Chances to get defensive
With some big names supposedly available on the trade market — Erik Karlsson, Phil Kessel, Oliver Ekman-Larssonand Noah Hanifin, to name just a few — the potential fireworks at and around the draft could very well overshadow July 1 and the opening bell of free agency.
The Bruins, of course, are expected to be kicking tires on the trade front as hard as anyone, to see if they can find a left defenseman to their liking or possibly fill other holes that could pop open (right wing, third-line center).
If all fails on the trade front, there is expected to be a little extra change available for free agency. Deputy commissioner Bill Daly recently estimated the salary cap for 2018-19 could go as high as $82 million, while Don Sweeney said at the combine he expects the number will be right around $80 million.
With some big names supposedly available on the trade market — Erik Karlsson, Phil Kessel, Oliver Ekman-Larssonand Noah Hanifin, to name just a few — the potential fireworks at and around the draft could very well overshadow July 1 and the opening bell of free agency.
The Bruins, of course, are expected to be kicking tires on the trade front as hard as anyone, to see if they can find a left defenseman to their liking or possibly fill other holes that could pop open (right wing, third-line center).
If all fails on the trade front, there is expected to be a little extra change available for free agency. Deputy commissioner Bill Daly recently estimated the salary cap for 2018-19 could go as high as $82 million, while Don Sweeney said at the combine he expects the number will be right around $80 million.