As soon as Elliotte Friedman's report dropped on Wednesday that the Anaheim Ducks were placing veteran forward Chris Kreider on waivers for contract termination; different potential landing spots were thrown out.
Friedman also reported that Kreider has indicated he desires to return east, closer to family, where he spent the first 13 years of his career, and will not report if claimed somewhere he prefers not to play. Basically, he's going to force the hand and pick where he wants to play, for the most part. There is no place to family and home than the Boston Bruins for the Massachusetts native.
However, there are other potential destinations in the East that he might prefer and that might give him a better shot at winning a Stanley Cup. Maybe the Buffalo Sabres or Montreal Canadiens, or are the Carolina Hurricanes too far South for his liking? That remains to be seen.
Joe Yerdon of Bleacher Report listed seven potential landing spots in the coming days for Kreider, and the Black and Gold were among those teams listed.
Bruins tabbed as landing spot for Chris Kreider
Just how serious are the Bruins as a contender this season? That depends on who you ask. They do have just over $5 million in cap space available, so there is a chance that general manager Don Sweeney could fit him under the cap. Yerdon had a rather interesting take on a potential Kreider landing spot in Boston.
"Kreider going back to Boston for the first time since he helped Boston College win the 2012 National Championship would be a true sweetheart story, and playing for the Bruins, who could use his help to deepen the lineup, makes it a natural fit. Boston has just over $5 million in cap space, and that's enough to make them serious contenders if they want to be,'' Yerdon wrote.
A serious contender if Kreider lands in Boston? That's certainly a take, and a rather bold take if we're being honest. Sure, the Bruins' top six would certainly benefit from getting Kreider and adding him to a group that currently includes David Pastrnak, Pavel Zacha, JJ Peterka, Morgan Geekie, and others. Who would come out of the top six? Maybe say goodbye to Casey Mittlestadt?
We wrote on Wednesday about Kreider being the missing piece for the Bruins in the top six, and we stand by that. There is no shortage of suitors, and some find it hard to believe he would go to the Bruins, while others don't want him. Whatever ends up happening, expect Sweeney to at least test the waters with Kreider about coming home.
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