Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – April 6, 2025
Check out the latest on the Flyers and Bruins in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
THE FLYERS COULD SHOP DRAFT PICKS FOR PLAYERS
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports Philadelphia Flyers general manager Daniel Briere is open to shopping some of their draft capital to acquire young players who can join their roster more quickly.
The Flyers have three first-round picks and four second-rounders in this year’s draft. Some of those picks could be used as trade bait. Briere indicated he’s open to moving one of his first-round picks.
Philadelphia Flyers general manager Daniel Briere (NHL.com).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Briere is following the recent trend to accelerate a roster rebuild or retooling project by stocking up on draft picks and using some of them to acquire young NHL-ready players.
In addition to their pick, the Flyers have the Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche’s first-rounders. Holding seven picks in the first two rounds gives Briere the option of packaging some of them together or bundling one or two with a player in a trade offer.
The Flyers’ first-rounder would draw the most attention and fetch the better return. If the draft were held today, they’d have the fourth-overall pick. However, Briere likely prefers retaining that pick and shopping the other two, which are currently 23rd and 25th overall.
THE BRUINS COULD BE BIG SPENDERS THIS SUMMER
DAILY FACEOFF: Ty Anderson of Boston’s sports radio 98.5 The Sports Hub believes the Bruins will spend to the salary cap for next season. He thinks they’ll be very aggressive, though how much could depend on whether they win the draft lottery as they’ll need to ensure sufficient long-term cap space for that player.
Anderson doubts that Bruins ownership wants to engage in a long rebuild or retooling process. He cites their high ticket sales (particularly season tickets) as one factor. They want to give their fans a good reason to come to the games. He believes they’ll try to make a move for a big-time player in free agency.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins have a projected cap space of $27.1 million next season with 13 active roster players under contract. They have six restricted free agents, with Morgan Geekie the most notable to be re-signed.
They will have sufficient cap room to pursue a big-name player through free agency like Toronto’s Mitch Marner, or second-tier stars like Vancouver’s Brock Boeser, Winnipeg’s Nikolaj Ehlers and Florida’s Sam Bennett. They might even have enough left to bring back Brad Marchand.
However, other clubs will compete with the Bruins for those UFA players. They could instead attempt to add a player through the offer-sheet route.
The Bruins have their own picks in the first three rounds of next year’s draft to use as compensation if they want to invest between $6.871 million and $9.161 million on another club’s restricted free agent.
If they want to make a bigger investment, they also have their first-rounders in the next three drafts. That allows them to use two of those picks as compensation (along with their 2026 second and third-round picks) to invest between $9.162 million and $11.452 million into an offer sheet.
What do you think, folks? Should the Bruins try to land a potential UFA like Marner? Or should they chase someone like Minnesota’s Marco Rossi, Toronto’s Matthew Knies or Buffalo’s JJ Peterka with an offer sheet?
Boston — save the space to sign Eichel in 2026 or offer their 1st for him
Philadelphia— weak draft, these picks don’t have the value to get the players they want unless they want to use them for depth players
Philly could also trade 1 of their lesser 1st round picks for a 2026 1st +. 2026 promises to be a deeper draft.
I would think the other team would know that as well … so why would they accept a 1st in a “weak draft” for one that they already hold in what promises to be a stronger draft?
The Bruins are in a tough spot. This year was awash in part because of injuries and Swayman’s late start. Had MacÀvoy and Lindholm been there all year, they would have been in contention for a spot. Bad UFA signings last year have reduced their margin of manoeuver for the future. Their prospect pool is almost non-existent. No quick fix, it looks like many years in the mushy middle.
Yes and no, Pistol. Let’s not let the fact that the Bruins have three great players detract from a mediocre roster. Just squeaking in to the playoffs might have camouflaged the need to rebuild.
But the last half of your post IMO is spot on.
Notions about taking a big swing on Marner or some other top flight player are misplaced. That just ties up a ton of cap space for no appreciable gain.
I have a thought, which B fans may choke on: why not consider trading Pasta? Don’t you have to wonder if at 28 now he wants to spend his best years with a team trying to climb out of a big hole? Would he not rather play with a shot to win a Cup or two?
Rebuilds take years after all, and fans aren’t going to be satisfied paying to see Pasta trying to drag them into 16th place for the next 4 years.
Pasta will be next captain of bruins. He is their leader and best player without him they are in the basement. Only way he ever gets moved is if he says I’m done playing here. And Marner would do a lot to the roster make up. I would bet for a big bounce back next season IMO
Brock Brittle is hardly a “star” player.
No speed, no defensive ability, no physicality, doesnt drive play, perimeter player that is injury prone and requires an play making center to feed him pucks.
Buyer beware.
Concerned about Boston s awful forward group! Need at least 3 top nine forwards to compete for a wild card spot. Concerned about Lindholm and Mcavoy getting injured far too oftenAbsolutely must hit on draft pick this year.This has to be Sweeney and Neeley last hurrah. By not replacing a top 6 center after Bergeron and Krecji could be their kiss of death.
Who was available to replace PB37 and DK46?
Sweeney has done a real decent job since coming on board. Perfect? No, but pretty damn good.
He’s earned his right to restock the roster and make some early picks.
Ron Jull overstates Boeser’s issues. He’s not fast but he’s defensively reliable and solid in the corners. He has a great shot, great hand-eye coordination for tips, and knows how to get open. He’s a good passer too.
Unfortunately Boeser has had a disappointing season. He is not a line driver but a good complementary top 6 winger.
Boston would be better off rebuilding with a more competent GM at the helm. If you look at Boston’s draft history under Sweeney, not too many picks have panned out. His signings and trades have been equally horrific. Tear it down and rebuild around McAvoy, Swayman and Pasta
He earned that right because he is under contract for one more year!Boston is to cheap to buy him out!It this was the last year of his contract he would have been shown the door.
Pierre Dorion is always available.
George.
Bruins already have dressing room cleaner 😀