Are stars aligning for Bruins, Blues to make a major trade?
Following a 4-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets Thursday evening, the Boston Bruins moved to 71 points on the season and separated themselves a little more from the outside-the-bubble pack in the Eastern Conference. With six wins in their past 10 games and holding the second Wildcard seed in the East, the rebound season has continued for Boston coming out of the Olympic break.
After a firesale leading up the Trade Deadline last season, launching a restocking of assets that was desperately needed, it seems GM Don Sweeney’s approach could be a complete 180 from where it was just 12 months ago. According to sources close to the situation in Boston and as reported by The Fourth Period yesterday, the Bruins are looking to add to their roster over the next seven days.
It is well documented that they are in the market for a top four, right-shot defenseman after their heavy pursuit of now-Vegas Golden Knights rearguard Rasmus Andersson; they continue to be scouring the market for that type of player. Additionally, as David Pagnotta reported, the Bruins are hunting for a top-six forward – preferably a right-shot, a source told DFO.
The Bruins have been engaged with the Calgary Flames all season long regarding several players, a source told Daily Faceoff. The Flames have another top-four, right shooting defenseman available for trade in MacKenzie Weegar, whom the Bruins have interest in for similar reasons as they did Andersson. According to sources, while the Bruins do like Weegar, the term left on his contract (signed until 2031 with a $6.25 million AAV) is something that does cause some trepidation. Additionally, Weegar is in full control of any possible trade given his full no-trade clause.
Center Nazem Kadri is a name that seemed like a decent fit for the Bruins, and while they do seem to like the player, it doesn’t sound like he (and his $7-million AAV until 2029) is atop their list. Based on conversations with team sources, it certainly sounds like the Bruins don’t seem overly high on acquiring an older player with significant term like Kadri (and to a lesser extent Weegar) after trying to get younger just 12 months ago..
The St. Louis Blues are another team the Bruins have had discussions with. The Blues have several notable players on the trade block. The Blues had assistant GM Tim Taylor and vice-president of hockey operations Peter Chiarelli in attendance for the Bruins’ game last night, which doesn’t seem like a coincidence.
Among the players the Bruins could have interest in, Olympic silver medalist Colton Parayko is one among them. The 32-year-old hulking defender certainly fits the mold of what the Bruins are looking for on the back end and, based on a conversation I had last night, sounds like someone Boston has liked for a while. Parayko does have a full NTC and is under contract until 2030 at a $6.5-million AAV – a significant commitment if the Bruins acquire his services.
Justin Faulk is another right-shooting defenseman the Blues have that is of interest to the Bruins, though it does sound like he is a little further down their list. The 33-year-old is only signed until 2027 at the same AAV as Parayko, so a smaller commitment could be enticing. Faulk also has a 15-team no trade list, a lot more flexible than the full NTC of Parayko.
The Fourth Period mentioned Blues captain Brayden Schenn as a target for Sweeney, and while there is no reason to believe that isn’t the case, sources indicated to DFO that 26-year old pivot Robert Thomas is a name the Bruins really like.
Thomas, 26, carries an $8.125-million AAV until 2031 and would fit the exact mold the Bruins are looking for. The price for Thomas is astronomical – GM Doug Armstrong has set heavy prices on all his assets, as he is leveraging the lack of sellers on the market and drawing a hard line in negotiations, according to several sources across the league – as the lack of top-end available centers continues to be a problem for the entire league.
The Bruins have four first-round picks over the next two drafts and are willing to part with some of their better prospects like Matthew Poitras and Dean Letourneau. Though the exact asking price is not yet clear for Thomas, the Bruins certainly have the ammunition to at least stay in the mix until the finish line.
Then we get to the Philadelphia Flyers, who have the rugged Rasmus Ristolainen available for trade. The Bruins have shown moderate interest in the Olympic bronze medalist, though he doesn’t seem like their first choice. Under contract through next season at a $5.1-million AAV, Ristolainen’s financial commitment isn’t hellacious, but the sense is that Bruins don’t seem keen on meeting the Flyers’ ask of a first-round pick. According to Flyers source, a deal won’t get done without a first-rounder or a prospect/player equivalent.
One name the Bruins have checked in on several times this season is winger Owen Tippett, who is under contract for six seasons beyond this one at an AAV of $6.2 million. The Flyers aren’t looking to move the 27-year-old winger by any means but are open to discussions, though the price to get him out of Philadelphia would have to be significant. The Bruins feel like Tippett brings a different style of game and a versatility that they are lacking.
The Flyers do like both Letourneau and Poitras; adding either would be a much needed addition to the Flyers’ pipeline, which the Bruins are well aware of, I’ve been told. Additionally, the Bruins are open to moving 25-year-old defenseman Mason Lohrei (whom the Flyers like as well) who, while has played well for the Bruins (on the right side recently), is someone the Bruins feel like they can replace internally, sources told DFO. Moving Lohrei’s $3.2-million AAV would be a way to make the money work on a potential deal if need be. Similarly, winger Victor Arvidsson could be asked to waive his full no-movement clause so the Bruins could offload his $4 million, but that would only be the case should it be a financial necessity, according to sources.
The Bruins had a very active Trade Deadline last year, and it certainly seems like they have a lot of irons in the fire again this time around. The only difference now is they are on the other side of the aisle as buyers.
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