The Boston Bruins 2023-24 campaign ended exactly as it did last year: with a loss to the Florida Panthers. Despite defying expectations throughout the NHL regular season, the Bruins couldn’t get it done in the playoffs, falling to the Panthers in six games.
Boston fans can expect general manager Don Sweeney to be busy at work this offseason to make the Bruins better than ever ahead of the 2024-25 season. Changes throughout the summer are part of the NHL experience, so there’s a good chance that several members of this year’s roster won’t be back in the fall — whether that’s due to free agency or a trade.
With that in mine, here’s a look at four Bruins who likely won’t return for the 2024-25 NHL season.
1. Linus Ullmark, G
Bruins enthusiasts will have their eyes on several key players this summer, including Linus Ullmark.
The veteran goaltender and 2022-23 Vezina Trophy winner’s future in Boston is up in the air as he enters the final year of his contract. With Ullmark potentially hitting the open market once the 2025 free agency period, the Bruins are now in the spotlight to see if they’ll try to move him now rather than risk losing him for nothing next summer.
Ullmark, along with Jeremy Swayman, formed one of the best goaltending tandems in the league this season. Alternating between the duo worked well for the Bruins throughout the year until the strategy fell apart in the playoffs. Once Ullmark struggled against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Round 1, Boston officially handed the starter job to Swayman and the 25-year-old looked more than comfortable in the role.
With Swayman looking for a big raise this summer, it’s hard to imagine the Bruins wanting to commit $10-plus million at the goaltending position. Trading away Ullmark would rid themselves of $5 million ahead of the upcoming campaign, allowing them to sign a cheaper backup for Swayman well using the rest of the freed-up cash to address other positional needs.
Even though Sweeney has said in the past that he would like to keep Ullmark, it seems as if he’s open to moving the veteran netminder. In an interview with The Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa, the Bruins GM said that the club is “going to explore opportunities” regarding a potential Ullmark trade.
Unless the offers out there are absolutely repulsive, I’d be shocked if Ullmark is back in Boston’s crease next season.
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