Management can only definitively say that discussions are continuing with Eriksson as the impending decision on players who will be eligible for unrestricted and restricted free agency before July 1 grows nearer.
“We’ve been in discussions with Loui,” Don Sweeney said during a media conference call, according to NESN. “I have a pretty good idea where they would like to be at, and we’ll see whether or not we can find common ground there, but we have been having ongoing discussions on that front.
Eriksson finished the 2015-16 season as a key member of Boston’s lines, putting up 30 goals and 63 points through 82 games played, logging 19:29 in ice time in the process. He’s experienced and talented and thus could be an asset to a struggling team. Losing him to free agency—especially when the team chose not to handle him at the trade deadline for assets—could be another fatal flaw on Sweeney’s tenure as general manager.
Another important decision facing the Bruins concerns defenseman Torey Krug, who will be an RFA after completing a one-year, $3.4 million contract last season with the Bruins. Krug led all of Boston’s defensemen in scoring with 44 points (four goals, 40 assists) in his 81 games. At 25, Krug fits the standard that the Bruins’ are looking for on their mission to create a more youth-integrated team.
In fact, many other players need new deals—Max Talbot, Brett Connolly, Tyler Randell, to name just a few—and Sweeney has yet to make final decisions on any of those as well.
“I haven’t had final discussions with players individually,” he told NESN. “I hope to be doing that this week. I have had some discussions with agents and giving some indication, but nothing finalized yet.”