Bruins Reportedly Showing Major Interest In These Three Players Amidst Offensive Struggles
The Boston Bruins have hired a new coach, Joe Sacco, who has breathed new life into the locker room. The team has played with more discipline, and won 2 of their last four, giving up only 7 goals in that time frame.
While the team is taking slow steps to improve, they need to add offensive players to keep the team scoring.
There are multiple players who could be available by the trade deadline, two of them are in the Pacific Division, and another is with a trade partner, in the Windy City.
Who are three available forwards who make the Bruins a better team?
While a polarizing figure in the NHL, Zegras is a skilled forward who has great stick-handling skills and highlight-reel plays. Despite a multitude of skills, it hasn't translated into success in scoring. He closed out November with 6 points( two goals, four assists) in his last five, which suggests an uptick in his play.
Zegras only played 31 games last season and was unable to return to form scoring 15 points by the season's end. While he has all the tools to become a successful scorer in the league, he hasn't taken advantage of them.
He's failed to live up to expectations after repeat 60 point seasons in 2021-2022, and 2022-2023. While his lack of scoring could be just part of a team's hesitation to trade for him, his hefty $5.7 Million AAV doesn't help either. Zegras has explicitly stated he wants to play center, compared to the winger position which the Bruins could use some help down the middle.
The Bruins could make a package of Morgan Geekie, or Trent Frederic, plus a draft pick and a player from Providence, there could be a way of getting the deal done. The Ducks would have to consider retaining salary in order to make it palatable for the B's.
Seattle Kraken is under new leadership with Dan Byslma and Jessica Campbell behind the bench. A new-look team may be on the horizon as they could be sellers soon, and with an 11-13-1 record, they'll have to move some veterans to gain assets.
One of those players who could be moved and the Bruins should look into is Brandon Tanev, who is a gritty forward, and has a $3.5 Million cap hit. Tanev is currently a fourth liner in Seattle, scoring 5 goals and 10 points in 25 games, on the same line as Yannie Gourde and Tye Kartye. Tanev may not be a skilled offensive winger, like Zegras but he is an effective forechecker. He'd be a winger only Don Sweeney could love.
He could be moved to a contender, as playoff teams need depth and a physical presence once the postseason rolls around.
Taylor Hall's time in Boston was short but he was a beloved forward in the spoked B. He scored 60 points in his first season in Boston and followed up with a dismal 36 points the next.
Hall's move was a necessity due to cap space, and if there was justice he'd never have been traded from Boston. But due to players like Jeremy Swayman and David Pastrnak being prioritized, he was a casualty of that fact.
Hall only played ten games in Chicago last season due to an injury. But he has come back healthy and has played 23 games this year, and scored 10 points( 5 G, 5 A) which included a hat-trick against the Dallas Stars.
There's been talk that Hall is on the trade block this season, despite his best efforts to stay in Chicago.
His recent play is an example that Hall can still play a high level of hockey and still has a value that Sweeney should again prioritize capturing.
The Bruins should consider sending a forward, like Geekie, or a defenseman whose younger, should be moved if the Blackhawks do decide to retain salary, as Hall's $6 Million deal will be a lot to take on.
| POLL | ||
Who should GM Don Sweeney make a trade for to improve the Boston Bruins offense? | ||
