Boston Bruins Would Select Auston Matthews First Overall In Draft If They had to Choose Him or Patrik Laine
There has been a lot of discussion among media, scouts, and fans alike on whether or not the Toronto Maple Leafs will use their first selection in the 2016 NHL Draft on Arizona-native Auston Matthews or Finnish-sensation Patrik Laine. If the Boston Bruins had the first overall pick, both players would be welcomed with open arms to the Garden as future superstars, but they would have to choose one.
The case for Patrik Laine is simple; the 6-foot-4 winger is fast, agile, huge, and has skills that can compete with the best the World has to offer. It’s rare to find such a large player with so much skill and speed, but the right-shooting Laine is as good as it gets. Whether it’s scoring timely goals, using a wicked shot off of a one-timer, or finding an open passing lane, Laine can do it all.
His American counterpart, Auston Matthews, also happens to be a well-rounded phenom who would have been in the Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel discussion last year if it wasn’t for his birth date placing him just out of reach for the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
At 6-foot-2 and 216 pounds, Matthews isn’t exactly a small forward either. Whether it’s in North America, International play, or in the Swiss league playing against grown men with years of experience, Matthews has never failed to impress under a microscope. When looking at the rankings, Matthews was ranked first among EU skaters by NHL Central Scouting, and first on Hockey Prospects, ISS Hockey, Future Considerations. Matthews will be a superstar in the NHL, and his ability to play at center should give him the edge over Patrik Laine.
So who would the Bruins take?
Puck Prose
The Boston Bruins have two premier NHL centers in Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. Over the last few years, both Bergeron and Krejci have shown that they are legitimate top-six centerman who could both fulfill top-line roles in the league. With that being said, the two players also combine for $14,125,000 with Krejci’s contract ending in 2021 and Bergeron’s contract ending in 2022.
At the start of the 2016-17 season, both players will be on the wrong-side of 30 as Krejci will be 30 and Bergeron will be 31. If the Bruins had to make the #1 overall selection at the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, It would make sense for the Bruins to select Matthews and look at moving one of either Patrice Bergeron or David Krejci. With Bergeron being the most complete player the Bruins have had in a very long time, he should automatically be untouchable in any trade talks, hypothetical or not.
That leaves trading David Krejci and saving $7,2500,000 per season and replacing him with Auston Matthews.
If the Bruins drafted Auston Matthews and slotted him into their top-six at center and traded away David Krejci for a top-tier defenseman, they would immediately become a more complete team. The likeliness of the Bruins having left-over salary cap space following the deal would be a good one, giving them even more room to fill out some remaining holes on the roster.
Of course, if the Boston Bruins actually had the #1 overall draft pick, it would be enticing to trade down and acquire another first round draft pick while also acquiring a top defenseman. The possibilities would be endless, but unfortunately, the Bruins do not have the first overall draft pick and they will not be selecting either Matthews or Laine this year.