At the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline, the Boston Bruins struck win-win deals.

 

 

If recent history is any indication, the Boston Bruins are likely to make significant moves before the NHL trade deadline on March 8. General manager Don Sweeney has a reputation for making impactful trades to bolster the team’s chances for a Stanley Cup Playoff run.

Three years ago, Sweeney acquired Taylor Hall and Curtis Lazar. Two years ago, it was Hampus Lindholm, who later signed a long-term contract with the Bruins. Last year, Dmitry Orlov and Tyler Bertuzzi were added to the roster.

Given the Bruins’ limited salary-cap space and depleted draft pick and prospect pool from previous trades, Sweeney will need to be creative in making moves this season. Here are some potential trade ideas that could benefit the Bruins and address their needs for a championship run.

Moving Jake DeBrusk for More Trade Assets

At first glance, trading Jake DeBrusk might seem counterintuitive for the Boston Bruins, especially considering their position as contenders in the standings. Typically, contenders aim to keep productive NHL roster players rather than trading them. However, this move could allow the Bruins to address more pressing needs on their roster by getting creative.

The Bruins currently lack trade assets, having no first-, second-, or third-round picks in the upcoming draft and only a limited number of prospects. This limits their ability to make significant trades with other teams looking to sell players.

Trading DeBrusk, who is a pending unrestricted free agent, could be a way to overcome these limitations. While he may not be of much interest to a selling team, the Bruins could potentially trade him to a buying team, preferably in the Western Conference, to acquire draft picks or a promising prospect that could be used in another trade.

DeBrusk has been the subject of trade rumors for some time, but now might be a sensible time to move him. His production has declined, and trading him would not only potentially bring in additional assets but also clear $4 million in cap space, providing the Bruins with more flexibility to strengthen their roster in other ways.

Noah Hanifin or Chris Tanev From Calgary

To pursue a significant addition like Noah Hanifin or Chris Tanev, the Boston Bruins may first need to execute a trade involving Jake DeBrusk to acquire the assets necessary for such a deal. Additionally, they would have to create enough salary-cap space to accommodate either defenseman on this year’s roster. However, if they can manage it, this sequence could be ideal for the Bruins.

Defense has quietly emerged as a pressing need for Boston. Despite ranking fourth in the NHL in goals against per game at 2.64, much of this success can be attributed to their goaltending duo of Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman, who have combined for a .915 all-situations save percentage, the second-highest in the league. This strong goaltending has overshadowed underlying defensive issues for the Bruins throughout the season.

Consider these statistics:

– The Bruins have allowed 2.97 expected goals per 60 minutes in all situations, ranking 14th in the NHL.
– Their 28.3 scoring chances against per 60 minutes and 11.9 high-danger scoring chances against per 60 minutes rank 16th and 20th in the NHL, respectively.
– Since December 1, their penalty kill has dropped to 75 percent, 26th in the NHL, contributing to a season-long 81.2 percent rate, which ranks 11th.

Defense now appears to be a top priority for the Bruins, potentially surpassing their need at center. Both Hanifin and Tanev would be strong additions, and trading DeBrusk would free up the necessary cap space to acquire either defenseman. Furthermore, the Bruins could follow a similar strategy to their signing of Hampus Lindholm, securing a long-term contract extension for either player given the significant amount of money coming off the books after this season.

If the Bruins are confident in their ability to re-sign Hanifin, a package including prospect Fabian Lysell and a draft pick (possibly acquired through another trade) could benefit both sides.

Alexandre Carrier From the Nashville Predators

While acquiring Noah Hanifin or Chris Tanev would significantly bolster the Boston Bruins’ top-four defensive lineup, such a move would necessitate a complex trade involving multiple pieces.

Alternatively, the Bruins could opt for a smaller-scale upgrade by targeting Nashville’s Alexandre Carrier to bolster their third defensive pairing. Carrier, who carries a $2.5 million cap hit for this season and is a pending unrestricted free agent, would be an affordable and effective addition to any contender’s lineup.

While not known for his offensive prowess, Carrier has shown scoring potential for a third-pairing role. His strength lies in his defensive acumen—he is a smart player who consistently positions himself well on the ice. However, Boston may have reservations about his lack of size and physicality. Nevertheless, his ability to make intelligent plays and be in the right place at the right time makes him a valuable asset.

The Nashville Predators, who are currently on the outskirts of playoff contention in the Western Conference, are reportedly considering a sell-off. Given Carrier’s contract status, he could be a prime trade candidate for a team seeking a second-round draft pick or a mid-level prospect in return.

Nic Dowd From the Washington Capitals

At the beginning of the season, it appeared that center might be the Boston Bruins’ most pressing need, potentially even for a top-line center. Following the retirements of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, and with no external replacements brought in, Charlie Coyle and Pavel Zacha were tasked with filling the top-two center spots. This arrangement did not seem optimal for a team aiming for a Stanley Cup run.

However, Coyle and Zacha have exceeded expectations in these roles, raising doubts about the need for an upgrade. While Adam Henrique is the premier rental center available, it is questionable whether he represents a significant improvement over Coyle and Zacha, especially considering the cost of acquiring him. While adding Henrique would bolster their center depth, it might not justify the expense given the strength of their current lineup.

A center trio of Coyle, Henrique, and Zacha would lack a star player but would not have any glaring weaknesses. Nevertheless, the financial implications and logistics of making such a move could prove challenging for the Bruins.

Conversely, Nic Dowd of the Washington Capitals could be a more viable option. Although not a rental, Dowd is under contract for another full season with a manageable $1.3 million cap hit. His addition would significantly strengthen the Bruins’ bottom-six forward group. The Capitals, facing an uphill battle to secure a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, would be wise to capitalize on Dowd’s current high value and explore trading him.