Boston Bruins: Is the Arvidsson Trade a Sign of Things to Come?

The first domino fell in the National Hockey League’s summer trading frenzy that is expected and no, it didn’t include the Boston Bruins. However, even though it didn’t, it might be a sign of things to come for general manager Don Sweeney.

Thursday morning, the Nashville Predators sent right wing Viktor Arvidsson to the Los Angeles Kings for a 2021 second-round draft pick and a 2022 third-round pick. If two draft picks is what it took for the Kings to acquire a 28-year-old forward with three years remaining on his contract, then the questions must be asked, is this setting the trade market for the rest of the teams this summer?

So, a trade for a first-line right wing who has been a 30-goal scorer twice in his seven seasons with the Predators required just two draft picks over the next two drafts? Interesting return on July 1.

What does this mean for the Bruins and trade market?

If two draft picks is what it took for Los Angeles to acquire a young goal-scorer in Arvidsson, then does that mean it’s going to be a buyers market this summer?

It most likely won’t affect the trade market for some of the big rumored names that could be on the move like Jack Eichel or Oliver Ekman-Larsson. It could, however, make for interesting returns in some of the other deals that could go down.

For the Bruins, it could be a double-edged sword. Yes, they could get a player from another team in a deal with not much going back, however, it could also hurt them in any potential deal for say, Jake DeBrusk?

In a normal season, July 1 would mark the first day of free agency. This season was anything from a normal season and we have to wait until the end of July this summer for the free agency frenzy. Los Angeles, which is rebuilding mode and trying to find some young talent to build around, made the first move in the trade market for draft picks.

With the first move done, it’s going only going to more interesting over the next couple of weeks. As we have learned at past trade deadlines, Sweeney is not afraid to move draft picks so this could be a good sign for the Bruins GM.