Boston Bruins: Will a trade For. Goalie Happen at the Trade Deadline?

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There’s no doubting that the Boston Bruins need to make a move at the deadline. It’s been the talk of the town for weeks now. Winger and defenseman are seen as the two biggest needs for the team, but how about goaltender?

It’s been discussed the possibility of trading away a goaltender, but trading FOR a goaltender? That’s something new. According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, acquiring goaltending isn’t out of the question for the Bruins. He dove into the rumors in his latest trade deadline article.

” [Elvis] Merzlikins, who turns 27 on April 13, has one-year left on his contract after this season and comes with a $4 million cap hit. Teams like Chicago, Boston and Buffalo have poked around before and I wonder if any of those clubs have renewed talks with the Jackets.” And no, Boston wasn’t a typo. There is some talk out of the Bruins organization that Tuukka Rask is playing in his final NHL season, and that could result in a move at some point. Darcy Kuemper is also on Boston’s radar.”

Is there some sense to it? Yeah, both Rask and Jaroslav Halak are free agents this offseason, and the Bruins have plenty of other contracts that they will need to shell out.

If the Bruins truly don’t think Rask will be in a Boston uniform in the fall of 2021, then they will need to find a replacement. But can’t say the trade deadline, with two worthy goalies already on the roster, would be my first choice to go tender shopping.

TAMPA, FLORIDA – APRIL 01: Elvis Merzlikins #90 of the Columbus Blue Jackets looks on during a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on April 01, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Is Merzlikins worth bringing in at the deadline for Boston?

Elvis Merzlikins took the NHL by storm last season after a bumpy start, creating a dangerous duo of himself and Joonas Korpisalo in the net for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

After going winless in his first 10 appearances, including getting shelled for seven goals in his debut, Merzlikins broke out at the end of 2019, winning 11 out of 14 games between late December and the first week of February. In that streak, Merzlikins won eight games in a row at one point, had five shutouts, and never gave up more than three goals in a game.

However, 2020-2021 hasn’t been kind to Merzlikins, much like it hasn’t been to the Blue Jackets. The Latvian native is 6-7-2 with a 2.83 GAA and .916 save percentage, with four losses in his last five games.

He was forced into the starting role at the beginning of the season with Korpisalo being injured, and has dealt with injuries himself. He has been far from the dominant netminder we saw during the stretch at the beginning of 2020.

The 27-year-old has one more year on his contract, with a cap hit of $4 million. It doesn’t make a ton of sense for the Blue Jackets to trade him, as neither Korpisalo or Merzlikins have shown they can be the starting goaltender Columbus has needed since Sergei Bobrovsky’s departure two years ago, yet their better options than what else Columbus has. But if Columbus gets an offer too good to refuse for Merzlikins, GM Jarmo Kekalainen may make the move.

Mar 8, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Arizona Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) makes a pad save on right wing Logan O’Connor (25) in the first period at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Is Kuemper worth bringing in at the deadline for Boston?

Now, let’s do Darcy Kuemper. After not finding his footing in Minnesota to begin his career, Kuemper signed with the Los Angeles Kings in 2017, lit it up for 11 in wins 19 appearances as a backup, was traded to the Arizona Coyotes, and has since battled it out with Antti Raanta for the starting job in the desert. Kuemper had two great seasons in 2018-19 and 2019-20, with sub-2.35 GAA in both years, as well as a save percentage above .920 in each season.

But the numbers have fallen a bit in 2020-21. In 18 starts, Kuemper is 7-7-2 with a .914 save percentage and 2.41 GAA. He also has one year left on his contract with a hit of $4.5 million. The recent surge of the Coyotes may change their deadline plans though, as the team is winners of three in a row and six out of their last seven. The desert dogs hold a five-point lead over the San Jose Sharks for the fourth spot in the West Division.

If Boston brings either of these goalies in, they’ll have them under contract for another season and could offer an extension if they feel it’s deserved. Ultimately, with both Merzlikins and Kuemper, they have proven they can be hot and can carry a team for a period of time. But for as often as they are on their A-game, they also fall back into becoming a headache in the crease.

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With Dan Vladar performing well in the chances he’s gotten this season, and Jeremy Swayman as a budding prospect for the Bruins, goaltending isn’t a priority. Bringing Tuukka back should be Plan A in the offseason, and if that doesn’t work, find a replacement in the summer, not at the trade deadline.

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