Don Sweeney held his annual pre-draft media availability via Zoom on Monday — touching on a number of topics, including current trade rumors surrounding Boston, pending free agents and much more. Here are a few takeaways from Sweeney’s chat:
Sweeney looks to quell Tuukka Rask rumors:
Where there's smoke, there's usually fire when it comes to trade whispers around this time of the NHL calendar (usually reserved for late June/early July of a regular offseason). And given the amount of chatter surrounding B's goalie and 2020 Vezina Trophy runner-up Tuukka Rask, it's not out of the realm of possibility that the Bruins — looking to either clear cap space, reshuffle its roster or rebuild for the future — could part ways with their franchise goalie, so long as the return is substantial and a contingency plan is in place between the pipes.
Unsurprisingly, Sweeney didn't delve too deep into any trade talks surrounding Rask, reiterating that the 33-year-old netminder should once again be a key cog for Boston as it looks to put together another extended playoff run in 2021.
"As a matter of fact, our staff has communicated with Tuukka and as I said before, he remains a big part of our roster planning going forward because I think by my knowledge, he was second in the Vezina balloting and we feel very, very comfortable with where our goaltending is at," Sweeney said. "And I think you’re going to need it. I don’t know what the schedule and what the season – I think there are a lot of things that are up in the air, but it could be a challenging environment from a season standpoint. Might make goaltending even more a big part of what you have to have going forward."
Of course, Boston can (and should) still value Rask while also doing its due diligence by gauging his value on the open market, especially now that CapFriendly confirmed a report from OHL Writers’ Dominic Tiano that was posted this weekend — revealing that Rask's no-movement clause actually doesn't carry into the final year of his eight-year deal. That NMC will expire on Friday, the same day free agency gets underway across the league.
As such,
Rask could be dealt to any team regardless of his approval starting Friday and going onwards for the remainder of the 2020-21 season. If Boston was to deal him before Friday, it would have to be to one of the 15 teams Rask has approved on his trade list.
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Sweeney did not disclose any changes in Rask's contract as it pertains to trade protections, adding that — despite the flurry of rumors surrounding the club — there are certain players that are indeed off limits from inquiring teams this fall. It remains to be seen if Rask falls into that category.
“Yeah, there are some untouchables," Sweeney said. "I think it’s pretty apparent in terms of who we don’t want to be trading away. In some cases, they would control that. But, yes, there are. Teams ask and again, this is an interesting time for all teams to be having discussions, in a private manner. I know certain names and people, things, make their way into the headlines. But, again, it’s a time where you have to be listening as much as talking in these situations to get an evaluation of where you may be able to look to improve your hockey club. There are a few players that we are not going to consider trading."
Sweeney offers updates on Krug, Chara:
When it comes to a pair of left-shot, veteran defensemen set to hit the open market on Friday afternoon, Sweeney didn't tip his hand when it came to ongoing negotiations with Torey Krug and Zdeno Chara.
Despite recent reports noting that Boston had offered Krug a six-year, $39 million contract extension, it does appear as though the writing is on the wall when it comes to the playmaking defenseman's tenure with the Bruins — especially given both the rumors of Boston dealing away his negotiating rights and their reported interest in Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
"We haven’t had any progress as far as Torey. ... We’d consider anything at this point in time including the fact that several free agents have have gone and tested the market and come back to the same place that they were at, and it's something we would also consider," Sweeney said of discussions with Krug. "There's no way in hell you're going to change my opinion of what I think Torey has the right to do and I believe that. So, he’s put himself in a great position either with us or with other teams that have interest in him. I'll listen to any situation that might improve our hockey club and move forward from there if it plays out that way."
As for Chara, who has expressed his desire to return for a 15th season in a black and gold sweater, Sweeney said that negotiations continue to develop between both parties — with concessions such as decreased playing time an expected talking point as Boston looks to retool its D corps going forward.
"I’ve met with Zdeno,"Sweeney said. "Had conversations, have continued to have conversations so that we have to be on the same as we move forward. We’ve conveyed where we are with that and we’re going to continue to have communication with he and [Chara’s agent] Matt Keator. ... We’ve just had really broad-based discussions on everything. Not really going to leave any stone unturned in terms of where are we. We’ve looked at that as part of our roster assessment and making sure we communicate effectively with a very important part and leader of our hockey club."
Nordstrom likely departs
While Sweeney didn't offer much when it comes to the discussions regarding Chara and Krug, he was a bit more concrete when it came to the future of Joakim Nordstrom in Boston, stating that the fourth-line winger will probably play elsewhere in 2021 and beyond.
"We’ve had a talk with Joakim Nordstrom that it may be challenging for us as well, have had good communication with (agent) J.P. (Barry) on that front. But I made sure that I spoke with him, that I wasn’t going to be aggressive in trying to sign him for the short term. It didn’t mean we wouldn’t consider it, but I wanted to make sure he had an early heads up."
Nordstrom, who signed a two-year, $2 million contract with Boston back in July 2018, has been a versatile piece in Boston's bottom-six corps, even earning a few reps in the top-six during the 2018-19 season. But with Boston looking to upgrade elsewhere across the roster, it makes sense that the B's would likely move on from the 28-year-old forward, especially with youngsters like Trent Frederic, Karson Kuhlman and maybe even Zach Senyshyn competing with Par Lindholm for that vacancy on Boston's fourth line.
Sweeney also added that both Brett Ritchie and Brendan Gaunce will likely not be made qualifying offers as restricted free agents.
Sweeney evaluating all options with no first-round pick in 2020:
For the second time in three years, the Bruins are set to enter an NHL draft with no first-round pick to make good on. In 2018, Boston dealt its first rounder to the Rangers as part of a package to acquire Rick Nash, while Sweeney dealt another first back in February in order to acquire Ondrej Kase and clear off a majority of David Backes' contract.
Boston will need to start replenishing its prospect pipeline with high-end talent as this core's Cup contention window closes, but a first-round pick would also have viewed as valuable trade capital this offseason — especially if Boston really wants to swing for the fences on deals for players such as Ekman-Larsson or a top-six forward.
As was the case in the days leading up to the 2018 draft, don't be surprised if Sweeney and his staff have weighing a number of options that could give Boston a chance to earn a spot back in the first round on Tuesday night.