Bruins could open free agency with a bang if Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov rumors prove true

“We would like to deepen the ice,” he added, “so that’s what we focused on and we had conversations with our group to say, ‘OK, who’s it going to be?’ Hopefully we will make an offer at the right time so that we can add such a player. We will continue to look for opportunities to strengthen our backfield and complement the group we have there.”

And then, Sweeney added, “it depends on how much dough is left.”

No. 1 goalie Jeremy Swayman, who has yet to sign an extension, has a chance to grab a big slice of the remaining dollar pie. A long-term deal could net him $8 million to $9 million.

Lindholm, who would be the club’s leading playmaker, is ending a six-year contract signed with Calgary (2018), which was associated with a fee of $4.85 million. Given his age (29) and productivity, as well as the Bruins’ need for a true top-six point guard, Lindholm could see his salary increase to over $7.5 million over 4-5 seasons. He could increase that to $8 million with some of the league’s weakest players (Anaheim, San Jose, Chicago).

Zadorov, who has the combination of size and muscle the Bruins have lacked at center since Zdeno Chara left, is coming off a deal, also in Calgary, with a cap hit of $3.75 million over the past two seasons. A similar four- to five-year deal for Other Z would likely be in the $5 million range.

The Flames, in separate deals last season, shipped Lindholm and Zadorov to the Canucks. Lindholm’s production in 26 regular-season games was a bit dull (6-6-12) with Vancouver, but he was a more impressive 5-5-10 in 13 playoff games, Vancouver ultimately falling in Game 7 to the Oilers in Round 2.

Originally a top pick for the Hurricanes (No. 5/2013), Lindholm, a right-side center, was dealt to Calgary in a trade that brought former Bruins defenseman Dougie Hamilton to Raleigh.

Another option that has been discussed in recent weeks is that the Bruins would try to acquire former Penguins forward Jake Guentzel, who was dealt to Carolina at this year’s trade deadline. The UFA market typically drives high prices, and it’s possible that Guentzel’s price tag could exceed $9 million, which would likely dampen the Bruins’ appetite to bring him to Boston.

Zadorov played for five NHL teams, including the Sabers, who selected him in the first round (No. 16/2013) and later traded him to the Avalanche in exchange for Ryan O’Reilly of the Sabers. A lefty shot that would add a lot of power to a front four defense that includes Charlie McAvoy, Hampus Lindholm and Brandon Carlo.

Hampus Lindholm’s production dropped significantly last season. With the 29-year-old Zadorov on board, coach Jim Montgomery was able to switch Lindholm and the Russian big man in the 1-2 positions on the left side, providing both right wingers with an intimidation factor.

Zadorov could significantly contribute to raising final production, which is down about 25 percent compared to 2022-2023.

Kevin Paul Dupont can be contacted at [email protected].