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Boston Bruins 2017 NHL Trade Deadline: Three Players That Could Be Traded

By Brandon Share-Cohen

Jan 22, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Joe Morrow (45) skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at the PPG PAINTS Arena. The Penguins won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Joe Morrow (45) skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at the PPG PAINTS Arena. The Penguins won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dominic Moore. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dominic Moore. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Dominic Moore – Center – 36 Years Old – $900,000 Cap Hit

When the Bruins signed Dominic Moore last offseason, they were bringing in some veteran competition to training camp. Winning a job out of camp, Moore has been exactly what the Bruins were looking for. A hard-nosed, depth scorer who can provide energy to the team when they need it.

For years, the Bruins relied on solid fourth line play from the notorious “Merlot Line.” Consisting of Shawn Thornton, Gregory Campbell and Daniel Paille, the Merlot Line was the ultimate energy line. Often starting in the defensive zone and finishing in the offensive zone, the Bruins could roll with their fourth line consistently to give a boost to their team and help the top lines get some rest, as well as start their shift in the offensive zone – primed for a scoring chance.

What Moore does is similar – he may not be a player in the same mold as any of the three mentioned, but he’s done his job very well this season in the sense that he’s been reliable, and has scored nine goals on the year for the Bruins. For reference, his nine goals are tied for sixth on the Bruins this season. His 18 points are good for 18th on the roster as well. Moore has also played in every single one of the Bruins games this season and has proven to be as durable as they come for the most part in his career.

Trading Him at the Deadline

With all of this in mind, why would the Bruins move him?

It starts with his age. At 36 years old, Moore is not going to be the Bruins fourth line center of the future. He’s a veteran player, and though the Bruins have seen veterans come and go in recent years without getting anything for them, Moore could bring the Bruins a mid-level draft pick for his hard work this season – something they’d be getting for simply taking a waiver on the centerman in the offseason.

Related Story: Boston Bruins 2017 Trade Deadline Possible Targets

Moore is a pending unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. While the Bruins could re-sign him at the end of the year, they’d be better off moving forward with some of their younger players to find their identity moving forward. As such, the Bruins would be better off getting something for Moore now rather than watching him walk away in the offseason for nothing.

If the Bruins do move Moore, they could easily slot Riley Nash into the fourth-line center role behind Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci and Ryan Spooner. The in-house replacement is not only on the roster already, he’s skating on the line he’d take over. The Bruins chances of making the playoffs likely won’t be affected by moving Moore – it’s a toss-up of whether or not they’ll qualify, or miss the playoffs for the third consecutive season. With the future of this season being so uncertain, however, they should simply cut ties and see what they have without him.

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