With the trade market seemingly set by the Pittsburgh Penguins, we need to look at which prospects the Boston Bruins would be willing to give up in potential trades.
The Pittsburgh Penguins gave up Calen Addison, who had a strong showing at the most recent World Junior Championships and was ready to turn pro for next season. Thus far he rates the only prospect included in a big trade, but it does seed a little fear for who the Boston Bruins might give up.
Top of every team’s asking list, depending of course on who the Boston Bruins are seeking in return, will be Jack Studnicka.
He’s really started to shine in his rookie year with the Providence Bruins and certainly projects to fit into the Boston Bruins’ top-six eventually. He’s what you’d term one of the organisation’s blue-chip prospects.
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Thankfully, unless the return is huge, it’s highly unlikely that Don Sweeney makes any sort of deal involving him, regardless of how high Jim Rutherford and Pittsburgh set the asking prices this February.
Trent Frederic, although not projecting as a top-six guy, likely also falls into the category of a player the Boston Bruins wouldn’t be willing to give up. He plays a tough, physical game with decent two-way nous meaning he’s a desirable option eventually on the bottom-six.
Zach Senyshyn and Oskar Steen also likely wouldn’t be traded but don’t necessarily rate as high when talking about the Bruins’ forward prospects and thus, in the right situation, could still be dealt.
On defense, there’s plenty of interesting options; Jeremy Lauzon has won himself some new fans with his recent showing in the NHL. He showed physical presence beyond his years and didn’t do anything too stupid on the blue-line.
There’s also Urho Vaakanainen, who has been touted as the Boston Bruins’ future on defense for quite a while now. He actually now could find himself stuck in a bit of a log-jam. Obviously, Zdeno Chara will eventually retire opening up roster space, but the likes of Connor Clifton, Jeremy Lauzon and possibly even Jakub Zboril may have leap-frogged him.
He still shows plenty of promise, but given there is a bit of depth to the defensive prospects cupboard, he could perhaps be used in a trade this year.
Jakub Zboril falls into the same category; he shows plenty of promise but could also find himself stranded in Providence due to the strength of those ahead of him. Much like Vaakanainen, this leaves him ripe for being traded.
Beyond that five, there’s plenty of players that would likely be made available if anyone asked about them.
Think Peter Cehlarik, who the Boston Bruins really need to give up on now. Cameron Hughes showed some potential with his brief stay in the NHL but likely won’t find his way back anytime soon.
Even guys like Karson Kuhlman, who until very recently, was in the NHL and in the line-up regularly, could be made available. At 24 years old, he’s probably on the cusp of no longer being called a prospect, but right now, he still feels that way.
It’s relatively open as to who the Boston Bruins may choose to give away, if of course a potential trade partner gives them much choice. As long as the departing prospect doesn’t come back to bite us in the future, I’m happy to see any number of guys depart for the right price.
All I ask is that the Boston Bruins don’t do anything foolish like deal Jack Studnicka or John Beecher!