By: Theo Lander | Follow me on Twitter @lander_theo
The Boston Bruins are in a precarious situation with their salary cap. Apparently, trading Craig Smith is their solution.
On Tuesday, Jimmy Murphy of BostonHockeyNow.com reported that the Boston Bruins had recently engaged in trade talks surrounding Craig Smith. The source of this report was described as an “NHL source with direct knowledge of the situation.” According to the report, Craig Smith has been on the Bruin’s trade block since the beginning of the offseason. It was revealed that these talks ramped up recently, with an unidentified team becoming very interested in acquiring Smith.
The source further revealed that trade talks between the Bruins and said team progressed far enough that they proposed an official offer for Smith. The offer was apparently not enough for Don Sweeney, as both sides could not come to an agreement, and trade talks came to an abrupt halt:
Craig Smith will return to start the season at 33 years old. The Madison, Wisconsin native tallied 16 goals and 20 assists for 36 points in 74 games last year. The 2021-2022 regular season marked his worst year with the Bruins regarding his average scoring. Most importantly, the former Nashville forward currently carries a $3.1 million cap hit against the team.
As of the writing of this report, the Boston Bruins are $2.4 million over the salary cap. With the recent signings of Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, and Pavel Zacha, it has become even more evident that the Bruins have to make a move to clear up some cap space. However, this is the final year on Smith’s contract, and he will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.
If I were the Bruins management I would package Grzelcyk, Smith, Wagner and Foligno (do the demotion to Providence Bruins, which he would have to except ) and try to get a decent pair young center prospects or one really good center prospect. I don’t know if it will work, however if it doesn’t work then try to get some decent picks. Smith ($3,100,000)is still a decent 3rd line right wing, the Bruins should get a 4th round pick for him, Grzelcyk($3,687,500) should bring a 3rd pick and Foligno($3,800,000) maybe a 7th founder. I really like Chris Wagner, he needs to go as well ($1,350,000). The total amount saved on the 4 players listed above is $11,937,500 and if you think about what each as an individual brings to the Bruins team, it really isn’t that much and to me isn’t worth the money. I know what you are thinking right now who’s going to replace Smith on the 3rd line right wing, well internally I believe in Oscar Steen could be a really good 3rd line right wing for the next 2 to 4 years. Next is Wagner, a career 4th liner pretty much every coach has tried to make him a 3rd line right wing to no avail. Now I have to listen to all the pissing and moaning about how Grzelcyk is a home grown, you can’t run a team that way and win. He is an injury waiting to happen and I don’t care about his dad working on the ice crew. Then there is Foligno just put him on waivers so he can go play with his brother. Done deal. Maybe just maybe Sweeney can pick up some draft picks and prospects. When healthy our Bruins lines will look like this I believe:
1a) Marchand, Bergeron and DeBrusk
1b) Hall, Krejci and Pastrnak
3) Zacka, Coyle and Steen/Lysell
4) Koppanen, Studnicka and McLaughlin
Extra Skaters: Frederic, Nosek.
Lindholm McAvoy
Zboril Carlo
Forbort Clifton
Reilly Lewington
Wolff Berglund
Callahan Peski
Ahcan Gabriele
You wouldn’t get a bag of pucks for those guys. C’mon!
Lol! You’re right Wendy.Reminds me of B’s 2 worst trades in history: Seguin for a bag of pucks and a trailer of broken sticks,AND THEIR WORST TRADE IN THEIR HISTORY,Jumbo Joe for another bag and trailer!!!