Realistic Re-Tool

Team: 2023-24 Boston Bruins

Initial Creation Date: May 31, 2023

Published: Jun. 21, 2023

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Hard to find a way to bring back Bertuzzi without moving another forward. A smart GM doesn't trade Hall when his stock is low and he's signed for multiple years at what could still prove to be a reasonable amount. DeBrusk is a pending UFA who will command more than Bertuzzi does now and I am not at all convinced that DeBrusk is the better player when both are healthy. I think you take this risk when the players are similar, signing Bertuzzi costs you nothing, and trading DeBrusk nets you a nice haul.

Grzelcyk has to go as the highest paid of the expendable D. I think Lohrei and OEL make up for his loss seamlessly. Hopefully Reilly can be traded without any additional cost.

Frederic, who has arb rights after a breakout season, signs a long-term extension.

Swayman takes an affordable one-year deal with the promise of a long-term extension when the cap goes up.

Hathaway takes a pay cut to stay with his hometown team long-term.

OEL joins the team he's always wanted to play for on a one-year "show-me" deal with the potential for a multi-year extension.

Bergeron and Bonino sign one-year, 35+ deals at the minimum base with bonuses, chasing one last chance at the Cup.

Lysell and Lohrei - and to a lesser extent Lauko and Steen - are given a shot to begin the season. Veteran AHL reinforcements are brought in as security. Most have ties to the area.

I don't disagree at all with those that say Merkulov is the most pro-ready top-nine forward in the system, but I think he's best suited at center or at least LW and the biggest need to balance the lineup is at RW. Merkulov is the first call up in case of injury.

Providence:
Bowers-Merkulov-Sanford
Kuntar-Poitras-Kase
Toporowski-Harrison-McLaughlin
Brazeau-Beecher-Wagner

Hanley-McIlrath
Renouf-Pysyk
Callahan-Mast

Bussi
Keyser
DiPietro

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