Bruins looking for offensive help
Joe Haggerty of NBC Sports Boston: Aside from the Boston Bruins top line, the remaining Bruins had only scored nine goals in their first six games.
The Bruins had hoped for the likes of Anders Bjork, Danton Heinen and Ryan Donato to provide more offense, but so far they haven’t been up to the task.
The Bruins are going to have to look externally for offensive help.
Darren Dreger of TSN reported earlier this week that the Bruins are looking to trade for a center. believes they need a forward who can “A) man the wing on the second line along with Krejci and DeBrusk or B) get a center who can bring a little more stability to their third line as Riley Nash did last season.”
Haggerty thinks the Bruins don’t want to trade for a veteran center who would block Trent Frederic or Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson.
Columbus Blue Jackets Artemi Panarin is the biggest name out there, but that would likely cost a top young defenseman and forward.
Would a package involving Torey Krug and Danton Heinen work? The Blue Jackets may ask for Jake DeBrusk instead of Heinen.
Anaheim Ducks forward Nick Ritchie may not be available after the Ducks finally signed him earlier this week.
James Murphy has mentioned New York Rangers Chris Kreider as a potential target.
Duchene contract talks
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Matt Duchene confirmed that his agent Pat Brisson met with Ottawa Senators GM Pierre Dorion earlier this week in Toronto.
The 27-year old pending UFA wants to focus on hockey and not on the contract discussions. It was the first formal meeting between the two sides after brief talks this offseason.
“I told my agent I’m on a need-to-know basis, and he just said they talked and that’s it. That’s all I know and that’s all I want to know right now,” Duchene said following a skate at the Robert Guertin Arena.
“I’m focused on helping this team win day-to-day. My first goal and my first priority, no matter what I’m doing in this league, is hockey. The business side is a big part, but it comes a bit more secondary for me. That’s going to sort itself out. I know that and I’ve got to do what I can day-to-day to help this team win.”
If a contract extension can’t be reached by the trade deadline, Duchene could be dealt.