NHL Rumors: Loui Eriksson, Bruins not close to new deal
The Boston Bruins’ decision to not trade Loui Eriksson at the trade deadline has backfired as he and the Bruins are far apart from agreeing to a contract.
Back in February, the Boston Bruins decided to hold on to pending unrestricted free agent forward Loui Eriksson instead of trading him despite getting several offers that involved young defensemen. It looked like a bad decision at the time because of the Bruins’ desperate need for young defensemen. Now it looks even worse because the Bruins and Eriksson aren’t close to reaching a new deal.
Loui Eriksson and #bruins are not close to a deal. They're not close on terms (length) and it looks like he'll hit the market July 1st.
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) June 23, 2016
The Bruins have until July 1 to reach an agreement with Eriksson before he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Eriksson is likely seeking at least a five-year deal. That is simply terrible asset management by Bruins general manager Don Sweeney.
Sweeney knew the Bruins were a flawed team going into the trade deadline. They were a fringe playoff team at best. Even if they managed to make the playoffs, their lack of quality defensemen would keep them from making a Stanley Cup run. Sweeney could have and should have traded Eriksson to at least get something for him. Even if he was confident that they could have worked out a new deal, why not trade him and sign him once he became a free agent?
He’s earned a huge payday in free agency. Meanwhile, Sweeney has earned the skepticism of Bruins fans everywhere.
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