We’re per week away from the NHL commerce deadline and the Bruins’ are in a curious spot.
They maintain the second wild card spot however, even with their victory over the Columbus that created a six-point recreation between them and the Blue Jackets, they’re assured nothing. The Blue Jackets have two extra video games towards the B’s, each in Columbus, whereas the Capitals went into their recreation Friday towards Vegas simply 4 factors behind the B’s (although they may have performed three extra video games than the B’s after Friday).
GM Don Sweeney might stand pat and it might not be an unwise selection. In an interview with NESN on Thursday, Sweeney mentioned he didn’t anticipate to be as “aggressive” as he’s been lately, he did say he’d like so as to add to the group.
But when Sweeney desires to swing for an influence participant, he can do it. Contemplating what he tried to final month, it wouldn’t be a shock, both.
He’s additionally obtained 4 first spherical draft over the following two drafts (with situations on two of them), prospect that they’ll’t appear to search out room for in Matt Poitras and a left protection prospect in Frederic Brunet who might make transferring somebody on the again finish much less painful. Dean Letourneau’s excellent sophomore season at Boston Faculty has undoubtedly put him on sellers’ radars, no matter whether or not the B’s have any curiosity in transferring him.
He had already tried to make a large transfer as soon as this yr, placing collectively a package deal that, in keeping with varied reviews, was believed to have embody some mixture of a 2027 first rounder, Mason Lohrei and/or Matt Poitras for right-shot defenseman Rasmus Andersson. That was apparently scuttled when the UFA-to-be refused to comply with a contract extension and he landed in Vegas.
Whereas that try would point out that Sweeney just isn’t on the lookout for any big-name short-term leases — and properly so, contemplating the B’s are nonetheless in rebuild mode – it additionally confirmed he’d be curious about making a transfer that might speed up the transform job.
A narrative in Day by day Faceoff linked the B’s to quite a few groups and their varied commerce baits – the Calgary Flames and proper shot defenseman Mackenzie Weegar in addition to heart Nazem Kadri, the Philadelphia Flyers and proper shot defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen and wing Owen Tippett. Sweeney normally does his due diligence, so it’s a secure guess the B’s might be linked to a couple extra groups earlier than Friday rolls round. Elsewhere, there has even been hypothesis that they might have a second-time-around with Vancouver’s Jake DeBrusk or New Jersey’s Dougie Hamilton, each of which appears unlikely.
However maybe the staff that will maintain probably the most promise as a commerce associate could be the St. Louis Blues. They’ve obtained two fascinating proper shot defensemen, although they’re each older. Justin Faulk, who has one other yr left at $6.5 million, is 33 whereas large thumper Colton Parayko (4 extra years at $6.5 million) is 32. The identify of heart Brady Schenn, for whom the B’s as soon as had eyes, was additionally thrown round. However he’s now 34 and, although he has two extra years on his deal at $6.million, he wouldn’t be a part of a long-term repair.
The prize in St. Louis could be right-shot heart Robert Thomas, at present on a go away of absence from the Blue for private causes. Accidents have slowed the pivot this yr to only 11-22-33 in 42 video games however he had back-to-back 80-plus level seasons. At 26, he’s obtained 4 extra years at $8.125 million and he could be a real No. 1 centerman who might be paired with David Pastrnak and/or Morgan Geekie. The query is whether or not the B’s might put collectively a package deal that may each land Thomas they usually’d be comfy surrendering.
Selections additionally need to be made on the B’s personal pending UFAs Viktor Arvidsson, a favourite of coach Marco Sturm’s who has been having bounce-back season, and Andrew Peeke, who was scratched on Thursday.
This may be an unsettling time for gamers. Lohrei has already gotten a style of it when his identify was on the market with the Andersson deal. The 25-year-old Lohrei, who has one other yr left at $3.2 million and would nonetheless be restricted on the finish of the deal, had his greatest evening of the season when the commerce discuss was buzzing, scoring two objectives in a win in Chicago.
He’s performed nicely just lately, posting a plus-6 in his final eight video games. The left-shot Lohrei just lately has performed on the suitable aspect with Hampus Lindholm, a transfer that was partially precipitated by the emergence of Jonathan Aspirot. Like many offensive-minded D-men, Lohrei likes performed his off aspect, which he performed in junior and at Ohio State. Perhaps that versatility is likely one of the issues that convinces the B’s to hold on to him, or perhaps it helps them consummate an enormous deal. We will see. Lohrei, for his half, hopes it’s the former.
“It’s all a part of the sport,” mentioned Lohrei, who does his greatest to keep away from Twitter. “I actually love being a Boston Bruin and this metropolis, this group and every part in it. So I wish to be right here so long as they’ve me.”….
Charlie McAvoy and Marat Khusnutdinov didn’t observe on Friday however Sturm mentioned that each took upkeep days they usually’ll be out there for Saturday’s recreation in Philadelphia….
The B’s despatched goalie Michael DiPietro again to Windfall….
After David Pastrnak missed a few long-range makes an attempt on the empty web late within the B’s 4-2 win over Columbus, Sturm had them complete staff observe photographs at an empty web from their very own zone close to the top of observe.
“It had nothing to do with (Thursday),” claimed Sturm with amusing. “It’s extra enjoyable than something.”
