NHL Rumors: Big payday expected for Torey Krug, with Bruins or elsewhere

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While Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney managed to free up some cap space at the NHL trade deadline on Monday, Torey Krug has yet to ink a contract extension with the organization.

The 28-year-old defenseman said in September that he would be willing to take a pay cut to remain with the Bruins. He likely won't agree to a massive discount, though, especially considering he's expected to be paid similarly to Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson, who makes $8 million per year.

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The latest report from The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun doesn't sound too promising for Boston. According to LeBrun, NHL agents believe that Krug will sign a deal from anywhere between $7.5 and $8 million per season -- noting that Boston will not be willing to pay Krug more than stars David Pastrnak and Patrice Bergeron.

Here's LeBrun:

Boston won’t want to pay Krug more than Pasta ($6.66-million AAV) or Bergeron ($6.875-million AAV),’’ an agent said, according to LeBrun. “I think Krug could get $7-million AAV if goes free, maybe $7.5 million.’

"I would value him between $7.5 million to $8 million," another agent said. "Call him what he is, a consistent 50-point offensive D-man and point a game guy in playoffs.

LeBrun's prediction? Unfortunately for Boston, he believes Krug will hit the open market this summer.

Sweeney's latest update on contract negotiations with Krug also doesn't sound too promising -- noting that he has stayed in contact with Krug, but there is no timeline for a deal to be made.

Boston also needs to re-sign key free agents in Jake DeBrusk (RFA), Zdeno Chara (UFA), Jaroslav Halak (UFA) and Matt Grzelcyk (RFA), among others. So, they'd be in a very sticky salary cap situation if they were to give Krug between $7.5-8 million per year.

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