Why The Boston Bruins Shouldn’t Trade For Ryane Clowe

February 2, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks left wing Ryane Clowe (29) warms up before the game against the Nashville Predators at HP Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

It’s starting to become more and more clear that the Boston Bruins need some help on their now anemic 3rd line and could also bolster their defensive corps if they plan on making a serious run at the Stanley Cup in 2013.

The Bruins currently sit in 4th in the Eastern Conference and 2nd in the Northeast Division, just a point behind the rival Montreal Canadiens. But with injuries to Adam McQuaid and Chris Kelly, the Bruins have had a rougher go of things of late and with the NHL trade deadline less than 48-hours away the Bruins are running out of time and options to improve their team.

One name that is continually being linked to Boston is that of San Jose Sharks forward, Ryane Clowe. Clowe is a 6’2″, 225-pound power forward whose physical style of play would fit quite well with the Bruins, so its easy to see why people feel he would be a great fit in Boston.

However, the Sharks are reportedly asking for a 1st round pick and a prospect for a player who hasn’t scored a goal in 28 games for them. Yes, you read that right, he has zero goals in 28 games which is a very disappointing season for a guy who averaged 20-goals over the last four seasons.

So, why does a team who needs help offensively need to add a big body who can hit without scoring goals? Don’t the Bruins already have that in Lane MacDermid?

Now, I know Clowe is having a down season and would be an upgrade over guys like MacDermid, Jay Pandolfo and Jordan Caron. This season though he has struggled mightily and for that asking price I feel the Bruins could do better.

Another cause for concern regarding Clowe would be that amid reports on Monday morning of him waiving his no trade clause, is that he would also be looking for a contract extension if he is indeed traded.

The contract extension talk is all hearsay at this point (much like the trade rumors) and he probably wouldn’t be too expensive, but when you read some scouting reports on Clowe this year, there are some definite red flags in his game and with his health.

Clowe missed a handful of games this season with a shoulder injury and appears to still be hampered by it and at the age of 30, he’s either on or entering the back-9 of his playing career. Chronic injuries are bad enough to deal with when you’re younger, so one can only magine how an older body thats taken a beating all these years would hold up.

Also, for a guy whose game is all about being physical and battling along the boards, the wear and tear on his shoulder is going to no doubt be a factor. Do you really want to give up a 1st and a prospect for a guy surrounded by so many question marks? I know I don’t.

Maybe Clowe gets traded and goes on to play another 10 seasons while scoring 10-20 goals a year, but one thing is for sure, I don’t want the Bruins to be the ones who took that chance. At least not when they could’ve added someone like Curtis Glencross or Jaromir Jagr instead.