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Boston Bruins: Who are the alternatives if there’s no Chris Kreider trade?

By Luke Ryan

BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 04: Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins reacts with his teammates after scoring in the second period of a game against the Vancouver Canucks TD Garden on February 4, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 04: Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins reacts with his teammates after scoring in the second period of a game against the Vancouver Canucks TD Garden on February 4, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – JANUARY 01: Brandon Saad #20 of the Chicago Blackhawks attempts a shot past Tuukka Rask #40 of the Boston Bruins in the second period during the 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Notre Dame Stadium on January 01, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Brandon Saad (Chicago Blackhawks)

This one, we heard on Elliotte Friedman’s 31 Thoughts podcast, suggesting that if the Boston Bruins are willing to consider giving up their first-round pick that experienced Blackhawks winger, Brandon Saad may well be available.

"“If it’s (Chris) Kreider, (Kyle) Palmieri or Brandon Saad, they might consider (parting with a first-round pick).”"

This one might be a bit more left-field than other suggestions but Brandon Saad would be a fantastic pick-up for the Bruins, namely because he’s been there and done that when it comes to the Stanley Cup.

Obviously the core veterans on this team have been there, done that too but adding yet another experienced head is never going to be a bad move, especially when they’re only 27 years old.

Saad’s contract would prove somewhat challenging for the Bruins when it comes to cap space, but if Chicago could be convinced to eat David Backes‘ deal, then maybe this works perfectly. The only negative about moving out Backes would be the expectation of an attractive prospect or two along with our first-round pick.

On a deal that extends beyond this summer, there would be distinct challenges in terms of keeping the Bruins under the cap in the immediacy and also maintaining negotiating room for this summer’s free agents, namely Torey Krug and Jake DeBrusk, hence needing to ditch someone like Backes if at all possible. John Moore may be another name mentioned to Chicago.

As a player, Saad has a strong two-way game, sees ice-time on both Chicago special teams and would be a genuinely strong fit just in terms of being a reliable performer.

He does however play left wing and thus the Bruins line-up would need some shuffling to fit him in, though you’d expect the second-line to be his spot whether he’s on his off side or DeBrusk is.

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