This Boston Bruins Trade With the Nashville Predators Solves Both Needs

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The Boston Bruins have been a truly up and down team so far in this 2021 campaign. In some games, they look like an absolute wagon, while others, they look like a lottery team. The biggest reason for this is their current roster weaknesses that General Manager Don Sweeney has yet to address.

Secondary scoring and defensive depth on the left side have been two areas of need for this Boston Bruins team since the season started. That long-coveted stud second-line winger for David Krejci has been a several-year-long search with no results. After losing Torey Krug and Zdeno Chara in free agency, no reinforcements were brought in – expecting a few inexperienced young blueliners to fill their shoes.

It was worth a look, but it is time for management to address these areas.

This Boston Bruins veteran core is certainly in their twilight years. With growing age and impending free agency for many of these guys – it is looking like this could be the “Last Dance”. Don Sweeney owes it to these players to try and go for it one last time with this group that has given so much to this organization.

The Nashville Predators are having a down year and look set to be sellers. With several quality players potentially available to be moved – Don Sweeney should be giving Predators GM David Poile a call. There are two big names that could more than address that second line/secondary scoring winger role and left side of the blueline.

If Don Sweeney was truly willing to mortgage the future in pursuit of Lord Stanley, he could go after both. Would you do this deal?

DENVER, CO – APRIL 18: Goalie Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators is congratulated by teammates Filip Forsberg #9, Mattias Elkholm #14 and Nick Bonino #13 after a 3-2 win against the Colorado Avalanche in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on April 18, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Boston Bruins – Nashville Predators blockbuster

It’s a big haul in each direction.

Jake DeBrusk at age 24 still has tons of promise in the NHL. A past 27 goal scorer, DeBrusk has struggled to find consistency on the Boston Bruins this year. He looks ready for a change of scenery. With the deadline in sight – DeBrusk has had a lot of trade buzz and is said to command a lot in the trade market. This just goes to show that teams see the player he can be and the Nashville Predators would be a great fit.

Urho Vaakanainen has played less than 20 games in the big leagues, but the 22-year-old has impressed when he has suited up. One of the Boston Bruins’ top prospects – Vaakanainen looks like he will be a defensive stalwart in this league for years to come. He won’t provide you with a ton of offence, but is a machine defensively. He had 6 blocks on February 28th against the New York Rangers.

The two first-round picks are a big addition, but necessary for players of this caliber.

Yes, this is a lot to give up for Don Sweeney who hates giving up anything that mortgages the future at all. It is more than worth it though when you see what’s coming back.

The Boston Bruins get two heavy impact players in return.

Filip Forsberg is a great scorer who would immediately bring that secondary punch after the Perfection Line. Forsberg is a crafty player who at age 26 already has five 50 point seasons under his belt (would’ve been six had it not been for Covid). This isn’t Don Sweeney’s classic semi-upgrade veteran rental fill-in player – this guy is a stud.

Mattias Ekholm is a top-tier blueliner who is a force on both ends of the ice. A big body at 6’4″ who is physical and great defensively – he also has had at least 30 points in his last three seasons. This is a first pairing guy on most teams in the NHL.

The beauty of both of these players is that they’re not expiring deals. Both are 2022 UFAs meaning any team acquiring these players could have them for this postseason run and a subsequent season.

At a cap hit of $3.75 million, Mattias Ekholm’s great value salary would basically swap with Jake DeBrusk’s. Filip Forsberg has a bit of a heftier deal at $6 million, but with the Boston Bruins having just over $6 million in deadline cap space – it would be no problem for Don Sweeney to make it work.

NASHVILLE, TN – APRIL 12: Mattias Ekholm #14 and Mike Fisher #12 celebrate with teammate Filip Forsberg #9 of the Nashville Predators Forsberg’s second goal of the game against the Colorado Avalanche during the third period of a 5-2 Predators victory in Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 12, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

Boston Bruins lineup with these two massive additions.

Marchand – Bergeron – Pastrnak

Forsberg – Krejci – Smith

Ritchie – Coyle – Bjork

Frederic – Studnicka – Senyshyn

Ekholm – McAvoy

Grzelyck – Carlo

Zboril – Clifton

Rask

Halak

Obviously, the additions of these two dynamic pieces create what looks like a juggernaut lineup. The one-two punch of offence that the first two forward lines would bring would quickly wear down opposing defences and goalies alike. This lineup may have 50 shots on net a game. Defensively, the first pairing of Mattias Ekholm and Charlie McAvoy would immediately create one of the best pairings in hockey. The addition of the veteran blueliner also increases depth down the left side – creating three fairly solid pairings.

Would you do this deal if you were the Boston Bruins GM?

If Don Sweeney truly wanted to go all-in and make some noise around the NHL he would have to at least consider this deal.

Is it overly realistic? Probably not. The Nashville Predators would have to accept losing two of their top guys which would be tough to do – especially with an entering his prime Filip Forsberg. The Boston Bruins would have to get out of their ways and truly mortgage the future. This is truly a deal that could benefit both sides though if it were ever a possibility.

Related Story. Latest Bruins Trade Rumor Targets a Forward. light

At the end of the day, Don Sweeney should feel some pressure to finally pay the price for Stanley Cup pursuing talent. Be it this blockbuster or another – it is time to swing big. This team deserves it.

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