In the two weeks since the Boston Bruins elimination by the Tampa Bay Lightning from the 2018 NHL playoffs, there’s growing speculation over general manager Don Sweeney‘s plans to improve his roster.
The Bruins could use a big, physical forward on their second line and perhaps a little more checking-line grit. Bolstering the defense, however, appears to be their priority.
During his end-of-season press conference last Wednesday, Bruins president Cam Neely indicated his club’s need for more size besides Zdeno Chara on their blueline’s left side. The Boston Globe‘s Kevin Paul Dupont reported Neely believed Sweeney intends to work on that this summer.
Dupont noted the Bruins had Torey Krug (5’9″, 186 lbs) and Matt Grzelcyk (5’9″, 174 lbs) as their second- and third-pairing left-side defensemen. He felt their lack of size was an issue against the Lightning even before Krug was felled midway through their second-round series with a broken ankle.
The Bruins won’t seek a slower stay-at-home defender. Neely indicated their preference was adding “a guy that can skate, retrieve pucks, and is a big body on the back end.”
Dupont indicated that type of defenseman isn’t in the Bruins system. Sweeney could be forced into this summer’s trade or free-agent markets to address the issue.
Cap Friendly indicates the Bruins have over $65.3 million invested in 17 players for 2018-19. Grzelcyk and forward Sean Kuraly are their only restricted free agents. Notable unrestricted free agents include Rick Nash, Riley Nash, Anton Khudobin and Tommy Wingels.
Grzelcyk and Kuraly will be affordable re-signings. Khudobin could be retained but the remainder of their UFAs might not return.
At first glance, it appears the Bruins have sufficient room to re-sign their key free agents and still add a good left-side defenseman. Finding a suitable addition, however, could be easier said than done.
Left-side options via free agency are limited. Columbus’ Ian Cole, Dallas’ Dan Hamhuis, New Jersey’s John Moore and Vegas’ Luca Sbisa appear the best of the bunch.
Sweeney could perhaps find better options via trade. Of course, that depends on what he’s willing to give up in return.
Krug could become a trade candidate. While he’s the Bruins’ best offensive rearguard, Dupont feels he “doesn’t provide the quality five-on-five minutes that a traditional top-four blueliner must contribute.” He’s signed through 2019-20 with an annual cap hit of $5.25 million and a modified no-trade clause that kicks in on July 1.
NBC Sports Boston’s Joe Haggerty suggested the Carolina Hurricanes’ Noah Hanifin, the Edmonton Oilers’ Oscar Klefbom and the Minnesota Wild’s Jonas Brodin as potential trade targets.
Hanifin, 21, would be the ideal fit with the Bruins. He’s young, big-bodied (6’3″, 206 lbs) and a skilled all-around blueliner whose best seasons remain ahead of him.
The Hurricanes are under new management and have considerable blueline depth. With a new owner intent on ending their nine-year playoff drought, they might consider parting with Hanifin for the right offer.
Carolina needs more scoring, especially at center. If Hanifin hits the trade block, they could seek a good young forward as part of the return.
The Oilers need a proven top-two defenseman with a right-handed shot. They could be willing to move the 6’3″ 215-pound Klefbom, who struggled through injury and inconsistency last season.
In recent weeks, there were calls for the Bruins to offer up a package with Krug as the centerpiece in hopes of landing Klefbom and the Oilers’ first-round pick (10th overall) in the 2018 draft. However, the Edmonton Journal‘s Jim Matheson noted Krug – a left-handed shot – is older and more expensive than Klefbom. He’s also due to become an unrestricted free agent in two years.
Brodin, 24, might be a more realistic option. The 6’1″, 194-pounder carries an affordable $4.16-million cap hit through 2020-21. With the Wild soon to hire a new general manager, they could shake things up. Krug might be an enticing replacement for Brodin, but Haggerty felt they could seek a good young forward as part of the deal.
Perhaps the Bruins might look to Jake Muzzin of the Los Angeles Kings. He certainly has the size (6’3″, 216 lbs) though he’s not known for his physical play.
Earlier this season, there was talk suggesting the Kings could consider moving Muzzin or Alec Martinez for a scoring forward. Given the Bruins’ need for a second-line winger, Muzzin might not be a suitable fit.