going to explore, and for Linus, he may come to us and change his mind. That may occur as well. We were very happy to sign Linus, and in a perfect world, we would keep the tandem because I think it’s damn good. But we’re going to explore opportunities. My phone’s going to ring, I’m going to make calls. That’s just what the job requires.”
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