(Photo Credit: Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

By: Jason Cooke | Follow me on Twitter / X @cookejournalism

To begin what is expected to be an offseason frenzy for the Boston Bruins, the team issued four qualifying offers on Sunday to restricted free agents Michael Callahan, Marc McLaughlin, Alec Regula, and Jeremy Swayman. It is worth noting that offers were not sent to Joey Abate, Jesper Boqvist, and Curtis Hall, although Abate is signed with the Providence Bruins for the remainder of the upcoming season.

The only surprise here is Boqvist, who will hit the market as a free agent on Monday. In 47 games this season with the Bruins, the 25-year-old forward posted 14 points while providing some speed and bite to a bottom-six in need of those qualities. Boqvist was one of Don Sweeney’s bargain bin signings last summer, bringing in the former New Jersey Devil for a one-year deal at $775,000. Not sending a qualifying offer tells me Sweeney has plans to round out his bottom six with other free agents in the coming months.

The most notable name on this announcement is Swayman, who Sweeney has called a top priority since the conclusion of the 2023-24 season. Swayman, 25, is primed to be the Bruins’ goalie of the future after an impressive playoff run where he boasted a 2.15 goals against average and .933 save percentage. However, according to NHL Insider Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff, the Bruins are reportedly not close to reaching a long-term contract with Swayman, who already had to go through arbitration last season to land a one-year, $3.475 million deal. It would be a disservice to Swayman’s confidence level and the organization as a whole if arbitration is again required for this negotiation.

As for the remaining three offers—Callahan, McLaughlin, and Regula—Sweeney is likely looking to land two-way deals to assist their American Hockey League affiliate while providing some extra insurance to the big club if necessary. McLaughlin, a native of Billerica, MA, is an interesting name to keep an eye on. In 14 career NHL games, the 24-year-old has netted four goals and has shown some promise as a bottom-six forward.