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If Linus Ullmark is on the market, a deal with Devils could make sense for Bruins
"If someone craves a netminder now, Boston’s in a position to deliver."
It remains to be seen just how creative Don Sweeney and the Boston Bruins will get before the March 8 NHL trade deadline.
Even though Boston could opt to stand pat given their limited cap space and dearth of assets, the Bruins might also try to find an avenue toward bolstering their team further down on the depth chart — especially on the third defensive pairing.
But with potential trade chips in place like Linus Ullmark and Jake DeBrusk, Sweeney and his staff do have the means to reel off a seismic trade before the deadline.
And in a new report from The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, the New Jersey Devils could be vying for Ullmark’s services in short order — especially if they aren’t able to land rumored trade target Jacob Markstrom in a deal with Calgary.
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“I was also told Monday that the Devils have looked at Ullmark as a possible option if they can’t swing a deal with Calgary. So stay tuned there,” LeBrun wrote Monday. “Perhaps Ullmark, who’s signed through next season at a $5 million AAV, ends up in New Jersey if Calgary won’t move Markstrom.”
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman offered a similar sentiment during his “32 Thoughts” column posted on Monday — noting that the Bruins could gain either future assets or proven NHL talent if they deem Ullmark an expendable asset.
And if the Bruins do ink fellow netminder Jeremy Swayman to a long-term extension either now or during the offseason, Ullmark’s future in Boston could be in doubt moving forward.
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“The phrase ‘hockey deals’ has been thrown around with the Bruins. They don’t have much high-end draft capital, but they do have players,” Friedman wrote. “So it makes sense that if they’re going to make changes, it will involve their NHL roster or those close to it. The reason you’re hearing Linus Ullmark’s name is the calendar will force Boston to make a decision. They’ve begun discussing an extension with Jeremy Swayman and Brandon Bussi soon requires waivers. Something’s going to have to give.
“Like several other teams considering moving a goalie, the Bruins have to decide when is the optimal time to do it. All of a sudden, Fleury and Saros are off the market, and Markstrom’s future is uncertain. So, if someone craves a netminder now, Boston’s in a position to deliver.”
As we’ve delved into before, there are plenty of pros and cons when it comes to the Bruins opting to deal Ullmark — especially this season.
Boston could recoup several key assets by trading the reigning Vezina Trophy winner — be it future draft capital or NHL talent that can benefit the Bruins in 2024 and potentially beyond.
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And if Swayman signs a long-term deal that features a sizable pay bump, committing a combined $11-12 million dollar to its goalie tandem likely isn’t palatable for Boston moving forward.
However, dealing Ullmark does sap Boston of arguably its top strength with its tried-and-true goalie tandem — especially with the Stanley Cup Playoffs roughly six weeks away.
But if Swayman is deemed as the No. 1 goalie for the long haul, the Bruins could opt to rip off the band-aid now, rather than wait until the offseason to split up this duo between the pipes.
Of course, it might come down to what a desperate team like the Devils offer the Bruins to pry Ullmark out of Boston.
A 2024 first-round pick would allow Boston to replenish its barren prospect pool, or could be flipped in another deal if the Bruins want to acquire another impact player like Noah Hanifin.
A pending UFA like Tyler Toffoli could also be an appealing option for the Bruins, with the veteran winger capable of adding some much-needed scoring punch (26 goals in 60 games) in Boston’s top-six grouping.
Still, the Devils have some decisions to make in the next few days when it comes to how aggressive they want to be before the March 8 trade deadline.
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Beyond the potential for talks between the Flames and Devils to pick back up with Markstrom, New Jersey could also opt to wave the white flag this season in wait until the offseason to look for goalie help — especially with the team currently seven points out of a playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division.
Just a few weeks ago, dealing a proven netminder like Ullmark seemed like a long-shot maneuver for Sweeney and the Bruins.
But at this time of the year on the NHL calendar, a lot can change in a short amount of time.
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