LHD: Who Could The Bruins Target?
Which left-side defensemen could play next to Charlie McAvoy or Brandon Carlo next season.
During his end of the season press conference Cam Neely essentially said the Bruins need another left-side defenseman who can actually play in the top-4.
Jeremy Lauzon might turn into something if he can polish his game the next couple seasons, but he isn’t the answer to complete the top-4 D for next season.
Mike Reilly might be re-signed, but he certainly isn’t the best option available to pair with Brandon Carlo or Charlie McAvoy at this point in the offseason.
Matt Grzelcyk can play next to McAvoy or Carlo, but who else could the Bruins add to the top-4 D this offseason?
Trade Market Targets
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, 30 in July, Arizona.
6 years left at $8.25M cap-hit AND a No-Movement Clause. If Arizona is willing to retain salary, he could be one of the better options for the Bruins this summer.
It’s a risky move that’s much different than acquiring an expiring contract. If OEL isn’t able to re-establish himself on the East Coast then the Bruins would essentially sink their future cap space on one player. Also, say goodbye to any dreams of a Stanley Cup.
On the other hand, OEL might have a renaissance playing for a new team. A team with elite players where he wouldn’t have to be the lead horse every single game. Taylor Hall anyone?
He’s an all-around defenseman who has put up two 20 goal seasons, but what happened to him?
Has father time diminished his abilities? Is the mental toll of being captain of the NHL’s most dysfunctional franchise too much?
Based on the rumors last offseason, Bruins management must think he can rejuvenate his career playing next to McAvoy or Carlo because why else would he be mentioned going to the Bruins?
If the price is right then I think the Bruins will pull the trigger on OEL. I’m not sure it will work out, but I do see him as one of the few options for the Bruins this offseason.
Ekman-Larsson controls his own destiny with a NMC, similar to Taylor Hall. There’s also zero chance the Coyotes ownership wants to pay him the remaining $50 million cash owed to him over the next 6 years. There is some pressure on Arizona GM Bill Armstrong to trade him this summer.
Perhaps it’s just enough pressure for the Bruins to offer something like Jake DeBrusk, Jakub Zboril and future 2nd-round pick for OEL. Arizona retaining at least 10% of his cap-hit too.
Not a king’s ransom by any means, but the Bruins get a player that COULD get them closer to a Stanley Cup if he returns to form.
Vince Dunn, 24 years old. St. Louis Blues.
An offensive defenseman who is probably going to Seattle in the expansion draft.
His effort was questioned this season and injuries kept him from finding a role on a decent blueline in St. Louis.
Perhaps the Bruins could acquire him after the expansion draft to be that offensive presence next to Carlo on the 2nd-pair.
Ryan Graves (26), Samuel Girard (23), Colorado.
Girard the undersized puck-mover and Graves the 6’6” shutdown defender.
Graves could also end up in Seattle, but would he make sense next to Carlo or McAvoy?
Perhaps he could compliment McAvoy on the top pair, but with a lack of offense from Carlo, the concern becomes the blue-line being too one dimensional.
Girard on the other hand is another Grz type defenseman whose size might be a problem against heavier teams like Islanders, Capitals and Lightning.
Both options are upgrades, it would just be a matter of cost and I’m not sure the Bruins have the assets to get these players via trade. Other teams could outbid them if Colorado is shopping them around the league.
Nikita Zadorov, 26 years old, Chicago.
Zadorov is an RFA who is apparently asking for 5 years at $5.85M per year. Chicago probably isn’t going to come close to giving him that and neither is Boston. But maybe a 1 year deal and see how it goes for Junior Z in Boston?
Keith Yandle, Florida
I don’t see him coming to Boston unless Don Sweeney is desperate. Yandle has 2 years remaining at $6.35M cap-hit. He will be 35 in July.
I think Yandle is going to be traded or bought by Florida. He’s a Power Play specialist and defensive liability.
Free Agents
Alec Martinez, 34 in July.
Martinez is a strong possibility for the Bruins, but he’s getting older. How much money does he want and for how long?
It might make sense for the Bruins to offer him a short-term deal, but if Vegas trades one of their goaltenders, they could use that cap space to re-sign Martinez to keep their current roster together.
Vegas Golden Knights Offseason Cap Projection
Jamie Oleksiak, 28.
The 6’7” giant on skates would definitely help defensively, but would the Bruins be able to get him at the right price?
As a 28 year old free-agent, this is Oleksiak’s golden chance to cash-in on a big money deal. Defensive defenseman usually don’t attract top dollar contracts, but Oleksiak won’t be cheap considering the free agent market.
The Dallas Stars will probably try to bring him back and he could simply want to stay in Dallas where has an established role on a pretty good team.
Ryan Murray, 28 in September.
The former 2nd overall pick doesn’t put up points, but he does have offensive ability. He’s solid defensively, but frequently injured.
He might be too risky for the Bruins to guarantee anything more than a 1 year deal.
Jake McCabe, 28 in October.
McCabe was having a really good year in Buffalo until ACL and MCL injuries ended his season.
He’s suffered a few injuries in past seasons and if he’s healthy I think he would be a great fit in Boston. What kind of money and term he’s looking for is anyone’s guess.
Because he’s still young (28 at the start of next season), he might be willing to take a 1 year deal in order to increase his value next offseason. That would be the best case scenario for the Bruins.
If McCabe is looking to get paid on a long-term deal he will certainly have offers, but probably not one from Boston.
There are other players who might be a good fit in Boston, like Mattias Ekholm and Noah Hanifin, but in my opinion I don’t see them being moved.
Hanifin has played well in Calgary is too valuable to them right now. Ekholm would be a major step back for the Predators who are still trying to compete for the playoffs.
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