Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: The Bruins could benefit from moving a defenseman or two. Edmonton media reports that the Oilers could use a defenseman like hometown boy Johnny Boychuk. The Bruins will have trouble re-signing Boychuk to a deal at over $5 million a season. David Krejci, Carl Soderberg and Dougie Hamilton will also be looking for new deals after this season (if they don’t work a deal in-season). If the Bruins are looking to get a talented right winger in a deal, they may have to include Boychuk over defenseman like Matt Bartkowski, Adam McQuaid or David Warsofsky. Haggerty thinks a Nail Yakupov-for-Johnny Boychuk trade could help solve issues for both teams.
Regan Bartel: Justin Schultz on contract talks: “It is pretty close. We should have something done pretty soon here.” Schultz on whether he would go to camp without a contract: “I don’t want too. It isn’t something anyone wants to do. I don’t see me going to camp without a deal. I will be at training camp ready to roll.”
The Fourth Period: The Sharks haven’t talked to Joe Thorton about waiving his no trade clause, despite teams calling and asking about him this offseason. It’s believed the Sharks would also like to eventually move Patrick Marleau. Multiple sources that are close to the team said they would eventually like to move both if they would approve a move. The Sharks are open to talk trade about them, but nothing is imminent. The Sharks have also looked at trading Antti Niemi.
The Fourth Period: The Maple Leafs don’t have a lot of salary cap room, but they would still like to improve their roster. They are expected to resume trade options in the near future. Offseason trade talk included Cody Franson, Nazem Kadri, Joffrey Lupul and James Reimer. It is thought that the Leafs would like to upgrade their top-six, but that may not be easy.
