3 players the Bruins can, 3 players could trade, 3 players they shouldn’t trade
It’s no secret to anyone following the National Hockey League, that the Boston Bruins need some help whether it is coming from the outside or looking internally.
After losing both Patrice Bergeron, and David Krejci, to retirement in the offseason the Bruins had a gaping hole in their top two line centerman positions, so Boston was left in a predicament: is the the Bruins have good enough or do they want to be more than good enough and acquire a piece from the outside?
Boston head coach Tim Montgomery sat down with the Boston Herald’s Steve Montgomery, and effectively said, that he would have confidence in Pavel Zacha, and Charlie Coyle to head up those two lines if they were to not find any help outside.
If you ask me, that is a vote of confidence for both players, but also a lack of confidence in what is existing at the same time.
With rumors swirling that they are interested in a variety of players like Elias Lindholm who would require a trade to get them to Boston, here are three players that the Bruins can trade, three players they should be cautious about trading, and three players that are untouchable.
Players the Bruins can go ahead and trade: John Beecher (Forward), Oskar Steen (Forward), Derek Forbort (Defenseman)
Derek Forbort (Defenseman)
Out of these three players, the only one who has stayed up in the NHL for the longest is Derek Forbort, but with the emergence of Jakub Zboril and the intangibles he brings with him, it might be time to show Forbort greener pastures.
In 2022-23, the now 31-year-old defenseman did set career-highs in goals, and assists with five and seven, respectively, but he only played in 54 games. After playing nearly three-quarters of the season, you would think Forbort’s numbers would have been a bit higher, but unfortunately, they were not.
What makes him valuable then? His plus-minus rating. In 2022-23, he carried a plus-minus rating of +12.
John Beecher (Forward)
Coming out of the University of Michigan in 2022, John Beecher was heralded as a great skater, and as one that has excellent balance.
Unfortunately, in his two years in 70 games in the AHL with the Providence Bruins, it has not come to fruition. In those games he has only been able to muster 12 goals, and 16 assists (28 points). While he did set career-highs in goals and assists, it was almost too little, too late (ironic considering he stands at 6-foot-3.
What could make Beecher valuable to another team is his potential, not to mention being a left-handed center. While the Bruins may opt to keep him around just to give him one more season of development, it’s likely they will look to move him, and eat some of his Entry Level Contract money, especially if it means pursuing a veteran player than can start right away.
Oskar Steen
Oskar Steen has unfortunately become one of those players for Boston who looks like an excellent pick-up down in the AHL, but as soon as he’s brought up to play in the NHL, he looks like a shell of himself.
In four seasons in North America, Steen has played in a combined 196 AHL games with 41 goals and 59 assists (100 points). Meanwhile, in three season where he was with Boston, he has played in a combined 26 games, scoring just three goals, and racking up four assists (seven points).
Steen has shown that he can be a valuable depth piece at center, and it is possible he stays in Providence, but if he is given more time in the NHL, I’m sure he sharpens his skills, and develops into a more consistent goal-scorer, like he is in Providence. If the Bruins were to pursue a veteran forward, look for Steen to be part of that trade.
Players the Bruins should be cautious about trading: Matt Grzyleck (Defenseman), Jakub Zboril (Defenseman), Kyle Keyser (Goaltender)
Kyle Keyser (Goaltender)
Now, after the season that Brandon Bussi put together last season, you might be inclined to let Keyser go and give the reigns to Bussi and his opposite, Michael DiPietro.
I’d be a little bit cautious about this though. Bussi did have an excellent season throughout the 2022-23 season, and virtually carried the P-Bruins to the playoffs, but let’s pump the breaks on it for a little bit.
Bussi needs another season (at least), as the starter, or as part of a platoon system much like Montgomery did with Linus Ullmark, and Jeremy Swayman, just last season. It’s possible Keyser gets moved for the right deal, just as they did with Keith Kincaid last year, but watch for Boston to tread lightly.
Matt Grzyleck (Defenseman)
Matt Grzyleck was a force to be reckoned with in 2022-23, finishing with four goals, and 22 assists in 75 games all while finishing a +46 plus-minus rating. As if those numbers weren’t enough, he also set a career-high in penalty minutes, and tied a career-high in game-winning goals.
Unfortunately for Grzyleck, the blue line for the Bruins is getting to be a bit clogged – especially with left-handed defensemen.
With the arrivals of Alex Regula, and Ian Mitchell through the Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno trade. On the flip-side, don’t be surprised to see the Bruins keep Grzyleck around just to have as a depth piece – especially if the aforementioned Forbort is traded. Not to mention, he’s a local kid, why trade someone local?
Jakub Zboril (Defenseman
After being drafted 13th overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Jakub Zboril has been sub-standard to say the least. That is, outside of his plus-minus rating which has reached as high as +20 during the 2019-20 season with Providence.
In 76 NHL games, however, Zboril’s take a bit of a tumble. The Czech defenseman has scored just one goal, and tacked on 15 assists to it (16 points).
Zboril has been a bust, and the laughing stock of the 2015 for Boston’s ability to draft in 2015. They took him first, followed by Jake DeBrusk, and Zachary Senyshyn going in consecutive picks to the Bruins before being followed by Matthew Barzal. Zboril is a good physical player, so if Boston wants some physicality on the blue line, that is where it may pause in trading him, other than that the Bruins should have no hesitation in moving him.
Players the Bruins should not trade: Jake DeBrusk (Forward), Jeremy Swayman (Goaltender), Brandon Carlo (Defenseman)
Brandon Carlo (Defenseman)
Under no circumstances should Brandon Carlo be even remotely discussed in trade talk, that is unless it’s April Fool’s Day. Even then, it’s not a funny joke to potentially make your fan base of 100 years think that you’re getting rid of by far your best penalty killer just to say “just kidding!!”
The NESN team of Jack Edwards, and Andy Brickley, said it best on the broadcast when they said “on the penalty kill, as soon as Carlo touches it, it’s an instant clear.” And it’s true, the penalty kill is infinitely better when Carlo is on the ice.
In 75 games, in 2022-23, Carlo didn’t blow you away with his numbers, but his plus-minus rating is really what should set the tone for what type of player he is moving forward: +44. That’s the kind of guy you anchor your team around, especially your defensive core.
Jeremy Swayman (Goaltender)
Many people thought that if the Bruins were not able to sign Jeremy Swayman to a team-friendly deal, they should swap him with Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart.
Swayman, however, should under no circumstances be moved for any other goalie, let alone Hart. Swayman is looked at as the future of goaltending in Boston for one thing, but another thing to look at is just how well he works with all of the coaching staff, and even with the one in front of him: Linus Ullmark.
Because of their duo, the Bruins appear to very well set up at the position moving forward. The only reason I see that Boston should even remotely think to move Swayman would be in the form of an excellent deal that would get them a better back-up, and according to TheHockeyWriters.com, you can’t find one.
Jake DeBrusk (Forward)
Despite requesting a trade early on last season, the Bruins should not entertain any offers on Jake DeBrusk anytime soon unless they check off every single box of desires for the team. Is it likely to find that? No, not at all.
DeBrusk is looking to have another breakout season after setting career-highs last season. And with projected increases in his puck touches this season, it would be surprising to see him in another uniform.
DeBrusk seems to be content staying in Boston now, and will relish in his new role as a potential top-six winger moving forward. Short of an actual no-trade clause in his contract, don’t be surprised if the Bruins don’t budge on anything DeBrusk-related.
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