Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic: The Bruins were able to contain the top lines of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning, but they were able to contain the “second wave of attack.”
Torey Krug on the second-pairing brings offense but they didn’t have someone to pick up the defensive side of things. Ryan McDonagh would have been a great fit, but the Lightning outbid the Bruins.
The 27-year old Krug has two years left on his contract at $5.25 million and a partial no-trade clause. The Bruins have a need on the left side and they could consider using Krug to get that.
The Oilers could use someone like Krug. They have left-handed Oscar Klefbom and Darnell Nurse, but a one-for-one deal is unlikely. The Bruins may have to package more due to the ages of Klefbom (24) and Nurse (23).
The Bruins have left handed defenseman prospects in Urho Vaakanainen, Jakub Zboril, Jeremy Lauzon, and Emil Johansson, but none of those four have played in the NHL yet.
Other offseason needs for the Bruins to address.
Backup Goaltending – Anton Khudobin is a UFA and they no longer have Malcholm Subban in the fold.
No. 2 Right Winger – The Bruins won’t be bringing Rick Nash back. Internal options include Anders Bjork, Ryan Donato and Danton Heinen.
No. 3 Center – Pending UFA Riley Nash is unlikely to be back as he’ll likely get more term and money on the open market. Internal options include Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson and Trent Frederic.
No. 3 Right Winger – David Backes has a concussion history and dealt with other health related issues. Backes has three years left on his deal at a $6 million cap hit and a NMC for more more year.
The top priority for the Bruins is to find left-sided defenseman.