Bruins

“We just have to attack.”

Last month, Don Sweeney pledged that the Bruins were going to be “aggressive” entering the 2024 offseason, especially with over $21 million in projected cap space on hand (per CapFriendly).

Speaking to the media in Las Vegas ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft on Thursday, Sweeney echoed a similar sentiment when it comes to Boston’s desire to significantly bolster its roster, especially down the middle. 

“I’ve been consistent that we were going to come out of this season knowing that we were still falling short and the ultimate goal is to win,” Sweeney said. “Congrats to [the] Florida [Panthers], obviously, and we know that path. We failed to get through them twice in the last few years. So we’d like to deepen the middle of the ice.”

“So that’s where we’ve been focused and trying to have those talks with our group to say ‘Okay, who would be the guy?’ And then make, hopefully, a pitch at the right time that we can add a player of that nature.”

Given Boston’s need for a proven top-six pivot, it would come as little surprise if the Bruins are significant players in the looming bidding war for centers on the open market like Elias Lindholm and Chandler Stephenson. 

Lindholm stands as the top target among centers this summer, with his two-way acumen and faceoff skills likely coveted by a team like Boston. Though the 29-year-old Lindholm might be viewed as more of an elite 2C than a proven top-line center, he’d instantly be the top option down the middle for Boston. This could allow Jim Montgomery to either slot Pavel Zacha to the wing or push Charlie Coyle further down the lineup.

Allocating $7-8 million per year on a forward like Lindholm offers some risk, considering that the veteran largely underwhelmed last season with Calgary and Vancouver. He recorded just 44 points over 75 games.

However, Lindholm had a strong playoff run with the Canucks (10 points in 13 games), and has three seasons of 60+ points on his resume. A full season next to a superstar talent like David Pastrnak could juice up his scoring totals in short order.

Beyond the evident need for another option down the middle, Sweeney stressed Boston’s hopes of reinforcing its blue line and adding more scoring punch. 

Boston could use a physical, third-pairing regular on the left side of its defense like Brenden Dillon or Alec Martinez giving the Bruins some snarl and shot-blocking capabilities further down on the depth chart. 

More scoring talent is also a need for the Bruins, especially after averaging just 2.17 goals per game in their season-ending series against Florida — squandering a stellar showing from Jeremy Swayman in net. 

Those scoring woes will likely be further exacerbated by Jake DeBrusk’s seemingly inevitable departure in free agency on Monday. 

Still, that cap flexibility can dry up in a hurry for Boston when it comes to diverting funds toward scoring talent up front, especially with the Bruins still in the process of locking up Swayman to a long-term extension this summer. 

“I think we’re going to continue to look to strengthen our back end and complement the group we have there. And then from there, it’s sort of like, how much of the pie is left — with the clear acknowledgement that Jeremy is part of this equation,” Sweeney said. “Perfect world, you have a deal done there prior to [free agency], but it’s okay.”

Before the start of free agency on July 1, Sweeney and the Bruins will have to brace for the NHL Draft. Boston is now back on the clock in the first round after trading Linus Ullmark to the Senators. 

While Sweeney could not “100 percent” declare that the Bruins won’t weigh their options when it comes to dealing away their re-acquired first-round pick (No. 25 overall), he added that the Bruins have a prime opportunity to add a blue-chip prospect to the organization on Friday night. 

A poised, playmaking center like Jett Luchanko or Cole Beaudoin would make plenty of sense for the Bruins. But Sweeney believes that targeting prospects by positional need can be a dangerous gamble. 

“We’re going to try and find the best player we possibly can and there’s always an eye towards positional needs if it presents, but it’s a dangerous prospect to just go into the draft thinking you’re just targeting a particular position,” Sweeney said. “I think it’s ill fated at times. And you can make some mistakes. 

“We all make them — they are 18 year old kids and there’s a lot of development to be done. We want to find the best player that fits some of the things that our prospect pool may lack, but ultimately find the best player.”