With Less Than 2 Weeks Until Trade Deadline, Here's A Look At Potential Bruins Trade Targets
With 12 days to go until NHL trade deadline day I wanted to take an early look at some players the B's could/should be interested in. This time a year ago Don Sweeney went out before the deadline and acquired Charlie Coyle from the Minnesota Wild, one of his best moves to date. The B's have seen the lead slip away in the Atlantic with the surging Tampa Bay Lightning being just two points away from overtaking the division.
There's 0.0% chance that Sweeney stays pat at this deadline, it's just a matter of who and when. Another problem? Bruins are right up against the cap.
(h/t Cap Friendly)
Bruins biggest need: 2nd line RW
It's no secret that the RW on David Krejci's line has been a revolving door since Jarome Iginla left. The question is what is Don Sweeney willing to give up? I truly think the Bruins have 2 maybe 3 more solid years of a Cup window. It might be time to go all in.
It'll also be interesting to see if Don Sweeney can package David Backes' contract to give them some cap relief. Sounds like some teams are interested, or are doing their due diligence, at least.
Here are my top 4 options for the B's. Again, the cap is going to be a problem.
1. Tyler Toffoli - LAK ($4.6 million cap hit)
14 goals, 16 assists, 30 points in 56 games.
I've been HIGH on Tyler Toffoli all season long. I've said countless times I think he'd look great with DeBrusk and Krejci. The Bruins No. 1 need is 2nd line RW. Karson Kuhlman has had flashes of solid play. But this team needs a solid punch on that 2nd line. I think Tyler Toffoli fits this need the best (outside of Kreider).
Elliotte Friedman had previously said that the Bruins have a deal for Toffoli in "their hip pocket".
“I’ll tell you this, I do think Boston, if they wanted to, could do a deal for Toffoli almost at any time. I think they know they’ve got that in their hip pocket. So the question is: Do you do that or do you wait for Kreider?”
Pros: Would compliment 2nd line, wouldn't be as high of cost as a Kreider
Cons: The longer they wait the Kings could attempt to re-sign him, or another team could grab him
2. Chris Kreider - NYR ($4.625 million cap hit)
22 goals, 18 assists, 40 points in 54 games.
More of a pipe dream than a reality. But pending UFA Chris Kreider would look unreal in the black and gold. His speed alone would help open up the 2nd line. But the Rangers are unsure if they want to sign him or trade him. He's on a heater right now and would likely cost a ton. Is Sweeney willing to give up a bunch of assets for another run at the Cup this year? You're looking at a 1st round pick and a top prospect at the very least.
Pros: Speedy, would boost that 2nd line
Cons: High cost
I would LOVE to see Kreider on this team, another Boston native. But I can't imagine Sweeney wanting to give up a ton of assets for him since he's a UFA at year's end.
3. Josh Anderson - CBJ ($1.85 million cap hit)
1 goal, 3 assists, 4 points in 26 games.
I'm probably higher on Anderson than most, while he's having a down year in Columbus (had his best year last year with 27 goals), I think he's a big body that, like Kreider, could open up the 2nd line as well. Not a pure scorer to say the least. He's also been on the shelf for the last 30+ games due to a shoulder injury. This helps and hurts his case, helps because the cost to acquire him would be lower, hurts because he hasn't been in game action. Is the risk worth the reward?
Pros: Lower cost due to injury
Cons: Not the scoring boost the 2nd line needs, but would still be a valuable power forward, has been injured since December and hasn't played
4. Kyle Palmieri - NJD ($4.65 million cap hit)
21 goals, 17 assists, 38 points in 51 games.
Another guy I would love to see but not sure if it'll happen, which is why I have him at No. 4. He can play both left and right wing. Can put the puck in the net, but I'm not sure if the Devils are willing to give him up. Would be a sneaky good add for the B's.
5. Joe Thornton - SJS ($2 million cap hit)
2 goals, 22 assists, 24 points in 56 games.
The pure nostalgia factor of having Jumbo Joe on the roster as the B's try and make another Cup run would be unbelievable. He can play up and down the lineup, although he isn't a pure scorer I think he could add some boost to this team as a play maker and a net front guy. I think it'd be a last ditch effort and he's low on the totem pole on people they SHOULD acquire. But man, that would be something.
Pros: It's Jumbo Joe
Cons: It's Jumbo Joe
Sleeper Pick: Nick Bonino, Ondrej Kase
Honorable Mentions: J.G Pageau, Brendan Dillion
Say No: Ilya Kovalchuk.. he could have come to the B's in free agency but chose Montreal. Don't want to see the Bruins give up assets when he could have been free.
Obviously with the deadline there is so much speculation, but just wanted to give you guys a gist of what I was thinking in terms of trade targets. I think Kreider is the ultimate prize but Toffoli is the more realistic option.
12 days until the deadline...
As we get closer to free agency I will likely put all of this into podcast form, subscribe so you know when it drops:
It's a great night to win a hockey game.