What three things will the Boston Bruins ask for this holiday season?
We’re right at the end of the holiday season, and odds are you already created your holiday gift list. Did you ask for anything special this year? If you’re the Boston Bruins, we can probably figure out what’s on your gift list.
At the holiday break, the Bruins find themselves at the top of the Atlantic Division, a spot they occupied since the start of the year. David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand are in the midst of career years, and Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak make up one of the league’s premier goalie tandems.
Even with their current place in the standings, the Bruins aren’t a finished product. If these last 10 or so games taught us anything, it’s that Boston can certainly use some help. There are a few additions that can turn the Bruins into the top Cup contenders in the NHL.
1. Boston seeks a top-six right wing to play on the second line
The most obvious gift for the Bruins is a legitimate top-six right wing to play on the second line with David Krejci. This is something for which Boston asks virtually every year.
We all know the capabilities of Boston’s first line. Pastrnak and Marchand team up with Patrice Bergeron to give the Bruins a matchup advantage over almost every other team. The second line, however, is a different story.
Coach Bruce Cassidy tried a few different players in that role, but none seem to stick. Karson Kuhlman started there, but he lacks the offensive upside to be in the top-six of a championship contender. Same thing goes for Brett Ritchie.
Danton Heinen played on the second line most recently, and he appears to be the best choice currently on the roster. Cassidy probably prefers to keep him on the third line to balance out the lineup.
What can GM Don Sweeney put under the tree? He undoubtedly would love to add a winger like Tyler Toffoli to the team around the deadline. Even Ilya Kovalchuk is a low-risk option.