The Boston Bruins could be in the market to acquire a center at the trade deadline and two veterans might fit that bill: Joe Pavelski or Claude Giroux.
Both players are on expiring deals and considering neither has lifted the Stanley Cup, their respective teams might be wiling to part ways in order to give them that opportunity.
Pavelski and Giroux both bring a ton of leadership and experience and could very easily fill in the second-line center role for the Bruins. Because they are older and on expiring deals, the cost for either of them would not amount to a ton, certainly not as much as for a player like Tomas Hertl.
Don Sweeney should certainly be making a call to gauge the interest and cost for each player.
The Bruins should definitely consider adding one of Pavelski or Giroux
In his third season with the Dallas Stars, Pavelski is having one of his best season in his career. As of Jan. 29, the 37-year-old is averaging over a point per game this season, with 48 in 41 games. His points total sit in a tie for 10th in the NHL with New York Rangers forward Artemi Panarin.
“Captain America” leads the Stars in points, assists (29) and tied for the lead in goals with Roope Hintz (19). At this rate, Pavelski is set to pass his previous career high in points which is 79.
He earned his fourth career All-Star nod this season and deservedly so. While Dallas has struggled this season, the top line of Pavelski, Hintz and Jason Robertson has been one of the most effective units in the league. Rick Bowness has him playing right wing on that line, so if the Bruins wanted to trade for him, he has the versatility to play both wing and center.
He’s in the final year of his three-year, $21 million deal with the Stars. The Stars are a fringe playoff team in the West. Their 46 points are tied with the Calgary Flames and San Jose Sharks for the final Wild Card spot. It might make more sense for the Stars to be sellers at the deadline, especially if they are indeed trading John Klingberg. Pavelski would like to re-sign with them, so trading him to a Cup contender and then giving him a new contract this offseason might be the best course of action for the Stars.
As for Giroux, the Philadelphia Flyers captain has been a bright spot on an otherwise disappointing Philadelphia Flyers team. He leads the team in points (34), assists (19) and is tied with Cam Atkinson for the lead in goals with 15.
Giroux has been consistently producing just under a point per game for the last couple of seasons. It certainly is unlikely we’ll see Giroux hit the 100-point threshold like he did in 2017-18. But the Bruins don’t need that and the clip at which he produces is certainly good enough to play on the second line if needed.
He’s in the final year of his eight-year, $66,200,000 deal with Philadelphia. Similarly to Pavelski, the Flyers aren’t trading him out of necessity, but more to give a veteran player a chance at a Stanley Cup. The Flyers made it clear they would only trade the 34-year-old if he so desired, but it certainly is trending that way.
Philadelphia is currently on a 13-game losing streak, sitting nearly 20 points out of a playoff spot and most certainly will be the sellers at the deadline. The team won’t get a king’s ransom for Giroux, but certainly could recuperate some draft capital and perhaps a younger player or two as well.
Both Pavelski and Giroux would fit in with the Bruins and give them a deep group in the top-six. Each can play wing or center if needed so Bruce Cassidy could play around with the lines to find the right combinations. They both are excellent in their own zone as well, with each getting numerous Selke votes throughout their careers.
To be completely honest, if Sweeney goes after either of them, the two are can’t-miss players. Unless Sweeney pays an ungodly amount for one, I think Bruins fans would be pleased to see either Pavelski or Giroux in a Bruins uniform. They are sure-things and will help the Bruins contend for a Stanley Cup this season.