Boston Bruins: 3 New Jersey Devils trade targets
The Boston Bruins have had an up and down start to the 2021 season. One team that they just can’t seem to get an easy win out of though is the struggling New Jersey Devils.
The Devils are in the middle of a rebuild and have some great young pieces either with the big club right now – or in the pipeline for the near future. The future is bright for New Jersey, but for now they are still a bottom feeder in an ultra-competitive East Division.
After having four matches in the books against the New Jersey Devils – the Boston Bruins have gotten a great look at the roster and not just some of their future superstars, but also some great contributing role players.
With the NHL Trade Deadline just over a month away – teams should be starting to make calls and look for them to prioritize early deals instead of waiting for the deadline during this shortened season.
General Manager Don Sweeney should be scouting the whole league for contributing talent, but there are some great options within the division and the Devils may be one of the few teams who will look to be sellers come the deadline.
The Boston Bruins are looking to make a Stanley Cup run this season, but it’s not a stretch to say that they can’t get the job done with their current roster. Here are some options that Don Sweeney should be calling New Jersey GM Tom Fitzgerald about.
3. Kyle Palmieri
Could the Boston Bruins finally make a move for a guy who seems to be on the block every year?
It seems like clockwork every year when the Trade Deadline swings around and Kyle Palmieri‘s name is on the trade block. Saying that, he has yet to be traded and has remained with the New Jersey Devils for the duration of his contract.
This season could be different. An expiring UFA, Palmieri doesn’t seem like a long-term fit for a young Devils core. New Jersey would be wise to listen to offers on the veteran winger who has had 20+ goal seasons during his last five campaigns.
This guy seems like a perfect fit for the Boston Bruins and would be a great short-term option on David Krejci’s right wing for a (hopefully) long playoff run.
Boston Bruins forward lines with Kyle Palmieri.
Marchand – Bergeron – Pastrnak
Ritchie – Krejci – Palmieri
DeBrusk – Coyle – Smith
Frederic- Studnicka – Bjork
This is an extremely solid forward corps. The addition of Kyle Palmieri increases depth down the wing and creates four really strong units. Plus, how fun would that young fourth line be to watch?
2. P.K. Subban
Could the ex-Montreal Canadiens defenceman solidify the Boston Bruins right side?
This move may not seem to make a lot of sense at first. The Boston Bruins certainly have issues on the blue line, but it is the left side that is much thinner talent wise. P.K. Subban is not the player he used to be, but he would still be a welcomed addition to this Bruins team.
An addition of Subban would immediately give the Bruins one of the strongest blue lines in the league – even if the left side was still fairly thin.
His contract would be by far the biggest issue, but if the Devils were to retain some salary – two years of Subban at a more reasonable number would be intriguing.
The Bruins could also leave him available in the expansion draft for a Seattle Kraken team that might be interested in what a guy like P.K. can bring on and off the ice. This guy has an excellent personality.
Boston Bruins blue line with P.K Subban.
Vaakanainen – McAvoy
Grzelcyk – Carlo
Lauzon/Zboril/Tinordi – Subban
An incredibly bolstered right side could help even out the lack of depth the Boston Bruins hold on the left side of this corps. These young left shooting defencemen could all be paired up with great ‘veterans’ or Jarred Tinordi can step in for some size and toughness beside these skilled guys.
1. Miles Wood
A player that has played great hockey against the Boston Bruins this season could be a great long-term fit.
There have been many players who have stepped up for the New Jersey Devils in their four played games so far against the Boston Bruins. One player who has made his presence know in a variety of ways though is that of Miles Wood.
At age 25, Wood is enjoying a breakout season for the Devils and has displayed his all-around game throughout the early part of this campaign.
Wood has incredible speed and loves getting to the front of the net, but he also loves the rough stuff. This is a guy who likes to score goals as much as he likes to punch you in the face. Sounds like Bruins hockey.
Miles Wood may not be a guy who could tip the scales for the Boston Bruins, but he is a really solid depth option who could bring toughness and skill to this roster for a hopeful playoff run.
At a bargain of a deal of $2.75 million until 2022 – Wood is a young player who could grow with the building young Boston Bruins core. An easy guy to re-sign if he stays on track.
Boston Bruins forward lines with Miles Wood.
Marchand – Bergeron – Pastrnak
Ritchie – Krejci – DeBrusk
Wood – Coyle – Smith
Frederic – Studnicka – Bjork
The beauty of Miles Wood is that he is a guy who could easily move up and down the lineup, but he seems like a perfect fit in the Boston Bruins bottom-six.
Which of these player would be the best fit on the Boston Bruins?
P.K. Subban is a great veteran puck-moving defenceman who would be a solid depth option for any team interested in a playoff run. Subban carries a monster contract with him though at an AAV of $9 million for this season and next. The Boston Bruins are also in much more of a need for a left-shooting defenceman.
Miles Wood is a really exciting young player who seems like he will do damage on the scoreboard and to his opponents for many years to come. For that reason though, the New Jersey Devils would probably be hesitant to move him.
Kyle Palmieri seems like the obvious answer to this question as things stand. Finding a right winger for second line center David Krejci has been the bane of Bruins fans existence for the past several years as Don Sweeney has struggled to find that consistent secondary scoring option. Palmieri could be that guy for this season’s final stretch.
With the Boston Bruins old guard continuing to age and veterans Krejci and Tuukka Rask hitting UFA status this offseason – this could be the final opportunity to get the job done for some of our favourite Bruins of the past decade plus.
dark. Next. Boston Bruins: Random Thoughts Ahead of a Tough Stretch
Don Sweeney has to make moves before April 12th if he wants to give these players a chance at Lord Stanley and he may have to look no further than the East Division.