Bruins GM Don Sweeney discusses the possibility of trading Torey Krug

The Boston Bruins are undoubtedly in the midst of Cap Hell. With just over $8 million left in salary cap space and with pricey extensions for Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo still due, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney has his work cut out for him. Next offseason things get even tougher for Sweeney though as he’ll somehow need to scrounge up enough money to re-sign star blue liner Torey Krug.

The 28 year old Krug is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next offseason, should he and the Bruins come to terms on a new contract with an expected salary of $7+ million per season. Krug currently makes $5.25 million annually and has put up three consecutive 50+ point seasons. In other words: he’s going to get PAID. Of course, there’s another option for Sweeney. He could elect to trade Krug and gain some salary cap relief moving forward. 

Bruins insider Jimmy Murphy recently caught up with a “league source” who denied nay suggestion that the Bruins might look to trade Krug. 
“No. Why would they trade their best D?” the league source rhetorically asked Murphy.

Sweeney, for what it’s worth, agrees. “We’ll have an opportunity starting July 1 to open up talks,” Sweeney said back in June. “Again, the RFA market and some of our internal things will dictate the timing of those conversations. If somebody blew us away – every player has to be looked at in that way when you’re an organization, you just have to, you’re doing a disservice if you don’t.”

“But it would take a pretty unique opportunity for us to part with Torey. We think he’s a big part of the fabric of our group. He’s kind of that next wave of leadership that we talk about, in behind some of the guys that have carried that mantle for a long time.”

Indeed, the Livonia, Michigan native has made himself an invaluable player for the Bruins since arriving in 2012. If the Bruins were to trade him, don’t expect it to be a salary cap dump.