Fansided

Boston Bruins: 3 Trade Options to Stay Away From

By Scott Roche |
May 16, 2021; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Calgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) celebrates his goal against the Vancouver Canucks in the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
May 16, 2021; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Calgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) celebrates his goal against the Vancouver Canucks in the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
1 of 4
Next

With the calendar turning to July, this is going to be a big month for the Boston Bruins with several key decisions on tap.

First, the Bruins must submit their Seattle Kracken Expansion Draft protected list to the NHL ahead of the July 21 draft. Then two nights later, the annual NHL Entry Draft will take place, followed by the madness of free agency on July 28.

While the Bruins are expected to lose some young key pieces to the Kracken, possibly upfront or on defense, there are going to plenty of free agents from their own to others from around the league that Boston could be in on to improve their 2021-22 roster for what they hope is a deep playoff run.

With team president, Cam Neely saying in his final media availability in mid-June after the Black and Gold were eliminated for the Stanley Cup playoffs by the New York Islanders, they favor putting together another run for their core group.

Some big-name players are rumored to be on the trade market as the offseason begins following the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final. Here are three players that the Bruins should stay away from in a potential trade. We have recently written about some of them, but it’s too risky for Boston in the end.

BUFFALO, NY – JANUARY 15: Jack Eichel #15 of the Buffalo Sabres faces off against the Boston Bruins at First Niagara Center on January 15, 2016, in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Jen Fuller/NHLI via Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY – JANUARY 15: Jack Eichel #15 of the Buffalo Sabres faces off against the Boston Bruins at First Niagara Center on January 15, 2016, in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Jen Fuller/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Jack Eichel

There is plenty of noise surrounding Jack Eichel and it seems like it is almost a given that the Buffalo Sabres center that was the second pick of the 2015 draft is on the move before the draft.

First and foremost, acquiring Eichel is bringing on a massive contract. The former Boston University standout just finished his third year of an eight-year, $80 million contract that carries an annual cap hit of $10 million. Unlike the trade Don Sweeney pulled off in April to acquire Taylor Hall from Buffalo, there’s no chance that the Sabres pick up any of Eichel’s remaining contract.

In return, Buffalo would most likely require a haul back in return from whoever gets Eichel. What could that haul include? Well, most likely, an NHL-ready player now or possibly two, as well as some prospects and even some picks. Eichel has 139 goals and 216 assist in six seasons, with just two goals this past season with 16 assists in 21 games.

Eichel is a good player, but is he worth bringing on that contract and giving up young assets and picks? No. What also has to be considered is his injury history. Unfortunately, he can’t seem to stay healthy and that should be a deal-breaker for the Bruins.

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – MARCH 27: Oliver Ekman-Larsson #23 of the Arizona Coyotes shoots the puck against the San Jose Sharks during the NHL game at Gila River Arena on March 27, 2021, in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Sharks 4-0. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – MARCH 27: Oliver Ekman-Larsson #23 of the Arizona Coyotes shoots the puck against the San Jose Sharks during the NHL game at Gila River Arena on March 27, 2021, in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Sharks 4-0. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Here we go again. Once again, it appears that Arizona Coyotes defensemen Oliver Ekman-Larsson could be available to acquire this summer, but while it would great to have him wearing the Black and Gold, Sweeney and the front office should stay clear of the 29-year-old.

The sixth overall pick by the then-Phoenix Coyotes, is a left-shot blueliner that the Bruins are craving for next season, but first and foremost, the price and contract are too high for Boston to bring on.

Ekman-Larsson has five years remaining on an eight-year, $66 million contract that carries an $8.25 million cap hit. As mentioned above with Eichel and the Sabres, there’s no way you’re getting the Coyotes to retain any part of that contract.

Yes, OEL would be the 20-minute a night top-four defensemen that Boston is looking for, but the price is too much just in the contract alone, never mind what the return to Arizona would be.

Ekman-Larsson had a down season numbers-wise as well. He had three goals and 21 assists in 46 games, but he had a plus/minus of minus-17 on a team that faded from playoff position in the West Divison in the final couple of weeks in the regular season.

Sweeney and the Bruins have had an interest in Ekman-Larrson before this season, but following his struggles of last season and his contract, they should stay away from OEL.

Apr 24, 2021; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) skates against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2021; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) skates against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

Matthew Tkachuk

The Calgary Flames have a dynamic young left wing in Matthew Tkachuk and recently there have been some rumblings that the sixth overall pick in the 2016 Entry Draft may want out of Calgary. If he does, there will be plenty of suitors for his services.

One bright side to acquiring Tkachuk is that he has just one year left on a three-year, $21 million contract, but it carries an obvious $7 million cap hit. The 23-year-old from Scottsdale, Arizona scored 16 goals and had 27 assists in 56 games for a Flames team near the bottom of the Canadian Division standings last season. He also had four goals and 11 assists on the power play.

Calgary has said that they do not plan on moving Tkachuk, but if an offer comes along that gets the Flames thinking, who’s to say they would not consider it?

Adding him to the Bruins as a middle-six forward is something that could make them even that tougher. The thinking here is that Hall re-signs with Boston and either Nick Ritchie or Jake DeBrusk will settle in on the third-line left wing. If Hall does not re-sign, then expect Sweeney to fill that open roster spot on a much cheaper contract than Tkachuk’s.

Must Read. Boston Bruins 2021 Player Grades: Nick Ritchie. light

These three players would be good editions to a Boston team intending on being a factor next season going after a championship. However, locking up money into some of their contracts does allow the Bruins to flexibility to sign more pressing needs. Money would have to go back in any deal and I’m not sure the Bruins have the assets to pull that off. Buyer beware with these contracts despite the talent each player has.

Next
Home / Bruins News