The Boston Bruins are at a bit of a crossroads with their roster heading into the free agency period on July 1. Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci are still undecided on returning for another season, and currently, Boston has just about $4 million in salary cap space with several unrestricted free agents and two important restricted free agents in goaltender Jeremy Swayman and forward Trent Frederic. You can add in the fact that the team would like to re-sign trade deadline additions forward Tyler Bertuzzi and defenseman Dmitry Orlov. There are many moving parts, and the Bruins would also like to improve the roster. Phew. This should be an interesting summer, to say the least.
But one rumor by 98.5 The Sports Hub Producer James Stewart surfaced recently that indicated the Bruins were having “buyer’s remorse” pertaining to defenseman Hampus Lindholm and that the team was kicking the tires on a trade of the 29-year-old blue liner who had a career season with 53 points and an impressive plus-49 rating, but a disappointing postseason for the second time with Boston. The former first-round pick has seven years remaining on his contract that carries a $6.5 million cap hit.
The value for Lindholm, who for much of the season was playing toward Norris Trophy candidacy, is a steal at this point. With the Bruins losing in the first round of the playoffs for the second straight season, Lindholm has drawn some criticism for his play in the postseason, which has been subpar. In 11 postseason games with Boston, the left-shot defenseman has zero points. Some of his erratic play was the result of a broken foot he sustained with a month left to the season. But questions remain on whether Lindholm’s game translates to the physicality of the postseason.
Regardless, the Bruins should not and will not shop Hampus Lindholm this off-season. And to solidify that theory, a recent sign and trade deal between the New Jersey Devils and Columbus Blue Jackets has proven Lindholm’s contract to be an excellent decision by Boston. Defenseman Damon Severson signed an eight-year deal worth a cap hit of $6.25 million with the Devils before being dealt to Columbus. Severson turns 29 in August and posted 33 points this season. The former second-round pick is a good player but not quite the player Lindholm is.
The Bruins would like to keep Orlov, also a left-shot defenseman, but the cost and term for the 31-year-old might be too significant. On top of that, maybe Lindholm is the better bargain anyway. The Bruins do not have much salary cap room and will most likely have to trade core members of the roster but rest assured that Hampus Lindholm will not be one of them. At least not this year.
