Given that the Bruins could use help both up front and on defense, we would expect them to be linked in some way, shape or form to just about any player who’s available or might be available before the April 12 trade deadline.
In his latest “31 Thoughts” column, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman adds a name to the conversation that might be a bit surprising, but that should absolutely interest the Bruins: Conor Garland of the Arizona Coyotes.
Garland is from Scituate, so there’s a nice hometown tie-in there, but that’s not why the Bruins should be interested. They should be interested because he’s a 25-year-old right wing who would immediately improve their second line and who has been getting better every year.
After scoring 13 goals in 47 games as a rookie in 2018-19, Garland potted 22 goals and 39 points in 68 games last season. This year, he is up to 25 points (9 goals, 16 assists) in 31 games. He has jumped from playing 14:09 per game last season to 17:47 this year.
Importantly for the Bruins given that five-on-five offense in particular is their biggest weakness, seven of his goals and 13 of his assists this season have come at even-strength. As Friedman points out, that ties him for 24th in the NHL in even-strength points (it’s also one more than current Bruins leader Brad Marchand).
Garland is on the books for just $775,000 this season and is a restricted free agent after the season. He’ll be due for a nice pay raise, but the Bruins or anyone else trading for him would have some control.
Naturally, you may be wondering: Why would the Coyotes trade this talented young winger? Here is Friedman’s answer:
“I’m told the way the Coyotes see it is they need to replenish, and moving him could do it,” he writes.
Friedman adds that the Coyotes have told teams they are not interested in multiple picks that are late in rounds, so it would take more than that. That would seemingly mean that the Bruins would have to move at least one top prospect or young NHL-caliber player, probably along with a first-round pick.
Friedman also has a couple other interesting notes as it relates to the Bruins. He reports that the Predators might be willing to trade Ryan Ellis instead of Mattias Ekholm, who has been rumored to be at or near the top of the Bruins’ wish list. Ellis wouldn’t be as natural a fit for the Bruins as a right shot, and he also has six years remaining on his contract at 30 years old.
Friedman also speculates about a possible Jake DeBrusk-Jake Virtanen deal between the Bruins and Canucks, possibly with other pieces involved. He mentions that Vancouver has taken calls on defensemen Alex Edler and Jordie Benn -- a pair of veteran left shots who are free agents after the season.
My personal opinion is that DeBrusk is still better and more valuable than Virtanen, but bring one of those two defensemen into the conversation and maybe there’s something there.