The Boston Bruins went all-in at this past trade deadline as general manager Don Sweeney managed to put together a team that won a league-record 65 games and posted a league-record 135 points. That same team was then unceremoniously dumped out of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs by the lowest-seeded team in the Eastern Conference, the Florida Panthers.
Now, Boston is going to face the consequences of adding so much to their roster in a salary-cap-driven NHL. They won’t be able to keep all of the pieces that allowed them to set the records that they did.
The main additions that look like they could be headed elsewhere this summer include former Capitals Dmitry Orlov and Garnet Hathaway as well as former Detroit Red Wings forward Tyler Bertuzzi.
The main issue that Boston is facing is that they handed out large performance bonuses to veteran players like Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci in order to be able to fit them under the cap last season. That means that to start the 2023-24 campaign, Boston will already be down $4.5 million in cap space from the get-go due to a league-high overage.
The list of players that need new contracts to continue with the Bruins next season includes Orlov, Hathaway, Bertuzzi, Bergeron, Krejci, Nick Foligno, Tomas Nosek, Trent Frederic, Connor Clifton, and Jeremy Swayman.
Sweeney was asked at his end-of-season media availability what his plans were for the main three upcoming unrestricted free agents that he brought in as rentals at the deadline: Orlov, Hathaway, and Bertuzzi.
“I couldn’t just sign those players today,” Sweeney told The Fourth Period’s Shawn Hutcheon. “We have (salary cap) constraints. That might mean I might be able to sign one of those three players. Roster changes are coming. We won’t be the same team.”
Orlov, who is back in the DC area, has already stated his desire to explore a return to the Capitals in free agency.
The veteran Russian was asked directly at Boston’s Breakdown Day about that potential reunion.
“Probably yeah,” Orlov said. “We’re going to talk to my agent. How I see, if they trade me, I don’t think it’ll work out, but we’ll see.”
As things stand, the Capitals already have six defensemen signed for next season with a new deal for Martin Fehervary likely on the way as well. The main reason the Caps dealt Orlov in the first place was reported difficulties in negotiating an extension due to the term Orlov desired. Unless that discussion changes, Orlov’s unlikely to return in a Capitals jersey.
Hathaway on the other hand has been quiet since the Bruins were ousted by Florida. Boston did not post his Breakdown Day interview. If he had thoughts about a possible return, those are unknown at this stage.
The rugged winger was a fan favorite in Washington and developed a very close bond with center Nic Dowd during his time with the Caps. Ten NHL forwards already have contracts in DC for next year and that does not include players currently in Hershey like Aliaksei Protas, Connor McMichael, Beck Malenstyn, Hendrix Lapierre, Ethen Frank, and Joe Snively.
