Bruins instantly linked to former 50 goal scorer after team places him on the trading block

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Joshua Deeds
November 26, 2024 (10:38)

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With the Jim Montgomery era ending in Boston, Don Sweeney and the Bruins front office will have to construct a new identity for the Bruins.

The team isn't playing up to expectations, and they're in a Wild Card spot, again another unexpected turn of events in 2024. The team has attempted to make lineup changes in the offseason to improve the team, adding Nikita Zadarov and Elias Lindholm from the Canucks.

Despite these movies, the team is in shambles, and mediocrity has reigned to start the season.

That's why they may make moves to secure a top-six forward whose been made available by the New York Rangers.

The Rangers currently hold the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference with 25 points, despite having played fewer games than the three teams ahead of them in the Metropolitan Division. According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the Rangers are exploring roster changes, with players like Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba reportedly being discussed as potential trade options.

Why Chris Kreider?

The Bruins could use a player like Chris Kreider for multiple reasons, one reason is the Bruins are in win-now mode. Kreider would stabilize the top six, and give the Bruins one more goal-scoring forward.

In the last two seasons he's scored 75, and 54 points with consecutive 30-goal seasons in '23 and '24.

He also provided a presence up front on the net during the power-play and is a gritty, power forward. A style of play that would fit the Bruins' identity well.

He's no stranger to trade rumors, specifically ones linking him to the Bruins, largely due to his Massachusetts roots and his physical, Bruins-style approach to hockey. This season, Kreider has scored nine goals in 19 games, though just one in his last six contests.

Kreider would be an immediate spark to the offense for the Bruins, even if he'd have to play out of his regular position on the left. The weakness on the Bruins right now is currently on the right, with Justin Brazeau.

Kreider currently carries a cap hit of $6.5 Million and his contract will expire at age 36, and there are risks the Bruins will have to accept if they make a trade for the veteran Rangers forward.

It'd help the Bruins and the Rangers if GM Chris Drury would lighten the load on the cap hit by retaining a part of the contract.

Of course, the Bruins would have to send additional assets attached with what or whomever they part with for the forward, but when you're in a win-now mode, nothing is out of the question.

Would you trade for Chris Kreider?