Boston Bruins: Grading the 2019 and 2020 trade deadline deals
By Scott Roche
Bruins acquire Coyle and Johansson at 2019 deadline
At the 2019 trade deadline, Sweeney made two trades that at the time experts felt was not going to shift the balance of power in the Eastern Conference.
In the first deal, he acquired Charlie Coyle from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Ryan Donato and a 2019 fifth-round draft pick. His second trade five days later, Sweeney got forward Marcus Johannson from the New Jersey Devils for a 2019 second-round pick and a 2020 fourth-round pick.
Both players used the final month of the regular season to get accustomed to their new teammates and the system, but once the playoffs hit, both took their game to another level.
After putting up four goals in 21 regular-season games, Coyle had nine postseason goals and seven assists with an impressive plus-8 in 24 games. He averaged 15:28 of ice-time and became one of the Bruins’ most productive forwards following their top line.
Johansson had just 10 regular-season games following the trade with one goal, but the 28-year old added much-needed scoring depth in the playoffs with four goals and seven assists in 22 games.
Both players found chemistry with Danton Heinen on the Bruins third line in the playoffs and proved that if you have three lines producing, then you will have a lot of postseason success.
In November of 2019, the Bruins signed Coyle to a six-year, $31.5 million contract to remain with the Black and Gold. Johannson signed with the Buffalo Sabres as a free agent in July of 2019, before being dealt to the Minnesota Wild two months ago.