Last week we looked at the extremely unlikely possibility of the Bruins trading for Sidney Crosby and the also unlikely but more realistic possibility of trading for Jack Eichel.
As I wrote then -- forget about Crosby. Not happening. And as far as Eichel goes, it would almost certainly have to be an offseason move. Doing it now would probably be too difficult to pull off, especially since the Sabres would probably want players off your current roster, thus potentially creating other holes. Plus, unless they get absolutely blown away, the Sabres would be wise to wait until the offseason when more teams will be in play and they can better maximize Eichel’s value.
Then there’s this write-up from Fluto Shinzawa, in which he cites a source who says it would require one of either David Pastrnak or Charlie McAvoy to get Eichel. In which case, I’m out. I’m not trading one of my two best young players to get a player who might not even be as good or as impactful as the guy I already have.
So, for now, let’s shift our attention to some players the Bruins might be able to acquire this season, before the April 12 trade deadline. We’ll start with forwards in this post and then look at defensemen later this week.
First, let’s be clear about what the Bruins should be looking for: An impactful, middle-six wing who can score. They don’t need more depth pieces who might be able to move up in the lineup in a pinch. They have enough of those guys. You want someone who’s actually going to be a difference-maker. Here are some options. (Why nine? Because that’s how many I came up with and I’m not going to make up a 10th just for the sake of round numbers.)
Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames
Let's start big (well, Gaudreau is only 5-foot-9, but you know what I mean). There have been plenty of rumors involving Johnny Hockey over the last year or so, and while they’ve quieted down a little with his strong start this season (9 goals, 11 assists in 22 games), they haven’t completely gone away. One report claims it’s unlikely he re-signs with the Flames when his contract expires after next season, adding that he’s “destined” for the Flyers, the team he rooted for growing up. If the first part is true, the Flames, who are currently out of playoff position, could maximize his value by trading him now since whoever acquires him would get him for the rest of this season and all of next season. Even if the second part is true and the Bruins wouldn’t really have a shot at re-signing Gaudreau (although, remember -- he did go to Boston College), a year and a half of a 27-year-old winger who has averaged 74 points per season over the last six years is pretty attractive… if you’re willing to pay what will surely be a very steep price.
Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators
Defenseman Mattias Ekholm is the big name making the rounds when it comes to the Predators (more on him when we look at defensemen), but they have a couple forwards who could also be available if they can’t get back in the playoff picture, led by Forsberg, a 26-year-old winger who has scored 20 or more goals in each of the last six seasons and has nine goals and 10 assists through 21 games this season. Like Gaudreau, Forsberg is signed through next season, so the Predators could get more for him now if they don’t think they’re going to be able to re-sign him. The price would be high, but he wouldn’t just be a rental, and he would be a clear upgrade over any other options you have for second-line wings.
Mikael Granlund, Nashville Predators
If you don’t want to pay the high price for Forsberg, the Predators also have a cheaper option in Granlund, who would be a rental after signing a one-year deal before the season. He’s not the clear second-line upgrade that Forsberg is, but he would help your middle-six. He’s also no longer the player who topped 65 points in 2016-17 and 2017-18, but he still scored 17 goals in a down year last season, has nine points in 18 games this season, and is a good two-way player.
Kyle Palmieri, New Jersey Devils
The Bruins have reportedly shown interest in Palmieri in the past, so why not again? The Devils appear to be crashing back to earth after their surprisingly good start, as they’ve lost five of their last six. Palmieri is an unrestricted free agent after the season, so if the Devils don’t think they’re going to be re-signing him, there’s no reason not to get something for him. Palmieri is off to a bit of a slow start with three goals and six assists in 16 games, but he’s scored 24 or more goals in each of the last five seasons, and his 7.1% shooting percentage is well below his career 12.6% mark, suggesting there may be some bad luck in play there.
Taylor Hall, Buffalo Sabres
Speaking of players the Bruins reportedly had interest in, Hall was the big rumor of this past offseason before he signed a one-year, $8 million deal with the Sabres. Things aren’t working out in Buffalo, for him or the team -- the Sabres are in last place in the East and well on their way to another playoff miss, and Hall has only one goal through 19 games. Why wouldn’t the Sabres try to get something for him? The Bruins could absorb his salary as they get closer to the deadline since salaries prorate during the season, and they might not need to move an arm and a leg to get him given his rental status and underwhelming production so far. If you still like the player, maybe you think a change of scenery and joining a Cup contender will get him going.
Bobby Ryan, Detroit Red Wings
Give Ryan all the credit in the world for getting his career and life back on track after taking time off to address his struggles with alcohol abuse. He finished last season strong with the Senators and has started this one strong with the Red Wings, leading the team with six goals and 12 points through 23 games. He’s only on a one-year, $1 million deal, but the 33-year-old wing has certainly proven he can still play and still score. The Red Wings aren’t going anywhere, and there should be a fairly robust market given the minimal financial commitment. All of his goals have come at even-strength, meaning he currently has more even-strength goals than every Bruin not named Brad Marchand or David Pastrnak.
Rickard Rakell, Anaheim Ducks
The Bruins made two trades with the Ducks last season, so we know Don Sweeney and Bob Murray have a pretty good relationship. With Anaheim once again looking like a non-playoff team, don’t be surprised to see them sell off some parts again. Rakell is signed through next season with a cap hit of $3.8 million and presents an interesting gamble. He scored 30-plus goals in back-to-back seasons in 2016-17 and 2017-18, but then dropped down to 18, 15 and now just two through 21 games this season. But he’s still just 27, he’s still shooting the puck a ton (over three shots on goal per game), and he brings some physical play as well. You shouldn’t expect a return to that 30-goal form, but even his 42 points last season would’ve put him fifth among Bruins forwards and could certainly be useful.
Tanner Pearson, Vancouver Canucks
A former Stanley Cup champion with the Kings, Pearson has rediscovered his game over the last year-plus in Vancouver after a herky-jerky 2018-19 season that saw him get traded twice and experience a big dip in production. He had 21 goals and 24 assists in 69 games last season and four goals and four assists in 17 playoff games. The 28-year-old wing has gotten off to a slower start this season with five goals and four assists through 24 games, but the Canucks will be selling and he could be worth a shot as a rental, especially if his offense starts to pick up. (By the way, before you come at me with Jake Virtanen from Vancouver, I don’t want him. He has one point in 19 games and has gotten healthy-scratched multiple times on a bad team. Let someone else bet on his bounce-back; I’m looking for more certainty.)
Nick Foligno, Columbus Blue Jackets
There hasn’t seemed to be a ton of talk about the Blue Jackets selling pieces, but I’m not really sure why given that they’ve been horrible of late and are now seven points out of a playoff spot. If they do sell, would they move their captain? Foligno is 33 and he’s an unrestricted free agent after the season. You’d have to imagine he’d be open to a move to a contender. He’s no longer the player who scored 31 goals six years ago, but his 10 points (4 goals, 6 assists) through 23 games to go along with his still-strong defensive play, still-high level of physicality (he is consistently among the NHL leaders in hits), and veteran leadership would make him a solid rental addition.