Are the Boston Bruins looking to acquire defenseman Noah Hanifin?

Could the Boston Bruins be looking to acquire Calgary Flames’ defenseman Noah Hanifin via trade?

Recently, Jimmy Murphy of Boston Hockey Now brought up the idea that Boston Bruins‘ general manager Don Sweeney could get another chance to acquire Calgary Flames’ defenseman Noah Hanifin.

Hanifin, who is just 23 years old, already has five seasons of NHL play under his belt and has been on two different NHL teams (Flames and Carolina Hurricanes).

He currently has four years left on his six-year deal, with an average annual value (AAV) of $4.95 million. So to acquire him, Boston would have to trade for him.

Hanifin was originally drafted fifth overall by the Hurricanes in 2015. He made his NHL debut that season (2015-16) and went on to score 22 points (four goals, 18 assists) in 79 games.

Although he is quite productive offensively from the blueline (he has scored at least 20 points in every one of his seasons), Hanafin struggles defensively in most seasons.

Through five years in the NHL, the young blueliner has only two seasons with a positive expected plus/minus (E+/-) and one season with a positive plus/minus (+/-).

However, with the departure of defenseman Torey Krug to the St. Louis Blues in free agency and the uncertainty of captain Zdeno Chara’s future in Boston, the B’s may be looking to add a young, left-shot defenseman with NHL experience like Hanifin.

Additionally, the fact that Hanifin is from Norwood, Massachusetts only increases their interest in the 6-foot-3 defenseman.

What it would cost the Boston Bruins for Noah Hanifin.

Hanifin is still very young at just 23 years old, however, he still has four years left of a six-year deal. But, some would say he hasn’t lived up to the hype after being selected fifth overall and not breaking 35 points yet.

Despite the disappointment surrounding Hanifin, he is still very valuable when it comes to trade talks and would cost the Bruins a lot.

In a recent article by Joe Haggerty of Boston Hockey Now, Haggerty reported that the B’s may be looking to move prospect defenseman Urho Vaakanainen to upgrade their blueline.

To get Hanifin, I’m sure it would cost Boston Vaakanainen and then even a high draft pick.

However, I don’t believe this would be worth it for the B’s. Vaakanainen is most likely going to make the NHL roster this season and play an integral part of the defense. He is known for his great defensive play, while not having much upside when it comes to offense.

I believe adding Hanifin would be a move that is trying to replace the loss of Krug. However, Hanifin is nowhere near the offensive threat that Krug is and probably never will be.

Moving Vaakanainen for Hanifin would be a downgrade, not an upgrade, and would set the Bruins’ defense back several years.