Mitch Marner Heads Up 5 "Ideal" Free Agent Targets Named for Bruins

The Boston Bruins have begun their roster reset, as evidenced by the purging of several veterans at the trade deadline. Now it's time to look at the ideal free agent targets they could be focusing on come this summer.

As he'll have about $30 million in cap space available, GM Don Sweeney has given himself plenty of room to play, though he'll have some of his own RFAs to re-sign as well.

Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic list his 5 "Ideal Targets" on the UFA market for Boston, including three notable top-six forwards.

Mitch Marner

Despite the $14M AAV he's likely to cost, the Toronto Maple Leafs superstar wouldn't even be a top-liner with the Bruins, as he would have to slot in behind Boston's resident first-line RW David Pastrnak, writes Shinzawa. The analyst notes that a No. 2 right-winger has been a void the B's have been needing to fill since letting Jake DeBrusk go in free agency last summer. But Marner will come at a much more expensive rate than DeBrusk would have.

Nikolaj Ehlers

Another key player that his current team would miss dearly, Ehlers would be the perfect left-winger for Casey Mittelstadt on the second-line, posits Shinzawa, as it would give the newly-acquired center "speed and skill on his flanks to optimize his game."

Sam Bennett

Another of the top targets on the free agent market this summer, Bennett would be the perfect signing for Boston, bringing the kind of grit and two-way intensity that former captain Brad Marchand always provided.

Joel Armia

Shinzawa opines that the Bruins need "a dependable three-zone right wing to play with (third-line center Elias) Lindholm in matchup situations". Armia would also be another great addition to the PK unit. He could be had for a fraction of the cost of the first three on this list.

Dante Fabbro

He might not be able to replace the size or shut-down abilities of the traded Brandon Carlo on the second pairing, but the puck-mover would pair up well with Hampus Lindholm when he returns next season.

Needless to say, the Bruins will not be able to afford all of these players, but each one on their own merits would be an addition that could fill a great need for the Bruins.