( Photo Credit: NBC Sports Boston )
By: Yanni Latzanakis | Follow Me On Twitter @yanlatz
The NHL trade deadline is quickly approaching and with it another push to the Stanley Cup Playoffs (seriously? it feels like the B’s were in the Finals a week ago). The Bruins along with every NHL team in the playoff race are laying out potential targets for the Monday, February 24th trade deadline. The Bruins under Don Sweeney have rarely made a humongous splash at the deadline in the past but here’s to hoping that changes this year.
INSIDER TRADING: #TSNHockey Insiders discuss…
🏒 Big demand for Chris Kreider and the asking price
🏒 Latest on Leafs & Muzzin
🏒 NHL checking into #Yotes recruiting violations?
🏒 #NHLBruins & Backes
🏒 Gallant’s next step?WATCH 🌍: https://t.co/KSrQ8RUfP9 #TradeCentre pic.twitter.com/NSxBe02mOn
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) January 30, 2020
The Bruins are often reluctant to give up top prospects and first and second-round picks for deadline trades. In 2018, the Bruins made arguably their biggest deadline move bringing in 33-year-old Rick Nash in exchange for a 2018 first-round pick, 2019 seventh-round pick, Ryan Spooner, Matt Beleskey, and prospect Ryan Lindgren who was a second-round pick of the Bruins. This was a pretty hefty return for a veteran forward at the tail end of his career and the Bruins went on to lose in five games to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Last season, the Bruins traded for Weymouth, MA native Charlie Coyle and Marcus Johansson as deadline deals and they both had big impacts on the Bruins run to the Stanley Cup Finals. However, the Bruins still fell short.
In my opinion, the Bruins go for it now and give up the picks and prospects to get another crack at the Stanley Cup as the core of Bergeron, Chara, Marchand, Krejci, and Rask is aging and time could be running out for the Bruins to make another run. Here are my top 3 trade targets for the Bruins at the 2020 NHL Trade Deadline:
1. Chris Kreider
Chris Kreider has been linked to the Bruins for a couple of years now but it seems as though there is much more traction on this rumor this year as opposed to in the past. It has been reported that the Bruins have had Kreider on their radar for the deadline virtually all season and I think he would make a great winger for David Krejci who is still desperately awaiting a locked up wing spot along with Jake DeBrusk.
Kreider would feel right at home as the Boxford, MA native would be yet another New England kid to suit up in the Black ‘N Gold. Kreider is having a solid season for the New York Rangers playing in 48 games and racking up 32 points through his 17 goals and 15 assists. However, It would be a little bit of a hefty asking price from the Rangers as they are in a full rebuild mode and would likely want a top tier prospect along with a first-round draft pick.
2. Kyle Palmieri
Another player who has been rumored to be on the Bruins radar is Devils forward Kyle Palmieri. The 28-year-old seasoned vet could help the Bruins on the right side of David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk as he is a right-shot. Palmieri has appeared in 46 games with New Jersey and has scored 17 goals and dished out 16 assists for 33 points. He is a rugged player who can put the puck in the net but also a tough player who is not afraid to scrap and could be a perfect fit in the Bruins lineup.
Palmieri has another year after this on his deal worth a $4.65 million cap hit which could be beneficial to the Bruins if he fits in the Bruins lineup. The Bruins got a similar situation with Charlie Coyle coming over to the Bruins last season with a year left on his deal so he was not a traditional “deadline rental” player. Obviously, for this deal to happen, the Bruins would need to move a roster player to create cap room for the addition of Palmieri.
3. Andreas Athanasiou
This one might come as a surprise to many as he isn’t a top tier NHL player right now but he is a highly thought of young forward across the NHL. The 25-year-old Greek-Canadian from Woodbridge, Ontario has incredible speed and great hands (maybe he can help the Bruins in the shootout down the stretch?). He currently has five goals and 14 assists for 19 points this season in 36 games but is currently battling an injury and sitting out a few games this weekend for Detroit. This would be a cheaper deal for the Bruins than Kreider and they would get a younger, faster, and extremely talented winger. Although there is some risk with his recent injury and the fact that he hasn’t completely broken out just yet.
Other Notable Trade Targets:
Ottawa Senators F Jean-Gabriel Pageau
Los Angeles Kings F Tyler Toffoli
San Jose Sharks D Brenden Dillon
Leave a Reply