Boston Bruins: Defensive Help Through a Trade is Possible

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One of the Achilles heels for the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup playoffs this season was the lack of depth on the blueline when injuries started to pile up in the second-round series against the New York Islanders.

One could argue, that when the Bruins held a 2-1 series lead following a 2-1 overtime in Game 3 against the Isles, the series changed in the third period when Brandon Carlo exited the game when he was on the receiving end of a hit from New York’s Cal Clutterbuck.

That would be the last time in the 2021 playoffs that Carlo would be seen. He did not play in the final three games, all Bruins’ losses. Carlo did not have the best season this year as he dealt with one serious concussion and other injuries. Heck, he could have dealt with multiple concussions in 2021.

When the Black and Gold gather for training camp in September at Warrior Ice Arena, there is expected to somewhat of a different look on the Bruins blueline. While some of the young blueliners are expected to return, the Bruins front office expressed that they could be active in the trade market or free agency for a defenseman in the last week.

There are some names out there that would nice additions to the Bruins defense, but one name is someone the Black and Gold have been linked to that could be a very nice addition on defense and is under contract beyond next season.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – FEBRUARY 23: Noah Haifin #55 of the Calgary Flames skates against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on February 23, 2020, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Hanifin would add left-shot defensive depth as a top-four defenseman for the Bruins.

Former Boston College standout Noah Hanifin would be someone that the Boston front office is looking to add to their defense for the 2021-22 season. A left-shot blueliner that plays over 20 minutes a night fits what they are looking for.

Hanifin spent the first three years of his career with the Carolina Hurricanes after being selected fifth overall in the 2015 Entry Draft, but averaged under 20 minutes a night in North Carolina, with 18:52 a night his highest average in his final season of 2017-18.

Following that season, Hanifin was sent to the Calgary Flames in a trade that included former Bruins defensemen, Dougie Hamilton. Since his arrival in Calgary, Hanifin has averaged over 20 minutes a night for the Flames and has been durable, playing in 197 regular-season games out of a possible 216.

An offensive defenseman, he recorded a career-high 28 assists in 2018-19 with a plus/minus of plus-18. He would be a nice backup addition to the Boston power play behind Charlie McAvoy and Matt Grzelcyk, but overall, he would a left-shot defenseman that the Bruins are desperately seeking that can play over 20 minutes a night.

TORONTO, ONTARIO – AUGUST 09: Jake DeBrsk #74 of the Boston Bruins skates with the puck against the Washington Capitals during the second period in an Eastern Conference Round Robin game during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 09, 2020, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images) /

How the Bruins can fit Hanifin in money-wise.

This could be the opportunity for the Bruins to move on from left wing Jake DeBrusk but also add to their defense. Hanifin carries a $4.95 million cap hit for the next three years on his six-year, $29.7 contract. The good news? He would be under contract for the remaining championship window for the Bruins with their current core group.

DeBrusk and his $3.675 million cap hit on the final year of his contract going to the Flames could give him a new start closer to home, as he is from Edmonton, Alberta. There is also another way for the Bruins to clear cap room and a roster spot as part of the deal.

Chris Wagner, a fourth-line player that struggled this season could also be part of the deal headed to Calgary. Let’s face it, the Bruins need to rebuild their bottom-six and losing in free agency Sean Kuraly and Wagner would not be big losses and could easily be replaced.

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There is no doubt the general manager Don Sweeney and the front office would like to add to the blueline for coach Bruce Cassidy ahead of next season. Whether it’s through a trade for free agency, there is bound to change, but one call to the Flames could help add to the defense for next year and two more following that.

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