Team: 2020-21 Boston Bruins

Initial Creation Date: Oct. 26, 2019

Published: Oct. 26, 2019

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Coyle - interested to see what his totals look like at the end of this year. Career half-point-per-game player. Good two-way guy. However, I wouldn't give him much more than 5.5MM tops. I think you can lower that number with a long-term deal for the hometown boy.

Krug - worth more than the Bs will be willing to give him, but has stated he would take a discount to stay in Boston. Like Coyle, think they end up giving max term to keep the number down

DeBrusk - has all the upside but hasn't been able to put it all together just yet. That could change by the end of the season though. Unlikely either side wants a very long term. I think Bs fans will be pleasantly surprised by the cap hit on DeBrusks next deal.

Halak - too old to compete for a starting job, Halak also may be too old to argue for a raise. I don't think the Bruins see any of their prospects as being ready for a backup role within two years, especially given Rask's superior numbers with plenty of rest

Wagner - has stated that he would like a long-term deal, and I'm sure he feels even stronger about that if he can get one from his hometown team. I'm comfortable with keeping Wagner long-term at his current cap hit

Grzelcyk - while I see Krug and Carlo being the new top pair once Chara retires simply as a function of the Bs preference of having a shutdown guy playing big minutes, it goes without saying that Grzelcyk is the leading candidate to take over the key role as McAvoy's D partner. I think both sides will be willing to wait and see how that goes before agreeing to a long-term deal. It would not even surprise me if Grzelycyk, who's arb eligible, signs a one-year deal.

Ritchie - almost impossible to say what Ritchie will be worth next summer, if the Bs even qualify him. I think Ritchie is a nice depth player, but I don't know he has a long-term place as a top-nine forward, at least in Boston

Petrovic - just like this year, I think the Bruins will realize they need an NHL-ready veteran presence on the right side in Providence. Petrovic will have already had a season of experience and will have more opportunity to play in Boston next year. Seems like a good chance for an unexpected extension, much like Kampfer last year

Most other RFA's - take their QO's except for a few who get a small bump based on anticipated role

UFA's Walking - Miller, Nordstrom, Lagace
Retired - Chara
Bought Out - Backes

UFA ADDITIONS -

Perry - I believe, as I have for years, that Krejci needs a natural right winger with shooting ability to truly maximize the production of that second line. Unfortunately, this summer isn't the year to find that guy. Toffoli will cost more than the Bs can afford and I'm not willing to overpay for the likes of Simmonds, Craig Smith, and Kassian. J-G Pageau is an interesting idea, but he's more of a center and is also a risk of being a disappointment outside of his role and ice time in Ottawa. Perry has looked good in Dallas thus far since getting healthy and I think he still has enough left in the tank. As ironic as it is to buy out Backes only to sign Perry, I think it could work. If it doesn't there's plenty of prospect depth to help out. (I would rather they find a Coyle-type two-year rental at the deadline though)

Marincin - the blue line is super deep this year, but I think losing Chara and Miller will leave the team wanting to make an AHL addition, even if Petrovic does sign. Vaakanainen, Lazon, and Zboril will finally be in line to get some real opportunity, but it won't hurt to have a veteran lefty in Providence as well. Marincin has the size and strength to fill in nicely if the Bs find they're missing Chara.