Agree, it is a good read. Fluto has upped his game a bit recently.
Here is a piece of it:
Bruins worked hard to make salary cap room, but Torey Krug...
"On Monday, Sweeney termed his talks with Lewis Gross, Krug’s agent, as cordial. The industry belief is that the Bruins will hold firm to limits in term and salary that would not be in place if Krug, 28, tests unrestricted free agency.
The aforementioned agent speculated that in this market — Jake Muzzin landing a four-year, $22.5 million extension and Jared Spurgeon scoring seven years and $53.025 million — Krug could command seven years and $49 million on July 1 when free agency opens. Not only would that stretch his term out longer than the Bruins would prefer, but the average annual value would also smash the $6.825 million Patrice Bergeron ceiling that contained David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand. The Bruins have internal options, from Grzelcyk, Urho Vaakanainen and Jeremy Lauzon on the left side for five-on-five to Charlie McAvoy on the power play. They must also account for the 2021 expansion draft. They are likely to use the 7-3-1 protection template (seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie).
From Krug’s perspective, his next contract is his final home-run swing.
Boston has been a perfect fit. But Bergeron, Rask, Chara and David Krejci will say goodbye during Krug’s next deal. He may see a more competitive situation elsewhere.
Grzelcyk, one of Krug’s potential successors, is up for his own deal, too. Grzelcyk could use Krug’s situation to his benefit. If Krug walks on July 1, Grzelcyk’s price will go up. He could gain additional leverage by filing for arbitration.
As critical as Krug is to the Bruins’ success, there are other blue-line alternatives they could explore."