Since David Pastrnak’s injury was reported, Alexander Khokhlachev has been chosen by the Boston Bruins management to play on the top line with David Krejci and Loui Eriksson. While some would argue that putting the Providence Bruins leading scorer in a position to score more points would be the most effective way to use the young Russian, I believe that there may be a little bit more going on.
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The Boston Bruins are deep at forward and could have easily put Matt Beleskey up with Krejci and Eriksson. This would then have made the third line Chris Kelly, Ryan Spooner and Jimmy Hayes (before Kelly’s injury). The Bruins are never afraid to move Kelly up to the third line, and have had Beleskey play on the top line before. So why did they choose to call up Khokhlachev instead of just shuffling the lines around?
It could be a possibility that the Boston Bruins have the intentions of trading Alexander Khokhlachev and are looking to put his talent on display at the NHL level. If other teams in the league can see what he is about and realize that he is more than capable of playing with the big boys, a deal could get done.
Sep 22, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Alex Khokhlachev (76) controls the puck during the third period against the Washington Capitals at TD Garden. The Boston Bruins won 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
The reality is that while Alexander Khokhlachev is ready to be a Boston Bruin, the Boston Bruins are not quite ready for him. They are stacked at center, Khokhlachev’s main position, and have more than enough capable top six wingers in Eriksson, Beleskey, Connolly, Hayes and Pastrnak. With one year left in his contract, Khokhlachev will be looking for a one way NHL deal and it doesn’t seem like the Boston Bruins will be able to give him that.
So, if Khokhlachev is ready for the NHL, why not let some other team promote him? Giving away such a highly skilled prospect, who is showing such promise, as of right now, would allow the Bruins to either pick up another draft pick, or make a push for an even bigger deal that would help them defensively.
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Now I like Alexander Khokhlachev just as much as the next Bruins fan, but I can’t help but fear that the KHL will be knocking on his door this offseason when his NHL contract expires. He doesn’t want to return to Providence next year, and, if that is the best the Bruins can offer, then we could lose him to the KHL and get nothing in return.
The fact that Alexander Khokhlachev is up playing with the Boston Bruins means one of two things. Boston wants to see how he fits in a top role so that they can sign him long term, or they are showing him off to potential trade partners. Only time will tell on which story is true.
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