The Boston Bruins are sitting pretty with nearly $20 million in cap space available as they finally head into the offseason. In order to increase the team’s overall depth, Don Sweeney plans to make some significant offseason acquisitions.
He will be focusing on adding more bottom-six forwards, particularly a top-six center, who the team has been attempting to sign since Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci left last summer.
Let’s examine the three free agency prospects that Sweeney and the Boston Bruins could want to pursue in the off-season.
Veteran Tyler Toffoli is one player Sweeney is keeping an eye on in this off-season.
After concluding his season with the Winnipeg Jets, Toffoli, 32, will be taking advantage of the free agent market. After a dismal season debut, he was traded to them by the New Jersey Devils at this year’s trade deadline.
Since entering the league during the 2012–2013 season, Toffoli has been a member of six different organizations. The Jets were his sixth. He was an L.A. Kings player and their two Stanley Cup victories.
The Bruins should consider Toffoli as a forward option because he can play both left and right flank. In addition, he could score goals for Boston’s middle-six forward group.
Toffoli isn’t the best with transitional offence. However, when in the offensive zone his shot can be effective.
Especially providing chances for his teammates with his veteran level hockey IQ. He would be able to bring to the team more scoring either on the teams’ 2nd or 3rd line.
Elias Lindholm has been on Sweeney’s radar since the previous off-season, and the Boston Bruins are in desperate need of a top-six center. Lindholm can play right wing or center, depending on the situation.
After being moved to the Calgary Flames for his fourth season, where he played alongside Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk, Lindholm began his career with the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2013–2014 campaign. With his two-way playmaking and ability to gather speed and create space during offensive transitions, Lindholm would make a fantastic addition to the Bruins’ top line, paired with superstar David Pastrnak.
