The pros and cons of keeping Loui Eriksson
Will the Bruins bring their 30-goal scorer back?
COMMENTARY
With the clock ticking on the start of NHL free agency, teams have started to talk to players on the open market in hopes of bringing them aboard to their respective squads.
With Steven Stamkos staying in Tampa, Loui Eriksson is one of the top free agents in this year’s class. The Swede has had talks with as many as six teams recently, including the Bruins, who are reportedly willing to increase the length of a potential Eriksson contract past four years if the price is right.
Here are the pros and cons of keeping the Swede in Black and Gold.
Pros
Fresh off his best season in Boston, where he registered 63 points on 30 goals and 33 assists, Eriksson hits the market at the right time. Entering the UFA market for the first time, Eriksson will likely see a contract north of five years with a salary range of $5 and $7 million.
At the age of 31, Eriksson is still in the prime of his career. Assuming he stays healthy, his consistency shouldn’t be an issue for the next few years. Eriksson’s versatility would still give head coach Claude Julien plenty of ways to use the Swedish winger. From special teams to skating alongside Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, David Krejci, David Pastrnak and Ryan Spooner, Eriksson can be used in any role with no issue.
As Eriksson gets older and the Bruins’ prospects develop, the former Dallas Star could see his minutes diminish towards the end of his contract. But over time, Eriksson serve as a mentor as long as he’s still productive in some capacity.
Cons
Signing Eriksson long-term also comes with risks. For one, there’s always a chance his production dropping off significantly during the course of his new contract. That would not be a good thing late in his career if the forwards in the Bruins development system like Austin Czarnik and Zach Senyshyn don’t pan out.
Even if Eriksson continues to produce, Sweeney will have his work cut out for him in keeping some of the Bruins core in tact. Brad Marchand (a pending UFA after the 2016-17 season) and David Pastrnak (a pending restricted free agent) enter the final year of their respective contracts. Depending on how the rest of his roster shapes out, signing Eriksson might dampen the hopes of keeping Marchand and Pastrnak in the fold.
For a front office that has made some head scratching moves over the last few years, the Bruins need to tread carefully with Eriksson if they decide to re-sign him.
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