The Flames are a trade partner the Bruins need.
With their recent slide, the Calgary Flames are fading out of playoff contention in the all-Canadian North Division. They sit in sixth place, tied with the Vancouver Canucks, six points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the final playoff berth.
Montreal is sitting in a very good spot as far as postseason spot goes as they have four games in hand on the Canucks, who are currently dealing with a COVID-19 shutdown, and five on the Flames. With Calgary slipping further behind the Canadiens, it might be time for Sweeney to jump on a deal with them that could upgrade his team for the stretch run and beyond.
This trade gives the Bruins Gaudreau, a goal-scoring left wing who has 13 goals this season in 38 games, who has 164 goals in just over 500 career games. This would allow coach Bruce Cassidy to move Nick Ritchie to the third line, giving the Bruins three left wings with double-digit goals.
Hanifin has been a blueliner that has been on Sweeney’s radar for some time and the time to pounce on getting him in a deal is now. He would bring the Bruins much-needed depth on the left side of the defense as a top-four defenseman.
David Krejci has 21 assists as a second-line center this season, but a free agent following the season, it’s unlikely that Sweeney would bring him back. Jake DeBrusk has been a major disappointment this season with just four goals in 21 games. Currently out because of COVID-19 protocols, a change of scenery is what DeBrusk might need to get his career going again, while giving him a chance to play closer to home. DeBrusk is from Edmonton.