The Bruins could use help both up front and on defense before Monday’s NHL trade deadline. Perhaps they could get both from one of their East Division rivals.
According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the Bruins have shown interest in a pair of New Jersey Devils -- right wing Kyle Palmieri and defenseman Dmitry Kulikov.
“Boston is all in, from what I’ve been hearing,” Pagnotta writes. “They want a mid-six winger and a blueliner by the deadline and could kill two birds with one stone if they can agree to a deal with the Devils.”
Palmieri and Kulikov, who are both 30 years old, are both unrestricted free agents after the season, so there would be no long-term commitment or expansion draft considerations in either case.
Palmieri has eight goals and nine assists in 34 games this season. Ironically, he has done his best work against the Bruins, scoring five of his goals in six games against Boston. He has scored at least 24 goals in each of the last five seasons prior to this year. The Devils began resting Palmieri over the weekend in anticipation of a trade after talks about a contract extension reportedly broke down.
Kulikov, a 6-foot-1, 204-pound left shot, is fourth on the Devils in ice time this season, averaging 19:38 per game. He doesn’t contribute much in terms of points (two points in 35 games this season), but he can handle tough defensive assignments and drive possession with his skating and passing ability, which are better than the typical “defensive defenseman” (in fact, Kulikov was actually viewed more as an offensive defenseman earlier in his career).
Palmieri would slot in on the right side of one of the Bruins’ top three lines, while Kulikov would likely play in the Bruins’ top four at the back, as he would be an upgrade over the likes of Jeremy Lauzon, Jakub Zboril and Connor Clifton.
Acquiring two players from one team wouldn't be anything new for Don Sweeney and Co. Last year, both of the Bruins' deadline acquisitions (forwards Nick Ritchie and Ondrej Kase) came from the Anaheim Ducks.
Interestingly, Pagnotta also writes that the Bruins have “poked around” the goalie market with uncertainty surrounding Tuukka Rask’s health. He mentions Columbus’ Elvis Merzlikins and Arizona’s Darcy Kuemper as possibilities.
With Jaroslav Halak now in COVID-19 protocol as well, the Bruins’ two healthy goalies are rookies Dan Vladar and Jeremy Swayman. Vladar has played well in his four starts, while Swayman will make his first career start Tuesday night. Both have promising futures, but if the Bruins have real questions about one or both of their veterans going forward, it makes some sense that they would at least be poking around.