Boston Bruins forward Loui Eriksson is still generating some major trade buzz. With the deadline tomorrow at 3 p.m., it’s clear that several teams have a strong interest in Eriksson, who is currently on track to put in 30 goals and 70 points this season. The Bruins might be able to keep him, but they’ll have to sign over some serious cash. If the B’s can’t make that kind of commitment, they could still push an eleventh hour trade.
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“All you can is like I’ve been saying earlier…you try to focus on the game that you’re going to play tonight. That’s all you can do is try to get the two points in the game for us tonight,” said Eriksson earlier today. “I don’t really want to talk about right now. We’ll see what’s going to happen. All I can do is just play and help the team. It’s like I’ve been saying the last couple of times I’ve talked to you guys.”
The current talk around Boston is that Eriksson turned down a four-year, $21 million dollar deal. It could be that the Swedish winger is looking for the big pay check. While Eriksson is tied for second in goals(23) and overall points (48), he does have a concussion history. The Bruins want to keep Loui, but they may not be ready to dish out that kind of cash, especially when they’ve got to give Brad Marchand a big raise next season.
To his credit, Eriksson has been entirely professional throughout this affair. He’s put in seven goals in the last nine games, and he has really worked hard this season to earn a good contract. Eriksson seems to like Boston. He and his expanding family (three young daughters with a fourth child on the way) appear to enjoy Boston, and Eriksson may actually come down on his price to keep playing at the TD Garden. It’s not likely, but it’s possible.
“Like I’ve said, for me and my family this is a really good team to play for. It’s a really nice city to be in, and living in…it’s definitely nice,” said Eriksson. “We’ll see what’s going to happen. All I can do is play my game, and help the team as much as I can to win the game tonight.”
It’s certainly going to be a big game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Whoever wins tonight takes second place in the Atlantic Division, and they’ll be within two points of the first place Florida Panthers. If Eriksson puts up a goal (or more), it might be enough for Don Sweeney to sigh and open up the checkbook.