Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes

Boston Bruins Five Priorities This Offseason

Conor Ryan of Boston.com: Ryan writes the Boston Bruins did probably the most they might up against the salary cap this past season. General Manager Don Sweeney did one of the best he could, but there are still areas of need the Bruins must address.

NHL Rumors: Boston Bruins and Latest Jersey Devils

1. Trade Linus Ullarmark – This will likely be tricky as Ullmark has a 16-team no-trade clause. Nonetheless, he can get the Bruins what they need regarding cap relief, as Jeremy Swayman is due a pay raise in the summertime and a middle.
2. Top Six Center – Pavel Zacha and Charlie Coyle did their best, however the Bruins need a top-six center to exchange Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. Players like Elias Lindholm and Martin Necas, and possibly see what happens with Pierre-Luc Dubois in Los Angeles could assist in Boston.
3. Re-sign Jeremy Swayman and Jake DeBrusk – The Bruins need to get their primary goalie locked up. He’s going to receives a commission, but they need to go away room to potentially extend a player like DeBrusk who has had a rocky road in Boston.
4. Bolster Depth Scoring – The Bruins just don’t have the goal-scoring to match other teams within the division and conference anymore. They’ve $26 million to play with before re-signing Swayman and possibly DeBrusk. But players like Tyler Toffoli, Jonathan Marchessault, and Tyler Bertuzzi could help that problem.
5. Add Size on the Blueline – The Bruins must add size on the backend. Brenden Dillon and Joel Edmundson fit what the Bruins need on the left side in the underside pairing.

NHL Rumors: Boston Bruins – Swayman, Marchand, DeBrusk, and Maroon

Will Martin Necas Stick with the Carolina Hurricanes?

Chip Alexander of Raleigh News and Observer: Alexander writes that Martin Necas stays the topic of trade talks and speculation out of Carolina dating back to the NHL Trade Deadline.

NHL Rumors: Carolina Hurricanes – Don Waddell, Blue Line, and a Right-Shot Center

Necas is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. He’s a top-six forward in search of a pay raise this summer. Current Hurricanes GM Don Waddell desires to attempt to figure something out with Necas.

In keeping with those that know him, Necas desires to play center, but head coach Rod Brind’Amour has not used him in that position. So the query is, do the Canes think he can play the position, and what’s his value to them?