The offseason has begun for the Boston Bruins, and it is time for management to look toward next season. General Manager Don Sweeney stated that the team will be “aggressive” in free agency as the club is a couple of moves away from possibly being a top Stanley Cup contender during the 2024-25 season. When it comes to the trade market, there aren’t many assets for Boston to use in a deal to add a major piece to the roster. The Bruins have only three draft picks available from rounds four through six in this year’s draft and very few prospects to entice other teams. One major trade piece could be goaltender Linus Ullmark, who is entering the last year of his four-year deal. The Bruins could use the former Vezina Trophy winner to pull off a solid hockey trade with half of the league, as the other half is on his no-trade list. Here are five candidates for the Bruins to acquire this offseason:
Leon Draisaitl – Edmonton Oilers
Let’s be honest. This scenario is a bit of a pipe dream for the Bruins. Draisaitl is a top-five player in the NHL and makes a ton of money. His contract expires after next season, and there is talk that the Oilers will not re-sign the big center. Acquiring Draisaitl would be a coop for Boston and solve a lot of problems. But do the Bruins have enough to trade for him? And are they willing to include someone like Mason Lohrei? This is fun to think about but probably not feasible.
Martin Necas – Carolina Hurricanes
Necas is more of a possibility for Boston. The Bruins need another younger forward with speed and offensive ability, particularly if they lose Jake DeBrusk to free agency. Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman shared that the Bruins had trade discussions with the Carolina Hurricanes about Ullmark at the trade deadline. Calgary and Vancouver have also shown interest in the 25-year-old center, who scored 24 goals with 29 assists in 77 games with the Hurricanes. The 12th overall pick in 2017 also contributed four goals and five assists in 11 playoff games. Necas is a restricted free agent who would need a new contract.
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