Boston Bruins Searching For A Sniper And Top-Four Defenseman.
Barry Chin/Boston Globe
Defensive Need(s): Top-Four Defensemen
The Bruins simply could not sell their product to Dougie Hamilton and his agent last week. So, Sweeney dealt him to Calgary for the first-round draft pick. It was a questionable decision by management. They could have fell back on Hamilton until July 1st. When offer sheets arrived, the Bruins could have competed, but for a cost. Boston wanted Hamilton to return, because now, the team is left with one massive gaping hole along the blue line.
The Bruins could ultimately use two top-four defensemen on their blue line. Currently, the second defensive line pairing would be Torey Krug– Adam McQuaid. That’s a recipe for disaster.
Johnny Oduya is available as a free agent. He made $2.285 million last season with Chicago. That salary figure is doable for Sweeney. The Bruins could use two defensemen of Oduya’s caliber, but also have needs on both ends of the ice. The team could use a pure sniper offensively, but after Wednesday’s whirlwind of action, it looks unlikely the team approaches another forward.
Oduya is 33. His age is a major factor in the eyes of general managers around the league. The Bruins don’t need to focus on Oduya’s age. They must look into his pedigree as a proven top-four defensemen and his hockey sense. With Hamilton out of the equation, it’s time to make a deal along the blue line.