If the Boston Bruins do end up executing a trade for Columbus’ Josh Anderson, it’d be high-risk but with huge potential for it to also be high-reward.
The Boston Bruins need a top-six right winger and Josh Anderson is just that, provided of course the Columbus Blue Jackets are even willing to trade him. On these facts by themselves, this trade would be a no-brainer.
However, there’s far more to moving for Josh Anderson than him just being a fit for the role. Firstly he last played back in December and on that occasion saw just 6 shifts and a total ice-time of 05:07 before leaving the game injured.
At that time, it was announced his shoulder injury would keep him out for up to 6 weeks. Eight weeks later, he’s yet to return to the Blue Jackets’ line-up.
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As a player, he perfectly fits the mould for the Boston Bruins; packing some size on a big body and being unafraid to mix it up physically. With a career-high of 49 points last season, he also has proven point-scoring and indeed goal-scoring (27 goals) ability.
In the 2019-20 season, even prior to his injury, he has fallen completely flat on those totals. Just 1 goal and 3 assists in 26 games is downright dreadful and would make anyone think twice about trying to add him to their roster.
This is where Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney needs to play his cards right; the reward if Josh Anderson re-discovers his form is a capable second-line big-bodied right winger.
He is on an expiring deal only costing $1.85 million and will be eligible for arbitration in the summer. The Boston Bruins could capitalise on his low value right now; swoop in and take him for a draft pick and maybe if we’re lucky, a salary dump.
When summer comes and if we get the Josh Anderson of last season, he can be re-signed to a new deal that will likely not break the bank given his poor totals this season.
Even an arbitration hearing isn’t going to be able to argue that – obviously last season will factor into the maths, but he’d still be cheap.
It’s a high-risk move to shift a draft pick for a maybe proposition. However, without taking the risk, how will the Boston Bruins ever know. Maybe it proves to be the difference between another Stanley Cup Final and a first-round knockout; who knows?
You’d hedge your bets that if he returned from injury and was fully fit, ended up alongside David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk as opposed to his most regular line-mates this year, Boone Jenner and Nick Foligno; he’s going to re-find that scoring touch.
If the Boston Bruins were to add Josh Anderson cheap and he suddenly starts lighting it up, all of a sudden, we might have one of the rental steals of the year on our hands.
The biggest rewards often come to those willing to take the biggest risk; I can’t name any player that would be riskier for the Boston Bruins. Why not go for it?