What Should the Boston Bruins do at the Trade Deadline?
After 54 games the Boston Bruins have 76 points and are tied for 2nd in the NHL for points. The team has very little holes, and with the trade deadline fast approaching, what should the team do?
The questions abound for the Boston Bruins organization? Do they splurge on a 2nd line winger to play with Krejci? Do they take a chance on a certain defensemen from NYC? Or do they roll with the current roster and add depth pieces in case of injuries? I will cover potential targets that fit each listed category and see how likely each player is to joining Boston.
Patrick Maroon
Patrick Maroon, the 6’3″ winger from the struggling Edmonton Oilers has surfaced as a potential target for the Bruins. Coming off of a career year where he scored 27 goals skating alongside Connor McDavid, Maroon is a burly forward who will hit and drop the gloves when needed, and has some semblance of offensive touch. Sound like someone we used to have on the roster? (*cough, Milan Lucic, cough*).
Joe Haggerty from NBC Sports Boston, mentions Maroon as a possibility based off of his career season last year, and how players of his caliber has played well with Krejci over the years. Maroon has a small cap hit of 1.5 million and will be a UFA after the year and looks to be a pure rental player.
The biggest obstacle that this deal faces, is where he’s coming from. If comparable offers are available, I highly doubt that former B’s GM Peter Chiarelli would send Maroon to Boston. The size and strength of Maroon would be a welcome sight to the Bruins’ wing. Most of the wingers on the team (other than David Backes) are speedy, undersized scorers. Maroon would bring a different element to this team, but I don’t see it happening.
Michael Grabner
On a recent edition of the highly regarded 31 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman mentioned in his 1st Thought that Boston could be in on Michael Grabner. Grabner, a speedy winger who plays in all situations could be another option for the Bruins. Already with 23 goals on the year, he could be a valuable asset on a recently struggling Bruins PP units and could give Boston another reliable scoring option. Grabner has a cap hit of $1.65 million and like Maroon will be a UFA after the year.
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Coming from the Rangers, Grabner’s price may be in the Bruins range, if they’re interested. Already looking to sell Rick Nash and possibly McDonagh, the Rangers might trade Grabner for a 2nd round pick and a prospect. Would the Bruins be interested in that potential deal? If the price is right, sure but I don’t see the Bruins splurging on a Top 6 winger and could hang on to their prospects and picks and save them for a possible huge deal in the offseason.
Ryan McDonagh
One of the most interesting rumors that have surfaced before the deadline, is the interest in McDonagh from the Bruins. The left handed defenseman from the Rangers could be the biggest domino to fall come the trade deadline. McDonagh has two years left on his deal at a cap hit of $4.7 million and will be a UFA in 2019-20.
The price for the Rangers captain will obviously be quite steep. McDonagh is more than just a rental piece. At only 28 McDonagh, could be paired with Charlie McAvoy for the foreseeable future and be your Top 2 d-pair. Chara has been superb this season, but will be 41 years old in a month and while he most definitely deserves a contract extension, the Bruins need to find his replacement. McDonagh could be their guy.
The biggest hurdle to the deal is his very high price tag. The Rangers would likely ask for a 1st round pick, prospect and roster player. That’s a lot to give up for McDonagh, but it could be worth it. I would give up the pick in the potential deal and the roster players the Bruins would have to deal would be a choice between Torey Krug and Brandon Carlo.
I would part with Carlo over Krug, for two main reasons. First, Krug is more offensively talented and McAvoy is your top right handed D-man and with the possibility of acquiring McDonagh the Bruins should definitely explore this avenue.
Kevin Paul Dupont recently tweeted out that a 1st, Carlo, and Trent Frederic would get the job done for McDonagh. Would the Bruins do that? Would you be okay if the Bruins went through will this proposed deal?
Depth Pieces
On the most recent TSN Hockey Bobcast with Bob McKenzie, he mentions that the Bruins could monitor the options at wing, but prices could be too high and they could focus on depth pieces. McKenzie didn’t mention anyone specific but if they do go the depth route, I could see them go after another forward in case of injury, to play ahead of guys like Frank Vatrano or Austin Czarnik. Some potential options could be guys like: Chris Wagner from Anaheim, Nick Cousins from Arizona, Johnny Oduya from Ottawa among other options.
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The Bruins could go down many different paths this deadline, they could go after a winger, maybe McDonagh or they make small moves to improve depth pieces and basically stand pat. What do you think they should do?