Bruins’ Off-season Just Got More Complicated

Charlie McAvoy warming up for the Boston Bruins
Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images

When news of Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand’s double hip arthroscopy made its way to the public, fans feared how they would fare without their leading point-getter for up to two months into the season. The off-season is already in flux with the status of captain Patrice Bergeron. Add to that the fact that Don Sweeney’s new contract has not been announced and defenseman Matt Grzelcyk is sidelined for up to five months after shoulder surgery, and you create some uncertainty in regards to the 2022-23 season.

Just when Bruins fans thought matters could not worsen, news came out recently that star defenseman Charlie McAvoy underwent surgery on his shoulder and could be out for up to six months. Fellow defenseman Mike Reilly, who has been rumored to be on the trading block, had ankle surgery and expected a three-month recovery. That makes three defensemen that could be missing from the lineup to start the season, along with Marchand. Not only could the Bruins be looking for a new top-line centerman with the potential retirement of Bergeron, but the team will also be very short-handed to start the year.

So what does this mean for the organization and its plans to move forward and remain competitive? Typically, the ownership of the Bruins requires at least a postseason for increased ticket revenue and concession sales. There hasn’t been a true rebuild since 2006 when the team signed Zdeno Chara and Marc Savard, moves that put Boston back on the map. The Bruins have not missed the playoffs since 2015-16 and did not advance past the first round this season for the first time in five years. The Bruins have been successful, and the expectation is that competing for a Stanley Cup will continue for a team that resides in a city that expects championships.

The first order of business will be to announce the extension of Don Sweeney. The delay in bringing Sweeney back is a bit of a head-scratcher, but one would assume it to be a technicality. Head coach Bruce Cassidy will probably stay on as well with a tweak in the assistant coaching group a probability as Kevin Dean would need to be replaced. Then there is the roster. The rehabbing players would be eligible for Long Term In Reserve (LTIR). Therefore their salaries would be put back into the pool of money available to the Bruins. This would allow the Bruins to make some additions to the roster. However, when those players return, the team would need to make room within the salary cap. This leads to an off-season that is more complicated than most.

The question now will be, can the Bruins make the moves they need to improve the roster? Does the decision to repair these injuries now mean that the upcoming season is more of a dreaded “bridge year”? Does Bergeron come back, and will the Bruins use the available salary from others to bring back David Krejci? Can the Bruins trade one of Reilly or Grzelcyk, which seems to be necessary with a logjam at left-side defense? Does Jake DeBrusk remain with the team after his trade request last season? If not, who plays top-line right-wing? And will the Bruins have to move along young prospects like John Beecher and Fabian Lysell into bigger roles right away?

Many questions abound for the Boston Bruins. The feeling is uneasy within the Bruins’ fan base, and much needs to be decided before the season begins. Hopefully, as the Stanley Cup playoffs wind down and the NHL Draft approaches, there will be a clear vision from the Bruins and a well-executed plan going forward.

Season 4. Episode 37. Gimme a J. Gimme a G. Bruins Benders Podcast

 Join the Bruins Benders Podcast as they cover the HOTTEST topics in the Boston Bruins market, along with…- Brad Marchand wins his second Cup.- Bruins are in on another overseas player. Maxim Shabanov of the KHL. Is this the only real route they can take now?- Bruins Development Camp Roster is out. What are some intriguing names?- More teams shopping draft picks. Will the Bruins be able to trade the 7th pick?- Troy Terry is potentially available. Is he a fit for the Bruins?& Much More!Bruins Benders Premium Hoodies $55https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/get-bent-premium-hoodieBruins Benders Long Sleeve Tee $40https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-long-sleeve-tee-1Bruins Benders Tee $30https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-t-shirt-1For more from us, visit: insidetherink.com/bruins-bendersBoston Bruins Trade Rumors, Boston Bruins News, Boston Bruins, Jeremy Swayman, Joonas Korpisalo, Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, Nikita Zadorov, Hampus Lindholm, Mason Lohrei, Andrew Peeke, Parker Wotherspoon, Johnny Beecher, Mark Kastelic, Justin Brazeau, Cole Koepke, Trent Frederic, Matthew Poitras, Charlie Coyle, Pavel Zacha, Morgan Geekie, Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, Elias Lindholm, Oliver Wahlstrom, Fabian Lysell, Georgii Merkulov, Joe Sacco, Don Sweeney, Cam Neely, Brandon Carlo Trade#nhl #nhlbruins #hockey #bostonbruins #nhlplayoffs #bruins #nhlhockey #nhlmemes #boston #nhlallstar #nhldiscussion #nhlnews #nhledits #nhldraft #bruinsnation #nhlawards #nhltrade #hockeylife #tdgarden #nhlhighlights #bostonsports #bruinshockey #bruinsfan #nhlblackhawks #nhlglobalseries #nhlfi #nhlleafs #nhltrades #nhltradedeadline #nhlcanadiens #nhl #nhlnews #hockey #nhlhockey #nhlplayoffs #nhledits #nhldiscussion #nhlmemes #nhldraft #nhlallstar #hockeylife #hockeynews #hockeymemes #nhlhighlights #icehockey #sports #hockeyislife #nhlbruins #hockeyplayers #hockeyfan #hockeyplayer #hockeyedits #stanleycup #nhlawards #hockeygame #hockeyboys #hockeygram #hockeyfights #nhltrade #nhltrades 
  1. Season 4. Episode 37. Gimme a J. Gimme a G.
  2. Season 4. Episode 36. What's Your Vector, Victor?
  3. Season 4. Episode 35. Riding the Sturm Out.
  4. Season 4. Episode 34. Marco? Polo?
  5. Season 4. Episode 33. Sweens Extension

Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a Reply

ECHL: Future Of Utah Grizzlies In Question Amid Possible Sale And Relocation

The Utah Grizzlies have stunned the ECHL world, and their fans, late Sunday evening when the team announced the formal process to explore a possible sale and relocation. This news comes just a season after the Utah Mammoth (formerly called the Utah Hockey Club) relocated less than 10 miles away. Utah is currently affiliated with […]

Read More

Ehlers and Niederreiter Selected to Respective Olympic Teams

Winnipeg Jets forwards Nikolaj Ehlers and Nino Niederreiter were selected to represent Team Denmark and Switzerland. The two forwards were among the first six players named to their national teams on Monday for next February’s Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Ehlers will represent his country of Denmark, while Niederreiter will represent Switzerland. Ehlers is […]

Read More

Chicago Blackhawks and Seattle Kraken Swap Forwards

The Chicago Blackhawks and Seattle Kraken made a trade this morning swapping forwards.

Read More