( Photo Credit: Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images )

By: Jack Cinquegrana  |  Follow me on Twitter: @bruinschewy

 

The Boston Bruins have had a great sense of team defense and acquiring two-way forwards in order to retain that reputation, a good defense is the best offense they always say. But, for the past few seasons, since the trading of Milan Lucic and Nathan Horton after the cup win, the Bruins have had a hard time scoring goals. Boston’s top line does most of the scoring currently tallying 45% of all of the team’s goals, compared to the second line scoring at 19% of the team’s total goals, not ideal.

With an addition of a bonafide offensive scorer that can be had for a good team-friendly contract, preferably a right-handed winger, the offense can be much more balanced offensive attack. When we rely too heavily upon 63-37-88 the frustration starts to show and that makes it even more difficult to stay composed and score goals.

These players that the Bruins should be targeting are not necessarily perfectly attainable but would be a great fit on the team filling the wide-open second-line winger spot beside David Krejci. The Bruins currently sit with 3.1 million in cap space to make a signing or have money going out for money coming in. Trade bait would include one of Jokiam Nordstrom/Danton Heinen and a prospect (Zach Senyshyn, Cameron Hughes, or Peter Cehlárik) and depending on the player, a pick as well.

Tomas Tatar

( Photo Credit: Montreal Canadiens / NHL.com )

A versatile C/W that has produced consistently throughout his entire career. He has a left-shot but can play a complementary game with DK46 and has proven himself a steady defensive forward. He is currently having the best season of his career on the stat sheet and commands a 5.3 million dollar cap hit for this year and next. That is a steep price but Sweeney can definitely move some money around. The only issue may be Tatar’s No-Trade Clause that was issued on February 2 includes 15 teams. Another potential issue could be that he plays for Montreal and there are not many trades between Boston and Montreal.

Kevin LeBanc

( Photo Credit: Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group )

The 24-year-old winger who has great playmaking and scoring ability has burning speed and some playoff experience. San Jose seems like they are blowing it up to reload for next season, they will want picks or prospects. I think he is an easy choice being that he is on a one-year, one million contract, he can potentially resign and will not command a high cap hit. He is a right-shot and can play the off-wing, I think he is a weapon that we need to pounce on.

 

Kyle Palmieri

( Photo Credit: NJ.com )

Palmieri from the New Jersey Devils has been a solid top-six winger throughout his entire career. Like Tatar, he is a seasoned veteran that can score, be a complementary player to the center and is currently on pace for his career-best goal-scoring season. Palmieri is a right-shot and his contract holds an annual average value of 4.65 million. Slightly a better deal than Tatar would be and having another right-handed forward would not hurt on Krejci’s wing.

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