By: Tom Calautti | Follow me on Twitter @TCalauttis
The Boston Bruins finally have a head coach, now it’s time to focus on the roster. With the NHL Draft nine days away, it’s time for Don Sweeney and Co. to begin making moves to improve their squad. One way they could make a splash is with an offer sheet.
The St. Louis Blues shocked the hockey world last offseason when they used offer sheets to snatch restricted free agents Dylan Holloway and Phillip Bromberg from the Edmonton Oilers. The move allowed St. Louis to acquire young, cost-controlled talent for mid-round draft capital, something the Bruins could look to do as well.
According to Puckpedia the offer sheets compensation for the 2025 offseason will look like this:
There are plenty of big-name restricted free agents out there that have been thrown around, Will Cuylle and Matthew Knies chief among them. But I want to talk about under-the-radar skaters, guys who won’t cost as much to pay or acquire. I’m talking specifically about players who could be had for between $2,340,037 and $4,680,076, costing Boston only a second round pick.
What players could be had for that price? Below are five under-the-radar restricted free agents on cap-strapped teams that I believe could be worth a gamble:
Simon Holmstrom
Position: LW/RW
Age: 2
Stats: 20-25-45 in 75
Draft: Round 1 Pick 23 in 2019
The Islanders may not seem like an obvious team to target with an offer sheet. They have approximately $21 million in cap space with ten forwards and five defensemen already under contract. However, they shipped out longtime Isle Brock Nelson at the trade deadline meaning they’ll need to spend some money to replace him. Add to that defenseman Noah Dobson needing a new deal and they could ripe for the picking.
Once New York ties up those loose ends, a guy like Simon Holmstrom may slip free. Homstrom spent most of the season with bottom-six staples Pierre Engvall and Casey Cizikas and still put up 20 goals and 45 points which is nothing short of impressive. The 6’1 winger is a solid forechecker, defends well, and can both make plays for others and finish his own chances at an excellent level. A guy like him would be an easy fit on Boston’s second line, suring up a top six that needs as much scoring help as it can get.
Holmstrom may be the most difficult player to pry away given the Isles’ cap situation, but given his production with average skaters around him, he may be worth the biggest risk.
Mavrick Bourque
Position: C/RW
Age: 23
Stats: 11-14-25 in 73
Draft: Round 1 Pick 30 in 2020
The Dallas Stars are in a bind. After trading for and extending Miklo Rantanen, they only have $5 mil in cap space and only have eight forwards under contract. With players like Jamie Benn and Matt Duchene needing new contracts, Dallas may be vulnerable to an offer sheet.
Enter Mavrik Bourque, one of the most tantalizing young talents in the NHL. Bourque majority of his time in Dallas’ bottom six this season posting Splitting time with Wyatt Johnston/Jamie Benn and Colin Blackwell/Oskar Back. Bourque’s calling card is his skating ability, especially in transition. He uses his speed and quickness to draw penalties, create transition, and generate chances off the rush, something Boston desperately needs in their lineup. Factor in that he’s a solid defensive player (at a young age) and what you get is a perfect offer sheet candidate.
Dallas has been a model of player development over the past several seasons (Robertson, Hintz, Heiskanen, Johnston are all homegrown talent) and when they promote guys to the NHL, they’re usually a hit. Why not pluck a star in the making before he becomes a Lonestar State staple?
Gage Goncalves
Position: C/LW
Age: 24
Stats: 8-12-20 in 60, 5-13-18 in 14 AHL
Draft: Round 2 Pick 62 in 2020
The Tampa Bay Lightning are as cap-strapped as they come. Only $3.48 million in space and some unproven talent at the bottom of their roster just might make them vulnerable for an offer sheet.
Gage Goncalves has all the hallmarks of a consistent, middle-six forward that the Lightning always seem to identify. He’s a good forechecker who loves to play physically and showed off his scoring touch towards the end of the regular season (4-4-8 in the final 13 games). He carried that momentum over to the playoffs where he posted 1-3-4 in 5 games against Florida, all of which came at even strength while skating on the third line.
If there’s one thing Bruins fans have learned from watching Tampa Bay over the years it’s that they know how to develop top-nine forwards. Why not take a page out of the St. Louis Blues’ book and buy low on a potential young and budding scorer before your rival can lock him up long-term?
Nicholas Robertson
Position: LW/RW
Age: 23
Stats: 15-7-22 in 69
Draft: Round 2 Pick 53 in 2019
The Leafs are entering a potentially franchise-altering offseason. With only eight forwards under contract, and big name players like Mitch Marner, Jonathan Tavares, and Matthew Knies needing contract, it’ll be difficult (maybe impossible given the reports on Marner) to keep their core intact.
One player who could potentially slip through the cracks is Nick Robertson. Robertson is a volume shooter that loves using his speed/powerful strides to throw pucks on net. What makes him such an enticing player is his ability to score given relatively limited opportunities. Last season he was in the 89th percentile in finishing and the 97th percentile in goals (JFresh Analytics) while playing only 12:00 min/night playing alongside Max Domi and Bobby McCann. For years Boston has needed scoring help on the wings, and upgrading their roster with a young, high-ceiling forward is a no-brainer.
The Leafs have a lot going on. Even if Marner walks they still have to re-sign Knies and Tavares as well as fill other positions up front. Shot-first forwards are exactly what the Bruins need, and Robertson fits that bill to a tee.
Sam Malinski
Position: RD
Age: 26
Stats: 15-10-15 in 76
Draft: Undrafted
The Colorado Avalanche are in quite the bind. According to Puckpedia they have just $1.2 million in cap space with only five defensemen under contract. If third-year defender Sam Malinski is looking for a raise, the Bruins might be able to snag him on a relatively reasonable deal.
What stands out about Malinski’s game that would make him attractive to the Bruins? His skating. Whether it’s dancing on the blue line to create space, flying through the neutral zone in transition, or racing to loose pucks before the forecheck can start pressuring, he’s the kind of puck mover teams covets. Although he’s only 5’11”, he makes up for that with quickness and escapability.
Adding Malinski on a team-friendly contract and stapling him next to Nikita Zadorov could be a great move for Boston. We saw how well the Zadorov – Henri Jokiharju pair played together, and there’s a chance Malinski is a more gifted player. Staple the athletic puck mover to stud like Zadorov and you have the chance for a solid third-pairing on your backend.
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