The March 6 NHL Trade Deadline is drawing closer as teams finalize their plans for the coming days. That includes the Boston Bruins, who are looking to add and make a run in the playoffs.
In one recent interview with Joe Haggerty of Boston Sports Journal, Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney said the following about the Bruins’ deadline plans:
“We want to give this (Bruins) team a boost (with a trade to improve the team) because they deserve it, but it is with a view to the long term and to improve this season’s team.”
The Bruins currently hold the last wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, just two points ahead of the Washington Capitals. The Capitals have played three more games than the Bruins at this point. Sweeney is considering adding something that will help the team in the long and short term.
This likely means the Bruins are looking for a permanent player, and likely not someone who will be out of the league in a season or two. One area where the Bruins have really struggled this season is their defensive play. This is highlighted by the fact that they rank 18th in goals conceded per match and 27th in penalty kill percentage.
Tied with Vancouver in many trade rumors
Many of the forwards the Bruins are associated with have played for the Vancouver Canucks. One of the names most recently associated with them is Conor Garland. Garland, 29, is in the final year of his current contract, which carries a cap hit of $4.95 million. However, he was given a contract extension prior to Vancouver’s dramatic turn of events this season. The extension is a six-year deal worth $6 million per season, starting at the end of this season.
Garland is known as an undersized but hard-working player. So far this season, he has scored 26 points (7 goals, 19 assists) in 48 games. Adding Garland to this Bruins roster would strengthen their defensive game up front. He would also be a nice deep scoring option. Additionally, Garland was born in Massachusetts, adding a connection to his hometown.
What about defense?
The Bruins have been linked to two different St. Louis Blues defensemen, Colton Parayko and Justin Faulk. Both players are great options, but St. Louis has made it very clear that teams will have to pay a premium for them. Is this a price the Bruins are willing to pay?
After last season, it looked like Boston was about to begin a rebuild. There were many factors that contributed to this. Jeremy Swayman missed training camp and the preseason due to contract negotiations, Charlie McAvoy had a staph infection in his shoulder and several other players suffered serious injuries. Now it appears that last season’s problems are behind them and the Bruins are ready to compete again. So it makes perfect sense to pay the price to add one of these Blues defenders.
Next: Fraser Minten breaks out big for the Bruins
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