Jan 14, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitchell Marner (16) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Detroit Red Wings in the second period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Bruins non-tender forward making him a free agent
Jesper Boqvist, who was a regular in the Bruins lineup in the final months of the regular season, is unlikely to be back for a second tour in Boston.
The 25-year-old center from Sweden, who was a restricted free agent was not tendered a qualifying offer by Sunday’s deadline making him a free agent and available to sign with anyone when free agency begins on Monday.
Boston could still re-sign him, but if they didn’t want him at the qualifying number — just over $800K — it’s unlikely they’d come to an agreement.
The Bruins announced Sunday that restricted free agents Michael Callahan, Marc McLaughlin, Alec Regula and Jeremy Swayman were each given qualifying offers. Boqvist, Joey Abate and Curtis Hall were all non-tendered. Abate will remain with the Providence Bruins for the 2024-25 season on an AHL deal.
Boqvist had six goals and eight assists in 47 games for the Bruins after signing with Boston last year in the offseason. The former Devils’ second-round pick played four seasons in New Jersey before signing in Boston.
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Bruins Issue Qualifying Offers To Four Players On Eve Of NHL Free Agency
The Boston Bruins found time after the NHL draft and on the eve of free agency to issue four qualifying offers.
The Bruins announced they extended qualifying offers before the 5 p.m. ET deadline Sunday to Jeremy Swayman, Michael Callahan, Marc McLaughlin and Alec Regula.
Those four players have until July 15 to accept the one-year offer or could head to arbitration, much like Swayman did last offseason, in order to get a deal done. If the restricted free agent rejects the qualifying offer, teams can try to sign him to an offer sheet which the Bruins would then have the opportunity to match.
Bruins general manager Don Sweeney has been adamant that getting a long-term deal done with Swayman is a “priority” this offseason. That’s especially true after the team dealt Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators last week.
Callahan and Regula, who the Bruins received in last year’s Taylor Hall trade with the Chicago Blackhawks, spent all of this past season with Boston’s AHL affiliate while McLaughlin appeared in just one game for the Bruins during the 2023-24 campaign.
The Bruins did not issue qualifying offers to Jesper Boqvist, Curtis Hall and Joey Abate, who will remain under contract with Providence for next season.
Boqvist provided a shot of energy for the Bruins as a bottom-six forward and appeared in 47 games this past season, tallying six goals and eight assists for 14 points. The 25-year-old center becomes an unrestricted free agent and can test his market when free agency opens Monday at noon ET.
