After trading for Ondrej Kase on Friday, the Boston Bruins can still make some moves prior to the NHL Trade Deadline.
The Boston Bruins own the best record in the NHL, and with under a week until the Trade Deadline the team has been rumored around plenty of players who could be traded by Monday.
It will be very interesting, given a high market value for players, which direction General Manager Don Sweeney goes as the Bruins get ready to make another Stanley Cup run.
The Tampa Bay Lightning, who are battling with the Bruins for the top seed in the Atlantic Division, made a move by trading a first round pick, and prospect Nolan Foote to the NJ Devils for scoring winger Blake Coleman. This could ultimately push the Bruins to making an upgrade as well, as sort of match to the division rival.
With many names still being floated in trade rumors, here are the few that best fit the Boston Bruins aside from newly acquired winger Ondrej Kase.
Kyle Palmieri, New Jersey Devils
2019-20 Stats: 55 GP, 22 G, 19 A, 41 PTS, +2
The New Jersey Devils are sellers this year, trading forward Blake Coleman to Tampa Bay, and captain Andy Greene to the New York Islanders. Their next move will most likely be trading Kyle Palmieri.
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The New York native is a key offensive contributor for the Devils. He has posted 20+ goal seasons in the past 6 years. Also a right-wing, right-handed shot. He does lack the size that some assume the Boston Bruins are looking for.
Many more teams will be interested in Palmieri’s services for a playoff run. He is an undoubted top six player. Like Ondrej Kase, he is more of a grinding, chip away forward with a scorer’s touch. Palmieri would assumingely slot in with David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk.
Kyle Palmieri is an unrestricted free agent after the season. A handful of teams will be in discussion with New Jersey for Palmieri.
Chris Kreider, New York Rangers
2019-20 Stats: 58 GP, 24 G, 21 A, 45 PTS, +10
The New York Rangers power forward is the top name heading into the trade deadline. TSN reported that the Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche are the “most interested” in Chris Kreider.
Acquiring Kreider would be a steep cost. Along the lines of two top end draft picks and a prospect is what the market is rumored to be.
The Bruins and Avalanche reportedly have 'emerged as frontrunners' for Chris Kreider as the NHL trade deadline nears. https://t.co/1B2oaEsPNI pic.twitter.com/k9OqhM1QHc
— NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSBoston) February 18, 2020
What makes Kreider such a great fit is that he is a Mass native. The Boxboro product also spent his collegiate days at Boston College. Joining the Bruins would most certainly be bitter-sweet for him. Hometown Bruins players such as Charlie Coyle and Matt Grzelcyk have thrived playing at home as well, which could entice CK.
Kreider is also an unrestricted free agent following this season.
Josh Anderson, Columbus Blue Jackets
2019-20 Stats: 26 GP, 1 G, 3 A, 4 PTS, -8
The 25-year-old power forward has battled injury after a breakout 2018-19 season with Columbus. He notched 27 goals and 47 points last season. Capitalizing on his injury and his lack of production is risky, but you wouldn’t be giving up nearly as much as you would for a player like Chris Kreider.
Josh Anderson is a physical force, who was a pest against the Boston Bruins in last year’s playoff series. If Anderson fills in with Krejci, he would draw a-lot of comparison to Krejci’s former line-mate Milan Lucic. Given the potential cost, you would think Anderson is a prime candidate for Don Sweeney.
He will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season, which also adds some value to a trade.
Conor Sheary, Buffalo Sabres
2019-20 Stats: 53 GP, 9 G, 10 A, 19 PTS, -3
Conor Sheary is another Mass product. A 2-time Stanley Cup Champion with Pittsburgh, he would be an excellent depth move from a roster standpoint. He adds great speed and skill and could fit in the middle six forwards tremendously.
His price wouldn’t be too hefty either. When he was last traded, he only commanded a 4th round pick and a lesser name defensemen. This would definitely not be the Boston Bruins first choice for a trade, but if they find themselves where all their prioritized names are off the table, trading for Conor Sheary would be a solid last-minute move.
He will be an unrestricted free agent after the season.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Ottawa Senators
2019-20 Stats: 58 GP, 24 G, 16 A, 40 PTS, +10
Jean-Gabriel Pageau has thrived in Ottawa this season, which is the reason trading for this player seems farfetched. With the Senators in a rebuild, hanging on to their most productive center is likely. Reports are swirling that the Senators and JGP are in contract talks, but who knows between now and Monday what could transpire.
Already noted, he is a center, which is something the Boston Bruins don’t really need. So if you were to lock in on Pageau, you would take a chance hoping he could make a good transition to a wing spot. He does have the skill and production level to be a top six player, even on a much more loaded Bruins team.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau hits as an unrestricted free agent after the season’s end.