Buyout Cleanup

Team: 2023-24 Boston Bruins

Initial Creation Date: Jun. 30, 2023

Published: Jun. 30, 2023

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Bergeron and Wheeler sign one-year, bonus-laden deals for one last shot at a Cup. Wheeler was a couple months away in 2011 and reportedly wants to play in the East. With Bergy, Marchand, and now Lucic back it’s a no-brainer. Wheeler also played with Forbort a few years ago. If it works well, Wheeler probably has some gas in the tank for another year or two.

Last time OEL was on the move, the only place he wanted to go was Vancouver and Boston. Now there’s only one spot left and it also features another stud Swedish defenseman. OEL likely sacrifices AAV for term for a long-term fit and title chance.

Duchene will have a ton of suitors, but coming off a down year and in a cap crunch off-season, he is better served signing a one-year “show me” deal. Hard to think of many places to boost your scoring than on a line with Pastrnak. I would be open to an extension if the two have great chemistry.

Puljujarvi is polarizing. I for one still see potential in him and the Bs could use another big, net front guy and another right shot. A low-money deal makes this low-risk, high-upside. DeBrusk and Coyle are good two-way linemates to help develop Puljujarvi too. Maybe he has long-term potential?

That fourth line is menacing but if there are injuries in the top nine or Fredric struggles adjusting to center, it will be tempting to put him back with Coyle. Logan Brown could be the next man up at center if the Bs don’t want another youngster alongside Lauko.
Hanley has proven himself to be a great depth option on the blue line. I think Lohrei is already good enough to stick, but if he needs time or injuries occur, Hanley is just as qualified as Zboril or Mitchell to step in. His signing gives you good depth and a blue line leader in Providence.

Bs and Swayman agree to a one-year deal with a modest pay bump so that he can sign long-term at a starter number when the cap increases next year. Freddy has arb rights this year so may as well lock him in long-term now.