Tough to retain as many players as possible without them taking discounts.
Bertuzzi on a one year bridge contract. One full year with the B's playing second and third line, extended in the offseason. Only problem is that he can get much more with another term as well as longer term.
Orlov six year 4.5m contract. Can get more elsewhere. I saw on twitter a few weeks ago that he rejected a four year deal from the Caps, as he wanted a six year deal. Because of that, he was traded because the Caps couldn't extend him.
Swayman on a two year bridge deal, he could probably get a bit more but takes a team friendly discount. I don't see him leaving especially with Ullmark. I think that the Bruins are looking to keep him signed until Ullmark's contract is over and then go from there. I see him as the future #1
Frederic could get more as well but I would like to see him on a bridge deal, as he had a career year and I would like to see if he can continue his trajectory.
Bring back Clifton on a five year 2.75m contract. Would like to see Clifton, I am a big fan of his. He's shown over the yars his ability to play bigger than his size, drop the gloves when needed, and be a reliable bottom pairing RD. I think that he could definitely get way more after the current year that he is having but maybe with some term and a reasonable cap hit, he stays.
Like Clifton, Hathaway comes back to play for his hometown team on a discount with term. Need players like Hathaway on the team but he can also be replaced as well. Still nice to have a veteran in the bottom six though.
Bergeron comes back on another bonus based contract. He signs for another 35+ contract. If he doesn't come back, I'm not sure wahat the Bruins are gonna do. I can see him and Krejci retiring if they win the cup, as well as staying another year if they do so too.
Lauko, McLaughlin, Ahcan, are all brought back on league minimum contracts. Lysell joins them in the big leagues too.
Forbort is sent to the Kraken for a couple of picks. He is a useful defender when used properly. Many people might have the notion that he isn't good at all but that isn't true. Definitely not a top pairing LD but can kill penalties and block shots a ton, not on a terrible contract either.
Coyle, Grzelcyk, and Reilly get sent to Chicago. Coyle is a very useful center on an alright contract with term. He can play in all situations and is very reliable. Grzelcyk is a top four LD, a great puck moving defenseman on a good contract, just lacks size. Everyone knows the story with Reilly. In Chicago, he could get a chance to play.
Blackhawks send a late first, an early second and late second for these players. Blackhawks could really utilize a versatile center like Coyle and LD like Grzelcyk. They could give Reilly a chance to redeem himself as well.
Overall, no chances this happens in the real world but it is just my take and my opinion on some ideas for the Bruins next year. Going to be interesting to see how everything plays out next season. I would like to see them keep the players that they traded for.
I'm willing to accept that Coyle is worth a late first, I'm not sure that one season of Grzelcyk is worth an early second, but I am convinced that Reilly is nothing more than a throw-in, more to Boston's benefit to get off the books than Chicago's benefit to get on the ice.