The Boston Bruins simply aren't going to be in on every player who hits the trade market or tests free agency, but with the team still searching for a piece or two, the front office wouldn't be doing its job if it didn't at least explore other options. With the report out there that Matvei Michkov is unhappy with the Philadelphia Flyers, which the team and player are trying to refute, you can still think about the possibility of the Bruins adding him.
Nikita Kucherov felt like a great option for the Bruins if he hits free agency, and I'm not trying to say that Michkov will ever become his fellow Russian winger, but if you're looking for a player who more closely aligns with the age group of your young core, Michkov might be the better option. The only issue would be what it would cost to get him.
One interesting part of any trade talks with the Flyers is that they reportedly had some interest in Pavel Zacha. Would adding a win-now center in a trade package for their young, disgruntled forward be enough to tip the scales in Boston's favor if the Flyers do end up trading him? It would cost more, but it is an intriguing thought.
The Bruins also have an interesting trade chip in the Toronto Maple Leafs' first-round pick. The Leafs don't have a first-round pick in the next two years, with Boston and Philadelphia each owning one. Toronto can decide which team gets the pick in which year, and the Flyers may be interested in owning both.
An intriguing three-way trade proposal involving Matvei Michkov and Auston Matthews
The Bruins, Flyers, and Maple Leafs are all connected, which opens up an intriguing opportunity here. Without knowing what complementary pieces would need to be included to make these deals work, this three-way trade nucleus could satisfy all parties.
Bruins receive: Matvei Michkov
Flyers receive: Pavel Zacha, Auston Matthews
Maple Leafs receive: Both their first-round picks back, an additional first-round pick from the Flyers, Cam York or David Jiricek, an A prospect from the Flyers, and maybe a couple of B prospects
The Bruins side: Boston seems happy to hold on to Zacha through the trade deadline, but adding a younger skilled winger for Zacha, a first-round pick, and maybe a low-end prospect for the Flyers to flip to the Maple Leafs would be good asset management. They'd also help kickstart a Maple Leafs rebuild, which that organization needs, but it would also take away a threat in the Atlantic Division.
The Maple Leafs side: Toronto has been struggling again this season, so where do they go from here? Up north, they are kicking around the idea of rebuilding around Gavin McKenna, and they can't really do that with Matthews or without their next two first-round picks. Trading their franchise player for picks they already owned would be ugly, which is why they'd need another high-end prospect or two in the deal.
The Flyers side: Philadelphia seems certain they can contend, but they need centers. Matthews and Zacha down the middle would instantly make their forward group a serious threat, even with their leading goalscorer gone to Boston. Flyers fans won't be happy about losing Michkov, but adding a center like Matthews would certainly help.
In the end, the Bruins are only giving up Zacha and a first-rounder for Michkov, while the Flyers are using the first-rounder they acquired for Michkov, the Leafs' first-rounder, one of their own first-rounders, and a high-end prospect to acquire Matthews.
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