Boston Bruins: Best trade deadline acquisitions will come from within

It’s no secret that the Boston Bruins are in need of some help when it comes to their secondary scoring and might be looking for just that with the trade deadline approaching.

While there are a few names on the trading block that the Boston Bruins are reportedly interested in, the best option for the team is to find that help from within.

The Boston Bruins have made it known that they are in the market for a winger to play alongside David Krejci. While the trade market has always seemed like the preferred route for the team, their best and most likely option seems to be promoting a player already in the organization.

With the salary cap situation being as tight as it is, and a few players in Providence seemingly ready to make the jump to the NHL, the Boston Bruins should make a move from within.

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The most obvious choice would be to bring up Jack Studnicka, who just competed in the AHL All-Star Game and has 30 points in 44 games with the Providence Bruins this season.

Studnicka was a second-round pick by the Bruins in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, and is regarded as their top forward prospect going forward. While it may seem a bit soon to bring him up to the NHL, Studnicka has quickly adapted to the pro level during his first AHL season and looks just about ready to make that jump.

Trent Frederic seems like the second most likely option to get a shot playing with Boston, and he adds an element that the Bruins seem to be missing this season: toughness. Frederic leads Providence with 104 penalty minutes in 43 games this season, including six fights already.

In addition to his toughness, Frederic also uses his hands to set up his teammates with a team-leading 19 assists. He seems like he would be a pretty good fit on the third line in Boston, and calling him up to the NHL is something that should be seriously considered going forward.

However, if the Bruins are looking to bring up somebody with a bit more NHL experience then Peter Cehlarik could also be a candidate. The 24-year-old has spent parts of four seasons with the Bruins, playing in 40 games throughout his career.

With 11 points in those games, many thought that his chance to become a regular on the Bruins roster had come and gone, but with 28 points in Providence this season, Cehlarik may be deserving of one more shot.

The Bruins have made their fair share of deadline deals over the last few seasons, and they have come with some mixed results. The trade to acquire Rick Nash didn’t work out as well as the team had hoped, but they made up for it by bringing in Marcus Johansson and Charlie Coyle at the trade deadline last season.

The two of them would be among Boston’s better players throughout their run to the Stanley Cup Final last season. While Coyle was still under contract for this season and eventually signed to a contract extension, Johansson left to join the Buffalo Sabres as a free agent.

The Bruins are one of the best teams in the NHL right now and don’t need to do much to prove that they are a serious contender for the Stanley Cup this season. As a result, it would be wise to stick to what has worked this season and avoid giving up future assets in an attempt to bolster the roster while maintaining team chemistry.

Boston has players within the organization that are waiting for their chance to contribute, and with a few of them ready to make the jump to the NHL, why not give them that chance right now?