Bruins general manager Don Sweeney didn’t make any moves Monday on trade deadline day, but that’s only because he did all his work Sunday night.
Sweeney first acquired left-shot defenseman Mike Reilly from the Ottawa Senators for a 2022 third-round pick. A short time later, he landed left wing Taylor Hall and center/right wing Curtis Lazar from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Anders Bjork and a 2021 second-round pick.
Sweeney met with the media via Zoom Monday afternoon and explained how he sees those three players fitting in with the Bruins.
“We're excited about the three players we were able to add,” Sweeney said. “Trying to touch up on a couple of areas, five-on-five scoring. I know Taylor hasn't scored at the previous levels as in years past that he has. I think if you look a little bit below the surface, he's had a lot scoring opportunities that haven't gone in. Whether that's just bad puck luck or whether that's things he needs to do differently, make some little adjustments -- we're going to point some things out to him but ultimately, we think he adds to the depth and balance of our club.
“Bringing speed off the wing, having the opportunity to probably play with [David] Krejci and/or [Charlie] Coyle. Hopefully, not unlike we did before when Marcus Johansson and Coyle were together, we created some depth in our lineup overall. Obviously, Taylor's extremely motivated, he's excited to be here. As he pointed out, we had some talks over the summer. Didn't go so we'd be able to sign him then. Called him throughout the course of the year and revisited the opportunity to bring him in.
“And Curtis checks a couple boxes for us: the center position, a two-position player, having some experience, adding some heaviness to the bottom part of the lineup. Adding some versatility, I think, if we want to mix and match that bottom six. So we're excited, and he's also extremely excited to join our club and really be in a playoff mindset to try to get our club into the playoffs.
“Mike Reilly, a player we've seen grow from his time in Minnesota and Montreal and then moving on to Ottawa with a much-elevated role. Puck-moving, transition game, skating ability. Even saw the difference when Matt Grzelyck went out of the lineup. We want to be a team with transitions a little cleaner at times.
“He's produced offensively, offensive blue line. Not necessarily scoring but contributing point-production-wise. Has played in all the situations and has been in elevated roles with Ottawa and you've seen growth in his game in both a competitive standpoint, but also overall. As I said, matching up and playing against a high level of opponents than we've seen in previous years with Montreal.”
Sweeny further explained why he thinks Hall could have more offensive success in Boston than he in Buffalo, pointing out that he should see some easier matchups playing on a second or third line instead of being the top-line player opposing defenses are always focused on.
“I think the ability to get through the neutral zone, pushing the defense back upon entry. And let's be honest — he's going to be playing behind Brad Marchand,” Sweeney said. “He's rarely had that in opportunities at other places to play behind a guy like Brad, who sees all the tough matchups every given night. Hopefully, Taylor can use his speed and gain some separation and push defensemen back, he can certainly prove he's gotten around defensemen to get pucks to the net.
“And obviously having the chance to play with either Charlie to play off of that or possibly Krech, who can get him the puck in those areas while he's in motion. He's gotten scoring chances, he just hasn't finished at the same level as he has in previous years. And you never know — I mean, you pointed out, that's obviously what we're hoping for. He's motivated to do that. We're going to give him an opportunity and see if he can ride with it.”