Why did the Bruins trade their only goalie capable of challenging him as their starter and paint themselves into a corner to give him the leverage they did? They need him to play 60 games next year or their season is done.
Man, I hate this reasoning.
Option 1:
Trade Ullmark before his new trade list kicks in. Try to sign Swayman before that... but like... you know his agent isn't stupid and you aren’t in the best bargaining position when YOU have a deadline and the other side doesn’t. Now they both have a deadline coming up (like all the other current RFAs which are plentiful) so both sides are getting motivated.
Option 2:
Don't trade Ullmark to use as leverage. Don't sign one of Lindholm or Zadorov to protect against offer sheets. Either try to trade Ullmark in camp in what would probably be a bad deal or just keep the tandem and let Ullmark walk for free.
Option 3:
Re-sign Ullmark and deal Swayman. This, I think, may have been on the table before Swayman stole the crease, but wasn’t really an option after.