Sweeney: 'We're Certainly Exploring All Avenues'

BostonBruins.com - Bruins general manager Don Sweeney met with the media on Saturday afternoon to discuss a number of topics surrounding the opening of NHL free agency. Here's a rundown of his remarks, which included thoughts on the departure of Torey Krug and negotiations with Zdeno Chara.

Still Working

With winger Craig Smith now on board and veteran blue liner Kevan Miller locked up for another year, Sweeney is shifting his attention elsewhere. Sweeney said the Bruins are "certainly exploring all the avenues of both free agency and through trade" as he tries to improve the club for the 2020-21 campaign.
"I'm not going to tell you that I have something on the burner here," said Sweeney. "I do believe we addressed an area that we had a need in [with Smith]. We've allowed for internal competition to continue to bubble up and we have several young players in that mindset and that's healthy for our group overall."
When it comes to any potential high-profile signings being on the docket, Sweeney said he is comfortable having discussions with anyone he feels can help the club. He did note that he has not touched base with veteran blue liner Alex Pietrangelo.
"We feel that [adding to] our right side might not be the absolute best fit for our club," said Sweeney. "Very respectful for the player, an elite player in the National Hockey League. That's not the discussion we've had."
Sweeney was also asked about former Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall but did not directly mention the player's name when discussing any potential negotiations.
"In regards to other players, we're certainly engaging the interest on both sides of it and seeing what we can potentially fit in," said Sweeney.

Krug Departs

Krug signed a seven-year deal with the St. Louis Blues worth an average annual value of $6.5 million on Friday night. The defenseman leaves Boston as the team's all-time leading scorer among American-born players with 337 points (67 goals, 270 assists) in 523 career games. Sweeney said Boston's offer fell short on term.
"Obviously, I'm not talking about players that are on other teams. In this sense, I'll leave it in the context of a player and how we do communicate effectively. I think that we take a lot of pride in maintaining that communication," said Sweeney. "Not agreeing, from a contractual standpoint, is never disrespecting a player. You just don't find the common ground. The bottom line is, we fell short on term. But from a competitive standpoint and what offers were made, we were very comfortable in the position we were in and what we tried to accomplish.
"And in full respect to Torey, as I've said previously, or any player heading to the market and testing the market and finding the value they seem comfortable, that's their entitlement. They've reached that point and they're able to do that."
Krug, of course, was the quarterback of Boston's dynamite top power-play unit, which has been ranked among the league's best for several years under the 29-year-old's guidance. Finding a replacement will be no easy task.
"[David] Krejci moved on to that unit [during the playoffs], so you know you have four players that are returning, and you have to institute a new player," said Sweeney. "Whether that, again, comes from an internal group that we currently have or I continue to look outside for a player that might have that identity and acumen as a player, that remains to be seen.
"On the same token, we feel comfortable that somebody is going to get a hell of an opportunity to go in and have the yeoman minutes and playing with four elite players in the National Hockey League that have had a lot of success on the power play."
The Bruins saw two other UFAs walk on Friday with veteran defenseman Alex Petrovic signing a one-year, two-way deal with Calgary and goalie Max Lagace inking a one-year, two-way contract with Pittsburgh. Both were Providence mainstays in 2019-20.

What's Left?

With Krug now bound for St. Louis, the focus turns to Chara, who remains unsigned. The 43-year-old has made it clear that he would like to return for his 15th season in Black & Gold, and Sweeney indicated that discussions between the two camps are ongoing.
"I've had a great deal of communication with Zdeno and his representative Matt Keator, to make sure there is no ambiguity in terms of that," said Sweeney. "And whatever Zee decides to do, ultimately, he'll tell us. We'll react accordingly to that. We have our own feelings as to where these things will go. We've certainly relayed them. We'll continue to relay them.
"As I've mentioned before, he's an iconic player, a personality and a leader, and things that we want to make sure that we're dealing with this with the utmost respect as we try to treat all our players with. And communicate it as effectively as possible."
Krug's departure and the uncertainty surrounding Chara's future leave Boston's left side in question. Matt Grzelcyk, a restricted free agent, also remains without a new deal for the time being.
"We're continuing to explore external options," said Sweeney. "We feel that we have some young players, not unlike a few years ago where [Brandon] Carlo came on to the scene. Did we absolutely know that Brandon was going to be able to go in and play the amount of minutes right out of the gate? Nope. But we felt comfortable that we were going to give him that opportunity and felt we could insulate it.
"Charlie and Brandon now have been in this league and have had a tremendous amount of success. Can they carry a younger player? Is Grizz ready for an elevated role? Some of that is to be determined.
"[Urho] Vaakanainen, [Jakub] Zboril, John Moore and the collection of the group is what it is at this stage, while I continue to explore external options. It might be by committee in some of those situations. I think some of the younger players are excited."

Looks All Right

As Sweeney pointed out, the right side of Boston's defense corps looks strong. McAvoy and Carlo are joined by youngster Connor Clifton and Miller, who is nearing full strength after a lengthy rehab from multiple knee surgeries and signed a one-year deal with the Bruins on Friday evening.
"We're excited that he's healthy and he's so motivated and looking to finish the job that he was watching from the sidelines," said Sweeney.