Bruins willing to keep Eriksson past deadline without extension

The largest question surrounding the Boston Bruins heading into the trade deadline has been whether they'll trade forward Loui Eriksson or sign him to an extension.

But now it appears they may go a different, and riskier, direction.

General manager Don Sweeney told reporters Sunday that the Bruins would have no issue with holding onto Eriksson through the trade deadline without having him signed to a contract extension, according to CSNNE's Joe Haggerty. Sweeney hopes he could hang on to the Swede for a playoff run.

Earlier in the day, it was reported that contract negotiations were in "slow motion," though the forward has brought his price down since his original ask.

The 30-year-old is expected to play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, who are tied with the Bruins for second in the Atlantic Division with one game in hand.

Eriksson has 48 points in 62 games this season, his most productive campaign since 2012.