Bruins Offseason Considerations

Though we all still have a bitter taste in our mouths, the Bruins are about to go through one of the most exciting couple weeks of the year. The NHL Entry Draft is on Sunday and is always a special event. Though the Bruins don't have a first round pick this year due to the Jagr trade, they could still trade up (unlikely) and the draft is always riddled with last minute trades.

Then Free Agency officially starts. The Bruins will have some very important tasks at hand and some difficult decisions to face. Because the cap is coming down next year following the recent CBA, GMs across the league will be in a pinch to sort out their rosters and fit them under the cap. Here are some thoughts on what options the Bruins will have this summer.

RFA Tuukka Rask- signing him to a long term deal is priority number 1. Reports have come out that he's looking for something like 6 years, $39 million. It's not out of the question, he's a top 5 goaltender in the league. However, I'd like to see him take a little bit of a hometown discount and maybe like something like 6 years, $32 million.

UFA Nathan Horton- the other big question mark this offseason. He's proved to be a clutch player in the playoffs and has many strong attributes that teams desire: age, health, strong, and a 25 goal guy. He could easily fetch 6 million on the open market. Let's hope he takes a hometown discount as well to keep the Bruins team together.

UFA Andrew Ference- he's already been told he won't be returning. He's been one of the longest tenured Bruins on the current roster and a great heart and soul guy for the team and the city. However, with the young defenseman they have he becomes expendable. Sad but that's the nature of the game. Best of luck, Fernuckle.

UFA Anton Khudobin- I really like the guy and he's a great backup. But with him stepping out into free agency he'll find some suitors who will bring him in to challenge for a starting position or a 1a and 1b situation. I like him for under 1.5 mill, but I'm not counting on him wearing the spoked B next season.

UFA Jaromir Jagr- has been told he won't be returning. I think he will play another year and now that teams have a more accurate assessment of what he can contribute on a nightly basis, he would make a good 3rd line guy, powerplay specialist, and lockerroom leader. However, he's done in Boston.

RFA Kaspers Daugavins, UFAs Aaron Johnson, Wade Redden, and Jay Pandolfo- all gone.

Each NHL team also has the option of 2 compliance buyouts to offset the cap going down. It's difficult to explain the technicalities of it all, but basically they can buy out two players and save some money. Chiarelli has already announced that they won't be using them, but I think this is a mistake. I would use one on Peverly, who's got two more years of $3.25 mil. He's been basically useless and that third line production can easily be replaced at a lower cap hit. Chris Kelly is another option but I'd keep him. He picked it up during the Finals and he's a smart player and works hard. Plus, hes an alternate captain so you know he's a leader and well respected in the lockerroom.

On defense, the Bruins have some interesting options. They'll have Chara, Seidenberg, Boychuk, McQuaid, and then they have 2 roster spots for Krug, Hamilton, and Bartkowski to compete for. It's a great. position to be in.

Overall, there are a few more obvious choices this offseason than usual. However, it will be difficult fitting all of these guys under the cap. The final thing I would do is lock up Patrice Bergeron, He's still under contract for another year, but I'd sign him for an 8 year deal and make sure Bergy never plays for another team in this league. He deserves it and Boston needs him.