Four Boston Bruins players that can be traded by Don Sweeney

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Another year, same issues for the Boston Bruins. As has been a problem in seasons past, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney has tried to fix the secondary scoring but has been unable to do it.

Last season, he acquired right winger Ondrej Kase from the Anaheim Ducks, but he had a rough beginning in the regular-season last year and in the playoffs. This season, Kase has been out since the second game of the season with an upper-body injury. Nick Ritchie was also acquired from the Ducks in a separate trade and has eight goals this season, five on the power play. While his offensive production has been nice, it is not most likely sustainable for long periods of time.

Nearly half of Boston’s goals in 2021 have been scored by the top line. While it is nice to have a line produce as much as do, they can’t do it all by themselves.

The Bruins are barely holding on to the final playoff spot in the East Division, by one point over the Philadelphia Flyers. If the Black and Gold are going to hold onto that lead over the second half of the season and get into the postseason, then Sweeney needs to make a deal for a………. wait for it……… a second-line right wing for David Krejci.

Boston has some players on their current roster that other teams could in interested in, as well as some prospects. Like all teams, the Bruins have some prospects that could be deemed “untouchable” as well.

Here are some players that the Bruins should not be afraid to use in a deal to solve some of their issues, mainly secondary scoring.

Urho Vaakanainen

Vaakanainen is the Bruins’ best defensive trade chip that teams would be interested in. A left-handed shot, the 22-year-old has a very good upside and would be a good addition to a team rebuilding their defense. He has held his own in the few games he has played in for Boston this season, even picking up his first NHL assist.

The Bruins have some young left-shot blueliners ahead of Vaakanainen in Jeremy Lauzon and Jakub Zbori, behind Matt Grzelcyk. Sweeney should not be afraid to move on from Vaakanainen in a deal.

Connor Clifton

Clifton, a right-shot blueliner, is relatively cheap playing on the first year of a three-year, $3 million contract. He can both the right and left sides, giving a team some versatility.

Kevan Miller and Jakub Zboirl made the roster out of training camp over Clifton, but he has ended up in the lineup because of injuries. In 69 career games, the Quinnipiac University product has two goals and four assists. He projects now as a bottom pairing defensemen but could be an upgrade for a team looking to go younger.

VANCOUVER, BC – FEBRUARY 22: Anders Bjor #10 of the Boston Bruins skates with the puck during NHL action against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on February 22, 2020 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) /

Jake DeBrusk

If the Bruins are going to get a goal-scoring forward, DeBrusk has the most upside to bring in a player to fill their need. At 24 years old, it’s no secret that he has struggled this season with just two goals and being a healthy scratch. You don’t want to give up on a young first-round pick, but things are just not going the way it should be.

There is no doubting that the talent is there to be a second-line producing NHL forward, but a change of scenery could be what is best for DeBrusk. What is DeBrusk’s value at this point? Probably the highest of any players on the current roster and the Bruins should be willing to part ways should the right deal come up.

Anders Bjork

The tools and talent is there to be a middle-six forward, but consistency has been an issue with Bjork. He has just one goal and two assists in 24 games in 2021 with a minus-4.

Bjork is energetic and plays hard, but the Bruins are plenty of those types of forwards in their bottom-six. Bjork has found himself mostly on the fourth-line but has also been a healthy scratch. After playing in Monday’s 4-1 loss to the Penguins, he is scratched in Tuesday’s game in favor of rookie Oskar Steen.

Must Read. Bruins at Pens 3/16/21: Must win, lineups, more. light

Bjork is on a long list of bottom-six forwards that Boston has and who do mostly the same thing. He does have an upside at 24 years old and could be an addition to a team looking for promising young forwards with the ability to score. Again, Sweeney should not hold back on moving on from Bjork.

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