May 19, 2024 | 12:10pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

FUTURES OF DEBRUSK, ULLMARK IN QUESTION IN BOSTON

Linus Ullmark, goaltender

The Boston Bruins will be making some changes to their roster this off-season and they aim to return to Stanley Cup contender status in 2024-25.

Armed with over $21 million in salary cap space going into next season, Bruins GM Don Sweeney will be active in modifying his club and the search for a centre could be taken up a notch as early as next month.

Speaking to the media on Sunday, forward Jake DeBrusk voiced his desire to stay in Boston. He is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

“I still have hopes (of signing a new deal with Boston),” DeBrusk said, adding he thought a new deal would be completed by now and that his goal is to win a Stanley Cup.

DeBrusk, 27, is coming off a two-year, $8 million contract and could be in line for a decent-sized raise after putting up 11 points in 13 playoff games with the Bruins. He registered 19 goals and 21 assists for 40 points in 80 regular-season games this season.

If DeBrusk hits the open market as a free agent in July, several teams in need of a physical top-six forward will be calling, with suitors like the Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs potentially in the mix.

Bruins netminder Linus Ullmark is entering the final year of his contract, which comes with a 15 team no-trade list starting July 1 – he has a 16-team no-trade list until then.

The Bruins were engaged in trade talks involving Ullmark this season and were reportedly close to moving him to the Kings, a team believed to be on his no-trade list.

Multiple sources have told TFP the Bruins will entertain moving Ullmark this summer, thought the 30-year-old’s preference is to stay in Boston.

In addition to the Kings, the Oilers, Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, Detroit Red Wings and San Jose Sharks are all expected to pursue a No.1 netminder in the coming weeks.